<P> While a permitted resident of Texas (or a nonresident holding a recognized permit) is generally authorized to carry in most public places, there are State and Federal laws that still restrict a permit holder from carrying a weapon in certain situations . These include: </P> <Ul> <Li> Federal buildings - Premises owned by the U.S. Federal Government or its agencies for the purpose of any official business of the Federal Government are covered by Federal statutes that supersede State law . It is illegal in general under said statutes to possess a firearm while in any such location, and possession of a State - issued concealed firearms permit is no defense . Such places commonly encountered include post offices, Federal courts, and offices of the IRS, FBI, Justice Department, Department of Energy, USDA, FDA, etc . A rider tied to the 2009 Federal CARD Act has restricted the Department of the Interior from enacting or enforcing restrictions on carry of arms within lands controlled by the Bureau of Land Management; CHL permittees may carry concealed while in a federal park or wildlife preserve contained wholly or partially within the borders of the State of Texas . However, Army Corps of Engineers properties (including all reservoir lakes and included park areas) are still off - limits . </Li> <Li> Schools - Concealed carry in a school may be a felony under TPC section 46.03: "A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly possesses or goes with a firearm, illegal knife, club, or prohibited weapon listed in Section 46.05 (a):...on the physical premises of a school or educational institution, any grounds or building on which an activity sponsored by a school or educational institution is being conducted, or a passenger transportation vehicle of a school or educational institution, whether the school or educational institution is public or private, unless pursuant to written regulations or written authorization of the institution (emphasis added)." The age / grade level, funding type or for - profit status of the school does not matter . Carry of a concealed weapon while in a public outdoor area surrounding an educational building is permitted; as defined by TPC 46.035 (f) (3), "premises" refers only to a building or part of a building, and does not refer to driveways, streets, sidewalks, parking lots, parking garages, or privately owned vehicles . Employees of schools will be able to keep their firearms within their vehicles as of September 1, 2017 . </Li> <Li> Public sporting events - It is a Class A misdemeanor to carry while inside a building currently being used for an interscholastic or professional sporting event, unless the person carrying is a participant in the sporting event and said sporting event requires the use of the firearm (i.e. a target shooting competition). </Li> <Li> Businesses posting a compliant "51% sign" - It is a felony to carry a firearm while on the premises of a business that makes more than 51% of its revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages for on - premises consumption (colloquially "bars", "nightclubs", "taverns", "saloons", etc .). A person with a CHL that is in violation has a defense that the establishment did not post the proper signage, as required by the Government Code section 411.204 . The proper signage contains similar language as is required of all liquor license holders, but with the addition of a couple of words to prohibit licensed as well as unlicensed carry, and a background containing a red "51%" to make it obvious at a glance that the sign applies to CHL holders . </Li> <Li> Correctional facilities - It is a felony, whether licensed or not, to carry inside a building generally termed a "jail" or "prison". </Li> <Li> Execution premises - within 1,000 feet of premises the location of which is designated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice as a place of execution under Article 43.19, Code of Criminal Procedure, on a day that a sentence of death is set to be imposed on the designated premises and the person received notice that: (A) going within 1,000 feet of the premises with a weapon listed under this subsection was prohibited; or (B) possessing a weapon listed under this subsection within 1,000 feet of the premises was prohibited . </Li> <Li> Courts or court offices - It is a felony, whether licensed or not, to carry inside a building used by a functioning municipal, state or federal court for official business . Exceptions are granted to certain employees of those offices, such as judges, attorneys, baliffs, and law enforcement officials . </Li> <Li> Election polling places - It is a felony, whether licensed or not, to carry inside a building being used as a polling center for any municipal, state and / or federal elections process on the scheduled voting date or while polling is underway . This is significant, as a local business or other generally public building, which would normally not prohibit concealed carry, may offer their facilities for use as a polling place . A person would be in violation if they entered the building on the day voting occurs, even if the polls are not open at the time, and even if the license holder is there for some other purpose than to vote . </Li> <Li> Racetracks - It is a felony, whether licensed or not, to carry a firearm on the premises of a racetrack (horse or dog). </Li> <Li> While intoxicated - CHL holders may not carry in any place or at any time while intoxicated (Penal Code 46.035 .), defined as: (a) not having the normal use of mental or physical faculties by reason of the introduction of alcohol, a controlled substance, a drug, a dangerous drug, a combination of two or more of those substances, or any other substance into the body; or (B) having an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more (Penal Code 49.01 .) </Li> </Ul> <Li> Federal buildings - Premises owned by the U.S. Federal Government or its agencies for the purpose of any official business of the Federal Government are covered by Federal statutes that supersede State law . It is illegal in general under said statutes to possess a firearm while in any such location, and possession of a State - issued concealed firearms permit is no defense . Such places commonly encountered include post offices, Federal courts, and offices of the IRS, FBI, Justice Department, Department of Energy, USDA, FDA, etc . A rider tied to the 2009 Federal CARD Act has restricted the Department of the Interior from enacting or enforcing restrictions on carry of arms within lands controlled by the Bureau of Land Management; CHL permittees may carry concealed while in a federal park or wildlife preserve contained wholly or partially within the borders of the State of Texas . However, Army Corps of Engineers properties (including all reservoir lakes and included park areas) are still off - limits . </Li> <Li> Schools - Concealed carry in a school may be a felony under TPC section 46.03: "A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly possesses or goes with a firearm, illegal knife, club, or prohibited weapon listed in Section 46.05 (a):...on the physical premises of a school or educational institution, any grounds or building on which an activity sponsored by a school or educational institution is being conducted, or a passenger transportation vehicle of a school or educational institution, whether the school or educational institution is public or private, unless pursuant to written regulations or written authorization of the institution (emphasis added)." The age / grade level, funding type or for - profit status of the school does not matter . Carry of a concealed weapon while in a public outdoor area surrounding an educational building is permitted; as defined by TPC 46.035 (f) (3), "premises" refers only to a building or part of a building, and does not refer to driveways, streets, sidewalks, parking lots, parking garages, or privately owned vehicles . Employees of schools will be able to keep their firearms within their vehicles as of September 1, 2017 . </Li>

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