TexasCHLforum.com

flb_78 wrote:I also shoot in my backyard.

So that's what I keep hearing at night!

Seriously though, speaking of this, is there not a law that prohibits you from discharging a handgun on your own property? In other words, you don't just have to be at a licensed gun range?

couzin wrote:I wouldn't simply because I do not want my neighbors, or their children, or anybody else, finding out that I have guns in the house - unless I know them real well. Just randomly advertising to anybody (and anybody they pass the word to) that there are guns on the property is just inviting a burglary when you leave the house.

This is the third time I've heard these sentiments in the last 3 days. It's making me wish I could erase the memories of all the people I've told I have a gun and a CHL. Fortunately, though, most of those people are also gun/CHL people, but it's more the "friend of a friend" thing that I worry about. Oh well. Just another reason to carry 24/7!

Is cleaning your handgun in your backyard legal? I'm confused about what 46.02 says. It mentions you being safe as long as you're "on" your "premises", but then premise is defined as real property, which I assume means a house or some other kind of structure. But how can you be "on" your house? (Do I clean it up on the roof?!) But seriously, can you be "on" your property anywhere, unconcealed, including back or front yard?

In my situation, I have a 6' fence all around, so I should still be out of sight seated at my patio table...but there's a few boards crooked or missing here and there, plus anyone can peek over. I would rather clean it outside on the patio so the fumes don't stink up the house, but not if it will mean a ride downtown. I read a story by Nitrogen where a neighbor called the cops on him while he was cleaning his rifle, but the cop didn't seem to care. Question is: was there no offense, or was the cop being nice?