Well, depending upon your instructor's definition of "printing," he may well have been correct. "Printing" is not a statutorily-defined term. For years, it was jargon meaning the gun was so poorly concealed that it was easily discernible as a handgun. The term was almost always applied to a situation where the cover garment was so tight as to clearly outline the gun, or so thin as to make it at least partially visible through one's shirt. Over the decades the term seems to have lost its meaning and it has been used to refer to a mere bulge. True printing as the term was originally used would constitute a violation when the law prohibits open-carry (college campus, 30.06 signs, etc.) while a mere bulge would not be a violation.Solsand wrote:Great answers all. The reason I asked is because (believe it or not) our instructor at my CHL class stated more than once that "printing" was a violation of 30.06. That ran counter to everything I had been told previously, so it's good to get some clarification. Thanks to all.Charles L. Cotton wrote:Welcome to the Forum. You raise an interesting question and the answer is "yes and no." How's that for a lawyer's answer?
If an LTC carries a handgun in a belt or shoulder holster, then Tex. Penal Code §46.035(a) does not apply and there is no to keep it concealed nor an offense for not keeping the handgun concealed. If the handgun is carried in a manner other than a belt or shoulder holster, such as pocket-carry, an ankle holster, or merely stuck in one's belt, then Tex. Penal Code §46.035(a) does apply and intentionally "displaying" it in a public place with people present would be a violation.
Tex. Penal Code Sections 30.06 and 30.07 are trespass violations. If property is posted with a 30.07 sign but not a 30.06 sign, then an LTC can carry their handgun concealed, but not openly. If he were carrying it in a belt or shoulder holster and were to intentionally let it be seen on the property, then there would be no violation of Tex. Penal Code §46.035(a) but there would be a violation of Tex. Penal Code §30.06. If the exposure was not intentional, then there would be no violation at all.
Chas.
Chas.