Build It said:

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A prosecutor will argue it the other way. If you have it you should have known better, had a greater duty etc.

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Conversely, if you don't have it a prosecutor is going to label you as an ignorant trigger happy hang'em high old-west gun toter looking for good old fashioned shoot'em up. I'll take my chances with having the LTC.

This is incorrect. From NM DPS concealed carry page:

"Do I have to be licensed to have a concealed loaded handgun inside my vehicle?
No. New Mexico law allows a person who is not otherwise prohibited to have a concealed loaded firearm in his/her vehicle (including motorcycles and bicycles). If you are not licensed to carry concealed in this State or in a state that NM recognizes, you may not have the weapon concealed on your person when you exit your vehicle or motorcycle."

Is their a site y'all would consider definitive in terms of reciprocity and relevant particulars for carrying in those states?

I like to reference www.handgunlaw.us. Still, best to reference the states' statutes to make sure you have the current info though.

Yeah, I wouldn't use that company for online training. I pretty much don't like any of the online options for that matter.

4. Is there a requirement to take a continuing education course before I can renew my LTC?
There is no continuing education or other training required to renew an LTC. License holders will simply apply online and submit the supporting documents for discounted fees or special conditions.

https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/handgun-licensing/faq/training-requirements-faq

With LTC you can bypass security for normies and right into the state capitol building with your favorite sidearm.

I'm firmly in the camp that it's important to get the LTC. What you learn in the course can be the difference between getting a criminal charge or not. And it's comforting to LE to hand them your license and then share if/where you're carrying. Do what you want, I don't regret for a second having gotten mine.

I highly recommend subscribing to the Armed Attorneys on YouTube. They're based in Texas, so have a lot of Texas-specific content. They do touch on the advantages of having an LTC over "just" relying on Constitutional Carry. There are some, and they're not insignificant. Unfortunately, I don't think they have an entire video devoted to that topic, but it comes up on occasion. Here's a link to their "Texas" topics.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeT4Gzjkm51S48jObjjVfazINzNEO6T0t

fourth deck said:

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With LTC you can bypass security for normies and right into the state capitol building with your favorite sidearm.

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Yep. And if you're like me, you then proceed to stand just past the metal detectors for 15+ minutes waiting for the rest of your group to get through security.

I knew they had a video on the topic, it's just on a different channel, which is why I couldn't find it before.

One surprising difference is described starting at 21:31. If you walk into a bar with a weapon and have an LTC, you are not committing a felony UNTIL you see the conspicuously posted 51% sign and don't immediately leave (or take your weapon out to your vehicle, etc.). If you walk into a bar with a weapon and DON'T have an LTC, you are guilty of a felony the instant you walk into the door. Even if you could reasonably argue "I didn't know it was a bar!" Also, at 26:29, they talk about carrying while intoxicated. That's in section 46.02, and that section DOES NOT apply to LTC holders.

I will always maintain my LTC for multiple reasons, including those.

True story only in Texas…

We lived in Tyler and were coming home from Dallas late at night. I was on the then newly opened toll road from 20 into Tyler. DPS pulls me over. Kids sleeping in back. Wife in front. I gave the officer my CHL and said I wasn't carrying. He shined his light on my kids. Then on my wife. He looked at me and said you're coming from Dallas, late at night, with a beautiful family and you decided NOT to carry? You shouldn't do that again.

Lesson learned. I just got in a hurry earlier that day and left my weapon.

jrb2019 said:

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People violate the Federal "Gun Free" school zone all the time and don't even know it because "constitutional carry".

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Good.

Lots of LEOs respect LTC/CHL while thinking open/constitutional carry is absurd. Good enough reason for me (in addition to benefits already mentioned).