Legal to carry at Town Hall meeting?

[Kythas]

I'm planning on attending the Town Hall meeting in Denton this Saturday. Would this be considered a government meeting, since Rep. Burgess will be there?

It's at the Center for the Visual Arts, which I don't believe is a school or is located on the UNT campus, but I'm not too familiar with Denton so I don't really know. Does anyone know the legality of carrying to the town hall meeting?

For those of you who don't know about it, here's the info:

Health Care Town Hall
Center for the Visual Arts
400 E Hickory St
Denton, TX 76201
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Start Time: 10:00 AM End Time: 11:00 AM

In attendance, Rep. Michael Burgess H (REP) District 26

[Commander]

Just watch for the 30.06 signs....

[frazzled]

Regardless of legality, on a pragmatic basis I would counsel you seriously ponder whether or not you want to be armed when you are there. In light of security issues and the righteous indignation starting to rise up in many meetings (with attendant heightened concerns by security etc). this might be a stuff it in the glove box moment regardless.

[Chip]

The YouTube clips of the meeting with Sibelius and what's-his-name showed a very watchful Secret Service agent. I'd expect to find metal detectors on the way in. Even if you don't, and even if the meeting isn't posted, you may have to explain your motives to someone who probably doesn't care about your 2A rights and can toss you in the clink. Those guys are trained in spotting oddly concealed shapes.

On the upside, you might get your 15 minutes of fame this way!

edit: on further thought, you would definitely get your 15 minutes, and it would be the lead on all the MSM stories : "Right wing extremist gun nut threatens peaceful town hall meeting". Probably best to leave it in the car.

[roberts]

The peasants are not allowed to have weapons in the presence of the King.

[frazzled]

The YouTube clips of the meeting with Sibelius and what's-his-name showed a very watchful Secret Service agent. I'd expect to find metal detectors on the way in. Even if you don't, and even if the meeting isn't posted, you may have to explain your motives to someone who probably doesn't care about your 2A rights and can toss you in the clink. Those guys are trained in spotting oddly concealed shapes.

On the upside, you might get your 15 minutes of fame this way!

edit: on further thought, you would definitely get your 15 minutes, and it would be the lead on all the MSM stories : "Right wing extremist gun nut threatens peaceful town hall meeting". Probably best to leave it in the car.

Exactly. Security will be high, and they are rightly looking to protect a Congressman(? I don't know the person or party) from potential harm. Save extreme hassle and a potential very bad day if they think you are armed and react accordingly. But speak your mind though, speak your mind for the rest of us.

[Rex B]

Rep. Burgess is the most Pro-2A guy that I know of.
I am also going. I'll try to find out. My daughter has a connection..

[The Annoyed Man]

The YouTube clips of the meeting with Sibelius and what's-his-name showed a very watchful Secret Service agent. I'd expect to find metal detectors on the way in.

Since when do cabinet officers and congress critters rate secret service details? I thought that was only for POTUS & VPOTUS.

[stevie_d_64]

The YouTube clips of the meeting with Sibelius and what's-his-name showed a very watchful Secret Service agent. I'd expect to find metal detectors on the way in.

Since when do cabinet officers and congress critters rate secret service details? I thought that was only for POTUS & VPOTUS.

Cabinet Secretaries do rate security escorts...I do not believe they are Secret Service though...They are probably Capitol security personnel

I do remember when Tom DeLay was Majority Leader and at the time he rated Capitol police escorts, and was supplemented by personal BG's he has had for a long time...I knew a couple of those guys back then...

As far as Congressman Burgess is concerned, I do not believe you need to worry too much about him and his entourage...The crowd there should be fairly amiable and friendly...By all means thank him from us for his service in that committee of his...He is a valuable asset to us up there...

[Chip]

Since when do cabinet officers and congress critters rate secret service details? I thought that was only for POTUS & VPOTUS.

You're probably right. I'll amend my posting to say "some burly gentlemen in suits and dark sunglasses with curly wires coming out of their ears." I assumed Secret Service, probably incorrectly.

[DoubleJ]

i'm kinda of the opinion that this is exactly the time to carry. not because you'll need to fend off the zombie horde, but because you're exercising a right that this Rep fought for you to be able to exercise.
jmo

[Rex B]

i'm kinda of the opinion that this is exactly the time to carry. not because you'll need to fend off the zombie horde, but because you're exercising a right that this Rep fought for you to be able to exercise.

[frazzled]

Thats cool. I'd caution be especially cognizant of signs etc. etc. due to the heightened security presence/issues there.

[Kythas]

So this wouldn't be considered a "meeting of a governmental entity"?

Is there a definition anywhere of what a "governmental entity" is?

(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.

[dicion]

So this wouldn't be considered a "meeting of a governmental entity"?

Is there a definition anywhere of what a "governmental entity" is?

(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.

Keep reading down that section....

(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.