According to Sec. 46.035 of the Texas Penal Code, it’s illegal for someone with a concealed carry license to carry in a church.
Well, at least it wasn’t a gun, right?
ETA: Reuben points out that I didn’t read far enough down in the Texas Penal Code. Church Carry has been allowed since 2007.
That’s a pretty sad story. Some people are just and you don’t know when they will crack.
I have a small correction for you on the law though. In Texas, Since 2007 it’s no longer illegal for a CHL holder to carry in a church unless the church notifies the individual pursuant to Se. 30.06. Meaning the church must post proper signage or issue a written or oral notice to each individual. Subsection I (see text below) of Sec. 46.035 was added in 2007 requiring churches to follow the same rules as all other private property owners. So, the pastor was not disarmed by the law.
Text of subsection as added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1222, Sec. 5
(h-1) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsections (b)(1), (2), and (4)-(6), and (c) that at the time of the commission of the offense, the actor was:
(1) a judge or justice of a federal court;
(2) an active judicial officer, as defined by Section 411.201, Government Code; or
(3) a district attorney, assistant district attorney, criminal district attorney, assistant criminal district attorney, county attorney, or assistant county attorney.
(i) Subsections (b)(4), (b)(5), (b)(6), and (c) do not apply if the actor was not given effective notice under Section 30.06.
I would point out that the murderer was a prohibited person; drug use and prior conviction.
Yet that didn’t stop him from murder — the murderer apparently either didn’t read the penal code or simply didn’t care.
As long as there is evil in the world, people should be prepared to resist it. Where ever it happens.
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