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You are correct that small children are more likely to see what is really there than adults, and have less social inhibition.

However, adults have greater perceived authority in the minds of both children and other adults.

Therefore, it a kid asks nosy questions, you can answer with some form of "none of your business," and likely that will be the end of it.

If item in question were a medical appliance like an insulin pump or a prosthetic leg, you would be just as entitled to maintain your privacy, and other adults would be just as inclined to smooth over the situation.

- Jim

There are several styles of inside-waistband belt holster that have no visible clip even with a tucked-in shirt. Here's one.

As I said, there are other ways to conceal such as shoulder holsters and shirts with built-in holster pockets.

If a kid becomes curious, it is what they call a "teachable moment," namely, to say, "We don't talk about what is under our clothes except to our parents or a doctor or nurse."

That said, if you think you should not carry some place for whatever reason, don't.

- Jim

I doubt that more than 2% of the population would recognize a holster belt clip as such.

There are deeper concealment methods. They have been discussed on this forum.

- Jim

Here are three ideas to think about:

1. Has anyone ever heard of a CHL holder being prosecuted for being in a privately owned day care center?

2. How could it become known that someone was carrying at the typical level of involvement (dropping off or picking up kids)?

3. So many arguments have been made about various places and circumstances being off-limits (roving school groups, street fairs where alcoholic beverages are sold, etc.) that we may as well not risk going off our own property. (This last is IMHO.)

One thing is for sure: If you ask, they will say No; and then you will have been given oral notice.

Jim

I need to point out an important nuance: PC 46.11(c) says "in this section." Those words limit that particular definition of school to PC 46.11.

PC 46.11 enhances the penalty for offenses committed within a school zone if the offender is carrying a weapon. This law is meant to apply to offenses such as assault and drug dealing committed near schools. It does not apply to carrying a weapon in a school, which is already a felony.

The argument can be made that if the legislature wanted this definition of school to apply to all of chapter 46, it would have put the definition in 46.01.

As has been pointed out many times, a pre-school is not a school by the very construction of the word pre-school.

I also need to point out that for the law to make your home a school in terms of PC 46.03(a)(1) would be absurd. If you home-school or even run an accredited private school, you can give yourself or anyone else permission to carry there.

- Jim