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I had to go get my drivers license renewed. Pretty sure I knew the new rules on carrying on public property, but I was still reluctant to CC into the DPS/Drivers License office. So, I locked my gun up in the truck, and when it came my turn I politely asked the clerk if CHL holders were allowed to carry inside this building given the new changes to the law about carrying on public property unless it was a court. I can't quote what he said directly, but he believed that they could prohibit carrying (don't think that was correct but didn't argue the point) but that their regional director had chosen not to, so it was fine to have my gun there.

This is a small building with one side being the drivers license part, and the other side being the DPS office. It has one front door which provides access to both sides of the building. It was nice to know that I won't have to disarm the next time I go there, that is unless the laws get changed again. Still, I'm kind of old school and it would feel awkward to be carrying inside the DPS building. I cant help but wonder if anyone has ever OC'd in there?

You can carry into DPS headquarters in Austin so why not at the DMV?

Lynyrd wrote:I had to go get my drivers license renewed. Pretty sure I knew the new rules on carrying on public property, but I was still reluctant to CC into the DPS/Drivers License office. So, I locked my gun up in the truck, and when it came my turn I politely asked the clerk if CHL holders were allowed to carry inside this building given the new changes to the law about carrying on public property unless it was a court. I can't quote what he said directly, but he believed that they could prohibit carrying (don't think that was correct but didn't argue the point) but that their regional director had chosen not to, so it was fine to have my gun there.

This is a small building with one side being the drivers license part, and the other side being the DPS office. It has one front door which provides access to both sides of the building. It was nice to know that I won't have to disarm the next time I go there, that is unless the laws get changed again. Still, I'm kind of old school and it would feel awkward to be carrying inside the DPS building. I cant help but wonder if anyone has ever OC'd in there?

Since it's a government owned facility, unless its a court, sporting event, jail, or they were executing somebody there on that day I don't believe it's illegal to carry there. I think asking an employee if carry is allowed is rarely a helpful thing to do. By and large, I think CHL (or whatever we call it now) holders know the rules much better than anyone they'll encounter.

ralewis wrote:

Lynyrd wrote:I had to go get my drivers license renewed. Pretty sure I knew the new rules on carrying on public property, but I was still reluctant to CC into the DPS/Drivers License office. So, I locked my gun up in the truck, and when it came my turn I politely asked the clerk if CHL holders were allowed to carry inside this building given the new changes to the law about carrying on public property unless it was a court. I can't quote what he said directly, but he believed that they could prohibit carrying (don't think that was correct but didn't argue the point) but that their regional director had chosen not to, so it was fine to have my gun there.

This is a small building with one side being the drivers license part, and the other side being the DPS office. It has one front door which provides access to both sides of the building. It was nice to know that I won't have to disarm the next time I go there, that is unless the laws get changed again. Still, I'm kind of old school and it would feel awkward to be carrying inside the DPS building. I cant help but wonder if anyone has ever OC'd in there?

Since it's a government owned facility, unless its a court, sporting event, jail, or they were executing somebody there on that day I don't believe it's illegal to carry there. I think asking an employee if carry is allowed is rarely a helpful thing to do. By and large, I think CHL (or whatever we call it now) holders know the rules much better than anyone they'll encounter.

Just open carry next time. Ultimately that will answer the question.

ScottDLS wrote:
Just open carry next time. Ultimately that will answer the question.

Yeah, that would definitely get you some answers! Even if they were not all correct!

ralewis wrote:
...or they were executing somebody there on that day

That's about how it feels when I have to go down to the DPS/Drivers license office. I see a waiting room full of people praying for death.

ScottDLS wrote:

ralewis wrote:

Lynyrd wrote:I had to go get my drivers license renewed. Pretty sure I knew the new rules on carrying on public property, but I was still reluctant to CC into the DPS/Drivers License office. So, I locked my gun up in the truck, and when it came my turn I politely asked the clerk if CHL holders were allowed to carry inside this building given the new changes to the law about carrying on public property unless it was a court. I can't quote what he said directly, but he believed that they could prohibit carrying (don't think that was correct but didn't argue the point) but that their regional director had chosen not to, so it was fine to have my gun there.

This is a small building with one side being the drivers license part, and the other side being the DPS office. It has one front door which provides access to both sides of the building. It was nice to know that I won't have to disarm the next time I go there, that is unless the laws get changed again. Still, I'm kind of old school and it would feel awkward to be carrying inside the DPS building. I cant help but wonder if anyone has ever OC'd in there?

Since it's a government owned facility, unless its a court, sporting event, jail, or they were executing somebody there on that day I don't believe it's illegal to carry there. I think asking an employee if carry is allowed is rarely a helpful thing to do. By and large, I think CHL (or whatever we call it now) holders know the rules much better than anyone they'll encounter.

Just open carry next time. Ultimately that will answer the question.

I open carried when I went to renew my driver's license. There may have been 1-2 people (in a crowded room) who noticed. One person kept glancing my way, but for the most part everyone, including the troopers who were there didn't seem to notice/care.

Perfectly legal. I OC when I took my son to get his DL. I had a nice conversation with another LTC holder while waiting, regarding OC and my interactions since it passed. He didn't know it was legal there, but that is the same department that issues LTC.

You will find the DPS as an agency to be generally very LTC friendly, in my experience.

When I took my daughter to get her driver's permit last year, I used my CHL as an ID. After the clerk saw it, he said it was great that I had one. He said that he carries every day and asked if I carried everyday too. I showed him pictures of my Bear Creek pocket holster (a work of art). We then had a nice conversation about carrying and other things.