Church with School - Vacation Bible School

[flylow]

I did a search for Vacation Bible School and found several entries that were years old and was just wondering if things are still the same. It doesn't appear that the statues have been modified to give more clarity, but I thought I'd ask anyway.

Here's my situation. I should receive my license this week. In a few weeks I'll be helping out at a VBS at our church. The church itself is a large complex that includes a portion set up in elementary school fashion where preschool classes are held. This area will be used for the Vacation Bible School classes in addition to the Fellowship Hall.

My interpretation is that this would qualify as a school. It's really confusing because I think that this would disallow me from carrying in any part of the building, including into Sunday School classes which are held in the "school" portion of the building on Sunday mornings. What about the sanctuary for services? We do not have any portion posted with 30.06 signage.
And, just so you know, I'd prefer not to be a test case...

Thanks!
-flylow

[The Annoyed Man]

I know of at least one guy who will be involved in my church's VBS who will be carrying during those activities. No, it isn't me.


But since we have de facto "separation of church and state" ( ), it would be difficult in my opinion to enforce "no carry in schools" when the purpose of the "school" (and it isn't really a school, in the legal sense) is religious instruction. As a member of my church's worship team, I always carry on stage. And I carry regardless of whether I am playing with the band that is leading in "big church," or whether I am playing with one of the two other bands that lead worship in the children's Sunday school/Worship services. However, I would think that the law would get murky if that "pre-school" area is an actual pre-school during the rest of the week. Ours isn't.

[dac1842]

As long as your church is not posted you can carry. VBS is a long standing religious designation, it is not recognized by the state at any level as a school.

[flylow]

It's not so much the Vacation Bible "School" designation as it is the setup and use of parts of the building during the week for preschool education. I could see carrying at Vacation Bible Camp or School if it was only a church sanctuary with an attached Fellowship Hall (or something similar). However, I feel that the Preschool Program is what makes the entire proposition iffy and makes me a bit nervous about the current wording of the law.

[secure]

As long as the church is a church and not a combo church/school. If they are two seperate entitites but operate in the same building it would be a no carry zone.

[dicion]

IMHO, a Preschool is not a 'school'.
Literally it means 'Before School'.. so if it's before they go to school, it's not a school yet, right?

School is not defined well at all in the Texas Statutes, this is one of those areas we wish we had more detailed clarification in.

Carry away IMO

[Boxerrider]

School is not defined well at all in the Texas Statutes, this is one of those areas we wish we had more detailed clarification in.

I agree. I also believe the best way to avoid confusion is by removing the restriction.
Back on topic, my non-lawyer definition of a school includes some sort of state &/or federal accreditation.
Unless the church was 30.06 posted I would carry.

Enjoy!

[Running Arrow Bill]

IMO, VBS is a protestant religious "activity" that has no relationship to a "real" school. It's purpose is to entertain the kids for a few days and provide religious indoctrination related to the "brand" of church denomination that hosts it.

Whether or not it is "illegal" to pack heat in one's Church...I haven't a clue. Guess depends on one's State CCL laws and/or the restrictions of any given Church group.

Guess the real "test" would be IF the Church's "education building" was used during the week for bonafide Public or Private School education that qualified as providing the "Three R's". Given all this, my guess would be that a "Catholic School", e.g., would be licensed by one's State as a private school. Same true for other religion approved private schools.

JMHO