You may be cleared at trial, but it's the officer's opinion that will get you arrested and that is unthinkable.
Just my two cents.

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The officer is not rendering you "guilty before trial."twomillenium wrote: ........
I am not arguing or debating, just showing facts as written. If you really think that I or anyone here has said that LE or anyone for that matter can render you guilty before trial, then I have to be disappointed in the comprehension level exhibited.
I am stating and showing what is in the law not an opinion. I have to show my students what the law says when it comes to drinking as related to carry of a firearm. (I better be extra clear and say I am talking about alcoholic beverages.) If charged, you have a chance to defend yourself and the amount of proof against you decides how difficult or easy your defense will be. This is fact not opinion. I am not going to argue what is in writing, whether are not I agree, it is still the law and still it is in writing for everyone to be on the same page.
I apologize to the OP, if this thread has been hijacked.
I don't view being arrested for something that either I didn't do, or wasn't against the law as unthinkable. I wish it was, but we have examples from this very forum (handog) where it happened.Pawpaw wrote:I believe most LTC holders (myself included) are extremely law-abiding citizens who have never had any legal trouble more serious than a traffic ticket. To most of us, being arrested is almost as abhorrent as being convicted.
You may be cleared at trial, but it's the officer's opinion that will get you arrested and that is unthinkable.
Just my two cents.
You said it different but you repeated what I said.JALLEN wrote:The officer is not rendering you "guilty before trial."twomillenium wrote: ........
I am not arguing or debating, just showing facts as written. If you really think that I or anyone here has said that LE or anyone for that matter can render you guilty before trial, then I have to be disappointed in the comprehension level exhibited.
I am stating and showing what is in the law not an opinion. I have to show my students what the law says when it comes to drinking as related to carry of a firearm. (I better be extra clear and say I am talking about alcoholic beverages.) If charged, you have a chance to defend yourself and the amount of proof against you decides how difficult or easy your defense will be. This is fact not opinion. I am not going to argue what is in writing, whether are not I agree, it is still the law and still it is in writing for everyone to be on the same page.
I apologize to the OP, if this thread has been hijacked.
He or she is judging that a crime has been committed and charging you with committing it, assuming the DA goes along with it, and mostly they do.
The officer's opinion is evidence. His observation, experience, ability to observe, recall and recount the events can be tested on cross examination. If it stands up, you will be convicted, the legal conclusion after whatever evidence is admitted that you are guilty.
Mostly, the officer who is experienced, cautious, well trained, will be able to make his opinion stand up. Sometimes, events at the time of the alleged offense, what was said and done, other details, give rise to reasonable doubt, and the defendant is acquitted. That's the chance you take.
The statute says what it says. Measuring the facts in evidence by the statute is what the trier of fact does, the jury if there is one.
The law says you have to show your LTC to a Peace Officer or Magistrate if he demands ID, if you are carrying. So even if you are not carrying under the authority of your LTC, you are supposed to show it. There is no penalty for failing to do so, but you should.rexmitchell wrote:Other than civil liabilities which are always a threat, sober or not, it seems that I should run into no issue while carrying/hunting/target shooting etc. since it is private property that we hunt. One other question before this thread gets off track, do I have a duty to inform a Game Warden if still on that private property? I would anyway but I'm asking because I would need to still have my LTC when hunting.
It is a backup but we always hog/deer hunting. I hear what you are saying about showing it, and the last thing I want to do is start off an encounter with the GW in a manner where he doesn't trust me so I'd show it even if I wasn't carrying. Thanks.ScottDLS wrote:The law says you have to show your LTC to a Peace Officer or Magistrate if he demands ID, if you are carrying. So even if you are not carrying under the authority of your LTC, you are supposed to show it. There is no penalty for failing to do so, but you should.rexmitchell wrote:Other than civil liabilities which are always a threat, sober or not, it seems that I should run into no issue while carrying/hunting/target shooting etc. since it is private property that we hunt. One other question before this thread gets off track, do I have a duty to inform a Game Warden if still on that private property? I would anyway but I'm asking because I would need to still have my LTC when hunting.
One other item, the exemption for carrying a handgun while hunting is for when the weapon is a type generally used in that activity, regardless of whether the land is public or private. So if it's common to carry a handgun (say as backup) during the type of hunting you're doing, then you don't need a LTC.
ScottDLS wrote:You actually don't even need an LTC to carry a handgun while hunting.rexmitchell wrote:I hunt on private property, do I need to carry my LTC while I'm carrying a pistol when hunting on private property? I have to assume not but wanted to double check.
(b) Section 46.02 does not apply to a person who:
(1) is in the actual discharge of official duties as a member of the armed forces or state military forces as defined by Section 431.001, Government Code, or as a guard employed by a penal institution;
(2) is traveling;
(3) is engaging in lawful hunting, fishing, or other sporting activity on the immediate premises where the activity is conducted, or is en route between the premises and the actor’s residence, motor vehicle, or watercraft, if the weapon is a type commonly used in the activity;
Unless you are in the U.K. Then a hunt cup before a morning of hunting is all but required.ScottDLS wrote:You can open carry to the local Chili's with your LTC and have a shot of whiskey and be legal, as long as you don't become INTOXICATED, which has a quite specific definition in the Penal Code, which is not the "cop's opinion" as some would suggest. That stated it's probably not a good idea.rexmitchell wrote:That is what I planned on doing but now have a follow up question. Do all the rules that apply to LTC holders still apply? For instance, if we are having a beer and target shooting, this is no crime as a non-LTC holder. For that matter someone could have 20 beers and still be legal to shoot. Does that now change on private property? Don't worry, I don't get hammered and play with guns but I'll drink a beer before the day is over and still have my pistol on my hip.JustSomeOldGuy wrote:In an ideal world, no. If it was me, and it wasn't MY private property, I'd take my LTC along, just because......
You could handgun hunt while absolutely blitzed and it would not technically be illegal, whether on private or public land, though one could argue that "public intoxication" might apply. Again, not a good idea, but legal.
But, only in "Archery season"Ipconfig wrote:
You do while Bow Hunting.
ScottDLS wrote:I don't view being arrested for something that either I didn't do, or wasn't against the law as unthinkable. I wish it was, but we have examples from this very forum (handog) where it happened.Pawpaw wrote:I believe most LTC holders (myself included) are extremely law-abiding citizens who have never had any legal trouble more serious than a traffic ticket. To most of us, being arrested is almost as abhorrent as being convicted.
You may be cleared at trial, but it's the officer's opinion that will get you arrested and that is unthinkable.
Just my two cents.
I will not be afraid to engage in legal behavior because of the risk of being arrested... (i.e. carry on publicly owned property that is illegally posted).