dustyb wrote:[quote="Right2Carry
Sounds like a good experiance, but I don't think we are required to notify a Prison Gaurd that we have a CHL or that we are carrying. I don't think they qualify as a LEO, which to my understanding is the only entity we must disclose to. It appears that their own rules state I can lock it up in the vehicle in a secured compartment before entering.
One has to wonder how they would react to finding a gun in your trunk when they search it.
One thing to keep in mind, you may not have to "legally" disclose you're carrying to a CO, but they are not required to let you on the unit. If you are visting an inmate, it is a good way to get removed from the visitation list. Although you may not "legally" have to inform a CO you are carrying, it would be prudent to do so. I personally think "securing" your firearm in a trunk, compartment, etc., is a pretty small accomodation to make at a prison. Understandably, prison staff are concerned with the security of their units and their employees. Although the law does not "require" it now, I personally would not mind seeing the law ammended to require securing your firearms at a prison.
Most CO's would be pretty calm finding a gun in your trunk, as long as it was not a surprise. Quite a few CO's and staff are CHL holders. I asked a friend who still works there, and employees are also allowed to have firearms in their vehicles as long as they are "secured"
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Unless I missed something here, according to TDCJ rules state only that the firearm must be secured before entering the grounds. It makes no mention of informing the CO's that you have one in a secured location. I don't think they can deny you entry providing you are following the rules they have established. Nowhere does it say the CO should ask you to unload the weapon, count the rounds and keep them in seperate locations.
The rules for visitation that were posted say to secure the firearm prior to entering the grounds, which I take to mean prior to the initial gaurd shack where the vehicle search takes place. It says nothing about declaring your firearm, unloading your firearm, and keeping the ammunition and firearm seperate.
common courtesy goes a long way, and I understand that, but I just don't want the hassle of a new or having a bad day CO, giving me crap about my firearm. I find that so far it seems that most CO's have been accomadating for those that have had experiance with carrying at a State Prison.
I also don't like the fact that the Rules that were posted having a 2002 date on them. It seems to me that TDCJ could have something posted a little more current even if there haven't been any changes lately.
I just want to follow the law without the hassle of bending over backwards and jumping through hoops to meet everyone's interpretation of what the law means.
Things go much smoother when an inmate is not armed. That said, I would surely not want to deny anyone the right to secure it while they are taking care of their business.