Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How many of you carry a firearm while collecting at night? What's your preference? I remember lots of people carrying years ago.
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Steve W.

You don't want to be rolling out there naked!!! I prefer to carry a chinese ak-47 with a 100 rd drum just in case anything pops off!!! Kevin

Now this just scares the bejeepers out of me. I've got over half a million miles of herping along the border and have never found need of a gun other than once for putting down a doe with a broken leg.

Glock 34 9mm w/ 35 round highcap mags 2 of them.

It's kinda like a seat belt...you hope you never need but when you do you're glad you have it. beretta 9mm left hip colt mustang 9mm right hip. happy herping. PS you never know......la Chupacabra. LOL!!! jrandall

As long as you fellas have your Conceal/Carry Permit,you shouldn't have any problems with law enforcement. If you don't I can promise, you will get to wear those shiney bracelets and take a ride in that nice black and white car.You do not want them to find a pistol in your glove box or on your person without one. They don't play about firearms.I'm not affilliated with any law enforcement agency, just my 2 cents worth. Jay H.

us constitution -bill of rights-2nd amendment-"the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." It is all of our right to carry for protection, that is what our serving men and women are fighting for "among many other things..herp when and where I want" God bless them ALL. Yes, I have my permit so I don't get into an argument with the black and white. God bless them too! If your traveling across more than 2 counties...we all are, and we are obviously out the middle of nowhere (obviously traveling), we have good reason to carry according to Texas state law or something pretty close to that. I would love to hear other input from you guys. And Hi Jay H. We met on Juno I think it was on May 20th. I was walking some cuts next to the devils camp area. We need to trip together I'm in lubbock. I think you are north of me 2 hours. I'll pack in like clowns to save gas. I carry because I don't know what could or will happen, my "security blanket" I rant because I'm proud of our freedoms. You're right Jay, the permit makes the conversaion with authorities a lot faster to get back to herping, but it shouldn't matter.

It should also be pointed out that there is most definitely a law in the game code against hunting from a motor vehicle on a highway. They have cut back on enforcing it against herpers as it was intended for people shooting from motor vehicles. However, if they find you spotlighting from a motor vehicle and you have an accessible weapon then they can cite you for intent to hunt.
My fear is not in not having a weapon but in having weapons in the hands of the irresponsible. and an AK with a 100 round drum doesn't sound too responsible or sane to me.

Awww John.....your not in any trouble due to the fact of either your flame thrower lights ( when i used to see you and vehicle ) or the amount of SMOKE coming from your vehicle of you puffing way on cigs and people thinking that this guy is of enough problems without us robbing him or shooting at him because his car is on fire ! LOL ! As way back on other post of carrying fire arms, i ALWAYS carry my 9mm whether it's my glok or ruger. Been stopped 4 times in the Bend region( not the park ) and while it took several minutes to explain or the gun was runned through, i ALWAYS was able to leave and continued hunting with my gun. not saying it was loaded or chambered because it wasn't but coulda been if situation demanded. I understand that Texas reciprocates other states concealed, right to carry permit or something now. I HAVE had some close calls where if it lasted longer than what it did, i could see me having to at least pull the gun out and show. Fortunately it didn't come to that but I'm in full agreeable, ya never know and with family down with me..........
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I may be old , cantankerous, crabby, and cynical, but......

It's like a condom I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

It's 100% legal to have a "handgun" on you at any time no matter if you are hunting, fishing etc. as long as you have your CCP with you and you notify any peace officer of it if you are stopped. It goes even deeper in that you do not have to inform Border Patrol that you have it unless they request to search. And even then it's not the law but it's advisable. The law specifically states where you can and can't carry the handgun such as school zones, sporting events, national parks, arena's, municipal and government buildings etc.. People have been carrying firearms quite a bit and we never had a problem resulting from it to my knowledge. I'll be packin myself. Thank you Gaston Glock.
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Steve W.

My fear is not in not having a weapon but in having weapons in the hands of the irresponsible. and an AK with a 100 round drum doesn't sound too responsible or sane to me.

