Texas law and long guns

[boomerang]

Probably a dumb question, but does the 'Gun Free School Zone' extend to the part of the road commonly in front of schools where you have to slow down? I wouldnt think so, but Ive always had problems understanding 'legalese' when read from the book itself. They should make those laws in plain english.

Seeing as how they carve out "private property not part of school grounds" but not public property that's not part of school grounds, I would bet they might try to enforce it against someone carrying under MPA.

Of course, anyone who has read the Constitution and understands English knows this law violates the Second and Tenth Amendments, but who's counting?

[asleepatthereel]

I hear ya.

[FlynJay]

I am pretty sure that law would not stand up to a constitutional challenge (probably why I have never heard of somebody being convicted of it). Maybe one of the lawyers could chime in on this.

They are basically saying that anything that has been involved in interstate commerce at any point is able to be regulated for the life of the item. Under this guise absolutely everything in the modern world is under the jurisdiction of the feds. Hardly how the founding fathers envisioned it.

[varko]

I've open carried rifles on bikes many times, from gun shows to the house, and from the house to the range and back, I've never been stopped. Not to say it won't happen, it just hasn't yet.

Nice bike!

I have a Speed Triple. One day when I have time to do some adventure-touring I’d like to get one of those.

[WolfeJager]

"display a firearm or other deadly weapon in a public place in a manner calculated to alarm; . . ."

This is what worries me. Any person that doesnt know what to look for and/or just wants to get a rise outta some people can say " dude its a gun, of course i feel threatened " or something to that extent and could possibly lead to an arrest. I mean I don't want to do it just because I can, but there is sometimes I wake up and just feel like getting dressed and putting the rifle on my back and going out side thinking " man its good to live in this country....state....city." Ive had this discussion many times with my Dad, he sad, You could be walking with 50 pounds of roses and a bunch of balloons that said, Happy Birthday Jesus, but as long as you had a rifle on your back....SOMEONE is going to get scared of it.

Even though the law says its Legal its almost like its Illegal. I even called the League City PD and talked to a lady there and asked her if I would get any hassle from the local PD if I was walking with my rifle to the gun shop/range(back when I didnt have a Car and a lot of free time), she basically laughed and said.."i dont know where you're from but thats not legal here" I tried to tell her that it was legal in Texas to carry a long arm openly but I wasnt reaching her through her flurry of laughing No's.

I don't know, maybe im just being dumb...but am I the only one that feels like that some times? I have my CHL now so i dont worry about it as much but.....still pings me in the back of my mind.

[Tireshred]

Nice bike!

I have a Speed Triple. One day when I have time to do some adventure-touring I’d like to get one of those.

Thanks, I had a Speed Four and a Speed Triple before the Tiger, both were bulletproof and had many dragstrip runs with nary a problem.

[Tireshred]

"display a firearm or other deadly weapon in a public place in a manner calculated to alarm; . . ."

This is what worries me. Any person that doesnt know what to look for and/or just wants to get a rise outta some people can say " dude its a gun, of course i feel threatened " or something to that extent and could possibly lead to an arrest. I mean I don't want to do it just because I can, but there is sometimes I wake up and just feel like getting dressed and putting the rifle on my back and going out side thinking " man its good to live in this country....state....city." Ive had this discussion many times with my Dad, he sad, You could be walking with 50 pounds of roses and a bunch of balloons that said, Happy Birthday Jesus, but as long as you had a rifle on your back....SOMEONE is going to get scared of it.

Even though the law says its Legal its almost like its Illegal. I even called the League City PD and talked to a lady there and asked her if I would get any hassle from the local PD if I was walking with my rifle to the gun shop/range(back when I didnt have a Car and a lot of free time), she basically laughed and said.."i dont know where you're from but thats not legal here" I tried to tell her that it was legal in Texas to carry a long arm openly but I wasnt reaching her through her flurry of laughing No's.

I don't know, maybe im just being dumb...but am I the only one that feels like that some times? I have my CHL now so i dont worry about it as much but.....still pings me in the back of my mind.

