Can I carry to my big office building for work???

[newbie4help]

Is it legal for me to take my concealed handgun (I have a license) to work every day? It's a big office tower in downtown Houston and I work for a law firm. There are no 30.06 signs on the entrance, but I have to pass through what I think is a metal detector on the way in where I scan my card.

[Keith B]

Your question is a little vague, as there could be various reasons the building would be off limits. I am not a lawyer, but will try to answer your question.

Unless the device you walk thorough has individuals manning it and checking people when an alarm goes off, it is probably NOT a metal detector, but just a entry point to make sure you scan your access card..

As for carrying in the building, unless the building is a federally owned building or contains a court or other prohibited office or location, then you should be able to legally carry. However, your employer may have a restriction on your employment that you can't carry and could fire you for possession of a firearm, and if you have been given verbal notice or written notice in the form of 30.06, then you could be prosecuted for criminal trespass for carrying.

[Count]

You can't legally carry in court and some other places, but if there's no 30.06 sign I don't know why it would be illegal to carry at work.

If you're worried about the thing that might be metal detectors, do a dry run with gym clothes and heavyhands in your bag, or some other innocent chunk of metal.

[newbie4help]

Thanks guys. I don't *think* there's a court in my building, as it's one of the commercial office towers downtown, not in the government buildings further north. However it *may* be connected to a federal court, since I know there is one downtown. If there was a federal something or other in the building but my company is private, would it still be prohibited to carry there?

As to the "metal detector," it's 2 black brick looking devices about waist high.

[Keith B]

Thanks guys. I don't *think* there's a court in my building, as it's one of the commercial office towers downtown, not in the government buildings further north. However it *may* be connected to a federal court, since I know there is one downtown. If there was a federal something or other in the building but my company is private, would it still be prohibited to carry there?

As to the "metal detector," it's 2 black brick looking devices about waist high.

Not a metal detector. Not sure what it is, but a metal detector would look like the ones you go through at an airport.

The question about your building being federal will depend on who owns the building. Just having a federal agency in the building does NOT necessarily make it a federal location, however, the floor or secured office area they are in would be off limits.
You can find out who owns your building here http://www.hcad.org/records/Real.asp?search=addr" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; by putting in the address.

There may be other reasons your location would be prohibited, but at least you will know these items are not a restriction.

[Count]

The Federal Courthouse in downtown Houston has US Marshals and very obvious security before you get in. I have a friend who works there and now I call her cell when I get there and wait for her outside.

Your building probably has access control devices to prevent people getting in without a badge, especially tailgaters. If you don't have to take your keys and change out of your pockets, and run your laptop through an xray machine, it's probably not a metal detector.

[marksiwel]

does your Business have a no weapons policy?

[newbie4help]

Yah, the more I think about it I'm pretty sure it's not a metal detector.

I'm not sure about the policy of my law firm because I start next week. I will def. Read through all their mateial they give me. I have a feeling some of the partners carry daily though.

What about parking garages downtown? Are any of those off limits? I will he using one almost every day.

[Oldgringo]

Yah, the more I think about it I'm pretty sure it's not a metal detector.

I'm not sure about the policy of my law firm because I start next week. I will def. Read through all their mateial they give me. I have a feeling some of the partners carry daily though.

What about parking garages downtown? Are any of those off limits? I will he using one almost every day.

{SIGH}

[Keith B]

Yah, the more I think about it I'm pretty sure it's not a metal detector.

I'm not sure about the policy of my law firm because I start next week. I will def. Read through all their mateial they give me. I have a feeling some of the partners carry daily though.

What about parking garages downtown? Are any of those off limits? I will he using one almost every day.

You may want to go back through your trainnig material from your CHL class and review the prohibited places per the statutes. As for locations that are posted, a resource for a lot of them is http://www.texas3006.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

[bdickens]

Definitely re read the book.

[HankB]

Is it legal for me to take my concealed handgun (I have a license) to work every day? It's a big office tower in downtown Houston and I work for a law firm.

Are you an attorney or paralegal for this law firm?