Question for all of you licensed concealed weapon guys.

[TwinEng]

why do you guys need to have a concealed weapon permit?

Without a permit we would be in violation of the law in having our handguns with us.   We are law abiding citizens, and not criminals.

Here in my state, once you have a license, one can not only have a handgun concealed on your person, but also an extra handgun hidden inside your automobile too.


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[TwinEng]

I can't carry into schools or any Federal property for that matter.  The law here in Kansas is relatively new (2007) so the statues have been changing and finding their place since.  To put it simply, with the exception of federal property and certain state buildings, I can carry anywhere there is not a proper concealed carry sign. http://www.ksag.org/files/shared/concealcarrysignage.pdf  The law has been changed slightly to only allow buildings to be restricted. 

Kansas has a lot of regulation on this compared to many others.   My state allows concealed carry on both school grounds and also inside bars.  I mainly just have to avoid going into any courthouse or Federal building.  You don't want to carry a concealed handgun into an airport, either.  It is really only a nuisance when going into the Post Office.   No weapons at all are allowed inside a US Post Office.

Open carry of handguns is actually still legal in a few states, including here.  I know a handful of guys who do open carry. 

However, I really cannot recommend it.  Having a handgun on your hip tends to attract attention and concern.  Way too much hassle for me to want to put up with

I met a fellow once who is into open carry big time and who had a negative experience with an officer who pulled him over for speeding.  When the officer saw the gun on his hip, he immediately drew his weapon to protect himself.   And that was despite the fact that the driver was not breaking any law at all, other than speeding.

No, it is just much better for everyone involved to keep your weapons well concealed, and out of the officer's sight.  That is the best way to avoid any drama or excitement.

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[WWhiskey]

i miss the days when i had a gun rack in the back window and it was always full, shotgun and a 223 along with my pistol under or in the seat, my truck sat in the parking lot at my high school everyday with atleast two of those in it, and i never even thought about it! it was just another farm truck with some rifles in it! many days during hunting season there was either a dead animal or blood from a hunt all over the bed, i would wash it up on friday to get ready for the weekend and maybe a kill on something else. those days are gone. i thought alot about putting another gun rack in my truck i have now, i can just imagine the crap i would get these days,    if it didn't get broken into.
 i don't have a ccl licence and my 22 pistol is in it's case behind the passenger seat, i don't get stoped  because i drive very much within the law, but i have wondered if it would be an issue in this day and age? i know i am allowed to have it but i am not sure of the way i am supposed to carry it?( it is laoded, no reason to have to thro a perfectly good gun at a bad guy because it didn't have any bullets) i dont really want to have it out in plain sight all the time, someone might think they need it more than me, and i am quite fond of it.

WWhiskey

[Jayhawk]

No positive of the specific laws but I believe Texas' Castle Law allows you to carry in the car without a license, someone mentioned that earlier.  Though you seem content with your set-up, if you wanted to be safe I would suggest getting a small handgun storage safe (I have this one http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HBB15U/ref=oss_T15_product).  Possibly keep your gun in a holster when you're in the car and toss it in the safe when you're going to be out of your car.  Just my suggestion (I also suggest a bigger gun   ).

Either way, did someone say you need to inform an officer immediately that you have the gun in the car (in Texas)?

[Flench]

i miss the days when i had a gun rack in the back window and it was always full, shotgun and a 223 along with my pistol under or in the seat, my truck sat in the parking lot at my high school everyday with atleast two of those in it, and i never even thought about it! it was just another farm truck with some rifles in it! many days during hunting season there was either a dead animal or blood from a hunt all over the bed, i would wash it up on friday to get ready for the weekend and maybe a kill on something else. those days are gone. i thought alot about putting another gun rack in my truck i have now, i can just imagine the crap i would get these days,    if it didn't get broken into.
 i don't have a ccl licence and my 22 pistol is in it's case behind the passenger seat, i don't get stoped  because i drive very much within the law, but i have wondered if it would be an issue in this day and age? i know i am allowed to have it but i am not sure of the way i am supposed to carry it?( it is laoded, no reason to have to thro a perfectly good gun at a bad guy because it didn't have any bullets) i dont really want to have it out in plain sight all the time, someone might think they need it more than me, and i am quite fond of it.

