My wife outed me

[Purplehood]

I suggest being gentle with your wife. She was also stressed and you were in the ER with potential heart troubles. Her focus was on you, understandably, and she was taking the most direct route to getting you what you needed. What a great first experience to learn from considering your doc!

I'd suggest offering other words to her. "Is there a place he can unload his pockets more privately?" "Honey, do you want to step into the bathroom first?" Whatever you would prefer. I think that a kind explanation of why and some appreciation for being there for you will probably be more than enough.

I'm glad you're doing OK!

I hate it when women are sensible.

[Teamless]

Correct me if im wrong

Others I am sure will post the full Penal Code, but Hospitals do need to post 30.06 (unless they are a University Hospital - then they are covered as they are a school)
Amusement parks have to post, if they are of a certain size as well

[Pawpaw]

Correct me if im wrong but I always understood that the Hospital is one of many places that does not need to post 30.06?

Amusement parks, Hospitals, Shools, and establishments that gain 51% of profits from onsite consumption of alchohol.

Consider yourself corrected.

The law does say we can't carry in a hospital, but it is a defense to prosecution that proper notice, per 30.06, was not given.

Someone will be along soon to post the relevant statutes. I'm not good at that.

[chamberc]

Correct me if im wrong but I always understood that the Hospital is one of many places that does not need to post 30.06?

Amusement parks, Hospitals, Shools, and establishments that gain 51% of profits from onsite consumption of alchohol.

That is incorrect. Hospitals MUST post 30.06.

Sec. 31. NOTICE REQUIRED ON CERTAIN PREMISES.
•(a) A business that has a permit or license issued under Chapter 25, 28, 32, or 69, Alcoholic Beverage Code, and that derives 51 percent or more of its income from the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption shall prominently display at each entrance to the business premises a sign that complies with the requirements of Subsection (c) of this section.
•(b) A hospital licensed under Chapter 241, Health and Safety Code, or a nursing home licensed under Chapter 242, Health and Safety Code, shall prominently display at each entrance to the hospital or nursing home, as appropriate, a sign that complies with the requirements of Subsection (c) of this section.
•(c) The sign required under Subsections (a) and (b) of this section must give notice in both English and Spanish that it is unlawful to carry a handgun on the premises. The sign must appear in contrasting colors with block letters at least one inch in height and shall be displayed in a conspicuous manner clearly visible to the public.

[ScottDLS]

Correct me if im wrong but I always understood that the Hospital is one of many places that does not need to post 30.06?

Amusement parks, Hospitals, Shools, and establishments that gain 51% of profits from onsite consumption of alchohol.

Consider yourself corrected.

The law does say we can't carry in a hospital, but it is a defense to prosecution that proper notice, per 30.06, was not given.

Someone will be along soon to post the relevant statutes. I'm not good at that.

Technically the law (46.035) does not prohibit you from carrying in a hospital, it just takes until paragraph (i) to say so:

(i) Subsections (b)(4), (b)(5), (b)(6), and (c) do not apply if the actor was not given effective notice under Section 30.06.

This means DOES NOT APPLY (i.e. not illegal), not just a Defense to Prosecution.

[HD76]

Well to answer the question, the ER is not posted with anything resembling a 30.06. I had been there before, and checked. For those who know the area, it is in the Houston Heights area, and not in the medical center.

With reguards to my wife, I have probably been looser lipped than I should about CHL. So she may not have thought it was such a big deal. Also as Hoi pointed out, she was probably more worried about me, than about what to do with the gun. Everyone is right about it being a good experience. Even after the Doc's comments, I was headed to a room so I didn't disarm in view of any other staff. Doc said, "just hand it to your wife, it's ok". I pocket carry, so I was able to hand her the whole thing, with the pistol still in my pocket holster.

I don't go around discussing it with everyone, but many people I know are gun friendly, and either have their CHL or are interested in getting one. Many conversations at work get overheard, and the list of people around me who know I carry grows. But this is usually people I already know. Many people at work know I carry, when not at work. Our company hand book does quote the 30.06 law, so CHL at work is a tresspass. However that being said, my bosses have nothing against it, I have no fear of being fired because someone says something to them. I have talked to the owner a few times about it. I am hoping to get the policy changed at work, and have already made a little headway.

There was an armed mugging that happened next to our building, and our camera's caught it. Since then, I have had approval to carry when I need to come to the office and work afterhours. The policy is supposed to keep guns from being readily available at work, so someone does not go "postal". I pointed out that the "rule" would only stop an honest person, and most of them would not think of shooting up their friends and co-workers. However if someone ever does go off the deep end, it will probably be over before the police even show up. It got him thinking, so there is still hope.

