TexasCHLforum.com

Hello first time posting..
I've had my chl and been carrying for a couple of months and carry all the time. So far in the only place I have been disarmed is at my childrens school. And I really have to say is very uncomfortable, don't get me wrong it's not a bad school on the high crime perspective just doesn't feel right. So my question is has anyone tried to get written permission from the school to carry? There is nothing lost to ask but just wanted to see if anyone had any advice\insight
Thanks

I haven't tried, but if you somehow get permission, make sure it is in writing.

There are some districts that have given select employees permission to carry after they undergo additional training/evaluations. I don't know of any district that has given a parent permission to carry and I would be shocked (from a perceived liability standpoint) if any did.
As far as nothing to lose by asking, I wouldn't bet on that. If the admin is anti-gun you will never be viewed in the same light. You will be followed in places you were previously allowed to go unescorted. You will be denied access to areas that were available to you previously. You will treated like a criminal.
The only way I would dream of asking is if you have formed a relationship with the decision makers and are aware that they have a pro 2A view. I would also want a certain assurance that if my request was denied, I wouldn't be outed. More than likely the Campus Admin is not involved in the decision process so I wouldn't waste my time there. You will need to get to an influential board member or a Superintendent who is willing to act without seeking approval from the board or who has enough pull to persuade the board.

ETA: How much time do you spend inside the building at the school? Are you aware that you can carry outside the buildings as long as you are not attending a sporting event or other organized activity?

I agree that it would be a major issue whether you were approved or denied. Even if the decision maker was supportive, you would always be "that guy". I'm willing to bet teachers and other parents would freak out so there's little chance for approval in my mind.

I am fully aware of that awkward feeling when inside the school or any other non - permitted place. Not an easy thing to deal with at all.

The only folks inside a Texas school with a gun (with those few exceptions approved by local boards) are sworn police officers. If someone has been through training and holds a police warrant, even if not employed, I understand that they would be legal inside a school, just as any locally employed cop would be. Sort of an extreme approach to guarantee you can carry in a school, but that's about the only exception, and still might be frowned upon by the locals. As for me, I am good with leaving the gun behind. I don't need the felony.

gdanaher wrote:that's about the only exception,

Not actually. The person responsible for the school can give you permission. It's in the law.

Now, I have not heard of anyone receiving permission... but asking for it would not be illegal in any way.

Sec. 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;

gdanaher wrote:The only folks inside a Texas school with a gun (with those few exceptions approved by local boards) are sworn police officers. If someone has been through training and holds a police warrant, even if not employed, I understand that they would be legal inside a school, just as any locally employed cop would be. Sort of an extreme approach to guarantee you can carry in a school, but that's about the only exception, and still might be frowned upon by the locals. As for me, I am good with leaving the gun behind. I don't need the felony.

I have seen armed Brinks truck guards walk to the back of our elementary school to get cafeteria money. No one even looks at the guy. I don't know if they have permission of the district or even need it. How do you feel about this?

howdy wrote:

gdanaher wrote:The only folks inside a Texas school with a gun (with those few exceptions approved by local boards) are sworn police officers. If someone has been through training and holds a police warrant, even if not employed, I understand that they would be legal inside a school, just as any locally employed cop would be. Sort of an extreme approach to guarantee you can carry in a school, but that's about the only exception, and still might be frowned upon by the locals. As for me, I am good with leaving the gun behind. I don't need the felony.

I have seen armed Brinks truck guards walk to the back of our elementary school to get cafeteria money. No one even looks at the guy. I don't know if they have permission of the district or even need it. How do you feel about this?

Well, they have to have some sort of license to be a security guard who is openly armed. I remember years ago the first school I attended for chl licensing also trained guys for security and other vocations. I don't know what the law says about an armed guard entering a facility, but also, if the board hires a company to handle cafeteria and athletic receipts and accept that he is armed, that is in writing and presumably legal.

gdanaher wrote:

howdy wrote:

gdanaher wrote:The only folks inside a Texas school with a gun (with those few exceptions approved by local boards) are sworn police officers. If someone has been through training and holds a police warrant, even if not employed, I understand that they would be legal inside a school, just as any locally employed cop would be. Sort of an extreme approach to guarantee you can carry in a school, but that's about the only exception, and still might be frowned upon by the locals. As for me, I am good with leaving the gun behind. I don't need the felony.

