Gun: Glock 40 Gen4 MOS/ 10MM
Glockzilla...
Gun: Glock 40 Gen4 MOS/ 10MM
The below comments are for TEXAS only (aside from recommendations when stopped, those are pretty universal, having been stopped in most states in the union myself
As others have said, be sure to check each state, at least until your LTC gets here. Couple of quick Texas specific items. One, open carry of handguns in TEXAS is With the LTC ONLY, its not constitutional carry like rifles or shotguns which DO NOT require a LTC.
Travel (ie gun in the car) DOES NOT require a LTC , and the firearm may be loaded, BUT it must be concealed from view (sticking it between the seats and throwing a hand towel over it qualifies). In truth the rifle / shotgun rules for vehicles are more restrictive via parks and wildlife codes to deter road hunting and most cops (myself included) tend to leave the rifle/shotgun questions to the game wardens and just treat them as OK.
On courtesy, in Texas (and most other places on your list) we are accustomed to guns, highly restricted areas are likely to be a bit touchier.
If stopped by the POPO, this is my recommendation (and what I do, Cops get stopped too, we tend to have heavy right feet).
Windows down... all of them (we might be making a passenger approach). Palms up on the steering wheel (shows nothing in hands and both in sight). DONT go fishing around for your wallet on your way to the shoulder (from our view it looks like you are hiding or accessing something, something that might hurt us) , or after you came to a stop (for the same reason) , wait for us to say hello first. You might not need the stuff in the first place (we put you on the curb to tell you your gas cap was off as an example). Be polite as we should be doing the same, and the stop will be over quickly.
Now if you have the heater in the car or on your person (post getting your LTC) ..If your particular heater is within reach of you when you get stopped, my advice is Advise the officer that you are armed and where it is (your drivers license is going to tell us if you have an LTC anyway) . When I worked patrol I always appreciated the update and usually said a variation of what was posted earler "You dont go for yours and I wont go for mine" with a smile.
If your gun is where you need to access TELL us "My gun is in the glovebox where my insurance card is, what do you want me to do?" we will be clear on what we want to happen. In Texas the registration system may tell me you have insurance anyway (its getting better but not anywhere near 100% accuracy yet)
At the end of the day, its another uhh oh tool , like a spare tire or a fire extinguisher , all of which you hope you dont have to use, but really nice to have if you need them.
Lastly, remember that motion is life, you are driving a 3000+ pound bullet or battering ram to get out of a situation. You arent bound by oath to stick around and deal with a problem, and oftentimes driving away (over curbs, through yards if needed) is a viable option.
Travel safely friend !
Not to highjack the thread, but over two decades. Eligible to retire next year, but still love the job (even with the trends lately) . Im not sure when Im going to pull the pin. Ive probably still got another few years on the teams before age and injury catches up with me to the point that I can no longer do the physical quals. I think that will be a deciding factor, however the more I build travel rigs , the more I think about it
Not to highjack the thread, but over two decades. Eligible to retire next year, but still love the job (even with the trends lately) . Im not sure when Im going to pull the pin. Ive probably still got another few years on the teams before age and injury catches up with me to the point that I can no longer do the physical quals. I think that will be a deciding factor, however the more I build travel rigs , the more I think about it
Sounds like you don't work in Austin, lol.
My wife and I have considered retiring to the Gulf Coast. We visited Corpus (and the surrounding area) years ago. It's too bad the ocean isn't prettier.
The Emerald Coast area in Florida looks interesting too. A buddy of mine from the Porsche club lives in Destin, and he says it's a good place to live.
Thank you. I wonder if know if these rules are the same when you are actually going to Canada for a hunt? It might be different when one is just crossing Canada.
Sounds like you don't work in Austin, lol.
Austin.....Did you know Chris Malanka? A former Lt. I think.
No. I just know the old joke about how Austin is not really part of Texas.
And speaking of jokes...and Lieutenants, have you ever heard the one about the three police monkeys?
No, haven't hear that one. But, was told by several FTO's, Corporals, Sergeants over the years too...."Get it f#$&ing right, a trained monkey could do that!"......Lol...