Or you could just carry a 38 snubnose,that will work just fine too. LOL Kevin

I travel with a Sig 229 .40 and I have a Texas CHL. When I walk cuts I usually have it in a paddle holster on my right hip, when cruising it is in the drivers side map pocket. I have never needed it, and I hope / expect for things to be that way forever. But I would rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

If you are an out of state kind of guy Texas has several states that it recognizes licenses from... Do a Google on the terms "Texas" "CHL" and "Reciprocity". You will find the state web site listing all the honored states. And from what I understand you can with a little effort get a Florida CHL as a non-resident of Florida, and I think it can all be processed without having to go to Florida in person. This will allow you to carry a handgun in Texas, just be sure you know where you can and can not have it, our local rules apply to any recognized permit.

As for that "intent to hunt" crap, it would not stand up for a second. That is like a thought crime. You have to commit an offense to be prosecuted in court. I was pulled over by 3 DPS and 1 Border Patrol officer last week. I had no problems because of the pistol, so I will keep it with me any time I head out west.

Good luck and be safe.

Lance

You are correct about the reciprocity agreement between Texas and Florida. In fact, the Texas law is modeled after Florida's. I seem to remember that Killeen restaurant massacre was the catalyst to get Texans demanding their right to pack. I always carry concealed when out in grayband land. That said, I've never had any law officer ask me if I had a firearm.

Any time you are asked to provide a drivers license, you should just give them the CHL as well. Then they will ask if you have it with you.

I have never had to surrender it to LE, but if they ask you to do that I would recomend doing it to their satisfaction. They will give it back when you part company, and not being up front can get you in a lot of trouble. But they will likely just leave it where it is unless you are being an a$$.

Just an FYI.

Why would I hand my carry permit to any law enforcement officer if he does not specifically ask for it? If he wants license, registration, and proof of insurance, that's exactly what I will provide. Like I said, I've never had anyone ask me if I had a firearm, much less a concealed carry permit.

don't kid yourself. If you give the officer your license, but not your permit.....he can see from your license that you have a permit. And I've been thanked more than once by local pd for having it. And I think it's got me off a few speeding tickets. They obviously do extensive background checks before you are issued your permit and when you hand the officer your CHL with your license they know that 99.9 percent chance your not a trouble maker or have any warrants etc. I always hand them both.

That is very interesting. I was stopped for speeding last year on I-10 near Kerrville by a state trooper. I luckily only received a written warning. The cop never asked if I had a firearm or wanted to see my carry permit. Like I said, I will provide whatever documents that LE requests, but any more than that is simply complicating the situation.

The situation will get complicated when you don't hand him the CCL and you have a handgun in your posession.
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Steve W.

Part of the agreement when you get your license is that you will provide it to LE anytime you have a pistol and are asked to identify yourself. You can play the don't ask don't tell game until you lose your permit and/or worse, that is a personal decision.

Best practice is to show the permit with the license right at the begining, even if you are not carrying at the time. When they run you through a system (Which in alterna country may not be easy with analog bandwidth) they will know if you have a permit or not. If you are challanged at that point and armed you can be in very big trouble.

Besides, having the permit is sometimes a free pass on the little stuff like speeding and blinkers. They generaly respect the fact that you took the time for a class and passed a state and federal background check. I have nothing to hide and will show all my cards when asked.

Lance

Lance........Perhaps I did not make it clear enough that I am a resident of Florida. Texas and Florida have a reciprocity agreement regarding carry permits. Perhaps Texas LE does not have access to the Florida data base. Don't know, don't really care. Like I mentioned earlier, I've never been asked the first question about firearms or permits by any Texas cop after being pulled over. I also think the chances of the state of Texas revoking my Florida permit simply because I did not produce it without being asked, are slim and none. That is truly laughable. Are you Texans living in a Gestapo state now? Hell, I've never had any Florida cop ask me these questions. Being polite, and not showing an "attitude" has always worked for me. This is all that I have to say on this subject. This horse is now beaten to death.

Steve G. it's required for "you" to state that you have a CCL for your firearm in Texas. It's not optional. If everyone acts the way you say you will it may not be long before states stop allowing non-residents to carry within states they do not reside in and can carry over to not allowing it at all. I can't understand why you choose to fight the law and expect to come out on top. This is what ruins the rights of "law abiding" gun owners.
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Steve W.

