TexasCHLforum.com

Hi All,
This is my first post, but I've been lurking for a while now....sent off my paperwork about 3 weeks ago, but nothing yet. This site is great!

Anyway, I have a church carry question. My church is also a private school during the week. It seems that the general consensus is that I can carry legally on the weekends when it is just being used for church. Now, say I attend a funeral or go to a prayer meeting in the sanctuary during the week while school is in....would I be prohibited from entering then?

I'm unclear because of the definition of "premises" which the handbook defines as a "building or portion of a building. So would I be safe if I didn't go in the "portion" of the building where the school was? I know the general rule is "better safe than sorry," but maybe somebody knows for sure.

Thanks in advance for your input!

If the church is licensed as a school, there is nothing that turns that designation off on Sundays (or Saturdays, either). That the building is currently being used as a church and not a school doesn't fly when congregations hold their services at the local elementary school building. I can't see it working in your favor here.

The law makes it clear that carrying on the premises of a school is illegal. Yes, you might be safe under the "portion of a building" reference, but what church school doesn't use the auditorium for chapel, plays, graduation, etc. If the school uses that portion of the building, even irregularly, I would say that carry is off-limits. If I were in your shoes (and I am not a lawyer, so this is only my opinion of what the law says), I would leave the CCW at home or in the car. I wish I had a better answer for you.

Thanks Barres. While doing some searches on previous posts, it sounded like the consensus was that you can carry to church during the weekend, even if it has a private school during the week......But, your point about holding services at a local public school makes a lot of sense.

In all honesty though, our church has quite a few armed off-duty LEO's during services, so I probably wouldn't carry anyway, but I always want to know "just in case".

IMHO, this is one of those gray-area issues. The chance of being prosecuted is minimal, but the offense is a felony if you are found guilty.

There is an escape clause: You can get written permission from the school administration, or the administration can adopt a policy that CHL holders are allowed to carry on the premises.

- Jim

barres wrote:If the church is licensed as a school....

Private schools aren't licensed in Texas.

KBCraig wrote:

barres wrote:If the church is licensed as a school....

Private schools aren't licensed in Texas.

I'm not sure how to read this. It may just be semantics. I teach for a private school that is recognized by the State. We are accredited through an organization that is recognized by the State. We are not associated with a church building.

Also, the law states "public and private schools" as off limits.

I don't know how a church day school is "licensed" and/or "accredited". I would think that if it is not an accredited school then it would not be a problem. With the usual IANAL disclaimer.

Our congregation has a "pre-school" that is not accredited. I don't even think twice about it. Maybe I should.