Running at the school track

[1s1k52]

Hope everyone is doing well. Haven't posted in a bit between moving and school life has been hectic. So as the titled states I am wondering if carrying at the track while I run at night is legal. It is attached to a middle school about 250 yards off. There had been no school events when I have gone. Thoughts?

[gdanaher]

The law could improve on its definition of a school facility, but it seems that most define the term as a school building or enclosed/secured stadium. If you have to go through a door and the facility can be secured, then it might be an issue. If you have a track surrounding a football practice field I think you are OK technically, but take a look at the written district policies. They might be wrong and you might be right, but car rides aren't fun. I am not a lawyer, and concealed still means concealed. School administrators are not attorneys. They take what they are told and run with it. If they feel a threat they call the police, complain, and you go downtown for further explanation. I've been to the point of reading the penal code to someone and they looking me in the eye and telling me they don't care what the law is, the policy is such and such.... Just be careful and get some good exercise in....

[1s1k52]

The irony if I did get arrested Is I'm using this track to train for a police physical and entrance exam in June!

[nyj]

I use to use school tracks a lot. I don't know how you can comfortable run with a gun. I opted for pepper spray.

But AFAIK, it's legal. Doesn't mean a cop wouldn't give you crap or even arrest you for it.

[1s1k52]

comfort? is there any comfort in running whether you have or gun or not? lol. Well tonight was supposed to be the night i risked it but instead decided to work on the garage door opener. So now forced to make up for it around my neighborhood on the route I mapped out. My goal in the long run is 1.5 miles in 10 minutes or under. I think this is next to impossible, but I am going to try.

[Boxerrider]

Is there a fence of any kind around the track? It's pretty common for schools to leave gates open and allow the public to utilize track facilities, but I would still consider it off-limits. It's a step beyond parking lots and sidewalks. Like gdanaher, I don't assume that school administrators know, understand, or care about CHL law. Most of them feel guns anywhere near a school are bad and will want to see you punished.
If I chose to run, I would do it somewhere else.

Enjoy!
Jeff

[RoyGBiv]

46.03 prohibits carry

(1) on the physical premises of a school or educational institution, [or]
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;
<snip>
(c) In this section:
(1)“Premises” has the meaning assigned by Section 46.035.

46.035 prohibits carry

(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;
<snip>
(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

Emphasis added by me.

In my PERSONAL OPINION, the only time/ place you cannot carry on school GROUNDS is 1. Inside a building (always), 2. When a school-sponsored event IS TAKING PLACE (if the event is inside the building only, you can carry outside the building). There is a grey area about "stadiums", since some stadiums have lockable doors/walls/gates. In my opinion, if they cannot lock you out with a lockable fence/gate/door, then it is not a "building". If I have to scale a fence to gain entry, I'll keep out. My local elementary, intermediate, middle and High Schools all have open fences. The HS has a stadium, but does not restrict access at any hour. I do not consider any of these places "buildings". This is my OPINION. I am not a lawyer. This is not legal advice. YMMV, EIEIO.

[SQLGeek]

I think this is next to impossible, but I am going to try.

I know this fight all too well. It is impossible if you try to do it overnight. Keep working and you'll get there. There is no magic fix to getting into better shape, it is simply grit and determination to keep working. Envision the change you want and make it happen.

[n5wd]

... Like gdanaher, I don't assume that school administrators know, understand, or care about CHL law. Most of them feel guns anywhere near a school are bad and will want to see you punished.

Got news for you.... at the time you're home and contemplating a fitness run, most school administrators are, as well. There's not going to be anyone there checking ID's and running you through a magnetometer.

Besides... if someone becomes aware that you have a gun, it's either because (a) you needed it or (b) you failed to control it. Concealed is concealed, yes?

[gdanaher]

If it were me, I'd find a time, midday Saturday because things are slower then, and go down to the McKinney PD cop shop, ask to talk to the sergeant on call, tell him the deal and ask for an opinion. He might not know the law any better than the high school principal, but he is also the guy advising the beat cops. Take publication 16 with you and highlight the relevant passages for discussion. It might force them to review the law and prevent a future negative encounter.

[1s1k52]

Thanks for all the replies. The track is a lot better on my knees but since posting this time hasnt even alotted a trip to the track. So it's been pushups at night before showe and bed. I am in decent to poor status when comes to being in shape, but I figured the better I do above the maximum points the better I will look. I haven't even gotten a reply with a statement stating I am even selected, but even though it's a month and a half away I'm not a "last minute" person. Concealed is concealed. However, I felt like this could have boiled down to each persons interpretation of the law. Clearly I was right because of the responces I got. I have seen quite a few videos lately of police officers online with disarming or dealing with citizens and their firearms. IF I do become a police officer I want to be as knowledgable as possible. The likely hood of me being a cop and being on a track and dealing with someone like me seems like a slim chance anyways, but like I said it was partly posted to see the general responce of the vague writing of the law.

[SQLGeek]

On the subject of fitness, I have some great beginner level material that is common sense, easy to follow and produces results with enough sweat equity. Feel free to PM me if you'd like to know more.

[bdickens]

The "Premises" of a school, for our purposes is statutorily defined as the actual buildings and not the grounds.