Well the movies have kinda played the Texas pysco thing, not really, but we do have a *pretty* leniant law system compared to most states. Then again, we do have the death penalty... Here in Texas, there is no law with long guns in a car, even in your pulled over. Essentially, the law states that it is a crime to carry a handgun "on or about your person." This law began in the 1870's as a Jim Crow statute intended only to be applied to black people. Over the intervening century, it has been interpreted, in my opinion, too broadly by the courts to include the passenger compartment of a car. Generally, your trunk is a safe place to carry, although I have seen one case here in San Saba when the local cops ran a guy in for a gun in his trunk. Not because it was a good case, but merely because they wanted to harass him. Always remember the old saying, "you may beat the rap, but you won't beat the ride."
But the law goes further and makes an exception for persons who are "traveling." Traveling, as it has been interpreted by the courts means, basically, going away from one's domicile, or residence, for an extended trip of some kind. There are no exact definitions or parameters. This is what is wrong with the law; it is too vague and subject to abuse by police and prosecutors.
Even if one is truly traveling, you can still go to jail. Say for example, you have a car loaded up with all your belongings and are driving from Austin to Dallas on I35. A cop pulls you over in Temple and he either searches and finds the gun, or you tell him you have one, (which you don't have to do; nor do you have to consent to a search). But for whatever reason, he finds out you have a gun.
How does he know you are truly "traveling?" Often times, he will be an ass and say, "It's not for me to decide. Tell your story to the judge." And he runs you in anyway; knowing full well that you will have to spend a couple of grand to get out of the mess, because you were, in fact, traveling. It's not a good situation for gun owners; we are always facing legal risks when we have guns in our possession. We need to change the law. But it is the law as of this writing
In a recent case before the Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas, a narrow majority (5 to 4) upheld this current state of affairs. The four judges who dissented wanted to fix the problem by giving the word "traveling" its commonly understood, dictionary meaning; which would mean "traveling" anywhere, anytime, even just across town. We need to elect some good judges to that court and get another case up on appeal so that this area of the law can be improved. Either that, or get more strong pro-gun legislators elected to get the law amended. With handhelds,
