The new Open Carry Law

From the Office of the Director….

Regarding the new Open Carry Law


WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW….
The Open Carry Law is an extension to the current concealed handgun law. The concealed handgun law currently allows a license holder to carry a concealed handgun in most City-owned or leased properties. The Open Carry Law has extended for license holders to carry their handgun in the open (holstered) and not limited to being concealed only.


OPEN CARRY LAW
·       The new Open Carry Law becomes effective Friday, January 1, 2016.
·       The law allows for a citizen with a current concealed handgun license or new license to carry a handgun in most City-owned or leased property.
·       The gun must be concealed or holstered in a belt or shoulder holster.
·       The guns can be a handgun or a long handgun.


ARE LICENSED GUN HOLDERS ALLOWED TO HAVE THEIR HOLSTERED WEAPONS ON LIBRARY GROUNDS?
·       The Houston Public Library is a public government entity and is not exempted under the law.
·       HPL may not prohibit licensed individuals from bringing (holstered) handguns into the library beginning on January 1, 2016
·       Individuals cannot bring in a handgun during:
  School-sponsored events (more details on handling this situation will come at a later time)
  An election when HPL is serving as a polling site
  An on-going closed-door meeting inside the meeting room.


ARE HPL PERSONNEL ALLOWED TO REQUEST TO SEE A PERSON’S HANDGUN LICENSE?
·       NO!
·       Only a law enforcement official is able to request for a person to show their handgun license.
·       Contact HPD if you feel concerned and would like to have the request made to an individual.


ARE HPL PERSONNEL ALLOWED TO BRING A HANDGUN ON LIBRARY GROUNDS?
·       The Open Carry Law does not allow ANY City employee to bring a handgun on government property during working hours.
·       HPL Personnel are allowed to have their concealed handgun locked in their vehicle during these hours.
·       It is recommended that the handgun is locked and hidden away from public viewing in the vehicle.
*If any HPL personnel makes a verbal statement threatening violence of any type (with or without a weapon), you are to report this incident immediately to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), per Executive Order 1-50.

HOW TO RESPOND TO A CONCERNED CUSTOMER OVER THE NEW LAW
Please use the below statement when addressing a concerned customer regarding the new law:


The Houston Public Library is a public entity and is not exempt from the Open Carry Law. Therefore, individuals are allowed to enter the building with their handgun, but it must be holstered in their belt or shoulder holster as per the law. We do take all of our customers’ concerns seriously. If you are ever concerned, please feel free to contact us and we will contact a law enforcement official.


HOW TO RESPOND TO THE MEDIA OVER THE NEW LAW
Please use the below statement if the media calls a location regarding the new law:


Please contact our Communications Office for an official statement from the Houston Public Library.
If they persist…The Houston Public Library is a public entity and is not exempt from the Open Carry Law. Please contact our Communications Office for an official statement.
Here is a link about Open Carry that HPD has distributed to all COH employees
http://www.houstontx.gov/police/open_carry/index.htm

We will also post this information on the HPL Intranet



Best Regards,

Rhea Brown Lawson, PhD, Director
Houston Public Library - We link people to the world.
500 McKinney| Houston, Texas  77002
832-393-1300
The Houston Public Library is a vital member of a dynamic and diverse local, national, and global community.
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