Note from your friends at AltogetherHolsters.com: The following guidelines are provided by our friends from Texas but mirror similar guidelines provided by local law enforcement up here in Washington State.  Common sense, respect for police officers (and the tough and dangerous job they do), and willing cooperation will go a long way to making a routine traffic stop just that -- Routine!

Traveling on Texas Roadways with Concealed Handguns

Traffic stop policies vary among law enforcement agencies. Your local police department or sheriff's office can tell you what to expect if stopped while carrying a handgun within their jurisdictions.

Texas Department of Public Safety troopers will ask you:

• Whether you are licensed to carry a concealed handgun
• Whether you have the gun with you
• Where the gun is located

A trooper may disarm a licensee anytime he or she feels that safety is at risk. The trooper will return the gun at the end of the traffic stop when the threat to safety has passed.

When stopped by a law enforcement officer, DPS recommends that you:

• Keep your hands in plain sight
• Cooperate fully with the police officer
• If you have a gun with you, tell the officer as soon as possible
• Don't make any quick movements, especially toward the weapon
• At night, turn on your vehicle's dome light

This information is provided courtesy of the Texas Department of Public Safety.  For more information, go to http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/crime_records/chl/stop.htm