Wearing a gun in church

[Doug.38PR]

It is my understanding that unless a church as a 30.06 posting you are allowed to carry there.

BUT, what if that church also has a private school on it's campus? (Second Baptist Houston for instance)

Is that sort of a gray area?

I don't carry in church on Sundays, but in the case above I choose the side of caution as it would be a felony offense if it is not legal

[rodnocker1]

editted

[Doug.38PR]

[stevie_d_64]

You're correct to be cautious in this case...

I have yet to see any church post that ugly 30.06 statute since it was changed, and the burn put on the churches to post it to truely restrict carry in their facility...

But look at it like this...

If you want to carry, carry to the parking lot, stow it before you leave your vehicle and proceed with your business...

The private school thing is the real kicker in this...So use your best judgement...I think the school nixes the deal...Regardless if you are going to the church portion of the facility...

But that is just my opinion...

[txinvestigator]

My daughter attends a Christian School based at a church. One building is utilized for the school only; the gym and high school building. The elementry and middle schools are used for Sunday School, and the auditorium is used for church services as well as school functions.

I do not think carry would be legal there. We attend a different church without a school.

[Hickeroar]

seeing as the law says that you can't carry on the premesis of an educational facility (meaning in the buildings) and a church building isn't considered an educational facility, as long as they're separate buildings, there shouldn't be a problem.

The problem is that some churches have one big building that houses everything for the school AND the church. This would be both an educational facility AND a church.

Example:
http://www.hartfordchristian.org/ and http://www.fabap.net/ are in the same building. The even use classrooms for sunday school.

[txinvestigator]

seeing as the law says that you can't carry on the premesis of an educational facility (meaning in the buildings) and a church building isn't considered an educational facility, as long as they're separate buildings, there shouldn't be a problem.

Actually is reads educational institution. I have not seen an offical determination that a church building is not "considered" an educational institution. ??

[stevie_d_64]

seeing as the law says that you can't carry on the premesis of an educational facility (meaning in the buildings) and a church building isn't considered an educational facility, as long as they're separate buildings, there shouldn't be a problem.

Actually is reads educational institution. I have not seen an offical determination that a church building is not "considered" an educational institution. ??

Thats a good point...Seems like we have too many "terms" to know and understand in the law...But there sure are a lot of ambiguities with some of the definitions that confuse the situation...

It almost seems like they are going to have to specifically dessiminate what the facility is used for, and specifically define where those boundaries are...

Obviously there are people who believe the parking lot is ok to carry or stow your firearm (in your vehicle) if you proceed into the actual building or structure...

Then there are those that believe that if the facility is owned by a certain entity (private or government) you need to either recall if the law says its prohibited or if its posted (properly) to restrict you, therefore you must go with the previous senario and stow it in your vehicle while conducting your business at that facility...

Either way, some of it is easy to understand, and then some of its a little fuzzy...

I personally try to avoid having a reason to go to places where I think I may encounter an issue or restriction with my carrying a firearm for lawful defensive purposes...

I only know of one other guy here in the Houston area ("M40Styer") that takes advantage of the system when it comes to going to a place to conduct business with the city, thats at 611 Walker (Public Works building) in downtown Houston...They badge us differently, and having gotten used to that idea of being visible badged differently than the ordinary citizen, I think it improves everyones situation the more we exploit/exercise that loophole...

I hope you would agree...

[aerod1]

My church has no school. I carry every Sunday. My Anglican (formerly Episcopal) Priest has never seen me without a gun while in church. We have a lot of "gun people" in our church. I am not the only one who carries.
Well of course I was carrying this rainy Sunday morning!
God Bless

[longtooth]

aerod1, +1 for you. I too carry at church. Many on this forum do. Today the last one in our church that I trained for the class got CHL & was thankful that the wait was over. Hea flint!!! you know who. They are tickled. You were a real encouragement that day. We still speak of you.