Before we begin, let us remind you of some points on Texas law that are crucial. Texas law does not allow a person to intentionally display a firearm (or a CHL holder to intentionally un-conceal their handgun), in response to being cut off by another car, being almost hit by another car on the freeway, or in response to provocation from another driver unless they are truly trying to inflict serious injury or death. In other words, if the other driver is just being a jerk, a bad driver, or both - you cannot display a firearm in response. Having to swerve your car or slam on the brakes doesn't amount to someone trying to inflict serious injury or death.

Over the last several years there have been incidents of possibly being charged with a crime by the mere allegation from another driver that they believed someone might have had a firearm during a traffic altercation. There have been numerous occasions where people have been involved in a traffic incident (i.e., both drivers flipping each other off), and the other driver (sometimes in fits of rage and paranoia) calls 911. This driver then proceeds to make vague allegations and speculation. For example: "He pointed something that looked like a gun!", "She put an object on the dashboard to intimidate me!", or "I think they may have a gun!" Upon listening to the actual 911 calls, these allegations can sometimes seem to be little more than mere conjecture by an irate motorist. To make matters worse, 911 operators often ask leading questions, possibly resulting in even more inaccuracies when the report is transmitted to the police (remember the information the police officer often has to initially work with on the scene can be inaccurate, incomplete, or just plain wrong). As a matter of standard procedure, the police will be dispatched. Normally if the police pull someone over under these circumstances and the driver does in fact have a legal firearm in their possession after this exchange of "roadway pleasantries," they will likely be arrested with little or no evidence.

Therefore I advise people who carry a firearm in their car is to always do it legally, don't let yourself get drawn into any form of a road rage incident, no matter how minor. There have been many incidents of people overreacting and calling 911. The other driver may convey allegations that never could have physically occurred. But the falsity of these allegations can only be shown after an investigation, lots of grief, and involvement in the criminal justice system. These types of 911 calls can result in an arrest for what amounted to bad manners. However, it results in an innocent person getting thrown into the legal system. Remember the officer didn't see what happened, it's your word against the other persons, and if you have a gun and no witnesses in your favor...  So the message is simple: Don't allow yourself to get sucked into the legal system just because you got angry in traffic. If you carry a gun, don't flip the bird! It can happen to you. (Thanks to Texas Law Shield for some of this content)