I have also had a non-gun (not anti, just doesn't understand yet) co-worker start asking some questions. In talking with him, he was exposed as a kid, but he has some rather liberal leanings. I am always honest, and never ridacule his point of view. I just try to explain why I believe the way I do about my right to protect myself and family. Looks like he may be going to the range with "the guys" next time we go.

So I need to find the balance for myself about when to share, and when not to, and then get my wife on the same page with me. Thanks for all the replies, and advice. Both to my posts and everyone elses. This group has been a wealth of knowledge for a new CHL'er.

[3dfxMM]

Amusement parks have to post, if they are of a certain size as well

Amusement parks have to post regardless of their size.

[Pawpaw]

This means DOES NOT APPLY (i.e. not illegal), not just a Defense to Prosecution.

Thanks for the correction. I'm easily confused and the statutes are not the easiest thing to get a rope around.

I had the right idea, just a not-quite-right interpretation.

That's what I like about this forum. The learning never stops!

[edmart001]

Lucky you didn't get in trouble, you probably walked by a 30.06 sign going into the ER. I haven't seen a hospital yet that doesn't have one on every door.

They must do a good job of posting signs in Corpus Christi because I've only seen one hospital from Katy to Port Arthur that was properly posted. Not that I've been in every hospital in that area, but with sick elderly family, I've been in a few. I always check, I've seen many improper posting and I have made the hike back to the parking lot but in my experience, not every hospital in Texas (or at least in this part of Texas) is properly posted.

Afterthought: One rehab facility I recently visited was quoting OHIO laws in their sign...

[mgood]

I was sitting in the waiting room with several other families.. a lady tries to set her purse over on the table, but she's turned wrong..

I asked her if I could help her and she smiled, "Please.. but be careful, my handgun is in there." told her that was not a problem.

Where/when I grew up, people could say "Be careful, there's a gun" [under the car seat / in the purse / in the closet] and no one raised an eyebrow. I don't get all the secrecy that people on this forum feel is necessary. (City folk, I guess. )
God bless a place where someone can say there's a gun in her purse, in a public place, without having someone panic, and people who are comfortable saying such things. To remove the stigma of guns, people have to be exposed to the idea that normal, everyday, people have guns. Their neighbors, people they see in the store, most of them good people, are firearms owners. They're not out there with Bubba and Billy Bob getting drunk and firing their guns into the air while yelling "YEE HAA!" Nor are they out robbing convenience stores or doing drive-by shootings at playgrounds. Regular people. Firearms owners. Some of them CHL holders. Some of them are actually carrying guns. And they're not bothering anyone.

[Oldgringo]

Not all hospitals are properly posted.

The closest one to us has "State law prohibits..." posted on the doors. In other words, carry on!

Not trying to start an argument, however ...
Personally I don't think it would be worth the legal battle and expense to prove your point on that one just so you can carry into a hospital. Do what you think is best, I'll leave mine locked away. I'm too broke to waste money on attorneys. LOL

If it's not posted with a 30.06 sign it ain't posted. Period.

This is the bottom line, no further discussion and/or comment is called for...either inside or outside of the facility about the CW posting or lack thereof.

As for the wife, further discussion is in order. If she'd blurt that out in the hospital, she's just as apt to tell a BG (heaven forbid) to, 'watch out, hubby's got a gun'.

[bdickens]

Be very careful with that one. You don't want the trouble that can come along with it. You said ER , so I am assuming you weren't at a regular DOc's office which can be different.

Emergency rooms often had police officers present - hospital police or security plus officers who are there on business because of followup for accidents, with mental cases, fight victims, drunks, etc. They could spot a CCW and you'd be in trouble.

In trouble for what?

[Purplehood]

Be very careful with that one. You don't want the trouble that can come along with it. You said ER , so I am assuming you weren't at a regular DOc's office which can be different.

Emergency rooms often had police officers present - hospital police or security plus officers who are there on business because of followup for accidents, with mental cases, fight victims, drunks, etc. They could spot a CCW and you'd be in trouble.

Only if the LEO didn't know the law themselves, or chose to interpret it their own way.

[Seabear]

[quote="bdickens} In trouble for what?[/quote]

I was referring to the trouble one would have if caught with a CCW if the Hoaspital had a 30.06 posted. It's a Class A Misdemeanor.