where do you carry?

[lonestarjeff]

I don't mean where on your person.....

I've been reading on the forum for a couple of weeks now & quite a few posts involve concealed weapon issues(what model is best to carry......what holster.......what pocket....etc.).

From the time I recall concealled carry becoming legal I started noticing the places we go on weeknights or weekends having signs posted saying ccw "not allowed on this premises" or somesuch. I believe any place in TX that serves alcohol is illegal to bring in a ccw.

Back in the late 80's/early 90's I had a client I called on daily. His shop was in an area not safe during day or night, so I started carrying the 586. I didn't have a carry license, but carried it anyway in a side pocket of my soft briefcase. Never had any trouble, but if I had used the weapon in self-defense, I guess I would have been the one arrested. I always figured better to be alive & arrested than laying in the parking lot bleeding(or worse).

Several years ago a restaurant in a town a couple of hours away from here had a guy walk in & start shooting people randomly(can't remember how many he shot). Over the following weeks several witnesses interviewed said they had a weapon in their car & how they could have stopped the guy had they brought it in with them.

I guess my point in all this is that I like the idea of being able to legally carry, but it seems like on a typical day I would be legal about half the time because of where I'm eating or what property I'm doing business on.

I'd like to hear from you TX carry guys if I'm wrong on any of the legal stuff, & from anyone else about how you decide when to carry & when not to.

Jeff

 

[Bullseye Smith]

I know what you mean, when in Ohio I carried all the time. When I'm in West Virgina I have one in the car in case of a break down. Some feel better having one on you (in Columbus I did) all the time.

 

[blujax01]

When the CCW law passed in Ohio "Victim Zone " signs popped up everywhere. Seems the general populace doesn't understand the difference between bad guys carrying illegally (which the presence of the signs won't affect) and law-abiding citizens who, in order to remain law-abiding, must comply and be unarmed. And so it goes ...

 

[BobRowe]

I carry everywhere it's legal to do so. There are only a few places mandaated by state law as illegal -- hospitals, sports arenas, bars, schools, etc. But, like everywhere, owners of private property (including businesses) are free to restrict entry to those who are not armed, legal or not.

Fortunately, our state (Michigan) has a good protective organization -- MCRGO (Michigan Coalition of Responsible Gun Owners) -- that posts a list on their website of all businesses (including shopping malls) that have prohibited firearms on their premises. Not only do I stop shopping at such establishments if I had previously done so, I take the time to write them a courteous letter explaining why I am no longer one of their customers. In a few instances, it's made a difference...however, ignorance is often widespread and stubborn.

 

[madmikeb]

I pretty much carry everywhere I go that I can legally. About the only place I don't carry is work. Here in Maine crime isn't to much of an issue, but "I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it"! I also have property in Cochise county Arizona that isn't too far from the border so I got my AZ permit a couple years ago and I carry everywhere I can out there also.

 

[WC145]

Everywhere. All the time.

 

[Rio Vista Slim]

Texas Concealed Handgun Law

Jeff,

Since it appears, from your post, that you do not yet have a Texas Concealed Handgun License, I will post a link to the applicable law.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/crime_records/chl/tchlaws0102.pdf

Your impressions are, for the most part, incorrect. If you'll read through the law, you'll see that the mere presence of alcohol does not preclude you from carrying a concealed weapon. Granted, there are specific instances where you are not allowed to carry, but most of the signs you have seen apply to the "unlicensed" carrying of firearms.

The law can be rather confusing, but careful reading, as well as a competant instructor in your CHL class, will clarify these issues for you.

 

[6pack]

I don't carry to/from/during work. Not even in my vehicle. This is an aggravating scenerio because I have an interstate commute. The rules are the rules, however backwards they are. An armed disgruntled spouse could gain access to our facility with a firearm...but law abiding employees can not keep them in their cars, thus leaving them exposed on their drives to/from work.

Everywhere else I'm usually packing at least a razor sharp combat folder. I usually also have my 442 in a DeSantis Nemesis in my front right pocket.

 

[fyimo]

There are certainly places you can't carry by law and other place where the local rules can have restrictions. Then on top of that anyone can post that no guns are not allowed on their property and that must also be honored. The State Tropper who taught our class told us that they have that right to do that and that we would need to honor it. He said there would be consequences if we didn't obay them that could lead to the loss of our carry permit plus it could cause other legal problems. I carry where I can but I obay the rules as they were explained to me. It can be a hassel but in my mind it beats any problems associated with not following the rules.

 

[conchmariner]

Hope I'm not hijacking, but this ties in a bit to a thread I started in the Sig Forum about CCW limiting one's travel or even life options.

To elaborate. Most of us here are into firearms and Second Amendment right as a major part of our lives. But if we live in an elightened state (AZ, FL, UT, etc) we still can't carry legally in the unenlightened states (CA, HI, MA, NY, etc). So if we want to see a Broadway show in NYC or walk across the Golden Gate Bridge or (to take it up a notch by visiting a foreign country) take a cooking class in Provence, some (many?) of us will refuse to compromise our Second Amendment rights by doing so, thereby arguably missing out on some of what life has to offer.

Thoughts?

 

[photoman]

To reply to the original post: This is one of my big gripes about the Texas CHL. There are WAY too many prohibited areas. I would rather it be more training required and permitted to carry everywhere (except federal areas...nothing the state can do about that) than have it the way we have it now. But I honestly don't think we'll ever see that change.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

If Im awake, I have one on me, no one know's and if they dont know it wont bother them. There are a few place's such as the Courthouse that I disarm and that's because they now have a scanner and security there. I dont go into bar's and have never seen a establishment with the no gun's sign. As an armed citizen one does have to practice disgression and common sense where one go's when armed.

