Event Involving Students at a Public Convention Center

[Songbird]

I'll be working at a choral music event this weekend involving approximately 500 middle school students. The event is not a UIL event, nor is any school district in charge, although students and teachers from several districts will be involved. The event is part of the Texas Music Educators Association. The event is being held at a Civic Center which is not posted. I need your expertise concerning whether concealed carry in this situation is legal.

[anygunanywhere]

Carry away. I would.


Anygunanywhere

[RoyGBiv]

If the kids are registering for this event through their school, I would consider it a "school-sponsored event" and off limits.

I look forward to someone with greater knowledge of the law chiming in.
This is my opinion. I am not a lawyer. This is not legal advice.

[Songbird]

If the kids are registering for this event through their school, I would consider it a "school-sponsored event" and off limits.

I look forward to someone with greater knowledge of the law chiming in.
This is my opinion. I am not a lawyer. This is not legal advice.

I was hoping for more comments too. I'm still new to all the do's and dont's of carrying. The Civic Center is in a shady part of town and I'll most likely be leaving alone after dark, so wanted to carry if there was any way possible. Guess it was a dumb question since there were so many views and only two replies. I'll leave the firearm at home and hope situational awareness is all I need tomorrow night.

[Teamless]

The way I think about this:

If the kids are school aged
or
if the kids are being brought by school teachers (who are acting as teachers - in other words, with the consent of the school(s) or on school buses) or if the school in some way arranged it.

If just that they are school aged, and their parents and other chapperones are there, then carry away.
However
If there is any reference to my description of the "or" above, then I would not carry.

Another thought, as you said you would be "working" the event.
Depending on what you mean by working:
Are you working (arranged by the school, teachers, etc) or working for the Civic Center?
If the latter, then carry away, if the former, see my prior comments.

Lastly, your subject line says " Involving Students" - I think you really need to elaborate why you used the term "student" and not "kids" or "school-aged people".

[sjfcontrol]

First, let me say that (as far as I know) there is no case law covering this, so you're kinda on your own -- but.

As I recall, Charles has expressed an opinion that when the law refers to "school sponsored activity", it is implying that activity to be on school property (not premises). I believe the logic is that the law allows for the school to grant permission to carry -- and that the school wouldn't have authority to do so anywhere but on school property.

Also clears up issues regarding museum trips, or being at a McDonald's when a school bus load of kids show up.

[Happily Ever After]

I don't think TMEA is a school, so I would carry if I was going. That's not advice, just what I would do.

[karateclarinet]

Every February, I wonder about the legality of carrying at the TMEA convention. The All-State process that takes place there is what gives me pause about carrying. Is the convention a school-sponsored event due to the massive number of all-state students there, under the care of their directors and other chaperones? Or since I am just going on my own, without any of my own students and without any school-sponsored activities during the course of the convention, am I good to carry there? There's also the option of leaving it in the hotel room, but I don't always want to go back to the hotel to get my firearm before heading out for the evening.

[Songbird]

Every February, I wonder about the legality of carrying at the TMEA convention. The All-State process that takes place there is what gives me pause about carrying. Is the convention a school-sponsored event due to the massive number of all-state students there, under the care of their directors and other chaperones? Or since I am just going on my own, without any of my own students and without any school-sponsored activities during the course of the convention, am I good to carry there? There's also the option of leaving it in the hotel room, but I don't always want to go back to the hotel to get my firearm before heading out for the evening.

Exactly. This was the same situation, just on a lower level. Today was Clinic/Concert day for the middle school students who auditioned last week and made the Region Choirs. It's a fine line. Just thought maybe some of our more experienced members might be able to shed some light on just where that line is.

Ironically, there was a gun show in the same facility today, which of course, WAS posted.