WWhiskey
Hey WWhiskey , it's still like that here in MS .Just when we go into a state park the ranger make's us put them behind the seat .

[bcadoo]

No positive of the specific laws but I believe Texas' Castle Law allows you to carry in the car without a license, someone mentioned that earlier.  Though you seem content with your set-up, if you wanted to be safe I would suggest getting a small handgun storage safe (I have this one http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HBB15U/ref=oss_T15_product).  Possibly keep your gun in a holster when you're in the car and toss it in the safe when you're going to be out of your car.  Just my suggestion (I also suggest a bigger gun   ).

Either way, did someone say you need to inform an officer immediately that you have the gun in the car (in Texas)?

The Castle Doctrine applies to your home, not your vehicle.  There has always been a defense to UCW (unlawful carrying a weapon) in Texas that the person 'was traveling'.

It is well established in Texas that a person who is traveling has a right to possess a handgun for personal protection. The practical problem with this right has historically been that courts have disagreed on the definition of "traveling". The legislature has likewise never defined "traveling" because a definition invariably has the unintended effect of unfairly limiting the term to a narrow set of circumstances.

HB 823, which became effective 9/1/2005, provides for a legal presumption in favor of citizens that they are travelers if they are in a private vehicle with a handgun that is not in plain view, they are not otherwise engaged in unlawful activity nor otherwise prohibited by law from possessing a firearm, and they are not a member of a criminal street gang.

[SFRT - Frenchy]

I have absolutly no problem with declaring my firearm to the LEO, nor having to surrender it while he is checking stuff out. Really ... why should I care and be bend out of shape? 

Heck I'm an airline pilot and I have TSA check me out 2 - 3 times per checkpoint ... even sometimes following me because I walk around in a pilot uniform with an accent. It's there job. 

[hammer]

The Castle Doctrine applies to your home, not your vehicle. 

Maybe true in Texas, but not in Missouri. Missouri's "Castle Doctrine" law specifically includes vehicles. It also includes tents, RVs, campers, etc.

Regards,

Hammer

[Shuffler]

Texas includes vehicles too.

[Lligaf]

Texas includes vehicles too.

yes it does

[sntslilhlpr6601]

On a side note.  In Texas it is a CONCEALED handgun license.  It is a crime to NOT conceal the weapon. (unless you would be justified using deadly force)

That's a little surprising to me. In Arizona we have open carry. You only need a permit to carry concealed. Just the other day I saw a cowboy in Wall-mart with a revolver on each hip. I just didn't think Texas would be more strict.

[Jayhawk]

Kansas has open carry and concealed carry.  But you can get in trouble for flashing or printing a concealed gun.  So either hide it completely or show it completely. 

[Golfer]

I've not once been asked to show nor have I surrendered temporarily my firearm during a routine traffic stop or on the street.

"I'm licensed to carry and am/am not carrying a weapon today/tonight" is my response.  Some states require you to identify yourself as a license holder regardless of carrying so as a matter of courtesy I do just that including when I am not carrying or in states which may not even provide reciprocity with any of the states in which I hold licenses.

I was pulled over for a burned out license plate light and was sent on my way after a brief check.  The only thing this state policewoman asked was what I was carrying as she was sending me on my way.

Another situation was in Georgia where at least one of my licenses receives reciprocity though I forgot which one at the time.  This was while crossing the street a little later than I should as well as a little further from the official crosswalk than I should but made it across before the traffic light changed.  The asked me for my ID, what my hurry was and to be more careful next time.

I had only one instance of a rude unprofessional cop who was a county sheriff with a reputation.  He has more than a few complaints against him and the most satisfying thing was throwing him out of the house when he was a "+1" on an invitation after he started acting rude.  Beyond that my experiences with local and state law enforcement have been positive whether I was asking for directions, being pulled over/DUI routine checkpoints or when I called them in to investigate some suspicious vehicles on my local airport.

Meter maids on the other hand...

The best advice that's been given is calmly state you're licensed to carry and you either are or are not carrying.  This way there are no surprises to them when they see you are a license holder and don't have to ask you.  I also would not offer to turn over my weapon to them as there's no reason.  Leave it where it is, safe, holstered, cased or however it's being carried. Zero chance for a negligent discharge and if the officer does want it they'll ask for it.  I've never been asked.