Interesting CHL conversation at church today...

[powerboatr]

how do you win this question about church? page 42 of the pdf handbook states you cannot carry in church. HOWEVER in the back. in the section of FAQ on page 76 it states you cannot carry in church IF SIGNS are posted to not carry
the reason i bring it up is my deacon thinks we should all carry that are CHL's but a person that is unsure defaults back to page 42 where it states places of worship are off limits and he feels the FAQ is not binding in law, because its just a FAQ section

thanks

[AEA]

What's the date of your .pdf handbook?

The law was changed in September 2007 to allow CHL Carry in Churches that are not posted with a valid 30.06.

[powerboatr]

What's the date of your .pdf handbook?

The law was changed in September 2007 to allow CHL Carry in Churches that are not posted with a valid 30.06.

my pdf is 2007-2008
print oct 07.
thanks

[Sangiovese]

how do you win this question about church? page 42 of the pdf handbook states you cannot carry in church. HOWEVER in the back. in the section of FAQ on page 76 it states you cannot carry in church IF SIGNS are posted to not carry
the reason i bring it up is my deacon thinks we should all carry that are CHL's but a person that is unsure defaults back to page 42 where it states places of worship are off limits and he feels the FAQ is not binding in law, because its just a FAQ section

thanks

Here is the relevant section of the code.

PC §46.035. UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF HANDGUN BY LICENSE HOLDER.
blah blah blah...
(b) A license holder commits an offense if the license holder intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries a handgun under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, regardless of whether the handgun is concealed, on or about the license holder's person:
(1)blah blah
(2)blah
.
.
(6) on the premises of a church, synagogue, or other established place of religious worship.
.
.
(i) Subsections (b)(4), (b)(5), (b)(6), and (c) do not apply if the actor was not given effective notice under Section 30.06.

[powerboatr]

thats what i was looking for. i agree, i just have to educate the naysayer.
i was happy that the deacon was so pro carry, i imagine the diocese may bring up some questions, but the clergy at our parish are onboard.

[fickman]

BTW, fickman, who is a member here, used to be a member of my church, and he will tell you that our senior pastor has no objection to CHL at church.

I guess I'm still officially a member until I get around to all of that "transfer of letter" stuff.

I hope the guy you're talking about considering getting a CHL is the one I'm thinking about - shoot me a PM and let me know. If it is, I"ll tell you to "out" me to him as well.

The pastor enjoys knowing that there are several responsible retired LEOs, current LEOs, and CHLers with firearms ready to put their lives on the line to protect the church in case something terrible happens. I'll join him in praying we never need it. I told him about my CHL back before the law was changed. . . when church carry was still expressly forbidden. My instructors told us that - in their opinion - churches are private property - so if you have the permission of the pastor and/or elders (however yours is set up), then you're fine, just don't carry in other houses of worship.

I met the pastor for lunch and asked for his blessing, which he enthusiastically gave.

I think the best way to find other CHLers is through the following process:
- Ask the pastor to approach the CHLers who have confided in him that they carry and ask if they mind another CHLer in the church knowing about their CHL status
- If they say they do not want to be "outed", the pastor won't share their name with you
- If they don't mind finding other CHLers, the pastor will forward their name to you and you only
- You can contact the willing ones them and organize to the extent that you deem proper or necessary

If they've never confided their status to the pastor, they'll never be a part of the group. If they have confided their status to the pastor but wish to remain confidential, he hasn't breached their trust and they are still covert. If they have confided their status to the pastor and don't mind being connected to the "community", you'll have a team to work with - whether loosely organized or like a well-oiled machine. When new people confide in the pastor - he can ask if they want to be connected to you and point them your way if they do.

(Can you tell I used to write COBOL?)

I'd bet most in that church would want to be connected.

[Crossfire]

You could put a notice in your church newsletter. Those who have a CHL, or are interested in being part of a security task force, please contact your designated person. No need to remain covert about the organizing, and then, no one is left out just because it was not known they had interest.