Our New Church is Temporarily Meeting in a Jr. High School

[aggie70]

Howdy All!

I've searched this forum & scratched out. Our new church in Tomball will be meeting initially at the Jr High. If I'm reading PC 46.03 . . . correctly, carrying on Sunday is prohibited. Am I, unfortunately, correct? Or is there an exception for non-school, off-hours, gatherings that I'm missing?

Curious minds would like to know!

Thanks in advance and God bless ya'll!

My $ 0.03 Worth is at:
http://TheWearableGospel.BlogSpot.com

[Charles L. Cotton]

You are correct; the prohibition on carrying in school buildings and transportation vehicles found in TPC §46.03(a)(1) does not apply only during school hours, or when students are present. The prohibition on carrying on school grounds is limited in time, i.e. only when a school sponsored activity is on-going.

You probably know this, but remember that "premises" is defined to include only buildings and portions of buildings, not parking lots, grounds, etc.

Chas.

§ 46.03. PLACES WEAPONS PROHIBITED. (a) A person
commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or
recklessly possesses or goes with a firearm, illegal knife, club,
or prohibited weapon listed in Section 46.05(a):

• (1) on the physical premises of a school or
  educational institution, any grounds or building on which an
  activity sponsored by a school or educational institution is being
  conducted, or a passenger transportation vehicle of a school or
  educational institution, whether the school or educational
  institution is public or private, unless pursuant to written
  regulations or written authorization of the institution;

[aggie70]

Thank you Charles.

I guess my eyes glazed over that "an activity sponsored by a school or educational institution is being conducted." So you're saying that 46.03 says carrying concealed on a Sunday morning church service in a school building is OK? Some of us Aggies are REAL dense.

[srothstein]

No, he said that if the church meets inside the school building, carrying is prohibited. But you can carry on the grounds outside the building, such as while parking in the lot.

[Kalrog]

I guess my eyes glazed over that "an activity sponsored by a school or educational institution is being conducted." So you're saying that 46.03 says carrying concealed on a Sunday morning church service in a school building is OK? Some of us Aggies are REAL dense.

No that is not what he is saying. He covered 2 questions in that post. Short version with small words (my version) to follow:

1) You can never legally carry (under the authority of a CHL) in a school building.
2) You can carry on the grounds of a school outside of the building as long as a school sponsored event isn't taking place there at that time

It is the second one that has a time restriction based on (essentially) kids being there. The first one is blanket and permanent.

[dave_in_austin]

A church is meeting in a school building? Don't tell the Madlin Murry O'Hair crowd.

[Kalrog]

Most schools in this area at least are rented to churches to use on Sunday mornings. Revenue for the district and better facility utilization.

But I get your point.

[aggie70]

Thanks to all for taking the time to reply. I appreciate your help.