Can I carry into a shooting range?

[Skiprr]

if you have a CHL, then unless the range posts a 30.06 sign (why would they?), they can't stop you from carrying

the 30.06 prohibits you from carrying, however the CHL laws about "intentionally failing to conceal" come in to play.
You intentionally fail to conceal with you pull it from the holster to use it at the range.

Always refer to my tag line, which essentially says I don't know nuthin' so never trust anything I say without independent verification.

But my opinion is that the range is a special situation under the Penal Code, and that it's perfectly legal to draw and use your carry gun at the shooting range.

Legal and Range Rules are two different things, and Range Rules always need to be respected. I'm just talkin' "legal" here.

Ignoring a possible 30.06 sign, which would forbid you from entering the premises carrying your firearm to begin with, the pertinent sections of the Penal Code are PC §46.02 and, critically, §46.15.

PC §46.02 reads, in part:

(a) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries on or about his or her person a handgun, illegal knife, or club if the person is not: (1) on the person's own premises or premises under the person's control; or (2) inside of or directly en route to a motor vehicle or watercraft that is owned by the person or under the person's control...

This is the section that basically says you can't, in general, carry. It is GC §411 that allows us to legally carry in the face of PC §46.02.

However, PC §46.15 contains its own standalone set of nonapplicabilities:

PC §46.15. NONAPPLICABILITY. (a) Sections 46.02 and 46.03 do not apply to:
(b) Section 46.02 does not apply to a person who:
...(3) is engaging in lawful hunting, fishing, or other sporting activity on the immediate premises where the activity is conducted, or is en route between the premises and the actor's residence, motor vehicle, or watercraft, if the weapon is a type commonly used in the activity...

So my take is that a CHL is not necessary to carry concealed and draw from concealment while at a shooting range if engaged in a sporting activity. PC §46.15 exempts you from that regardless of GC §411 and whether or not you have a CHL.

After all, you couldn't legally draw from concealment and shoot at PSC, or even participate in any IDPA event unless this was the case.

And that's what distinguishes the shooting range situation from going to a friend's house and having him tell you it's okay to unholster and display your gun. That is not a "lawful hunting, fishing, or other sporting activity" under PC §46.15.

However, if your friend owns an appreciable amount of land (i.e., enough acreage under statute to allow shooting), like RPB's hunting lease, you can be lawfully hunting or lawfully engaged in target shooting as a sporting activity on those premises by permission of your friend.

Make any sense?

[ffemt300]

Good Discussion here. I ended up just putting my weapon in my range bag and eliminating any question.

[fishman]

Good Discussion here. I ended up just putting my weapon in my range bag and eliminating any question.

Hold on a second,Is your gun concealed in your range bag??? Eliminate that!

[ffemt300]

Good Discussion here. I ended up just putting my weapon in my range bag and eliminating any question.

Hold on a second,Is your gun concealed in your range bag??? Eliminate that!

[michael e]

Only go to Pasadena gun center and Marksman.
Marksman says somthing to the effect of CHL exempt from the firearms unloaded and actions open on door.
PGC has never asked me , I go into my lane and remove from holster.
As for person saying carry something diffrent if you want to shoot your CCW , I like to run a mag threw my carry gun every time even if I am not really out to shoot that gun today. It is usually the last real rounds I fire before I move on to 22lr .

[CBuchanan]

since you are in Dickinson, I assume you are going to The Arms Room or Clear Creek range.
For either, you need to have the cleared and in your range bag.
For both of these, drawing from concealment is not allowed.


If you are going to PSC (with a member), carrying is allowed and drawing from concealment is a daily practice for us

The Arms Room range rules on their web page states otherwise. Take note of rules 4 & 10.
http://thearmsroomtx.com/Gun-StoreClear ... ueCity.php

[ffemt300]

The Arms Room range rules on their web page states otherwise. Take note of rules 4 & 10.
http://thearmsroomtx.com/Gun-StoreClear ... ueCity.php

Hey Thanks!

