Carrying in a Church that is a school

[Centari]

Our church is currently meeting in a public school. We have church when the school is shut down on the weekends.

Is it illegal to carry there? Sometimes I do, but I'm afraid if I'm ever caught I might be in trouble. What do you think? (It's kind of on the bad side of town - so I definitely feel better carrying)

Thanks!

[longtooth]

One of the real leagle eagles will give the best answer but I say you are allright.
Remember, IANAL.
You can carry at our church though.

[TexasJoe]

Last time I looked, it said you can't carry at a church.

[nuparadigm]

Last time I looked, it said you can't carry at a church.

It's changed since then.

[lrb111]

If it were simply a church building they would have to post the 30.06 sign, or tell you "No". Meaning you would be OK as LT said.

However, you are in the premises of a school building. The only exception I know of in the law is for law enforcement. If they were having a revival in parking lot, or a tent meeting, you would be ok. Just not in the buildings.

[Crossfire]

If it were simply a church building they would have to post the 30.06 sign, or tell you "No". Meaning you would be OK as LT said.

However, you are in the premises of a school building. The only exception I know of in the law is for law enforcement. If they were having a revival in parking lot, or a tent meeting, you would be ok. Just not in the buildings.

That is correct. A school building is still a school, even outside of school hours.

[KRM45]

Our church is currently meeting in a public school. We have church when the school is shut down on the weekends.

Is it illegal to carry there? Sometimes I do, but I'm afraid if I'm ever caught I might be in trouble. What do you think? (It's kind of on the bad side of town - so I definitely feel better carrying)

Thanks!

Lock it in the car while inside the school...

[KBCraig]

Our church was doing the same thing.

We had an Alvin ISD cop working traffic for us. He told me that I would be in violation, even in the parking lot.

Ignorance abounds, even among people who should know better.

[Crossfire]

Our church was doing the same thing.

We had an Alvin ISD cop working traffic for us. He told me that I would be in violation, even in the parking lot.

Ignorance abounds, even among people who should know better.

You can't expect every LEO to know every aspect of every law. BUT you would think that a LEO who works for the school district would know what constitutes "premises" of a school.

And for those of you who don't know, the parking lot is NOT included! (Except when a school sponsored activity is going on in the parking lot)

[rm9792]

Our church was doing the same thing.

We had an Alvin ISD cop working traffic for us. He told me that I would be in violation, even in the parking lot.

Was it Lacy? I hate to throw mud but he truly is nuts. He pulled me over for passing him on 35, not speeding but passing him. He claimed he was a State LEO and passing him was illegal. I had a relative on duty with APD and she came by and told him straight where to go. Never got a good answer why he was patrolling 35 when there arent any schools there.

[rm9792]

He told me that he actually had more authority than the local PD. I told chief Chief about that and he laughed and said he would have loved to hear that in person.

[tomneal]

Don't ask a police officer

- about the law
- about guns


Police officers only know the laws their bosses want them to enforce. If you want legal advice, ask a lawyer.
Plan B
Ask some internet forum, ask for links, and verify for yourself.


We don't hire police officers for their gun knowledge.
We hire them for their people skills.

[jnkirk1974]

Let me help you out with the church/school situation......

If your church operates as a school during the weekday and church on the weekend, here is the law as I understand it (according to my instructor).

1) You CAN carry in a church now. The law has changed. I carry every Sunday morning. Period.

2) You cannot carry in your church DURING SCHOOL HOURS. This is because, the church is acting as a school at that point. On the weekend or at any other time that school is not in session, you are legal to carry your gun.

In the case of our church, there is no designated school area. They use the exact same classrooms that we use on Sundays.