Steve Garrett,........you have lost this battle! Give it up!! Lance and Steve are correct. I am gonna have to side with them bud. Nice chatting with you tonight and I shall see you later this month? I will ask to see your permit!!!! :)

Wayne

Wayne......I'm not trying to battle anyone. If I understand your fellow Texans' postings correctly:

1. Once you give your DL to a member of Texas LE, they can run a check and determine if you also have a CCL.

2. If you don't tell them or hand them your CCL before they run the check on your DL, you may be in trouble.

3. Once you tell them you have a firearm(even though you have a CCL that they can determine on their check of your DL), you can then expect a search of your vehicle. I thought the background check that you passed to get that CCL kind of gave you "good guy" status. Then why the search and then running a check on your firearm(you just got added to another government data base.......duh!)

Sounds like Texas LE is not real keen on having armed citizens willing to take on the responsibility of protecting themselves. Also sounds like, while you folks got a carry permit law, it came with plenty of strings to appease Texas LE. I take back everything I said about the Texas CCL being modeled after Florida's. Your's sucks!

Then since it SUCKS so badly as you say, I guess we won't be expecting your Southern presence this year in Alterna land then huh? Damn dude! Just be fu***** happy that YOU CAN pack and carry! L E G A L L Y!!!

Wayne

My feelings exactly Wayne. My licence is issued from Fla. because i'm from N.J. and they do not issue CCL's here. Talk about having horrible laws? The Fla. license means nothing here. I can only carry in 28 other states. I feel privileged be be able to have another alternative. I have nothing to hide when in Tx. so if it makes LE feel safer by me disclosing my information then so be it.
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Steve W.

Steve Garrett is a friend of mine and I had to bust his chops! In fact he called me shortly after I posted that last comment! He just has other views on it. I would feel very proud to show their asses my license actually. I do see the point he is trying to make though, but............This is Texas, not Florida! See you later this month! Be careful when you come down.

Wayne

They can always ask to look. But from what I understand having a CHL / CCL alone is not probable cause for a search. On the other hand not disclosing it may be? And to be fair, I have displayed my CHL to LE in Texas a few times already and all they do is ask "Do you have the firearm with you?" I answer either "Yes" or "No" and if yes I tell them where it is. They say thank you and move on to why I was pulled over to begin with. I have never been searched by any LE since I got my CHL.

You have the permit, it is a free pass on the gun as long as you are not being stupid with it. Just clear the air up front, it has never taken more than 30 seconds for me to do this.

At the very least you are risking a much greater waste of time. There is nothing they can do to you because you have a permit and a firearm anyway, why not just tell them?

I agree Lance. Plus it would only bleed over to "the herpers giving LE a hard time" type of thing by not cooperating with the law. Next thing you know they come out in force and say we are driving to slow, shining lights etc.. I'd rather just obey the law and not attract unwanted attention to everyone because I was being uncooperative with LE. It only takes one or two altercations to ruin things for everone. I'd rather not be selfish.
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Steve W.

well said!! Steve W

Texas requires you to let them know. It makes sense. Put yourself in the cops place. Wouldn't you want to know?
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Steve W.

i carry a compact glock 27 model 40 cal. in a concealed soft holster. works out great.

i always carry my "runnin buddy" next to the seat and a 22 under it. i do not yet have a ccl but plan on getting one when i have time.
there is a new law on the books that went into effect last september that says you only have to be traveling in order to carry in the vehicle. you no longer have to meet any distance or other requirements, you only have to have had your car moving at some point in the day. this means that you can carry in the vehicle, not on the person, any time you want (herping, going to the grocery store, ect.)
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www.southtexasherps.com

Compared to not having it with your running buddy. That is my favorite part.

I agree 100%, it is deffinately better to have the CHL, but it is no longer needed to carry in the vehicle, just to carry on one's self. I plan on getting one, just have not yet had the time.
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www.southtexasherps.com

During my last trip to Sanderson last June I was pulled over by a Border Patrol Officer just doing a random check and we got to talking and he told me that I was crazy for not carring a gun while hunting especially by myself. I told him I was from Kansas and at the time we didn't have a permit available for concealed weapons and he said it didn't matter.

LE in the area understands they can not be your personal body guard around the clock and understand if you carry something. If you think a pistol will get you in trouble for some reason you can always carry a compact rifle or shotgun. Because they are long guns there is no question about it being an illegal weapon or needing a permit.

I think we need to look out for ourselves and each other out there. If I see a herper being harrassed by a local non-LE I will stop and introduce myself. A change in the odds is generally all that situtation would need. If you are being harrassed by LE, my past experiance has shown me that is often proporation to the attitude you begin with, but I have seen a few exceptions out there. And I think they have all moved on now?