There are several layers to the answer and I am not a lawyer... This is just my personal opinion, but I'll try to back it up with references where possible. You should seek the counsel of an attorney licensed to practice in TX for a complete and legal answer..
1. Federal Law
2. State Law...
1. The Gun free school zone act is FEDERAL law...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun-Free_S ... of_the_law" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (more complete:
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/922" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)
Here is a portion that is relevant to your question...
(B) Subparagraph (A) does not apply to the possession of a firearm—
(i) on private property not part of school grounds;
........
(iii) that is— (I) not loaded; and (II) in a locked container, or a locked firearms rack that is on a motor vehicle;
2. By State Law....
http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/D ... /PE.46.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
relevant to your answer...
Sec. 46.11. PENALTY IF OFFENSE COMMITTED WITHIN WEAPON-FREE SCHOOL ZONE. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), the punishment prescribed for an offense under this chapter is increased to the punishment prescribed for the next highest category of offense if it is shown beyond a reasonable doubt on the trial of the offense that the actor committed the offense in a place that the actor knew was:
(1) within 300 feet of the premises of a school; or
(2) on premises where:
(A) an official school function is taking place; or
(B) an event sponsored or sanctioned by the University Interscholastic League is taking place.
So... again this is my OPINION and not legal advice...
If you are at home, within 300 feet of a school, or if you are walking/driving past a school with a legally-owned firearm, the State of Texas is OK with that. However, if you commit a weapons offense (anything in Chapter 46) while in possession of that weapon in a school zone, the offense gets bumped up to the next higher category (from Felony C to Felony B, for example) for having the weapon within 300 feet of a school boundary (think property line, not building location).
The Federal law defines the "zone" as 1000 feet. However, the Federal law "does not apply" to private property, so, you are OK on your own property. However, when you go to the range, Federal law requires that the firearm be "(I) not loaded;
and (II) in a locked container, or a locked firearms rack that is on a motor vehicle" from the moment the weapon leaves your property until you are at least 1000 feet from any school.
IF you have a CHL issued by Texas, you can carry in a GFSZ in Texas.
If you have a CHL (equivalent) issued by Florida, you can carry in a GFSZ in Florida.
If you ONLY have a CHL issued by Texas, you can NOT carry in a GFSZ in Florida.
From:
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/922" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
(q)(2)
(A) It shall be unlawful for any individual knowingly to possess a firearm that has moved in or that otherwise affects interstate or foreign commerce at a place that the individual knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, is a school zone.
(B) Subparagraph (A) does not apply to the possession of a firearm—
(i) on private property not part of school grounds;
(ii) if the individual possessing the firearm is licensed to do so by the State in which the school zone is located or a political subdivision of the State, and the law of the State or political subdivision requires that, before an individual obtains such a license, the law enforcement authorities of the State or political subdivision verify that the individual is qualified under law to receive the license;
I hope that's helpful...
And... In case you missed it above... I am not a lawyer. This is just my opinion.
GFSZA is usually something they tack on to other charges.