Traveling with firearms

Ok so heres the deal. I live in Texas and I am nervous about getting a concealed carry permit for a number of reasons. One is that it broadcasts to the world or the Feds or state that you carry, second it requires your fingerprints on file which in my case they already are somewhere but as a believer in conspiracies I think it would be highly probable for the feds to target individuals who have their fingerprints on file and easily replicate a fingerprint in some sort of false flag operation.

So anyways, I have traveled through the state and been pulled over three times and every time I am asked wether I am carrying, even though I am usually not. I don't have any felonies, no violent crimes or domestic violence charges. I am pretty much on the right side of the law but I dont understand why in the state of Texas this is such a popular question to ask me? Is it something that appears on my file because they never ask me that until they run my license and return to my vehicle.

Anyways, I prefer to carry a long semi auto with evil military features and 4 fully loaded evil thirty round mags and a 9mm with loaded mags. I never have a round in the chamber. But when I am doing this I cant help but get very nervous when there is a sheriff, state patrol or police behind me. I know there are several advantages to living in Texas but it still makes me nervous and I do like to travel to places like Tennessee where DHS is rampant.

So my question is (and it may very depending on states) When I am carrying and I am pulled over and asked the dreaded question, be it either a routine stop or for speeding. What is the correct answer to the officer who pulled you over without probable cause?

Also, as a welcomed side topic. What are the rules about carrying when traveling by airline?

Also want to add that in the state of Texas it is legal to open carry a long rifle as long as a round is not chambered and I think they prefer that a magazine is not attached. The concealed carry only applies to handguns. Also it is legal to carry a handgun to and from and inside your car as long as it remains concealed.

reply to post by txinfidel

TX Man Transporting Unloaded Firearms Through NJ Doing 3-5 Years in Prison

gunssavelives.net...

A TX man, who was in the process of moving to Maine, made a very simple mistake, and never made it to his hew home. Dustin Reininger is serving a 3-5 year prison sentence in the Garden State because he made a mistake, he stopped to take a nap in NJ during his multi day drive from Texas to Maine.

reply to post by txinfidel


In Texas,

A person may carry a loaded handgun without a permit while in or heading directly to a motor vehicle or watercraft they own or control. The statute does not specifically state the handgun must be concealed while heading to the vehicle or watercraft, and 46.02, which requires concealment of a handgun while in a motor vehicle or watercraft, is not applicable to a person while the person is traveling, pursuant to 46.15(b)(2).

Disclaimer, I am not a lawyer, this is simply personal advice.

When traveling through other states, I'd highly recommend checking their gun laws to avoid the situation above. New York and New Jersey are EXTREMELY stringent on these, even for Law Enforcement!

In Tennessee, as long as the long guns are unloaded, you are fine...though if going there often, I'd recommend getting a HCP (Handgun Carry Permit) which even allows you to have loaded long guns in your vehicle.

reply to post by Gazrok


OK so you can open carry as long as you are in persuit to the vehicle you operate. Good info thanks.

reply to post by tanda7


God blessed New Jersey.

You can legally carry a firearm in your car since the state recognizes a car as an extension of your home... You never know how a cop may interpret the law though and they do have the right to rely on their own discretion when sizing up a situation...

Texas law doesn't necessarily state unloaded or loaded for long guns, but to be on the safe side, why load them? Any cop pulling you over will be a LOT less suspicious of you if they aren't loaded.

reply to post by Gazrok

even for Law Enforcement!

Ahhh no

The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) is a United States federal law, enacted in 2004, that allows two classes of persons—the "qualified law enforcement officer" and the "qualified retired law enforcement officer"—to carry a concealed firearm in any jurisdiction in the United States, regardless of state or local laws, with certain exceptions.

Link

The exceptions of course are Bars and Fed and State Court buildings etc

Active Law Enforcement and Retired carry where ever we please..

reply to post by hypervigilant

You can legally carry a firearm in your car since the state recognizes a car as an extension of your home... You never know how a cop may interpret the law though and they do have the right to rely on their own discretion when sizing up a situation...

