Carrying a gun in UT Housing in Houston?

[ericeric11111111]

I am a concealed handgun license holder and planning to move into the university housing. In the campus buildings, there are 30.06 signs on each gate of the building. However, I did not see the 30.06 sign on each gate of the university housing apartment.

Here is my questions:

1. Is it lawful to have a legally purchased hanggun in my UT-Housing apartment for home defense?
2. Is it lawful to leave a handgun in the car which is parked in the UT-Housing?
3. Is it lawful to concealed carry within the UT-Housing?

I did not find the answers of these questions from their contract and online.
The website for the UT-Housing:
http://www.uth.edu/housing/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks a lot!

[Unicorn Rancher]

University housing appears to be part of the physical premises of the university.

[Jumping Frog]

Nope.

Sec. 46.03. PLACES WEAPONS PROHIBITED.

(a) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly possesses or goes with a firearm, illegal knife, club, or prohibited weapon listed in Section 46.05(a):

(1) on the physical premises of a school or educational institution, any grounds or building on which an activity sponsored by a school or educational institution is being conducted, or a passenger transportation vehicle of a school or educational institution, whether the school or educational institution is public or private, unless pursuant to written regulations or written authorization of the institution;


(c)(1) "Premises" has the meaning assigned by Section 46.035.

(f) It is not a defense to prosecution under this section that the actor possessed a handgun and was licensed to carry a concealed handgun under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code.

Here is the definition of premises:

Sec. 46.035. UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF HANDGUN BY LICENSE HOLDER.
(f)(3) "Premises" means a building or a portion of a building. The term does not include any public or private driveway, street, sidewalk or walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area.

[Unicorn Rancher]

I was talking about the actual housing. You're correct of course that parking is not part of the premises.

[ericeric11111111]

Nope.

Sec. 46.03. PLACES WEAPONS PROHIBITED.

(a) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly possesses or goes with a firearm, illegal knife, club, or prohibited weapon listed in Section 46.05(a):

(1) on the physical premises of a school or educational institution, any grounds or building on which an activity sponsored by a school or educational institution is being conducted, or a passenger transportation vehicle of a school or educational institution, whether the school or educational institution is public or private, unless pursuant to written regulations or written authorization of the institution;


(c)(1) "Premises" has the meaning assigned by Section 46.035.

(f) It is not a defense to prosecution under this section that the actor possessed a handgun and was licensed to carry a concealed handgun under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code.

Here is the definition of premises:

Sec. 46.035. UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF HANDGUN BY LICENSE HOLDER.
(f)(3) "Premises" means a building or a portion of a building. The term does not include any public or private driveway, street, sidewalk or walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area.

Thank you all guys. Only one question left:
According to the law, if I want to keep the gun while I live in UT-Housing, all I can do is to leave the gun on the car and never carry it out of the car if the car is parked inside the UT-Housing apartments? Am I correct?

[ericeric11111111]

I was talking about the actual housing. You're correct of course that parking is not part of the premises.

Thank you all guys. Only one question left:
According to the law, if I want to keep the gun while I live in UT-Housing, all I can do is to leave the gun on the car and never carry it out of the car if the car is parked inside the UT-Housing apartments? Am I correct?

[oohrah]

I work at a university as well, and you're correct. All you can do is keep your guns locked in your private vehicle until you leave the environs of the university.

[ericeric11111111]

I work at a university as well, and you're correct. All you can do is keep your guns locked in your private vehicle until you leave the environs of the university.

Thank you for your advice! Can I park the car with a gun in the school garage where there is a 30.06 sign at the front gate?

[nightmare]

30.06 sign

Private school or government property?

[ericeric11111111]

30.06 sign

Private school or government property?

According to the 30.06 sign, I think so. Haha, I think I had better sell my gun. Too many rules!!!

[MotherBear]

I haven't been on UT Houston's campus, but I'd think carefully about keeping a gun in the car as a permanent storage solution. When I was in college my car was broke into twice. Once they hotwired it and a fuse or something blew so they didn't actually take it, but they would have if something hadn't gone wrong. I had to have it towed. The second time they just dug through the car for anything valuable. If your car is burglarized or stolen, you'd be out a gun. And if you had to have it towed or something, you'd have nowhere else to store your gun. My car was not a particularly attractive target (used, nothing high-end, nothing valuable left in the car and nothing in plain sight, and I even used a club and a brake lock religiously after the first time someone broke into it).

Just factors to consider as you make your decision.

[ScottDLS]

30.06 sign

Private school or government property?

According to the 30.06 sign, I think so. Haha, I think I had better sell my gun. Too many rules!!!

The 30.06 law wouldn't apply even to a private parking garage (as long as gun stayed in the car), as you would not be "carrying under the authority of your CHL". MPA applies to car carry if the gun is in your passenger compartment. If it's locked up or in trunk, then you are not "carrying" it at all, so 30.06 doesn't apply. AND, recently (2013) there was a law passed to invalidate any "rule" passed by colleges/universities prohibiting you from carrying/storing in your car, so you shouldn't be able to be kicked out of school either. I wouldn't sell your gun if I was you. Just leave it in your car...but as others have said consider locking it up in an attached lockbox to avoid theft.

[Fuchs]

I wouldn't sell your gun if I was you. Just leave it in your car...but as others have said consider locking it up in an attached lockbox to avoid theft.

If you do that, use something better than a $20 sheet metal box cabled to the seat. Those may be fine for short periods in broad daylight when the biggest risk is quick smash and grabs, but they won't stand up to the organized guys with tools hitting a dozen cars in the middle of the night.

[Abraham]

I use a "Center of Mass" lock box and cable when needed.

I agree that if a thief is properly equipped he could cut the cable and simply take the box to be opened at his leisure elsewhere, but it''ll resist the smash & grabbers.

[ScottDLS]

I wouldn't sell your gun if I was you. Just leave it in your car...but as others have said consider locking it up in an attached lockbox to avoid theft.

If you do that, use something better than a $20 sheet metal box cabled to the seat. Those may be fine for short periods in broad daylight when the biggest risk is quick smash and grabs, but they won't stand up to the organized guys with tools hitting a dozen cars in the middle of the night.

If you've got the tools, seems like it would be easier just to hotwire the car be off with it AND the gun.