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Originally Posted by skyguy79
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We both had the CWL in Texas and we were taught that if/when stopped by police to immediately place your hands palms up in plain view on top of the steering wheel and to not put them out of sight until the officer got to your window and instructed you to do so. We were also instructed to tell the officer that you have your CWL and to present it along with your license. You are only required in Texas to show it if you have your weapon with you. It's just easier if you do it anyway.
I was stopped once, did as I had learned, and all the officer asked me was if I had it with me and where it was. When I told him that it was in the door pocket, all he said was "Would you leave it there, please.", and walked back to his vehicle. When he returned, he gave me back my licenses and told me to have a nice day.
One of the primary reasons I got a CWL was that we used to travel quite a bit and I could not be left in the vehicle with a gun without one. (You are in violation if you are in a vehicle alone with a handgun and do not have a permit even if someone else does.) I did not get out everytime my husband did nor did he when I got out. I also felt much safer having it when I had to work swing or midnight shifts since our plant was located some 20 miles outside of town or when I had to be home alone when he was working those or sometimes a double shift.
Under no circumstances could you display your gun. If the outline could be detected under your clothing, that was considered display and you could be arrested for not having it concealed since Texas is a Concealed Carry State.