My school's weapons policy

[Aggie_engr]

Policy straight from the campus police rules states:

"Anyone possessing or using any of these weapons can and will
be subject to disciplinary action and possible arrest, imprisonment, or fine
according to state or federal law."

As jim mentioned, I really don't feel like getting arrested if discovered. Not only could I not afford it, but my college career could not afford it either, so for now I just steer clear of cmpus when I have my weapon.

[T3hK1w1]

Even if the policy incorrectly quotes state law, they can still kick you out of the college if you violate it, and they can still try to press charges for it. If you push the issue with the police on campus, you're just bringing attention to yourself, and giving them incentive to search your vehicle.
Sometimes it's better to just smile and be silent...

[The Annoyed Man]

He's wrong, that's all. Your CHL permits you within the federal "gun-free" zone, and you can secure your weapon in your vehicle. Period. Now, can he make trouble for you if he finds out? Yes, he can, but it won't go anywhere. You can beat the rap, but you may not be able to beat the ride. It kind of depends on how knowledgeable the officer on scene is.

[JJVP]

(1) on the physical premises of a school or educational institution,
any grounds or building on which an activity sponsored by a school or
educational institution is being conducted, or a passenger transportation
vehicle of a school or educational institution, whether the school or
educational institution is public or private, unless pursuant to written
regulations or written authorization of the institution

46.035 (f)(3) "Premises" means a building or a portion of a building. The
term does not include any public or private driveway, street, sidewalk
or walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area.

Not a lawyer, but doesn't both of these allow guns in personal cars on the Texas A&M campus? I lived on campus 4 years, and had an AK in the trunk and a pistol in the center console for the last year I lived on campus. Since campus rules specifically allow weapons in cars, and "premises" is defined to not include a parking garage, that should have been just fine. I read over things pretty carefully before I parked on campus.

Edit: JJPV, thought you were now refering to TAMU, where the rest of the discussion had turned, not on TAMUG and the original question. My mistake. Same should still apply regarding the Premises definition, regardless of campus rules, correct?

What I quoted was State Law, not campus specific.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administra ... edlaws.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[JJVP]

He's wrong, that's all. Your CHL permits you within the federal "gun-free" zone, and you can secure your weapon in your vehicle. Period. Now, can he make trouble for you if he finds out? Yes, he can, but it won't go anywhere. You can beat the rap, but you may not be able to beat the ride. It kind of depends on how knowledgeable the officer on scene is.

I don't believe the CHL has anything to do with being able to have a gun in your car. The MPA allows you that without needing a CHL. But I agree, even if it is the law, the campus cop can make a lot of trouble for him. Better to keep mouth shut.

[JJVP]

(1) on the physical premises of a school or educational institution,
any grounds or building on which an activity sponsored by a school or
educational institution is being conducted, or a passenger transportation
vehicle of a school or educational institution, whether the school or
educational institution is public or private, unless pursuant to written
regulations or written authorization of the institution

46.035 (f)(3) "Premises" means a building or a portion of a building. The
term does not include any public or private driveway, street, sidewalk
or walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area.

Not a lawyer, but doesn't both of these allow guns in personal cars on the Texas A&M campus? I lived on campus 4 years, and had an AK in the trunk and a pistol in the center console for the last year I lived on campus. Since campus rules specifically allow weapons in cars, and "premises" is defined to not include a parking garage, that should have been just fine. I read over things pretty carefully before I parked on campus.

Edit: JJPV, thought you were now refering to TAMU, where the rest of the discussion had turned, not on TAMUG and the original question. My mistake. Same should still apply regarding the Premises definition, regardless of campus rules, correct?

What I quoted was State Law, not campus specific.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administra ... edlaws.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Also from the FAQ's

Q: Can a license holder have a handgun in the license holder's
vehicle in a school parking lot?
A: A license holder is not prohibited from having a handgun in his or
her vehicle in a school parking lot. (School employees should know
and comply with their employer's policy on this point.) However, it is a
criminal offense for any person who is on school property to exhibit,
use, or threaten to exhibit or use a firearm. See Texas Education
Code 5 37.125(a).

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administra ... chlfaq.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[74novaman]

(1) on the physical premises of a school or educational institution,
any grounds or building on which an activity sponsored by a school or
educational institution is being conducted, or a passenger transportation
vehicle of a school or educational institution, whether the school or
educational institution is public or private, unless pursuant to written
regulations or written authorization of the institution

46.035 (f)(3) "Premises" means a building or a portion of a building. The
term does not include any public or private driveway, street, sidewalk
or walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area.

Not a lawyer, but doesn't both of these allow guns in personal cars on the Texas A&M campus? I lived on campus 4 years, and had an AK in the trunk and a pistol in the center console for the last year I lived on campus. Since campus rules specifically allow weapons in cars, and "premises" is defined to not include a parking garage, that should have been just fine. I read over things pretty carefully before I parked on campus.

Edit: JJPV, thought you were now refering to TAMU, where the rest of the discussion had turned, not on TAMUG and the original question. My mistake. Same should still apply regarding the Premises definition, regardless of campus rules, correct?

