Where Can You Take a Gun?

1. Civilan excludes on or off duty law enforcement officers and CHL licensed judges;¹ and on-duty security officers,² parole and probation officers,³ correctional officers⁴ and military personnel.⁵
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   1. Under Texas law law enforcement officers and CHL licensed judges can carry firearms almost anywhere, whether they are on or off duty.
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   2. On duty security officers must operate by security officer, not CHL, rules. An on-duty officer must be properly certified to carry a handgun or club. Except as provided by their written policies, they may not carry a handgun where a civilian is prohibited from carrying a long gun.
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   3. Under Texas law parole and probation officers, in the actual discharge of official duties and as provided by their written policies, may carry a weapon almost anywhere in the state.
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   4. A guard at a penal institution, in the actual discharge of official duties, may carry a handgun or club. Except as provided by their written policies, they may not carry a handgun where a civilian is prohibited from carrying a long gun.
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   5. Military personnel in the actual discharge of official duties may carry a handgun or club. Except as provided by their written policies, they may not carry a handgun where a civilian is prohibited from carrying a long gun.
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2. According to Texas Penal Code, Chapter 46. State law does not always apply to areas controlled by the Federal Government.
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3. A person carrying a valid Texas Concealed Handgun License and Driver's License or a valid CHL from a state which has a reciprocity agreement with Texas.
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4. Does not apply if traveling or engaging in or traveling directly to or from a sporting event involving handguns.
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5. Handguns carried in public with a CHL must be concealed from ordinary observation. If a licensee is carrying a handgun, and is asked by any peace officer for identification, the licensee must immediately show both the CHL and identification.
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6. Premises includes the civilian's home, or property or a business they own or manage, and a personal motor vehicle. `Home` includes a hotel room, campsite, or RV.
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7. Employers may establish any policy concerning employee possession of firearms on the workplace, from outright prohibition to authorizing a non-security employee to carry concealed or openly. Employers cannot authorize employees whose primary duty is security to carry firearms. They must be certified as security guards and follow security guard regulations.
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8. Workplace includes property owned, leased, or managed by the employer, including parking lots.
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9. The premises of a business licensed by Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission may or may not include the parking lot and other adjoining areas.
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10. The business must post a sign saying it is illegal to carry unlicensed weapons.
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11. According to Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code.
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12. The business must post a sign with 51% in red five inches high, saying that licensed or unlicensed carrying of weapons is illegal.
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13. Public or private school, kindergarten through college or university.
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14. Here `premises` means `A building or a portion of a building. The term does not include any public or private driveway, street, sidewalk or walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area.` Also includes busses and vans and non-school premises being used for a school event.
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15. Permission means you have been given written authorization, for example to teach a class, or are acting according with pulished regulations.
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16. Penalty for violation of any provision of Penal Code Chapter 46, Weapons, (except carrying on a school) is increased one level if committed within 300 feet of a school or at a school or UIL activity.
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17. Unless participating in an event involving the handgun.
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18. Here `premises` means `A building or a portion of a building. The term does not include any public or private driveway, street, sidewalk or walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area.`
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19. This is also a violation of Federal law.
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20. A CHL must receive effective notice before he is prohibited from carrying on private premises. Notice is an oral warning, or a card or sign carrying a specifically worded warning (defined in Penal Code section 30.06) in Spanish and English. The sign must have contrasting letters one inch high. Also it is legal to go armed in a hospital, nursing home, amusement park, place of religious worship, or meeting of a government entity if this notice is not posted.
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21. Federal property includes, but is not limited to, post offices, Veterans Administration facilities, national parks, military bases, and offices or buildings used by federal agencies such as Internal Revenue Service and Social Security.
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