TexasCHLforum.com

exbellicus wrote:Thanks for the input guys, much appreciated. My department is not civil service, and plan to continue with the don't ask don't tell policy, but just wanted to know what the legality of it was.

Not being civil service may create a problem in documentation, but it doesn't change the legality of keeping it in your car, in the parking lot. You are wise in the decision not to talk about it.

n5wd wrote:

exbellicus wrote:Hey all - quick question - I'm a firefighter and a CHL holder. Is it legal for me to keep my gun locked in my vehicle in the parking lot while at work?

Does the city employee handbook have any effect on this if it prohibits doing so? Is that legal if it does? I understand Texas is a right to work state, but if I was reprimanded for doing so, would I have any chance in a legal battle?

Thanks for your time.

If you're civil service as opposed to the general employees of the city, there may be different rules that govern the question. You might wanna ask the union rep or legal guy.

I am a charter member of our association, no civil servant unions in Texas. I sought and got an opinion from our attorney. He was not a real fan but he kept his feelings out of it. A government entity cannot deny access (with a few statutory exceptions) to their facilities. Employees can be disciplined and terminated if caught carrying a CW while on duty. The parking lot law does apply (fire stations are not excepted) and you cannot be terminated for securing a legally owned firearm in your vehicle, IF discovered.

As a civil service employee, any discipline has to be documented and preserved in your file and their records. Falsifying records is a felony and the involved chain of command can do time for it. Should you be discovered as having a weapon in your vehicle and they discipline or terminate you, they will have to document it so they can't come back later and fabricate something else, at least not successfully. Can you say early and bountiful retirement?