This all depends on state law, and can (in some states) even be subject to municipal (city level) law. You cannot make the assumption that this always applies. Furthermore, certain business types may be excluded under state law (such as schools, government buildings, etc.)

reply to post by txinfidel


First off you said in your OP you have been pulled over 3 times...............Were you pulled over for a fishing expedition by the gestapo or did they pull you over for a reason such as violating a traffic law?

People need to start asking "Why am I being pulled over?" and "Am I being detained?" Other than that, you have NO obligation to answer questions for their fishing expedition! If you ask them if you are being detained and they so "NO" then ask them if you are free to go! If you ask them if you are being detained and they say "YES" ask them for what?!

Americans do not need to show their papers, and the Constitution gives them the authority to not play the question game!

reply to post by semperfortis


I agree, but I have read and heard stories of retired military and law enforcement that had issues in New York and in Jersey mostly going through airports and with guns in vehicles. Doesn't mean they lost their case, but they did get hassled or even arrested. One friend of mine is both retired military and a current cop, and he was actually detained for a short time for his firearm, in NYC. Was cleared up with apologies, but cost him a couple of hours.

reply to post by Gazrok

Texas law doesn't necessarily state unloaded or loaded for long guns, but to be on the safe side, why load them? Any cop pulling you over will be a LOT less suspicious of you if they aren't loaded.

I always keep my 9mm loaded but my long rifle magazines are loaded but not attached.

reply to post by Gazrok


That's why you travel with a copy of the "Act"..

As you know I travel extensively and have never had one problem

I can tell you that many times it is a matter of attitude

reply to post by seeker1963


The first time I was near College Station, and I believe it was state patrol. I was pulled over for speeding. He asked me if I had any weapons and I did not but he wanted to search my vehicle and I refused three times and he kept harassing me about how insistent that he was that I was carrying weapons. After about 45 minutes of this nonsense and three refusals I allowed him to search my vehicle and reported him to his superior officer.

The second time was a routing traffic stop he informed me that he was legally obligated too because my babies mom who lives in a different state had an active restraining order against me.

The third time I was on a road trip and was pulled over by state patrol I believe for having a license plate light that wasn't working. I let him search me cause I wanted to be on my way.

It is also important to note that in some states the cops can scan for repeat offenses and other things by reading my license plate which where the same plates as number 1 and 3 stops in texas. Anyhow in the state of Colorado I was pulled over for seemingly no reason. Then I was informed that my license was revoked by the state of Colorado for nonpayment of child support when I was unemployed. I believe that since I was driving the same vehicle with the same plates it was a precursor for the firearm question. However now I have a new vehicle with new plates and ironically I have never been stopped ever since.

reply to post by Gazrok

In Tennessee, as long as the long guns are unloaded, you are fine...though if going there often, I'd recommend getting a HCP (Handgun Carry Permit) which even allows you to have loaded long guns in your vehicle.

I can just get a Texas CHL which is recognized by most states, however I am not so sure I want to do that.

I don't know the laws in your state, but what's wrong with simply answering the officer's question? I know a lot of people on here get real knit-picky about what they are legally obliged to say or not to say to police officers, but I would imagine in a state like Texas "Are you carrying" is probably a common question.

As far as traveling, I always research the carry laws in any state I intend to travel through. When we visit NYC, I don't even bother bringing my handgun. They're very strict up that way.

Here in North Carolina, I was taught during my concealed carry class that we are legally required to tell the officer immediately that we have a concealed carry permit and whether or not we are actually carrying. I personally think that is a courtesy to the officer, not an infringement on my rights.

reply to post by MojaveBurning


Because they can confiscate your weapons until you are cleared of any wrongdoing. But besides that I dont want it ruining my day or taking several hours for a traffic stop. That and the question just makes me nervous because I never know if the patrol officer is an oath keeper or not.