What I quoted was State Law, not campus specific.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administra ... edlaws.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Also from the FAQ's

Q: Can a license holder have a handgun in the license holder's
vehicle in a school parking lot?
A: A license holder is not prohibited from having a handgun in his or
her vehicle in a school parking lot. (School employees should know
and comply with their employer's policy on this point.) However, it is a
criminal offense for any person who is on school property to exhibit,
use, or threaten to exhibit or use a firearm. See Texas Education
Code 5 37.125(a).

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administra ... chlfaq.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks for the clarification. Texas A&M student handbook uses the exact same definition for "premises" that the state of Texas does, making what I did while I was there legal.

[grim-bob]

Seems to me an easy approach would be to refer the TAMUG Chief to the rules at TAMU since they are a sub of the main.

[lws380]

For what it is worth, I go to Austin every year for an event on UT. I understood that a CHL holder was able to have a weapon on campus as long as it does not go into a building. Sidewalks, parking lots, common areas outside are ok. I called the UT chief of police to confirm. At first he said it depends on who you talk to. I pressed him and said I wanted to know his policy as his officers interpretaions are the ones that would count. He said he understood the policy as I did and it would be ok.

Additionally, several months ago I was on UTSA campus trying to sell some tickets and was in front of their Convocation Center on the sidewalk area. I was approached by campus police and asked for ID. I produced DL and CHL. They asked if I was carrying and I said yes. At that point they both looked surprised and said "Your really carrying right now?". Yes! The long of it was they said I can't sell tickets there. I said ok, did not know that and I'll leave. Ok, and I did. I called the campus police chief the next day to confirm that it was ok to carry on campus as long as I'm not in a building. I told him I assumed that is what they believed or I would have been arrested. He said I was correct and that a CHL could carry but not in a building.

Not the same schools, but I assume state law applies in all of the state. But as mentioned you may be expelled for vilolating school handbook policy or something.

That is one thing that puzzled me about the recent attempts to have concealed carry on campus. Those against don't want guns on campuses, but they are already there, legally. Just not in a building.

[pedalman]

Unfortunately, the majority of college administrators in Texas think that the purpose of campus police is to be their personal goon squad.

New flash to those educated derelicts: campus police officers are there to enforce the LAW. NOT to enforce personal agendas.

[lonewolf]

I haven't seen the campus police on my university behaving this way, but then again I haven't really seen them since after the second week of school. Hardly at all. And I'm there 5 days a week. There is a big sign near the library now (one of the highway lightboard types) saying there is a free self defense class for women at the police station during the day on the 10th, and another near a parking lot giving the number for the police station so ladies can get police escorts if needed. Other than that, haven't seen them in the flesh in weeks, except for a couple of drive throughs.......and I can't carry in the buildings. Go figure.

[joe817]

I haven't seen the campus police on my university behaving this way, but then again I haven't really seen them since after the second week of school. Hardly at all. And I'm there 5 days a week. There is a big sign near the library now (one of the highway lightboard types) saying there is a free self defense class for women at the police station during the day on the 10th, and another near a parking lot giving the number for the police station so ladies can get police escorts if needed. Other than that, haven't seen them in the flesh in weeks, except for a couple of drive throughs.......and I can't carry in the buildings. Go figure.

I've been stopped by the UTA campus police. They are not fun to deal with. As several city streets run through the UTA campus, residents of my city are ever mindful that they enforce the law, TO the letter of the law. They are city police in every sense of the word. "Cutting you some slack" is not a term they recognize.

[Drewthetexan]

I haven't seen the campus police on my university behaving this way, but then again I haven't really seen them since after the second week of school. Hardly at all. And I'm there 5 days a week. There is a big sign near the library now (one of the highway lightboard types) saying there is a free self defense class for women at the police station during the day on the 10th, and another near a parking lot giving the number for the police station so ladies can get police escorts if needed. Other than that, haven't seen them in the flesh in weeks, except for a couple of drive throughs.......and I can't carry in the buildings. Go figure.

I've been stopped by the UTA campus police. They are not fun to deal with. As several city streets run through the UTA campus, residents of my city are ever mindful that they enforce the law, TO the letter of the law. They are city police in every sense of the word. "Cutting you some slack" is not a term they recognize.

This is the absolute truth. They will ruin your day if you give them any reason to. Unfortunately, particularly at night, they don't seem to have an obvious presence designed to deter crime. Despite what patrolling they do, frequently enough, students are attacked in parking lots. Most recent was Sept 28 - around 8pm, a student was abducted and sexually assaulted about a block from where I usually park - on the north side of campus about 1/4 mile south of APD HQ. It was a pretty brazen attack, especially because at any given moment you are likely to see an APD cruiser going by.

Makes for some tough choices, if you follow.

[Liberty]

Additionally, several months ago I was on UTSA campus trying to sell some tickets and was in front of their Convocation Center on the sidewalk area. I was approached by campus police and asked for ID. I produced DL and CHL. They asked if I was carrying and I said yes. At that point they both looked surprised and said "Your really carrying right now?". Yes! The long of it was they said I can't sell tickets there. I said ok, did not know that and I'll leave. Ok, and I did. I called the campus police chief the next day to confirm that it was ok to carry on campus as long as I'm not in a building. I told him I assumed that is what they believed or I would have been arrested. He said I was correct and that a CHL could carry but not in a building.

.

If you were selling tickets you may have been participating in a school function or activity, if that was the case you were carrying illegally.