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No Guns At Office of County Tax Assessor
Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:11 pm
by LittleGun
I decided to protest my property taxes and got a hearing at the Montgomery County Central Appraisal District. This was my first time for a hearing. The hearing was surprisingly cordial and educational.
Before entering the building, I wasn't sure if carrying a concealed handgun was allowed. Because I wasn't sure, I left my gun in the car. It was the right call. When I went inside, I saw a No Guns sign. It said something like, Concealed Handguns Are Not Allowed On These Premises. The sign was not 30.06 compliant, but I wasn't tempted to challenge. I think that challenging the Tax Assessor's gun policy isn't a good idea, especially on the day of a property tax hearing. I didn't carry, but I got my property taxes reduced.
Re: No Guns At Office of County Tax Assessor
Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:41 pm
by joe817
LittleGun wrote:I decided to protest my property taxes and got a hearing at the Montgomery County Central Appraisal District. This was my first time for a hearing. The hearing was surprisingly cordial and educational.
Before entering the building, I wasn't sure if carrying a concealed handgun was allowed. Because I wasn't sure, I left my gun in the car. It was the right call. When I went inside, I saw a No Guns sign. It said something like, Concealed Handguns Are Not Allowed On These Premises. The sign was not 30.06 compliant, but I wasn't tempted to challenge. I think that challenging the Tax Assessor's gun policy isn't a good idea, especially on the day of a property tax hearing. I didn't carry, but I got my property taxes reduced.
You chose well young Skywalker!
I would have done the same.
Re: No Guns At Office of County Tax Assessor
Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:53 pm
by nitrogen
I don't think it was. Govt offices cannot ban guns unless they meet statutory requirements to, i.e. courthouses.
Does the tax assessor count as a court house? I'm not sure honestly.
Re: No Guns At Office of County Tax Assessor
Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 11:18 pm
by lrb111
nitrogen wrote:I don't think it was. Govt offices cannot ban guns unless they meet statutory requirements to, i.e. courthouses.
Does the tax assessor count as a court house? I'm not sure honestly.
hmm, makes me wonder if lawyers are involved in the hearing. They are in Ector county.
Lawyers and judgements are made in courts, would seem to be a normal progression, imo.
Chas? stroo? Buehler?

Re: No Guns At Office of County Tax Assessor
Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:04 am
by Commander
(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 governmental
entity.(d)
That hearing might fall under the above.....
Re: No Guns At Office of County Tax Assessor
Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:25 am
by Originalist
Commander wrote:(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 governmental
entity.(d)
That hearing might fall under the above.....
It goes on to say -- if the actor was given effective notice under 30.06 but the Tax Assessor's office is not a meeting of a government body however it is prohibited by law from posting 30.06 and therefor perfectly legal to carry under authority of your CHL.
Re: No Guns At Office of County Tax Assessor
Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 6:26 am
by frazzled
This is not surprising, at all.
Re: No Guns At Office of County Tax Assessor
Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 6:51 am
by Commander
It was my understanding from the original post that Little Gun appealed his property taxes at a hearing. In my county, the Central Apprasial District has an apprasial review board which consists of a six member panel of appointed board members who hold hearings to review requests such as Little Gun's. I would think that would qualify as a meeting of a governmental entity. I would assume that Montgomery County as a similar process.
Re: No Guns At Office of County Tax Assessor
Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 7:58 am
by pbwalker
doesn't sound like it was valid. I would have carried...
remember, concealed means concealed...

Re: No Guns At Office of County Tax Assessor
Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 8:35 am
by Commander
I'm curious as to what you would define as a meeting of a governmental entity. A Central Appraisal District is a government entity and their duly appointed board held a public hearing to hear appeals. In my book that's a meeting.
In the normal day to day course of business of an apprasial district office, I'd say carry; but if their board is meeting and holding hearings in the office and its posted 30.06, then I say carry at your own risk.
Re: No Guns At Office of County Tax Assessor
Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 8:37 am
by dicion
Commander wrote: but if their board is meeting and holding hearings in the office and its posted 30.06, then I say carry at your own risk.
Thats the thing. It was not posted 30.06. Only a gunbusters sign.
Littlegun wrote:
When I went inside, I saw a No Guns sign. It said something like, Concealed Handguns Are Not Allowed On These Premises. The sign was not 30.06 compliant, but I wasn't tempted to challenge.
Re: No Guns At Office of County Tax Assessor
Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 10:13 am
by Tass
The Harris County Tax Assessor's office on 290 is properly posted with a 30.06 sign on the doors leading in from the parking garage. (Stinks when you ended up parking on the top floor of the garage and have to walk back up to secure the firearm)
Tass
Re: No Guns At Office of County Tax Assessor
Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 10:24 am
by dicion
Tass wrote:The Harris County Tax Assessor's office on 290 is properly posted with a 30.06 sign on the doors leading in from the parking garage. (Stinks when you ended up parking on the top floor of the garage and have to walk back up to secure the firearm)
Tass
Which one? I don't see one on 290:
http://www.tax.co.harris.tx.us/locations/locations.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: No Guns At Office of County Tax Assessor
Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 10:24 am
by Keith B
These may be posted, but not properly unless per 46.05 (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 governmental entity' or per 46.03 (3) 'on the premises of any government court or offices utilized by the court, unless pursuant to written regulations or written authorization of the court.' Just having the sign posted at all times on the building does not constitute a valid posting.
Re: No Guns At Office of County Tax Assessor
Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 10:28 am
by dicion
Agreed, if it's a government owned building, 30.06 means nothing. Only an active meeting, or court can prevent handguns.
How do you know there's an active meeting going on? They normally bring in metal detectors, at least for all the Metro board meetings I've seen they do.