First scary moment while carrying

[VoiceofReason]

So I was at church today and I had a pretty worrying moment.

I was carrying my G30 in a IWB Galco holster at 5 o'clock and a Bersa Thunder as a BUG in my pocket.

I was wearing a shirt tucked in but bloused and I know for sure I wasn't printing (at least not the gun). The only 'clue' was the holster straps visible on the belt and the fact that the shirt hem was unable to be tucked and so it was pulled and tucked around.

Now I was asked to serve on the Lord's table and we usually walk up the aisle from the rear of the auditorium. I maybe tried to overthink everything but I took a place at the very rear of the line of 4 men. Thats when it happened! An elderly lady (a good friend and quite a live wire) ran up and tugged on my shirt. I am sure her intension was to get me to properly tuck in my shirt.....but it worried me a little.

She didn't say anything but she did pull away pretty quickly and I re-adjusted the shirt just in case. Even after church she didn't mention anything. If she saw the gun, she didn't say anything.

The preacher knows we both carry so I am not too worried. I just thought I would share the experience.

Sec. 46.035. UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF HANDGUN BY LICENSE HOLDER.
(b) A license holder commits an offense if the license holder intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries a handgun under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, regardless of whether the handgun is concealed, on or about the license holder's person:
(6) on the premises of a church, synagogue, or other established place of religious worship.

Has this changed? Am I missing something?

If the preacher knows you carry or “gives you permission” does this no longer apply? If someone realizes you are carrying and calls the police is it a defense that the preacher knew you carry or gave you permission? I personally would not take the chance.

[lancermit]

Sec. 46.035. UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF HANDGUN BY LICENSE HOLDER.
(b) A license holder commits an offense if the license holder intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries a handgun under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, regardless of whether the handgun is concealed, on or about the license holder's person:
(6) on the premises of a church, synagogue, or other established place of religious worship.

Has this changed? Am I missing something?

If the preacher knows you carry or “gives you permission” does this no longer apply? If someone realizes you are carrying and calls the police is it a defense that the preacher knew you carry or gave you permission? I personally would not take the chance.

No, nothing has changed. But you ARE missing something.

If you continue reading through the entire section of that code, you will see this near the end:

(i) Subsections (b)(4), (b)(5), (b)(6), and (c) do not apply
if the actor was not given effective notice under Section 30.06.

Exceptions and defenses to prosecution are often found at the end of sections of code.

[VoiceofReason]

Sec. 46.035. UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF HANDGUN BY LICENSE HOLDER.
(b) A license holder commits an offense if the license holder intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries a handgun under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, regardless of whether the handgun is concealed, on or about the license holder's person:
(6) on the premises of a church, synagogue, or other established place of religious worship.

Has this changed? Am I missing something?

If the preacher knows you carry or “gives you permission” does this no longer apply? If someone realizes you are carrying and calls the police is it a defense that the preacher knew you carry or gave you permission? I personally would not take the chance.

No, nothing has changed. But you ARE missing something.

If you continue reading through the entire section of that code, you will see this near the end:

(i) Subsections (b)(4), (b)(5), (b)(6), and (c) do not apply
if the actor was not given effective notice under Section 30.06.

Exceptions and defenses to prosecution are often found at the end of sections of code.

Thanks for the information. I have no problem with it. Just didn’t want anyone to get into trouble.

[SYMWAFA]

I really don't understand why the book even includes churches like it does. Seems like churches should be like any other non-restricted place- concealed weapon is fine, unless a 30.6 sign is present. What the heck?!