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Parks etc..

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:13 am
by motleystew
Since I've recieved my CHL, I'm nervous as a cat to carry because I'm not sure yet what is off limits or not. Are city parks/lakes CHL friendly? There are signs around here that list rules, but none have the 30.06 designation. What about libraries? What are the guidelines for city offices, etc..Thanks in advance!

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:35 am
by GlockenHammer
Welcome to the forum, motleystew. We have several CHL instructors, attorneys and other knowledgeable folks that I'm sure will chime in with good answers.

In a way you are right to be nervous about where to carry. It is important that we adhere to the restrictions set forth for us so we don't "ruin it for everybody".

That said, it sounds like you might need to refresh your memory on exactly what the law says. I know they covered that in your class, but you get so much so fast you can forget the details. Go back and read the law (I've copied some of it below.) It can be a little confusing the way the language is written and you have to read the whole thing, but if you can learn that skill, you will do much better at keeping yourself out of trouble and understand your rights better. For example, section (b) (6) of the code below appears to make it illegal to carry in church. However, a later change to the law added section (i) which says that these areas are not off-limits unless they have complied with section 30.06.
PC §46.035. UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF HANDGUN BY LICENSE
HOLDER. (a) A license holder commits an offense if the license
holder carries a handgun on or about the license holder's person
under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code,
and intentionally fails to conceal the handgun.
(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) on the premises of a business that has a permit or license issued
under Chapter 25, 28, 32, 69, or 74, Alcoholic Beverage Code, if
the business derives 51 percent or more of its income from the sale or
service of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, as determined
by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission under Section
104.06, Alcoholic Beverage Code;
(2) on the premises where a high school, collegiate, or professional
sporting event or interscholastic event is taking place, unless
the license holder is a participant in the event and a handgun is used
in the event;
(3) on the premises of a correctional facility;
(4) on the premises of a hospital licensed under Chapter 241,
Health and Safety Code, or on the premises of a nursing home licensed under Chapter 242, Health and Safety Code, unless the license
holder has written authorization of the hospital or nursing home
administration, as appropriate;
(5) in an amusement park; or
(6) on the premises of a church, synagogue, or other established
place of religious worship.
(c) 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, at any meeting of a governmental
entity.
(d) A license holder commits an offense if, while intoxicated, the
license holder carries a handgun under the authority of Subchapter H,
Chapter 411, Government Code, regardless of whether the handgun is
concealed.
(e) A license holder who is licensed as a security officer under
Chapter 1702, Occupations Code, and employed as a security officer
commits an offense if, while in the course and scope of the security
officer's employment, the security officer violates a provision of
Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code.
(f) In this section:
(1) "Amusement park" means a permanent indoor or outdoor
facility or park where amusement rides are available for use by the
public that is located in a county with a population of more than one
million, encompasses at least 75 acres in surface area, is enclosed
with access only through controlled entries, is open for operation more
than 120 days in each calendar year, and has security guards on the
premises at all times. The term does not include any public or private
driveway, street, sidewalk or walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or
other parking area.
(2) "License holder" means a person licensed to carry a handgun
under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code.
(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.
(g) An offense under Subsection (a), (b), (c), (d), or (e) is a Class A
misdemeanor, unless the offense is committed under Subsection
(b)(1) or (b)(3), in which event the offense is a felony of the third
degree.
(h) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a) that the
actor, at the time of the commission of the offense, displayed the
handgun under circumstances in which the actor would have been
justified in the use of deadly force under Chapter 9.
(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.
Specifically on your question of libraries, they will need to be posted with a correct 30.06 sign unless they fall within another off-limits category such as a school.

Parks are generally okay for carry except if they are Federal parks in which case TX law does not apply and you must follow the Federal laws. Same for lakes, although I know of no lakes that would be off-limits in TX.

Welcome,
GH

Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 8:51 pm
by motleystew
Thanks! I would just better be safe than sorry!

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 4:47 am
by txinvestigator
You should read also section 46.03 of the penal code.

http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/do ... m#46.03.00

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 6:30 am
by RPBrown
Another twist is the subject of lakes. As most lakes around here fall under the jurisdiction of the Army Corps of Engineers, the could be considered off limits (actual body of water or dam area). However, parks (except national parks) connected to a lake would not be off limits. Is this correct?

I know we have had this discussion before, but no definite conclusion was ever come to.