I see that you have recently joined, so welcome to the forum.
You've opened up a big can of worms here...and you'll get every answer in the book. Some will say, "If they've posted anything, even if it is not valid, I won't carry." Others will measure the letters with a micrometer and state clearly that "the letters were only .9834567 inches high, so it is an invalid
So mine, like every other response you'll see here, will be tainted by my personal bias. My responses to your questions are below.
I carry all over the school grounds, but never will I darken the door. If there is a school sponsored activity (and no, I'm not talking pickup and dropoff, but rather a football game or track practice), then I won't carry.Dr.Wayne wrote:I recently took a CHL class, and didnt really understand one point. At the time, I was thinking, "no brainer, dont go anywhere near a school (middle school, high school) carrying." I'm more curious though now. I remember my instructor saying technically you just cant go inside the building or into the arena, you can still carry on the grounds and property- true?
Dr.Wayne wrote: With alot of this stuff, I almost feel like its not even worth it to test, and to just stay away.
Everyone has to make the personal choice, based on their comfort level. I know folks that won't carry in a bank, because it 'just doesn't seem right.' Me? I carry every time I go in.
Slightly ripped? Not even a consideration. If I see the sign, and it's proper (ripped or not), I don't carry. If I see the sign, and it is clearly improper (8.5 x 11 in total size / clearly the wrong wording / posted in a place where it is not valid such as the Houston Zoo), then I carry on. I don't worry so much about the 'ride', because 'concealed means concealed'.Dr.Wayne wrote: Same with improper 30.06 and 51% signs, thoughts? My instructor was basically telling us that if the signs are not posted exactly how the law expects (or slightly ripped), size/location-wise he just totally ignores them, which technically is legal, but it sounds like you could still get arrested, and then have to goto court, spend a bunch of money, then eventually get off the charge down the line.... really worth it?
By the way, 'concealed means concealed' is a phrase you'll often see on here. It ALWAYS means, "carry if it's legal, and don't worry about it". It NEVER means, "violate the law, because nobody will know better."
Odds of being in a confrontation where I need my gun: very, very low. Consequence of guessing wrong: injury or death to me or a loved one.Dr.Wayne wrote: I guess you could say "yeah it is, if someone was going to take my life, I'd want my gun on me" but you could also say "whats the odds of that happening?" I dont know, I'm just really new to the CHL and dont want to stir up any problems and appear on the news or be arrested in front of co-workers and labeled a gun nut (even if I was legally justified because the signs weren't the proper size or something, etc). What do you think?
Odds of me being 'outed' as a CHL holder: very low. Consequence of guessing wrong and actually getting 'outed': If I'm carrying legally, probably not a problem.
Finally...keep reading this forum. You'll learn so much more on here than you ever learned in the class.