Bingo Halls

[LM23]

We all know about the horsetracks, but what about bingo halls? Is it okay to carry unless posted 30.06?

[stevie_d_64]

Minus the money changing hands (I guess) those are private businesses or organizations...I don't recall seeing anything in the law, specifically Bingo establishments) that says they "don't" have to post, therefore, if they do, I believe its a showstopper for us...

If the Bingo night is held in a facility that does other events...That also fall in a grey area...Thats where some clarification might be needed...

If the facility (regardless of the event, and if it is privately owned and operated) posts 30.06, then its binding in my book...

We had a very lengthy discussion that was similar to this that covered the facility being government owned, but privately operated, that posted 30.06, and in my opinion it was a toss up...The event was not a professional sporting event, but they posted and stuck to their guns on keeping our guns out of there...

I sit back and determine that my entertainment money could be spent elsewhere, no offence intended to anyone that goes ahead and patronizes those venues and events...

Just my opinion...

[txinvestigator]

We all know about the horsetracks, but what about bingo halls? Is it okay to carry unless posted 30.06?

Horsetracks, specifically, are not prohibited carry places. The term "racetrack" is used, and that is definded as where there is paramutual betting.

Bingo Halls are not listed.

Here is a list of prohibited places and a link to the Texas Weapons laws;

Places ALL weapons prohibited;

Texas Penal Code
§ 46.03. PLACES WEAPONS PROHIBITED. (a) A person commits
an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly
possesses or goes with a firearm, illegal knife, club, or
prohibited weapon listed in Section 46.05(a):
(1) on the physical premises of a school or
educational institution, any grounds or building on which an
activity sponsored by a school or educational institution is being
conducted, or a passenger transportation vehicle of a school or
educational institution, whether the school or educational
institution is public or private, unless pursuant to written
regulations or written authorization of the institution;
(2) on the premises of a polling place on the day of an
election or while early voting is in progress;
(3) on the premises of any government court or offices
utilized by the court, unless pursuant to written regulations or
written authorization of the court;
(4) on the premises of a racetrack;
(5) in or into a secured area of an airport; or
(6) within 1,000 feet of premises the location of
which is designated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice as a
place of execution under Article 43.19, Code of Criminal Procedure,
on a day that a sentence of death is set to be imposed on the
designated premises and the person received notice that:
(A) going within 1,000 feet of the premises with
a weapon listed under this subsection was prohibited; or
(B) possessing a weapon listed under this
subsection within 1,000 feet of the premises was prohibited.
(b) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsections
(a)(1)-(4) that the actor possessed a firearm while in the actual
discharge of his official duties as a member of the armed forces or
national guard or a guard employed by a penal institution, or an
officer of the court.

Places off-limits to CHLers;

§ 46.035. UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF HANDGUN BY LICENSE
HOLDER. (a) A license holder commits an offense if the license
holder carries a handgun on or about the license holder's person
under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code,
and intentionally fails to conceal the handgun.
(b) A license holder commits an offense if the license
holder intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries a handgun
under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code,
regardless of whether the handgun is concealed, on or about the
license holder's person:
(1) on the premises of a business that has a permit or
license issued under Chapter 25, 28, 32, 69, or 74, Alcoholic
Beverage Code, if the business derives 51 percent or more of its
income from the sale or service of alcoholic beverages for
on-premises consumption, as determined by the Texas Alcoholic
Beverage Commission under Section 104.06, Alcoholic Beverage Code;
(2) on the premises where a high school, collegiate,
or professional sporting event or interscholastic event is taking
place, unless the license holder is a participant in the event and a
handgun is used in the event;
(3) on the premises of a correctional facility;
(4) on the premises of a hospital licensed under
Chapter 241, Health and Safety Code, or on the premises of a nursing
home licensed under Chapter 242, Health and Safety Code, unless the
license holder has written authorization of the hospital or nursing
home administration, as appropriate;
(5) in an amusement park; or
(6) on the premises of a church, synagogue, or other
established place of religious worship.
(c) A license holder commits an offense if the license
holder intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries a handgun
under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code,
regardless of whether the handgun is concealed, at any meeting of a
governmental entity.
(d) A license holder commits an offense if, while
intoxicated, the license holder carries a handgun under the
authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, regardless
of whether the handgun is concealed.
(e) A license holder who is licensed as a security officer
under Chapter 1702, Occupations Code, and employed as a security
officer commits an offense if, while in the course and scope of the
security officer's employment, the security officer violates a
provision of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code.
(f) In this section:
(1) "Amusement park" means a permanent indoor or
outdoor facility or park where amusement rides are available for
use by the public that is located in a county with a population of
more than one million, encompasses at least 75 acres in surface
area, is enclosed with access only through controlled entries, is
open for operation more than 120 days in each calendar year, and has
security guards on the premises at all times. The term does not
include any public or private driveway, street, sidewalk or
walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area.
(2) "License holder" means a person licensed to carry
a handgun under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code.
(3) "Premises" means a building or a portion of a
building. The term does not include any public or private driveway,
street, sidewalk or walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or other
parking area.

http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/do ... m#46.01.00

[stevie_d_64]

So is Bingo really gambling??? Or more like a lottery thing??? I dunno...I could fall both ways on this one...

[txinvestigator]

So is Bingo really gambling??? Or more like a lottery thing??? I dunno...I could fall both ways on this one...

Not gambling Stevie, but paramutual betting. That is basically "state sponsered and authorized" gambling.

Here is the EXACT definition of "racetrack" as definded by the Texas Racing Act, which the Penal Code refers to;

Texas Racing Act
1.03
(25) "Racetrack" means a facility that is licensed under
this Act for the conduct of pari-mutuel wagering on greyhound
racing or horse racing.