[familyop]

"This is why Texas needs to leave the union - we still have a tradition of open carry of long arms and we’d like to keep it, thank you very much..."

I've been told that's true, except when you're in your car on Texas highways. ...was recently told by a Texan that on the highways in Texas, firearms have to be zipped up in firearms cases and unloaded.

[TexasRedeye]

I've been told that's true, except when you're in your car on Texas highways. ...was recently told by a Texan that on the highways in Texas, firearms have to be zipped up in firearms cases and unloaded.

Absolutely incorrect info! A handgun or a long gun may be carried openly or concealed in a vehicle by anyone (who can legally own such firearm) anywhere not otherwise marked (in accordance with a strict labeling Texas law) as a "Gun Free" zone such as a mall parking lot. Such weapons can even be carried onto school parking lots legally. Vehicles are covered by "Castle Doctrine" law and no permit is required for carry in a vehicle or any domicile even if it is a hotel room. Of course, with a concealed carry permit, a weapon may be carried virtually anywhere (including churches) other than a gov't facility or an establishment that derives MORE than 50% of its income from the sale of alcohol and then it must be plainly posted by the establishment in large red letters at every entrance to the establishment.

[donmeaker]

Unless you are traveling at through 3 counties, with the burden of proof on you.

[grobdriver]

I've been told that's true, except when you're in your car on Texas highways

That's been true until recently.
I have a friend who had his CHL but has it no more - said they changed the law so that we can carry in a vehicle in the open, hence he doesn't feel like he needs the CHL any longer.

Guess that's worth a follow up phone call to DPS.

[Dead Corpse]

The law was changed. "Travelling" now included your daily commute. I kept a loaded pistol in my center console for two years.

Texas still doesn't have open carry of pistols. Pistol carry in public places must be licensed and concealed. On private property, anything goes. I set up a table in my front yard once and chatted with my neighbors while cleaning a couple of my firearms after a range session.

I still miss Texas.

[zeugma]

I've been told that's true, except when you're in your car on Texas highways. ...was recently told by a Texan that on the highways in Texas, firearms have to be zipped up in firearms cases and unloaded.

Not true.

In Texas, thanks to reworking of the law a couple of years ago, the presumption when in a vehicle is that the the weapon is legal unless you are specifically prohibted from posessing same.

[Spktyr]

Uh, no, they don’t.

We used to have a rather vague statute about travelling for pistols, but that’s gone now. You may carry any legal firearm in your vehicle in a loaded state. Longarms may be exposed or concealed as the owner wishes, pistols must be concealed. No permit needed inside your car.

[Spktyr]

Specifically - it is still legal to have your loaded longarm exposed in a pickup truck window rack. Never has been illegal here, IIRC.

[MeanWestTexan]

No, you can carry a loaded weapon in your vehicle in Texas.