Church Bus Carry?

[wvglockguy]

I recently started driving bus for my church and have not been able to get a clear answer about carrying while driving. Most of the time I drive on Sunday mornings picking up kids in sometimes very rough areas of town, while other times I'll drive for different church activities. A few other drivers also have their carry permit so say that we cannot carry, others say since its not for a school it's fine, while other say that it's a gray area. If anyone has any input I would greatly appreciate it.

[daddyo]

Concealed means concealed.

[dats82]

If it is not associated with a school and it is not a commercial vehicle, I do not know of any reason why you couldn't. I am in no way a lawyer, but the motto I live my for these type situations is, "Carry quietly, and carry concealed." Regardless of the situation, the more people you talk to about carrying, the more attention is drawn to you. It is my opinion that attention when carrying is very much undesired. I am sure there will be some to disagree.

By the way, if I remember correctly, by TN state law, if you use a gun in defense and are in violation of firearms laws, you will not be charged with given violation during justified use your weapon.

[Mike.357]

there is no law against having a firearm in a commercial vehicle.

There is no law against having a firearm in church.

I can see no reason why carrying with a valid HCP is violating the law while you drive a church bus.

[JayC]

I recently started driving bus for my church and have not been able to get a clear answer about carrying while driving. Most of the time I drive on Sunday mornings picking up kids in sometimes very rough areas of town, while other times I'll drive for different church activities. A few other drivers also have their carry permit so say that we cannot carry, others say since its not for a school it's fine, while other say that it's a gray area. If anyone has any input I would greatly appreciate it.

Unless posted or otherwise notified by the church that carry is prohibited, churches are the same as any other private business or establishment. With one notable exception, if there is a licensed school involved... then things get tricky, because property owned by the school is off limits 24/7. Note, day care or 'preschool' ran by churches is not a school under the handgun carry laws.

So, if the bus is owned by the church, and used for church activities it's no different than driving your own vehicle, or a vehicle for your employer. If the a church ran school owns the bus, then both the grounds and buildings used by the school are off limits, as well as any buses they own/operate. IANAL

[FJCrusing]

What are they going to do? Fire you?

[Guest 270win]

Don't tell anyone you carry a gun. I can't think of anything that would keep you from carrying at church as long as it isn't a school.

[Guest Broomhead]

Concealed means concealed.

there is no law against having a firearm in a commercial vehicle.

There is no law against having a firearm in church.

I can see no reason why carrying with a valid HCP is violating the law while you drive a church bus.

Don't tell anyone you carry a gun. I can't think of anything that would keep you from carrying at church as long as it isn't a school.

Ding Ding Ding!!! We have winners here folks!

What are they going to do? Fire you?

LMAO!

Seriously, there shouldn't be an issue, churches are not off limits, and buses are not off limits, unless they are school owned buses. The only other reason to not be able to carry would be if you had a CDL, but I'm not sure on that one either so don't quote me. You do need to stop drawing unwanted attention to yourself though.

BTW, I'm not a lawyer and this is not legal advice.

Edited March 21, 2012 by Broomhead

[BrasilNuts]

The only other reason to not be able to carry would be if you had a CDL, but I'm not sure on that one either so don't quote me.

Having a CDL has zero bearing on your HCP.

Edited March 21, 2012 by BrasilNuts

[peejman]

Seriously, there shouldn't be an issue, churches are not off limits, and buses are not off limits, unless they are school owned buses. The only other reason to not be able to carry would be if you had a CDL, but I'm not sure on that one either so don't quote me. You do need to stop drawing unwanted attention to yourself though.

Dad drives his church bus and a CDL is required because the bus holds 25 passengers. A 15 passenger van isn't technically a "bus" and a CDL is not required, unless it's for a school.

http://www.tn.gov/safety/driverlicense/cdlalt.shtml

That said... the CDL and HCP are unrelated.

[Mike.357]

Yep cdl has nothing to do with carrying.

[Guest Broomhead]

Like I said, don't quote me on that...but y'all did anyway. LOL

I wasn't sure and thought I'd throw it out there. Learned something new...Thanks.

[Oh Shoot]

Like I said, don't quote me on that...but y'all did anyway. LOL

I wasn't sure and thought I'd throw it out there. Learned something new...Thanks.

Many folks think there's some federal law against it, but no -- FMCSA regs don't mention them. CDL folks are under same legal status in whatever state in which they find themselves as anyone else.

It's just that most trucking companies ban guns as policy, even for contracted owner operators. And of course in TN at least, school buses are treated same as any other school property.

- OS

Edited March 21, 2012 by OhShoot

[wvglockguy]

Thanks for the input! I was under the understanding that its perfectly legal. And of course most people dont know anything about it.