TexasCHLforum.com

Dave01 wrote:

08concours14 wrote:Best be careful. It was, no doubt, a courthouse for some time, and although court is not held there anymore, it is still considered by many to be a courthouse. I'm not sure you'd beat the rap here.

That certainly does raise and interesting question. I would think the legal definition of the property would change when the function of the property changes (courthouse to museum/event hall), but who knows.

Dave

PC 46.03, PLACES WEAPONS PROHIBITED. says in (a)(3) that firearms are not permitted "on the premises of any government court or offices utilized by the court, unless pursuant to written regulations or written authorization of the court;".

Clearly there are no "offices utilized by the court" in Old Red any more, but is the building still a "government court"? So, does any one have a Penal Code definition of "government court"? It's not in the 2007 Texas Concealed Handgun Laws pamphlet.

Mithras61 wrote:

dicion wrote:

08concours14 wrote:...the intent seems clear.

Sure does. They're telling criminals to keep their guns out while welcoming Legally Abiding CHL Holders!
Carry away!

It seems pretty clear to me that they aren't concerned about CHLs or they would have done the quick check of the Intarwebz that would have turned up the requirements in PC 30.06.

And the search would tell them that CHLs can carry into that facility regardless of any sign posted (again, this assumes it is still government property).

08concours14 wrote:I asked a passing security guard the question, and he responded positively, it is posted. He allowed that it probably wasn't "legal", but there was signage. Since my office is nearby, I walked over and took a look and sure enough, off the Main Street entrance, is a black on white "No guns allowed past this point" sign. May not be legal, but for me, the intent seems clear. Hope this helps some.

Since Old Red is now a museum, no longer a courthouse, and I presume government property, that's why NO sign applies (anything like the one that's posted or a legal 30.06 sign)?

We were in Goliad last June and visited the courthouse on the square. It also has a "No firearms allowed past this point" sign. As I understand it, that sign by itself does not keep me from carrying into the building. The fact that the building is indeed a courthouse is why I locked the pistol in the car.