[trentwhite778]

I don't have my license yet but I go shoot at the range at bass pro in grapevine with co workers a lot. One co worker has his chl and carries all the time. The first time we went he asked both at the front check and at the range counter. Both places said if you have a chl just walk on by. No need to check in. They say as long as you're concealed when you exit the range area going back into the store, you're fine and the same laws cover you in the range area as they would someone carrying a Checked gun in a bag through the store that didn't have a chl.

[SSAllen63]

if you have a CHL, then unless the range posts a 30.06 sign (why would they?), they can't stop you from carrying

the 30.06 prohibits you from carrying, however the CHL laws about "intentionally failing to conceal" come in to play.
You intentionally fail to conceal with you pull it from the holster to use it at the range.

you are enterring a very gray area here, if a cop wanted to be a pain in your butt, you could be arrested, and prosecuted, rightfully so, even if you shouldn't be prosecuted due to being at the range.

There is no difference in pulling a handgun out of your conceal holster or pulling a concealed gun out of a range bag. If it was illegal no chl holder would be able to shoot in a public gun range

[sjfcontrol]

It would be my argument that you cannot be arrested for intentional failure to conceal at a gun range. Here's my argument...

Penal Code section 46.02 defines when it is unlawful to carry a weapon. (i.e., when not on your own premises, when not in or in route to your car, etc.)

Section 46.15(b)(6) is the section that provides an exception to 46.02 if you're carrying with a CHL. However...

Section 46.15(b)(3) provides an exception for EVERYBODY to section 46.02 if you are...

engaging in lawful hunting, fishing, or other sporting activity on the immediate premises where the activity is conducted, or is en route between the premises and the actor's residence, motor vehicle, or watercraft, if the weapon is a type commonly used in the activity.

Therefore, since you are already excepted from 46.02 because you are engaging in an appropriate activity, you don't need a CHL to carry there, therefore you're not carrying under the CHLs authority, and cannot be arrested for intentional failure to conceal.

[bizarrenormality]

if you have a CHL, then unless the range posts a 30.06 sign (why would they?), they can't stop you from carrying

the 30.06 prohibits you from carrying, however the CHL laws about "intentionally failing to conceal" come in to play.
You intentionally fail to conceal with you pull it from the holster to use it at the range.

Always refer to my tag line, which essentially says I don't know nuthin' so never trust anything I say without independent verification.

But my opinion is that the range is a special situation under the Penal Code, and that it's perfectly legal to draw and use your carry gun at the shooting range.

Legal and Range Rules are two different things, and Range Rules always need to be respected. I'm just talkin' "legal" here.

Ignoring a possible 30.06 sign, which would forbid you from entering the premises carrying your firearm to begin with, the pertinent sections of the Penal Code are PC §46.02 and, critically, §46.15.

Including carrying it in a purse, fanny pack, or range bag.

[CBuchanan]

The only thing where I could see an issue is places like the Texas City Municipal shooting range. They charger per person/ per gun. They also want all weapons leared and open out of the case when you walk in. This could be an issue with a CHL holder that wants to shoot his CCW. I forgot to ask last time I went. If your not going to shoot your CCW and no 30.06 signs then you can carry it in and no one should know you have it. But if you want to shoot it then you should just clear it with the RSO at the desk in Texas City. I

[SRH78]

I agree with those who say that legally, there is nothing wrong with unholstering at the range since you are engaged in a legal sporting activity. If this wasn't the case, everyone at an IDPA shoot would be breaking the law and publicly advertising the fact.

[TexasGal]

If I am going to shoot my EDC, then I have it cleared and in a range bag before I leave home. That way I'm not clearing it in the parking lot. If I am not going to shoot it, it's on my hip concealed and stays that way. If a range is not ok with that, then I just do what they want without stressing over whether or not I agree with their reasons. It is not illegal to un-conceal while on the firing line, but some ranges don't like the idea of loaded guns manipulated in/out of holsters at all just for safety reasons. After seeing how some people handle guns at ranges and CHL qualifications, I can't say I blame them.