Courthouse property

CHL discussions that do not fit into more specific topics

Moderators: carlson1, Charles L. Cotton

Post Reply
Locksmith
Member
Posts: 158
Joined: Thu Oct 09, 2008 2:48 pm
Location: Fort Worth
Contact:

Courthouse property

Post by Locksmith »

Took my wife to the Wise County Annex court today because she was subpoenaed in a case.
I had no intention of entering the court so I was carrying as I always do. Somebody told me to check out the judge's courtroom decorum rules posted on the website
http://www.co.wise.tx.us/ccl2/Decorum.htm

While reading it I noticed this rule:

"Weapons

For your safety, weapons of all types (guns, chemical spray, knives, etc.) are NOT PERMITTED on courthouse property or in the courtroom unless you are a member of law enforcement in the discharge of your duties. Having a concealed handgun permit is NOT an exception to this rule."

Am I wrong in my understanding that the law only prohibits a chl from entering the building?
User avatar
G.A. Heath
Senior Member
Posts: 2987
Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2007 9:39 pm
Location: Western Texas

Re: Courthouse property

Post by G.A. Heath »

There is a slightly grey area regarding the building because of the language in 46.035 that defines premises as a building or portion of a building. The Attorney General has released an opinion saying that multifunction buildings are not off limits, just the courts and their offices are. Due to resistance from the various count and city facilities we are going to see this tested in court thanks to the fines for signs law.

46.035 specifically excludes parking lots, side walks, and other common areas from the off limits locations.
How do you explain a dog named Sauer without first telling the story of a Puppy named Sig?
R.I.P. Sig, 08/21/2019 - 11/18/2019
Solaris
Banned
Posts: 364
Joined: Sat Jan 02, 2016 8:06 pm

Re: Courthouse property

Post by Solaris »

Locksmith wrote: "Weapons

For your safety, weapons of all types (guns, chemical spray, knives, etc.) are NOT PERMITTED on courthouse property or in the courtroom unless you are a member of law enforcement in the discharge of your duties. Having a concealed handgun permit is NOT an exception to this rule."
Incorrect on so many levels, LTC, LEOSA, 30.05, etc.
User avatar
ScottDLS
Senior Member
Posts: 5095
Joined: Sun Jun 26, 2005 1:04 am
Location: DFW Area, TX

Re: Courthouse property

Post by ScottDLS »

Regardless of the notice you should be OK outside of the buildings. Multi-use buildings (i.e. courthouse and something else) are the gray area. Most Texas courts I've seen have metal detectors...in case you forget, but really the parking lot, and non-court buildings should be OK unless they are off limits for some other reason.
4/13/1996 Completed CHL Class, 4/16/1996 Fingerprints, Affidavits, and Application Mailed, 10/4/1996 Received CHL, renewed 1998, 2002, 2006, 2011, 2016...). "ATF... Uhhh...heh...heh....Alcohol, tobacco, and GUNS!! Cool!!!!"
Post Reply

Return to “General Texas CHL Discussion”