I would like to always carry. But I fear that that one traffic stop one day could cause me a severe headache and other problems.

reply to post by txinfidel


Many, many moon ago when I was a patrolman, I always considered anyone who said something along the lines of "oh, I am carrying a weapon, officer" to be a de-facto 'good guy' on the basis that if they intended to leave me bleeding into a ditch, they probably wouldn't tell me before hand. It nicely deescalated my interaction with 'em, and I was more likley to cut them some slack. In some states, its even required. It changes from 'I don't know this guy I've pulled over, he might be a maniac blood thirsty, puppy raping psycho' to 'pulled over another gun guy, if he's not in a hurry, might ask if he knows anyone selling a Browning sweet 16'.

Checkout the OpenCarry.org site. Just ensure you view the laws they post to get the total interpretation.

As for gun transportation during air travel - you'll have to visit the airliner's company page on their policy.

Edit: Again, GA beats most other states in their gun 'freedom' laws. Carry a pistol either concealed or in plain sight in your vehicle - no license required. Carry a long gun - has to be in plain sight if loaded, not loaded - either way will work.

Of course, if there was anything prohibiting you from every owning a gun, you just committed a felony.

www.txdps.state.tx.us...

Texas CHL Agreements with Other States..... map above in link provided: it changes on occasion so a check before a long trip..... makes sense.

Concealed handgun license reciprocity agreement means the State of Texas and other state recognize each others CHL/CCW permits. A unilateral agreement means Texas honors that states CHL/CCW but that state does not recognize Texas CHLs. Not all states that a Texas CHL is allowed has a reciprocity agreement with Texas.

When you have a CHL in Texas you walk in and buy a gun fill out the form but no call is made for another background check to the feds
An unloaded gun for a CHL is a club or paper weight.
If stopped place both hands in clear sight on the steering wheel; at night turn on the dome light and place hands on steering wheel..I suggest in Tx do not give the officer any attitude unless you want an unpleasant outcome.

What To Bring To Our Concealed Handgun Class
1.Your Texas Drivers License (DL) or State ID. Note: Military Personnel bring DL and Military ID.
2.A Handgun either a Semi-Automatic or Revolver that is of a .32 Caliber or higher for the shooting proficiency test. (Note: If you DO NOT qualify with a SEMI-AUTOMATIC pistol you will NOT BE ALLOWED to carry a SEMI-AUTOMATIC. If you qualify with a semi-automatic you will be licensed to carry any type of legal handgun).
3.A box of 50 rounds of factory ammunition. Please no reloads.
4.A hat (baseball cap or similar)
5.Eye Protection, preferably with side shields – Regular glasses and sunglasses may due. (good school will have eye protection for you)
6.Hearing Protection – Ear plugs or ear muffs. (good school will have but I keep a pair of ear plugs with me someplace in the car or carry case for a gun; never leave home without them etc etc)

You can conceal carry in your vehicle (not on your body) without a Texas CHL. If you have a Concealed Handgun License that is exactly what it means....CONCEILED...Regardless if in a car or on your person. I carry long rifles in my car all the time going to and from hunting or the range. I have been stopped by border patrol every time I go and return from the range. Highway Patrol captured me going 70 in a 55 not because I am evil but because I was hungry......err the speed limit was 55....I had 5 long guns with me 2 of which the officer had never handled before... We talked guns for 20 minutes and I did not get a ticket.

I am not a lawyer so I am not giving legal advice. Many of these things will be discussed in your CHL class but even so it is your responsibility to stay abreast of the laws where you find yourself. Not all CHL classes are heavy on the regs...up to you to do your own research.

If you are worried about the feds knowing you have a gun then buy one face to face from a friend or relative and another from an dealer before TPTB change the law so that is no longer an option. 2 is one and one is none or so the saying goes.