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Concealed carry in church

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  • pilotranger

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    I was reading another forum where a poll was asked, "Do you conceal carry in church?" and some posters mentioned they do carry in church in the state of Texas.

    I always thought we could not carry in church, as that is one of the restricted buildings/places. If you scroll down, it looks like if the church does not effectively post 30.06, we can concealed carry. Am I wrong?

    But someone pointed out to me this section in the Texas CHL manual (scroll all the way down and see the red highlighted section):

    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 govern-mental 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
    TEXAS CONCEALED HANDGUN LAWS 39
    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.
    [double amendment to same provision]
    (h-1) *[as added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., HB 1889.] It is a defense to prosecution under Subsections (b) and (c) that the actor, at the time of the commission of the offense, was:
    (1) an active judicial officer, as defined by Section 411.201, Government Code; or
    (2) a bailiff designated by the active judicial officer and engaged in escorting the officer.

    (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
    Texas SOT
     

    matefrio

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    A CHL holder may carry in church. If the church makes it known you cannot carry verbally, in writing (policy manual), or by a proper 30.06 sign you cannot carry there though.

    Law was amended in 1997 just two years after the 1995 shall issue laws were passed.
     
    Last edited:

    txinvestigator

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    A CHL holder may carry in church. If the church makes it known you cannot carry verbally, in writing (policy manual), or by a proper 30.06 sign you cannot carry there though.

    Law was amended in 1997 just two years after the 1995 shall issue laws were passed.

    Only 17 years.... no wonder the word isn't out yet.
     

    oohrah

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    matefrio, a policy manual would only apply to employees, it is not effective notice in writing to a CHL, only the 30.06 is.
     

    stdreb27

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    So one of our friend's parents who are California transplants and life long true believer liberal kooks was at our church for a special service. I had my carry gun, and this lady proceeded to hug me. I just barely got my arm under hers in time to keep her from planting her hand firmly on the butt of my gun.

    I can only imagine the ruckus that would have ensued if she'd put her hand on my gun. lol
     

    Byrd666

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    I don't go to Church often enough, but when I do, it is normally to a Church where carry is the norm. And I really hate to say it, but, with all the churches, schools, and "gun free zones" being easy targets, I'm not rightly willing to let myself be treated as "that" fish in the barrel. So if I Do see a 30.06 at said Church, or place of Worship of any kind, I won't enter or partake of that congregations offerings.
     

    Charlie

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    I don't go to Church often enough, but when I do, it is normally to a Church where carry is the norm. And I really hate to say it, but, with all the churches, schools, and "gun free zones" being easy targets, I'm not rightly willing to let myself be treated as "that" fish in the barrel. So if I Do see a 30.06 at said Church, or place of Worship of any kind, I won't enter or partake of that congregations offerings.

    Winner ^^^^^^^^^
     

    TX69

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    I don't go to Church often enough, but when I do, it is normally to a Church where carry is the norm. And I really hate to say it, but, with all the churches, schools, and "gun free zones" being easy targets, I'm not rightly willing to let myself be treated as "that" fish in the barrel. So if I Do see a 30.06 at said Church, or place of Worship of any kind, I won't enter or partake of that congregations offerings.

    We are those fish in a barrel since our church is held in a middle school. Gives me pause every time I stow my EDC and go inside.
     

    shortround

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    The Bishop of Sarajevo welcomed us with open arms as we attended Midnight Mass at the City Cathedral in 1997. We were heavily armed and armored up. Did remove our K-Pots for the service, of course.
     
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