No Guns At Office of County Tax Assessor

[LittleGun]

I decided to protest my property taxes and got a hearing at the Montgomery County Central Appraisal District. This was my first time for a hearing. The hearing was surprisingly cordial and educational.

Before entering the building, I wasn't sure if carrying a concealed handgun was allowed. Because I wasn't sure, I left my gun in the car. It was the right call. When I went inside, I saw a No Guns sign. It said something like, Concealed Handguns Are Not Allowed On These Premises. The sign was not 30.06 compliant, but I wasn't tempted to challenge. I think that challenging the Tax Assessor's gun policy isn't a good idea, especially on the day of a property tax hearing. I didn't carry, but I got my property taxes reduced.

[joe817]

I decided to protest my property taxes and got a hearing at the Montgomery County Central Appraisal District. This was my first time for a hearing. The hearing was surprisingly cordial and educational.

Before entering the building, I wasn't sure if carrying a concealed handgun was allowed. Because I wasn't sure, I left my gun in the car. It was the right call. When I went inside, I saw a No Guns sign. It said something like, Concealed Handguns Are Not Allowed On These Premises. The sign was not 30.06 compliant, but I wasn't tempted to challenge. I think that challenging the Tax Assessor's gun policy isn't a good idea, especially on the day of a property tax hearing. I didn't carry, but I got my property taxes reduced.

You chose well young Skywalker!

I would have done the same.

[nitrogen]

I don't think it was. Govt offices cannot ban guns unless they meet statutory requirements to, i.e. courthouses.

Does the tax assessor count as a court house? I'm not sure honestly.

[lrb111]

I don't think it was. Govt offices cannot ban guns unless they meet statutory requirements to, i.e. courthouses.

Does the tax assessor count as a court house? I'm not sure honestly.

hmm, makes me wonder if lawyers are involved in the hearing. They are in Ector county.
Lawyers and judgements are made in courts, would seem to be a normal progression, imo.

Chas? stroo? Buehler?

[Commander]

(c) A license holder commits an offense if the license holder intentionally,
knowingly, or recklessly carries a handgun under the authority
of Subchapter H. Chapter 411, Government Code, regardless of
,whether the handgun is concealed, at any meeting of a governmental
entity.(d)

That hearing might fall under the above.....

[Originalist]

(c) A license holder commits an offense if the license holder intentionally,
knowingly, or recklessly carries a handgun under the authority
of Subchapter H. Chapter 411, Government Code, regardless of
,whether the handgun is concealed, at any meeting of a governmental
entity.(d)

That hearing might fall under the above.....

It goes on to say -- if the actor was given effective notice under 30.06 but the Tax Assessor's office is not a meeting of a government body however it is prohibited by law from posting 30.06 and therefor perfectly legal to carry under authority of your CHL.

[frazzled]

This is not surprising, at all.

[Commander]

It was my understanding from the original post that Little Gun appealed his property taxes at a hearing. In my county, the Central Apprasial District has an apprasial review board which consists of a six member panel of appointed board members who hold hearings to review requests such as Little Gun's. I would think that would qualify as a meeting of a governmental entity. I would assume that Montgomery County as a similar process.

[pbwalker]

doesn't sound like it was valid. I would have carried...

remember, concealed means concealed...

[Commander]

I'm curious as to what you would define as a meeting of a governmental entity. A Central Appraisal District is a government entity and their duly appointed board held a public hearing to hear appeals. In my book that's a meeting.



In the normal day to day course of business of an apprasial district office, I'd say carry; but if their board is meeting and holding hearings in the office and its posted 30.06, then I say carry at your own risk.

[dicion]

but if their board is meeting and holding hearings in the office and its posted 30.06, then I say carry at your own risk.

Thats the thing. It was not posted 30.06. Only a gunbusters sign.

When I went inside, I saw a No Guns sign. It said something like, Concealed Handguns Are Not Allowed On These Premises. The sign was not 30.06 compliant, but I wasn't tempted to challenge.

[Tass]

The Harris County Tax Assessor's office on 290 is properly posted with a 30.06 sign on the doors leading in from the parking garage. (Stinks when you ended up parking on the top floor of the garage and have to walk back up to secure the firearm)

Tass

[dicion]

The Harris County Tax Assessor's office on 290 is properly posted with a 30.06 sign on the doors leading in from the parking garage. (Stinks when you ended up parking on the top floor of the garage and have to walk back up to secure the firearm)

Tass

Which one? I don't see one on 290:

http://www.tax.co.harris.tx.us/locations/locations.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Keith B]

These may be posted, but not properly unless per 46.05 (c) 'A license holder commits an offense if the license holder intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries a handgun under the authority of Subchapter H. Chapter 411, Government Code, regardless of,whether the handgun is concealed, at any meeting of a governmental entity' or per 46.03 (3) 'on the premises of any government court or offices utilized by the court, unless pursuant to written regulations or written authorization of the court.' Just having the sign posted at all times on the building does not constitute a valid posting.

[dicion]

Agreed, if it's a government owned building, 30.06 means nothing. Only an active meeting, or court can prevent handguns.

How do you know there's an active meeting going on? They normally bring in metal detectors, at least for all the Metro board meetings I've seen they do.