Fredericksburg Police Chief Steve Wetz wants the public to be aware that gun laws will change on Jan. 1 and “concealed” won’t have to be part of the equation in many public places.
On Jan. 1, new state laws for “License to Carry” permit holders will mean belt and shoulder holsters may become commonplace around the state.
Wetz said he expects the department to get lots of calls until the new law becomes known.
“I want everybody to feel secure and not be afraid to call us,” Wetz said. “But I want them to be aware that holstered weapons on their hip and shoulder are legal now for people with legal handguns licenses recognized by the State of Texas.”
New laws
Gun owners still can’t carry their weapons into the same places that were prohibited under concealed carry, including bars, sports events and high schools.
Other places that may ban open carry include hospitals, churches, restaurants and businesses.
Those businesses which choose not to allow guns on the premises will need to post two signs, one dealing with penal code 30.06 (concealed handguns) and the second dealing with code 30.07, with the new handgun license.
As it always has, Hill Country Memorial Hospital will post no guns on premises signs.
Mike Reno, chief operating officer at HCM, said signs were installed this week.
“We will continue to post for both 30.06 and 30.07,” Reno said. “We are also going to put up signage at our off-campus buildings. By statute, they are not protected, but we’re going to ask the public to respect our request and not carry at these buildings.”
Reno said the signs are standard at most hospitals, as emotions tend to run high.
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