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I'm no legislative strategist -- I believe in asking for exactly what I want, instead of "bargaining".

That said, I think 2009 will need a multi-pronged approach. First, define schools to mean public K-12. The principle is that the law should never ban carry on private property (I include bars and racetracks in that, but those are for a different day). Point out that colleges and universities are where adults go to school, not children, and they are in an open, 24 hour environment where in loco parentis no longer applies. This could even be done in the Education Code, with a pointer to that definition in the Penal Code.

That would take care of worries about private schools in churches, private universities, barber school, etc. And of course, those private entities would be free to post 30.06, just the same as they are now. Public colleges and universities would not be able to post binding 30.06. (They shouldn't even be able to restrict students via their handbooks, any more than City Hall can tell citizens they can't carry while paying their water bills; only the legislature can restrict the manner and place of carry.)

For the next step, I'm not sure how to approach the public K-12 issue. There are several chapters of code involved. Personally, I'd just charge in and delete all references to "schools" as off-limits. That's going to raise huge flags and guarantee a fight from the usual suspects. Slipping in an exception for CHL holders, or a technical nullification of some sort, might work too. That leaves us with a complicated Code, lots of confusion, and a good chance of beating the rap only after taking the ride. Still, it would be an improvement.