I have seen armed Brinks truck guards walk to the back of our elementary school to get cafeteria money. No one even looks at the guy. I don't know if they have permission of the district or even need it. How do you feel about this?

Well, they have to have some sort of license to be a security guard who is openly armed. I remember years ago the first school I attended for chl licensing also trained guys for security and other vocations. I don't know what the law says about an armed guard entering a facility, but also, if the board hires a company to handle cafeteria and athletic receipts and accept that he is armed, that is in writing and presumably legal.

I think that is how they get to carry. Thanks for thinking that up.

gdanaher wrote:The only folks inside a Texas school with a gun (with those few exceptions approved by local boards) are sworn police officers. If someone has been through training and holds a police warrant, even if not employed, I understand that they would be legal inside a school, just as any locally employed cop would be.

This is not quite correct. The law says peace officers may carry, but the term peace officers is defined in Article 2.12 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. This lists people by occupation, such as city police officers, sheriffs and their deputies, etc. The upshot of this is that if you are not currently employed in one of those listed occupations, you are not a peace officer and cannot carry in a school, even if you have a license.

For example, I have my master peace officer license from TCOLE, but I am not currently employed, so I am not a peace officer.

Having pointed that out, I will add that PC 46.15(a)(5) makes the same exceptions available for retired officers, and defines that to include being honorably retired after 15 years of service, having qualified within the past year, and having the appropriate photo ID. Former officers who leave before 15 years or who are not collecting their pension are not considered retired and have no privileges for carrying.

jmra wrote:There are some districts that have given select employees permission to carry after they undergo additional training/evaluations. I don't know of any district that has given a parent permission to carry and I would be shocked (from a perceived liability standpoint) if any did.
As far as nothing to lose by asking, I wouldn't bet on that. If the admin is anti-gun you will never be viewed in the same light. You will be followed in places you were previously allowed to go unescorted. You will be denied access to areas that were available to you previously. You will treated like a criminal.
The only way I would dream of asking is if you have formed a relationship with the decision makers and are aware that they have a pro 2A view. I would also want a certain assurance that if my request was denied, I wouldn't be outed. More than likely the Campus Admin is not involved in the decision process so I wouldn't waste my time there. You will need to get to an influential board member or a Superintendent who is willing to act without seeking approval from the board or who has enough pull to persuade the board.

ETA: How much time do you spend inside the building at the school? Are you aware that you can carry outside the buildings as long as you are not attending a sporting event or other organized activity?

My daughter is heavily involved in the school so I am constantly going to games/other activities inside their buildings. Thanks to everyone for the good info. Lost of info to process but as of right now I don't think I am ready to single myself out. And the more I think about I could see that being the case. It's sad that we always have to consider the whole people hear gun and suddenly can't distinguish good from bad guys and forget bad guys wouldn't care about signs and/or laws. Again thank you!
Be safe

jonnyboy01 wrote:

jmra wrote:There are some districts that have given select employees permission to carry after they undergo additional training/evaluations. I don't know of any district that has given a parent permission to carry and I would be shocked (from a perceived liability standpoint) if any did.
As far as nothing to lose by asking, I wouldn't bet on that. If the admin is anti-gun you will never be viewed in the same light. You will be followed in places you were previously allowed to go unescorted. You will be denied access to areas that were available to you previously. You will treated like a criminal.
The only way I would dream of asking is if you have formed a relationship with the decision makers and are aware that they have a pro 2A view. I would also want a certain assurance that if my request was denied, I wouldn't be outed. More than likely the Campus Admin is not involved in the decision process so I wouldn't waste my time there. You will need to get to an influential board member or a Superintendent who is willing to act without seeking approval from the board or who has enough pull to persuade the board.

ETA: How much time do you spend inside the building at the school? Are you aware that you can carry outside the buildings as long as you are not attending a sporting event or other organized activity?

My daughter is heavily involved in the school so I am constantly going to games/other activities inside their buildings. Thanks to everyone for the good info. Lost of info to process but as of right now I don't think I am ready to single myself out. And the more I think about I could see that being the case. It's sad that we always have to consider the whole people hear gun and suddenly can't distinguish good from bad guys and forget bad guys wouldn't care about signs and/or laws. Again thank you!
Be safe

Just to clarify, if it is a sporting event (even if you have written permission to carry in school facilities) concealed carry would be off limits.

"A" board can authorize almost anyone to carry concealed in any or all facilities owned or operated by the district. In practice, it just doesn't happen very often.