TexasCHLforum.com

This topic blew my mind last night due to a strange situation in a training class at "A" fire station .

Instructor:
"I don't care if you carry concealed, it's none of my business and I don't want to know. Just don't open carry as that violates the concealed carry law. The only people who are not allowed to carry at all are the Firemen."

I don't want to get too detailed but : (and I may have misunderstood him, but want to give him a copy of the newest

License To Carry A Handgun Laws

The CHL-16 is now called the LTC-16

I kept my mouth shut but here's the strange part
There are TWO FIRE DEPARTMENTS
One is Paid
One is Volunteer

http://www.marblefallsfire.org/305/About-Us

Marble Falls Fire Rescue
About Us
Marble Falls Fire Rescue is a professional paid department that provides 24 hour protection to the City of Marble Falls. Our current ISO rating is a 3.

Early in 2000 the City began hiring firefighters and in 2002 formed the Marble Falls Fire/Rescue to serve inside the City limits. (Replacing the prior Volunteer FD inside the city limits. However the Volunteer FD exists still as Mutual Aid and can assist the Paid Marble Falls Fire Rescue Firemen inside the city limits when needed.)

http://www.mfavfd.org/about.html

Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.
The Volunteer Department drew up plans in late 2009 and built the station at 606 Ave. U. We moved in June of 2010.
Marble Falls Area (Volunteer [Emphasis added]) FD remains a separate entity which provides mutual aid to area cities and communities whenever necessary.

In 2012 voters elected to form an ESD (Emergency Services District) The Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department serves ESD #6.

So while fighting a fire side by side, Volunteer Firemen can carry but the city employed Firemen can't?

AJSully421 wrote:So long as all humans were evacuated, I'd sit and watch a place posted 06/07 burn to the ground... and I would make sure that the owner knew why.

Casualties of the culture war.

OHHH I like that Idea! and when the Media TV Stations, NewsPapers showed up, I'd let them know I'm sitting here OUTSIDE with a fire Extinguisher/hose etc BECAUSE I wasn't allowed to go inside to save the property, BECAUSE THE OWNER PROHIBITED ME ENTERING, so I honored his desire, and obeyed the law ... see the sign? and point to it.

carving out exceptions for certain people

Should be a "Good Samaritan" exemption for ANY licensee who doesn't have time to disarm & safely store a weapon to help people in an emergency prior to entering a typically off limits place, rather than carved out this or that designated "emergency helper".
I mean I have a fire extinguisher, but wait while I call 911 and wait or disarm and store my gun before I help?
But if exceptions are being carved out, I'd broaden the list of exceptions to "Good Samaritan" anyone in an emergency that is willing to assist.
(At least a defense, similar to the "Necessity" portion in Penal Code Sec. 9.02 Justification) http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/S ... m/PE.9.htm

Is CERT really likely to need this exemption?

not being sarcastic, the answer is I don't know what cannot be anticipated or foreseen
I have no idea, I wouldn't have imagined a fireman getting shot last week either though

If a building collapses on people and there's a 30.06 sign at what was the entrance, do you need to store your gun in a gunsafe in the car before running in to clear debris and swat rattlesnakes in it away from trapped people?

I have no idea what "needs" are that cannot be anticipated, why would there be a "NEED" to prohibit or to NOT be armed should be the question when depriving one of a right to defend themselves with a constitutionally protected RKBA tool

My wish is that it cover CERT which is exactly a Volunteer Emergency Services group https://www.google.com/search?q=cert&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

At U of H I used to study with a Volunteer Paramedic for city of South Houston, We'd interrupt whatever we were doing to run out to a call in his pickup truck and throw a light on top to meet the Ambulance at the scene. (He was in law school, decided to become sheriff deputy later) I can imagine armed Volunteer Paramedics on call having to take time to disarm and safely store a weapon to in order to enter a place in order to save a life, the bill needs to pass.

HB435 just passed to 3rd reading in the House Floor
http://tlchouse.granicus.com/MediaPlaye ... nt_id=3154

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLook ... Bill=HB435

left pending (not much opposition if any)

last session it had bipartisan support

intended purpose: to not punish a person who the State licensed, who is also volunteering to protect citizens and their families, from fires/disasters etc etc

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLook ... Bill=HB435
HB 435 King, Ken | et al.
Relating to the application of certain weapons laws to and liability for certain actions of volunteer emergency services personnel licensed to carry a handgun.