30.06@FTW Zoo? (N. Texas)

[nainc]

Hello Everybody,

1. Can someone tell me if there's 30.06 signs posted outside the Fort Worth Zoo? I'm going with some family members today, and I'd rather not get stuck with a long trek back to the parking lot to stow my carry gun while everyone waits on me.

2. On a related note, I heard at work the other day that part of the TX castle doctrine bill that goes into effect 9/1 effectively nullifies the 30.06 signs. Truth or BS?

Have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day!

 

[Owens]

In response to question #2

You can read the bill at
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/html/SB00378F.htm

Personally, not being an attorney, I don't think this voids the 30.06 issue.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

1. Don't know. If it is owned by a state, county or municipal government then they are prohibited by law from posting a 30.06 sign there unless it is one of the prohibited places listed in the CHL laws. Of course, it took TSRA awhile to make several cities acknowledge that law so no guarantees despite that.

2. Sounds like BS to me based on a quick read of the linked law. I don't see anything in there that would stop you from being charged with a 30.06 violation.

 

[Sam Adams]

If there are any 30.06 signs outside of the zoo, they are IMHO invalid and should be taken down. I don't remember the specific code section, but there was a law passed a couple of years back that permitted CHL holders to carry in all state and municipal parks and other facilities (unless it is at a government meeting that is properly posted).

The "castle doctrine" law does become effective on 9/1/07. However, it does NOT nullify the 30.06 signs. It basically gives you the right to use lethal force to defend yourself in any place where you have a legal right to be at the time. You also cannot be sued by the perp or his survivors is you made a good shoot in such circumstances.

I would STRONGLY advise you to look at the law and to also call the DPS in Austin to verify everything.

 

[Jimmie]

If there are any 30.06 signs outside of the zoo, they are IMHO invalid and should be taken down. I don't remember the specific code section, but there was a law passed a couple of years back that permitted CHL holders to carry in all state and municipal parks and other facilities (unless it is at a government meeting that is properly posted).

That assumes the zoo is government-owned. If it's privately owned, they have complete authority to post the 30.06. It's a Class A misdemeanor if you ignore it and get caught.

The law is 30.06(e): It is an exception to the applicatioin of this section that the property on which the license holder carries a handgun is owned or leased by a governmental entity and is not a premises or other place on which the license holder is prohibited from carrying the handgun under Section 46.03 ir 46.035.

 

[DKSuddeth]

The Fort Worth Zoo
1989 Colonial Parkway
Fort Worth, TX 76110
Phone: 817/759-7555

give them a call and ask. If they are posted, the castle doctrine bill does not affect them at all. There are many places that are public that are posted with 30.06, like the museum of nature and science, so it wouldn't surprise me if the zoo is posted as well.

 

[Jimmie]

The zoo is owned by the City of Fort Worth, and managed by Fort Worth Zoological Association. So I think a 30.06 sign would be moot.

http://www.fortworthzoo.com/about/history.html

 

[nainc]

Thanks for all the replies! Turned out there is a 30.06 sign outside the zoo, whether it's actually valid or not is a different story.

Regarding the second topic I posted on, it seemed to be too good to be true. You know what they say about that.

As always, thanks to everyone for the info!

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Thanks for all the replies! Turned out there is a 30.06 sign outside the zoo, whether it's actually valid or not is a different story.

You need to email TSRA and let them know about it so they can apply the appropriate heat.

 

[Jimmie]

I wonder if the zoo is an "amusement park" IAW 46.035?

(1) "Amusement park" means a permanent indoor or outdoor facility or park where amusement rides are available for use by the public that is located in a county with a population of more than one million, encompasses at least 75 acres in surface area, is enclosed with access only through controlled entries, is open for operation more than 120 days in each calendar year, and has security guards on the premises at all times. The term does not include any public or private driveway, street, sidewalk or walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area.

 

[Walter]

I read a while back on the Texas CHL Forum, http://www.texaschlforum.com/
that the Fort Worth Zoo is registered with the State of Texas as an
"educational facility", so it must post 30.06 signs.

At least that's what "some official" at the zoo claimed in a letter
responding to a question posed by a Texas CHL Forum member.

Walter