 

[HCD]

pants goes on-----gun goes on, court house= leave it with the cop at the door.

 

[bettis1]

As Rio Vista Slim suggested, I would direct you to study the DPS rules on this. I was a Certified CHL Instructor for many years but am not now so don't take this as legal advice.

The laws are complex and subject to revision each time that the Legislature meets but here is a quick synopsis.

First, let me say that anyone in control of a property, either business or private, can restrict your right to carry on their property by giving you effective notice, either written or oral. Having said that, I carry all day every day in Texas and have for years. I can probably count on one hand the number of places that I have wanted to go that were restricted to me.

Don't confuse the small white posters (with a handgun in a circle with a slash through it) that many businesses post with a prohibition for licensed carry. If you read those closely, they state that carrying a firearm by someone who isn't a holder of a CHL is prohibited. To restrict a License holder, the posting must be a specific posting of the Penal Code 30.06 and the size, color, and wording of the posting is clearly stated. If it varies from that specific PC 30.06, it isn't a valid posting.

The restriction regarding establishments which sell alcohol are limited to those which derive at least 51% of their income from alcohol. Those establishments have to specifically post that information so it isn't up to you to determine that. If they sell less than 51% they are just like any other business in that it is the owner's decision. If the establishment does sell more than 51% their PC 30.06 sign will have a red 51 overlaid on it.

You are prohibited from carrying your firearm in a school or educational facility, a polling place, a correctional facility or if you are intoxicated. When the CHL legislation was first passed, hospitals, churches, amusement parks, etc. were included in the restricted places. However, those restrictions have been amended and now they have to be specifically posted if the owner wishes to restrict you.

Bob

 

[P&R Fan]

I carry wherever legal, all the time.
You mention the shooting where someone in the restaurant had a gun in their car they couldn't access. That was Suzanna Gratia Hupp at a Lubys restaurant in Killeen TX in 1991. Her parents were murdered in the incident and it led her to run for and win a seat in the Texas House of Representatives, where she served from 1997 to 2007. She is a powerful voice for gun rights issues.

 

[jimonfly]

I have to agree with most of what Bettis1 posted above as being applicable in Florida as well. I have seen several locations that have the white poster with the crossed-out handgun but pretty well ignore them. If it's concealed, then I'm not doing anything wrong. Most of those places post that sign because they've been hit before, which is all the more reason for me to be able to protect myself. One such place that has taken it up a notch is the local Wal-Mart. They have scanners at the front door and will not let you in if you are carrying a concealed pistol. I've made it in with a large folding knife, but never with my switchblade or pistol. The greeter politely asks you if you are carrying and then says you can't come in with it on. And I'm sure that if you go back to drop it off in your car it won't be there when you come out. I'm not sure what they would do if you refused but it would cause a big scene, so I just go somewhere else. Nothing like leaving the sheep to the wolves.

When my wife took her class last year I sat in for a refresher. I've had mine for 15+ years. One question that was brought up was schools. The scenario was "I drop both my kids off at school on the way to work and always have a pistol with me. Do I need to leave it at home, drop off the kids, then pick it up before I go to work?" That particular instructor (a local SO) said he wouldn't bust someone just for that, but then again, how would he know unless something else happened to bring it up. But Florida specifically states it is against the law. I'm kinda on the wall with that one.

 

[ajpelz]

To restrict a License holder, the posting must be a specific posting of the Penal Code 30.06 and the size, color, and wording of the posting is clearly stated. If it varies from that specific PC 30.06, it isn't a valid posting.

Are you serious?? The statute that deals with the banning of weapons on a premises is 30.06??? Anyone else find this extremely ironic? Made me lol.

ETA, I carry almost everywhere by the way. Federal buildings, schools and courthouses are about the only no-nos where I live, and I try to avoid those places like the plague.

 

[AgentSmith]

One such place that has taken it up a notch is the local Wal-Mart. They have scanners at the front door and will not let you in if you are carrying a concealed pistol.

Yet another reason to avoid Wal-Mart. Even up here in MT, I'm noticing many businesses with the "no gun" sign.....

 

[ajpelz]

Yet another reason to avoid Wal-Mart. Even up here in MT, I'm noticing many businesses with the "no gun" sign.....

That is funny, because I see people OPEN carry at my local wal-marts on occasion, and I have never see a no gun sign.

 

[bettis1]

Are you serious?? The statute that deals with the banning of weapons on a premises is 30.06??? Anyone else find this extremely ironic? Made me lol.

ETA, I carry almost everywhere by the way. Federal buildings, schools and courthouses are about the only no-nos where I live, and I try to avoid those places like the plague.

Yep. Turns out that those folks down in Austin had a sense of humor after all!

The sign ("30.06 Sign") which must be posted to notify you that you can't carry on those premises states:

"Pursuant to Section 30.06, Penal Code (trespass by holder of license to carry a concealed handgun), a person licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411 Government Code (concealed handgun law), may not enter this property with a concealed handgun".

To be effective, this exact sign must be posted in both English and Spanish, appear in contrasting colors with block letters at least one inch in height, and be displayed in a conspicuous manner clearly visible to the public.

So, if you don't go into those specific places that are precluded by law, or into one that has that exact "30.06 sign", you are good to go anywhere in Texas.

Maybe it is just my lifestyle, but none of the places that I normally frequent present that sign so it hasn't impacted my life in the least.


Bob