Medical office sign posting confusion

[bamf_shadow]

First, let me say hi formally. I have been a long time lurker here, but never registered as I never had much to discuss. Well I have a question now and I thought I would ask here for input. I recently took my daughter to the doctors office (something my wife usually handles, I avoid them like the plague) and upon reaching the front door I noticed a large (2" letters or so) posting stating the following : "State law prohibits carrying firearms on these premises." I didn't have time to argue, so I returned to my truck and secured my firearm properly. Today I looked up the Texas Penal Code as it relates to CHL and the only reference I could find relating to restriction of carry in a medical clinic is refering to hospitals and nursing homes as defined by the Texas Health and Safety code chapter 241 and 242 respectively. I am no lawyer, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night. So, I glanced at the relative chapters and it seems that the one destinction is that the facility has to offer beds for patient stays longer than 24 hours. Now the doctors office doesn't offer that, so I assume that they are licensed under a different Health and Safety code chapter. However, the CHL penal code only lists those two chapters as being restricted areas. I am not sure if the doctors office just isn't aware that they aren't covered under that restriction, or if that is just thier way of keeping people from carrying in thier office without them looking like the bad guys. If the later is the case they should just post a 30-06 sign and be done with it in my opinion. So now for my two questions: First, as it isn't a restricted area (unless I am wrong about that), and it isn't a 30-06 sign, can I legally carry my firearm into the office? Second, if it is a restricted area where is it defined as such under the TX codes, and is the sign a proper posting under that code? Thank you very much for your help on this. I wanted to get my facts right before contacting the office about the posting.

[Keith B]

First, let me say hi formally. I have been a long time lurker here, but never registered as I never had much to discuss. Well I have a question now and I thought I would ask here for input. I recently took my daughter to the doctors office (something my wife usually handles, I avoid them like the plague) and upon reaching the front door I noticed a large (2" letters or so) posting stating the following : "State law prohibits carrying firearms on these premises." I didn't have time to argue, so I returned to my truck and secured my firearm properly. Today I looked up the Texas Penal Code as it relates to CHL and the only reference I could find relating to restriction of carry in a medical clinic is refering to hospitals and nursing homes as defined by the Texas Health and Safety code chapter 241 and 242 respectively. I am no lawyer, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night. So, I glanced at the relative chapters and it seems that the one destinction is that the facility has to offer beds for patient stays longer than 24 hours. Now the doctors office doesn't offer that, so I assume that they are licensed under a different Health and Safety code chapter. However, the CHL penal code only lists those two chapters as being restricted areas. I am not sure if the doctors office just isn't aware that they aren't covered under that restriction, or if that is just thier way of keeping people from carrying in thier office without them looking like the bad guys. If the later is the case they should just post a 30-06 sign and be done with it in my opinion. So now for my two questions: First, as it isn't a restricted area (unless I am wrong about that), and it isn't a 30-06 sign, can I legally carry my firearm into the office? Second, if it is a restricted area where is it defined as such under the TX codes, and is the sign a proper posting under that code? Thank you very much for your help on this. I wanted to get my facts right before contacting the office about the posting.

Fist off, welcome to the forum.

To be short, per state statutes doctors offices and hospitals have to post 30.06 signs, give you verbal notice or hand you a written notice with the 30.06 verbiage to prohibit the carrying of a firearm by a CHL.

So bottom line, the sign is not valid for CHL.

Lots of discussions on the forum on this topic. Just use the search feature and put in hospital and you will find plenty of posts to read!

Again welcome officially to the forum!

[gemini]

I wanted to get my facts right before contacting the office about the posting.

Since it's posted incorrectly, there is nothing to gain or advantage by contacting their office. Let it go. Carry away. And welcome to the forum.

[PUCKER]

I always get a chuckle when I see those "state law prohibits..." LOL

Yeah, sure they do...

[ricor]

Under no circumstance should you report non conforming or incorrect signs to any manager, authority, or entity.

[Oldgringo]

I wanted to get my facts right before contacting the office about the posting.

Since it's posted incorrectly, there is nothing to gain or advantage by contacting their office. Let it go. Carry away. And welcome to the forum.

, "let sleeping dogs lie".

Welcome aboard, you may learn here what wasn't covered in your class. I know that I have.

[longtooth]

I go to the dialisis center in Lufkin on a real regular basis to visit there. On the door is a HUGE sign that say the same. State law prohibits carrying a concealed weapon on these premises. I just quietly keep walking.

[Kythas]

That verbiage is likely a reference to 46.035 before the 2009 legislature changed it to require a 30.06 sign to make hospitals, nursing homes, churches, governmental meetings, and amusement parks off limits to CHL holders.

Likely they are unaware of the change in the law requiring a 30.06 sign. It's not your job to inform them of the change, unless you're their lawyer.

[bamf_shadow]

Thank you for clearing that up for me. I didn't think that hospitals had to post the 30-06, so I wasn't sure if the same rule applied here.

[mr surveyor]

welcome to the forum bamf_shadow

I think you may see some familiar names here

jd

[ScottDLS]

That verbiage is likely a reference to 46.035 before the 2009 legislature changed it to require a 30.06 sign to make hospitals, nursing homes, churches, governmental meetings, and amusement parks off limits to CHL holders.

Likely they are unaware of the change in the law requiring a 30.06 sign. It's not your job to inform them of the change, unless you're their lawyer.

Actually it was the 1997 legislature, but point taken.

[5thGenTexan]

When I go to the Doc I simply enter the exam room and place my IWB with weapon in my jacket pocket and replace it when I dress to leave. No sign but I don't want to alarm the young lady that is his PA.

[ninemm]

I don't mean to hijack this thread but it really bothers me to make an appointment to see a doctor and then see only a PA and get billed for a doctor visit. How do they get away with that?

[C-dub]

Thank you for clearing that up for me. I didn't think that hospitals had to post the 30-06, so I wasn't sure if the same rule applied here.

Hospitals don't have to post it unless they want to keep us GG out. But, I think someone here said that they are required by some law to post the sign that you did see.