Larry,
I believe as of Sept 1, 1997, a CHL holder no longer must inform the officer of his CHL when he (CHL holder) is unarmed. However, Art is right, the officer may know the registered owner of the car is a CHL holder before he (the officer) gets out of the car.
I am a CHL holder and instructor. My wife does not have a CHL. The car is registered in both our names.
If my wife or one of my daughters is stopped (driving our family car), the officer may know "the owner" holds a CHL, but he doesn't know who the driver is until he gets the driver's license.
If I am driving my daughter's truck, the registration says nothing about CHL and I need to tell him before he runs my license.
I am not fond of the current system, but it is better than carrying illegally (which I do NOT confess to have done for 20-some years, ahem). My CHL is a license to carry. It says nothing about whether I own a gun or not.
If and when actual gun registration becomes required, they can kiss my royal all-American dupa.
As for the officer being entitled to take your weapon, it is the law. He can take your weapon back to his car, unload it (including the magazine if it's a SA), and leave it there during the field interview. Upon completion of the interview, if he turns you loose, he will return the gun, magazine, and bullets. It is strongly suggested you do NOT hurriedly begin to reload the magazine in the officer's presence.
Just take your stuff and reload after the officer leaves.
It is Texas state law that any officer can disarm anyone to ensure safety at the scene.
Do not refuse to let the officer take your weapon. If he refuses to return it, demand a receipt. If he refuses to give a receipt, ask for his supervisor. If he refuses, go to the nearest police station and report you have been robbed and, yes, get an attorney - preferably an attorney you have lined up beforehand.
On a personal level, I tell my students never to argue with a police officer in the field. "Badge! Gun! He's in charge - unless it's a female officer and then SHE'S in charge!" I use a touch of humor to make the point that the only time you argue with a police officer is in a court of law - represented by an attorney. Otherwise you lose, and you can lose BIG!