There is no State Law on carry of any weapons in regards to 'school zones' other than mentioned in TPC 46.02, 46.03 and 46.035.midlifechoppers wrote:Is it a violation of state law to pass through a school zone on a public street with a concealed firearm (as a CHL holder)? I believe this violates letter of federal law - Gun Free Zone law.
Is it a violation of state law for a non-CHL holder to transport fire arms (unloaded, locked, stored in a trunk) on a public street through a school zone?
I believe its ok for long weapons.
Those being, it's illegal to carry a concealed handgun (outside of your property or your vehicle) without a license, and if you have a license, you cannot carry it onto the 'Premises' of a school, unless you have permission.
Anything above/beyond that is federal law.
EDIT: someone beat me to it. As stated above, a CHL issued by the state the school is in, exempts you from the Federal law.
This has been discussed at length. Basically, Yes, TONS of people without CHL's potentially violate the Federal Law daily. As, without a CHL, you are not exempt from the Federal law. So, Simply Driving past a school with a gun in your car violates it. Period. Going to the Range, a relative's house, or simply carrying it in your car for Self Defense, you are in violation by the written letter of the law when you are within 1000' of school property, and you are in possession of a firearm.Looking for the legal jeopardy of just passing by a school with a firearm. The law appears ambiguous..
However, No-one generally gets charged with this _alone_. Normally, it's an 'add-on' charge to an already laundry list of charges you're getting if you get arrested doing something stupid with a gun in a school zone. It's one of those 'feel good' laws that were passed that actually does absolutely nothing at all. Doesn't deter anything, doesn't prevent anything, and isn't enforced. It's worthless IMO.