Cities improperly posting 30.06 signs?

[SlowDave]

So, I guess I'm on a roll. Here's the situation:

I went to the downtown office of the Bexar County (San Antonio) Tax Assessor Collector this afternoon. There was no 30.06 sign on the door or otherwise, but when I went in, there was a metal detector and x-ray (or similar) machine to scan bags. The guy said I needed to scan my backpack (which had my pistol in it). I hesitated, not sure what to do, but didn't want to alarm anyone by turning and heading out the door at that point. The guy scanned it and told me that I couldn't come in with that (at which time he understood my earlier hesitation). I mentioned that there was no sign, and he said there was a letter on the door. On the outside, automatic door, on the stationary portion was a 2-page letter in normal 10-12 pt font. The doors are tinted, and the movable portion has other text written in stick-on letters, so to see this when the door is open (which happens automatically when you walk up), you have to see through 2 tinted pieces of glass one of which has text on it, to read a 2 page letter. The letter does not have any resemblance of the 30.06 prohibition language, but is a record of some Bexar County Court instructing the facility to post (as I recall) "signs in accordance with 30.05 to prohibit the carrying of concealed weapons" into this facility. Note that the recommended signage has not been posted.

So, as I understand, this is an area that would fall under 30.06(e) and if they had a 30.06 sign, it would not be binding. In addition, they don't have a 30.06 sign. BUT, they have a metal detector, bag scanner, and that ends up being followed with a verbal notice, which IS binding, right? So what is the out here? It seems to me completely against the spirit of the written law, but might actually have found a loophole. Can I do something about this? Who should I write to or talk with? Recommendations?

The facility in question is responsible for collecting property tax, vehicle registration fees, and performing title transfers and the like. It is definitely not a court or a city council meeting. I don't know if they have the whole building or what else might be contained in this building.

This ticked me off. It seems such an abuse of power and blatant disregard for my rights. Am I off base? I'm interested in recommendations.

[aardwolf]

This ticked me off. It seems such an abuse of power and blatant disregard for my rights. Am I off base? I'm interested in recommendations.

It's Bexar County. Of course they're abusing their power and violating your rights. Politicians these days don't remember The Alamo.

[SlowDave]

Actually, re-reading 30.06, it looks like the entire section is voided if the property is owned or leased by a government entity, so even the verbal is non-binding? Of course, forcing the issue here would be really putting yourself out there with a likely visit to the local police station. If they scanned your bag, saw a weapon, and told you to leave, and you told them they don't have the authority to restrict you and attempted to walk on in it... might not be recommended behavior I'm thinking. Thoughts?

[Rex B]

Wow, what a blatant abuse! But then Tarrant County does much the same thing at various times.
Sounds to me like a group gathering of CHL holders, at least one of which should be an attorney, might be in order.
Call the local media first.
Is the Bexar County DA up for re-election next month?

[Rex B]

Obviously abuse of this by local government is widespread.
I think with elections coming up this might be the best possible time to deal with it.

Any suggestions on how to proceed?

[SlowDave]

So, can someone educate me as to the proper office to contact with regards to these issues for city and county owned property? I'm not looking for names, but general titles, like "City Attorney" or "County Sherrif" or something like that.

Thanks in advance!

[Charles L. Cotton]

So, can someone educate me as to the proper office to contact with regards to these issues for city and county owned property? I'm not looking for names, but general titles, like "City Attorney" or "County Sherrif" or something like that.

Thanks in advance!

I'll send an open records request to Bexar County. This should prove interesting.

Chas.

[SlowDave]

That's great. Thanks Charles. Let me know if you need more info. I could make the drive back down there with a camera to take a pic and get the source of that letter if you need it. I'd love to hear how this comes out, as I don't normally go to that location.

As to the city rep re: my earlier post about the Growdon Pound, who would be the right person for me to contact on that one?

Thanks!

[KungFu]

Bexar Appraisal District has 30.06 signs posted at all entrances.

The only one posted in both English & Spanish is on the front entrance - there are signs on the locked "employee only" back doors that have 30.06 verbage, but not in both languages.

[SlowDave]

Went to the Northwest Office (6812 Bandera Road) of the Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector today and they are posted at the front door. Looks like it meets the requirements, other than it might not be fully 1" letters, but close. Also has a gun-busters image in the middle, between the english and spanish text, but I don't guess that makes it invalid.

I think I'll write a letter to Sylvia Romo, the tax assessor collector, and see what I can get back. Charles, any news back on your request re: the downtown location?

[duran]

City of Houston Public Library building downtown has what looks to be a compliant 30.06 sign. It has big white letters on tinted windows in both Spanish and English on both front entrances. It also has a gun buster sign. I don't believe it is a legal ban unless it has some designation for school field trips.

I usually walk a friend over to the library from our downtown building because of all the dangers that lurk in that area. She has already had an incident with someone following her, in midday during lunch! My chl is in process. She is thinking about getting hers, but not being able to enter may be an issue then. Anybody talk to HPL about this one? Maybe they just posted this after the reopening after renovation. A posting on the forums in 2005 said it didn't have one back then.

[seamusTX]

Welcome to the forum. Thanks for the information.

The City of Houston has this kind of mental flatulence all the time. A judge ordered them to cut it out, and they keep doing it. Maybe someone who knows the details of that episode can provide some direction.

The bottom line is that a 30.06 sign on a publicly owned building is not valid (except for government meetings), and concealed means concealed.

I have never had a reason to go to the Houston Public Library, but i would think any law enforcement officers in any big-city public library would be paying more attention to the vagrants and loonies than to honest citizens going about their business.

- Jim

[bdickens]

The downtown library is one place you do need to be armed. There's some real - uh - characters around there.

[wb5kje]

A very stupid question folks, but is the 30.06 "NO FIREARMS" sign a Federal or State standard sign.

[LarryH]

A very stupid question folks, but is the 30.06 "NO FIREARMS" sign a Federal or State standard sign.

If it's a true 30.06 sign, it's unique to Texas. The 30.06 refers to the "paragraph" in the Texas Penal Code.