Gonzales City Council is going

[BillS2015]

to attempt to ban handguns from city hall. Already when municipal court is in session, the council chambers are off limits. But now they want to expand that to any room where any board or meeting is taking place. Here is the agenda item.

. Discuss and Consider Resolution # 2016-11 Forbidding Persons Licensed to Carry a Handgun, from
Carrying a Handgun Regardless of Whether the Handgun is Concealed or Openly Carried, in any Room or
Rooms, Including but not Limited to the City Council Chambers, Where the City Council or any City
Board, Commission, Committee or Body is Meeting in an Open Meeting Subject to the Texas Open
Meetings Act

[der Teufel]

I'm far from an expert, but I'm under the impression that they can probably do that.

I think governmental bodies that may be voting on issues can legally prohibit firearms while the meeting(s) are taking place.

If I'm wrong, let me know!

[C-dub]

Yeah, I also think they can do that, but not just as a policy. They would also have to post each meeting and only the meeting. I don't think they could simply make those rooms or the building off limits when there was no meeting taking place.

[OldAg]

Not a lawyer, but, yes, they can do that. They must post the proper signage (both 30.06 and 30.07) at the entrance to the room or rooms being used for the open meeting and can only post while the actual meeting is in session. Many government entities post their meetings to some degree. I believe they can only do this for meetings that are subject to the Open Meetings Act.

[treadlightly]

Notice it is not written to ban criminals, only license holders.

Since many politicians are crooks, writing a law to restrict only the law abiding could be just professional courtesy to colleagues.

Just guessing, of course.