New CHL -- Newbie question

[doublepush]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the board, though I've gleaned a lot of good information from reading y'alls postings.

I just got my CHL last Saturday (~50 day wait) and have started carrying. My employer (with >3000 employees) does not allow firearms on company property according to their employee handbook, though I did get verbal permission (with a handshake) from the VP of Human Resources to lock my pistol in my car while at work. Without that permission, it would have been quite a hassle to carry regularly, as I don't go straight home after work much.

My church is a different story... I'm still not sure if I really want to carry inside there; I'm still resolving that in my head. The issue, however, is the fact that they have a private school there during daytime hours. Does that mean that at no time can I carry into the building? Even if I'm never there when the school is in session? Funny thing is that the owner of Eagle Peak Shooting Range is a member of the church; I wonder if he ever carries there.

-Brent

[BrassMonkey]

Get a signed letter from VP of HR. If he gave you an ok with a handshake, he should have no problem with a letter.

Leave the piece in the trunk while on the church grounds. Then you can feel good about it... You can walk up to the front doors armed at a school, just can't cross the threshhold.

[Charles L. Cotton]

Don't go into the school area of the complex when school is in session. I would not have a problem going into the other parts of the complex.

Chas.

[longtooth]

Charles gives the legal in the above.

This is from the preacher. 34yrs.
You say you are still resolving it in your head. There is no Biblical mandate to be unarmed as a Christian. Nothing stops you from carry in the Sancturary. I summarize what the Bible says about carry by Christians in church with this, "David was a man after God's own heart & he carried a sword & used it well." Keep it concealed & if your preacher is anti then he will never know.
Heaven forbid, but if there is ever an incident that has to be resolved w/ gunfire by a legal CHL holder who is trained to use his weapon then he will probably be very thankful.

If you are in driving distanct of our church you will be in very good CHL friendly company. If you choose not to carry at our church dont worry, you will still be welcome & I assure you, VERY WELL GUARDED.
Welcome to the board.
LT

[9mmGuy]

I thought i read some where that churches were off limts for CHLers (while carrying)

[NcongruNt]

I thought i read some where that churches were off limts for CHLers (while carrying)

It was originally. It has since been amended to only put them off limits if 30.06 notification is given, just like any place else.

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 inten-
tionally, 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 is-
sued 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 deter-
mined by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission under Section
104.06, Alcoholic Beverage Code;
(2) on the premises where a high school, collegiate, or profes-
sional 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 li-
censed under Chapter 242, Health and Safety Code, unless the li-
cense 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 inten-
tionally, 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.
(j) Subsections (a) and (b)(1) do not apply to a historical reenact-
ment performed in compliance with the rules of the Texas Alcoholic
Beverage Commission.

[stroo]

+1 to Longtooth's comment. Having said that, I just don't feel right carrying in church. I don't have any argument against it. It just doesn't feel right to me.

While the school should not be an issue if it is never in session, just to make sure you might want to talk to your Pastor or your church's session, council, board or what ever the governing body is. I am assuming that body also runs the school. If so, if they don't have a problem, you should be golden.

[doublepush]

Longtooth,

You don't happen to have a daughter that was recently married to a fellow from Austin? I know a guy who married a pastor's daughter last December, and now they live in North Carolina. Would be a funny coincidence if it was your daughter.

Charles gives the legal in the above.

So I should be good as long as school is not in session? The school does use most of the church facilities.

I understand the precedent brought by David; I also understand that trouble doesn't stop just because you're in church. I guess I am worried that someone will say, "In CHURCH?" I think that there are some closet antis in my circle of friends at church. Of course, there are more pros.

-Brent

[HankB]

. . . I just don't feel right carrying in church. I don't have any argument against it. It just doesn't feel right to me.

There was at least one case - in South Africa, if I remember correctly - where an armed churchgoer helped minimize the damage caused when a couple of armed bad guys came in.

It seems that a discretely armed good guy is a good thing anyplace, anywhere.

[longtooth]

Longtooth,

You don't happen to have a daughter that was recently married to a fellow from Austin? I know a guy who married a pastor's daughter last December, and now they live in North Carolina. Would be a funny coincidence if it was your daughter.

I do happen to have a daughter. She has been happily married now for 10 yrs. She is a Daddy's girl & did not marry until she was finished w/ college. She live about 6 miles from us & I am pickin up the grandones in about 45 minutes.

Not the coincidence but sure could have been.
Got both my kids & Grandones in Texas since the son got transfered here.
Hope it stays that way.

[KRM45]

Any time I think I should not carry in a church I remember Wedgwood Baptist Church in Fort Worth.

[NcongruNt]

For reference on Wedgewood Baptist Church:

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/artic ... 91,00.html

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/law/july ... _9-16.html

http://www.religioustolerance.org/chu_viol1.htm#tx

[tornado]

There is no Biblical mandate to be unarmed as a Christian.

Luke 22:36-38 (The Message):

He said, "This is different. Get ready for trouble. Look to what you'll need; there are difficult times ahead. Pawn your coat and get a sword. What was written in Scripture, 'He was lumped in with the criminals,' gets its final meaning in me. Everything written about me is now coming to a conclusion."

They said, "Look, Master, two swords!"

But he said, "Enough of that; no more sword talk!"

Sounds to me like Jesus was in favor of being armed and not telling anyone who didn't need to know.

[Cosmo 9]

My Mom doesn't like me to carry in Church. She say's you know I don't like you to take that there, I just say I know Mom.

[longtooth]

There is no Biblical mandate to be unarmed as a Christian.

Luke 22:36-38 (The Message):

He said, "This is different. Get ready for trouble. Look to what you'll need; there are difficult times ahead. Pawn your coat and get a sword. What was written in Scripture, 'He was lumped in with the criminals,' gets its final meaning in me. Everything written about me is now coming to a conclusion."

They said, "Look, Master, two swords!"

But he said, "Enough of that; no more sword talk!"

Sounds to me like Jesus was in favor of being armed and not telling anyone who didn't need to know.

That one is the conclusion to the 2 night message on personal defense & what the Bible says about CC. Jesus never asked the Roman Soldiers to put their spears over there under that tree before he preached to them.