I have a friend who is building a SBR and called League City PD for a signature from the Chief, he refused. So he went to Galveston County and they signed no problem since he has a CHL and is a good guy. Also, a few years ago I was at a stop light in Houston when I saw a guy walking down the street wtih a rifle over his shoulder, HPD stopped, looked the rifle over, shook the guys hand and drove off, the guy went on about his business. You just never know how a PD is going to react.

[Beiruty]

Open carry a long rifle. Of course, if it is legal it is legal however, Some LEOs are narrow minded and would side with a grandma when she sees a man riding on a bike with AK on his back. Most likely the guy would be pulled over and questioned for his intent carrying an AK. If he was going to the range, most likely he is let go. No harm. all is good.

[redoregon]

Open carry a long rifle. Of course, if it is legal it is legal however, Some LEOs are narrow minded and would side with a grandma when she sees a man riding on a bike with AK on his back. Most likely the guy would be pulled over and questioned for his intent carrying an AK. If he was going to the range, most likely he is let go. No harm. all is good.

Gotta disagree on that one. You're right, legal is legal. How's this grab you?

...would side with a grandma when she sees a man riding on a bike with a pocketknife case on his belt. Most likely the guy would be pulled over and questioned for his intent carrying a pocketknife. If he was going to the knife sharpener, most likely he is let go. No harm. all is good.

Sorry but I have a problem with the idea of being stopped for doing something legal.

[gigag04]

I don't know any LEOs that would hassle anyone for this. If we get a call we have to investigate but legal is legal. There is even a question on the state exam about this very thing.

I would say if you keep any gun long or short in your car, make an effort to secure it. It could get ugly in a collision.

Carry on

[rrlance]

I think I'm confused now after reading this thread. I traveled to school districts all the time for work and want to make sure I'm following the law. I do have my CHL.

Can I legally have a handgun in my vehicle parked in the school parking lot? If so, are there any exceptions?
Can I legally have a rifle in my vehicle parked in the school parking lot? If so, are there any exceptions?
Can the handgun and/or rifle be loaded with ammunition?
Obviously the handgun has to be concealed, but would the rifle have to be concealed?

[dicion]

I think I'm confused now after reading this thread. I traveled to school districts all the time for work and want to make sure I'm following the law. I do have my CHL.

Can I legally have a handgun in my vehicle parked in the school parking lot? If so, are there any exceptions?

Only if you have a CHL. This is one of those wierd cases you just have to know.
The federal law providing a "gun free zone" within 1000' of a school can only be usurped by a state issued license.
MPA is not suitable for having your gun in a parking lot within 1000' of a school.

Technically, under this law, if you even drive by a school, within 1000', and are carrying under the MPA, you are in violation.

Can I legally have a rifle in my vehicle parked in the school parking lot? If so, are there any exceptions?

Not within 1000' of a school. I'm not sure how the CHL would apply in this situation.... depending on how broadly the federal law is worded, a CHL may allow this. I don't have the federal law handy, so I cannot check.

Can the handgun and/or rifle be loaded with ammunition?

Texas state law makes no difference between a loaded and an unloaded weapon.
Apparently Texas follows Gun Safety Rule #1, every gun is always loaded

Obviously the handgun has to be concealed, but would the rifle have to be concealed?

No, if it is legal in every other way to have a rifle in your vehicle, it does not have to be concealed.

[rrlance]

Thanks for the reply and clarification. What you said was what I thought the law was.

[texas1234]

I got pulled over last week with a shotgun on the seat of my truck in plain view coming form the dove lease and my handgun concealed.

After handing the officer both of my licenses my DL and CHL. He said do you have a handgun in the vehicle? I said yes sir my shotgun is right there and pointed to it and my handgun is under my console. He said, "Okay sir please slow it down!" That was it; not even a ticket for speeding.

By the way he renewed my faih in LEO's. He was proffessional and courteous and extended me the same professional courtesy I extended him.

[quidni]

Obviously the handgun has to be concealed, but would the rifle have to be concealed?

No, if it is legal in every other way to have a rifle in your vehicle, it does not have to be concealed.

Although, if you're leaving the vehicle parked even for a few minutes, it would probably be a good idea to conceal it so as to remove any temptation for a passer-by to break in and remove it.