Texas law - am I reading this correctly?

[mrchun]

I've long wondered if locking up my gun in my car in a university parking lot was legal here in Texas (at a public university). I think it is, but could someone chime in and tell me if I'm reading this right?

I've left out parts that apply to activities and sporting events sponsored by the school in question because I have no interest in them; I simply want to be within the letter of the law while attending class.

From "Texas Concealed Handgun Laws" on the DPS website:

PC 46.03 PLACES WEAPONS PROHIBITED:
(1) on the physical premises of a school or educational institution...
(c) In this section:
(1) "Premises" has the meaning assigned by Section 46.035

PC 46.035 UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF HANDGUN BY LICENSE HOLDER
(f) In this section:
(3) "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. (emphasis added by me)

Now that I've typed it, it seems pretty clear... Of course my school has rules against guns on campus/property, but I'm only concerned with the law, not school policy (especially after the tragedy at Virginia Tech).

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[rodc13]

Yes, "premises" means the buildings.

[joleary223]

I believe rodc13 is correct. While working in Texas at the Crawford middle school. I was told by a local police officer that as long as my handgun was kept in my truck I was leagle. I was parked as close to the school as you can get without being on the grass.

[USPnTX]

There is also a provision in Texas CHL law that allows parents with CHL's to pick their children up while carrying. So you could actually be on school property while carrying as long as you stay in your car. No need to lock your pistol up when helping out with carpool duty!

[longtrain58]

I renewed my Texas CHL last July. The instructor clarified the law for schools. The parking lots and sidewalks are legal. Inside a building is prohibited. Violation is a Class A misdemeanor.

[Timmy Jimmy]

As the law reads right now you are legal as long as you do not go into a school building.

There is a bill in the Texas Legislature that would make it illegal to carry on school property but it is never getting out of committee according to TSRA.

There is also a bill in the Legislature that will stop a private company not allowing you to carry in their parking lot.

[mrchun]

Thanks so much for the quick responses, guys!

[64zebra]

CHLs can carry (or have in car) on school/college property as long as you don't get 2 feet through a doorway!
there is also the restriction when there is a school sponored activity (in the parking lot or playground) where your wanting to be
...and it doesn't matter if you're picking up your kids or not you can have it on the property

[lws380]

I attended the State Basketball tournament in Austin this past year (and about the 20 previous years too). I called the UT Campus assistant chief of police. I asked if they were legal in parking lots as mentioned in the code. He asked if I had a CHL and I said yes. I told him I thought the law allowed me to keep in my car, but could not take into a building. He said that was his understanding, that I could keep in a car in the parking lot and not in buildings. Just as previously pointed out.