New Firearms Prohibited Posters Available

Two new posters regarding firearms on school district premises are available in the TASB Store.

The Firearm Carry Act authorized by House Bill (HB) 1927 of the 87^th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature, effective September 1, 2021, allows unlicensed individuals to carry a firearm. As with concealed and open carry handgun laws, a school district can prohibit individuals from bringing a firearm onto the premises and other locations specified by state law.

In addition, HB 1927 adds a new defense to prosecution for bringing a handgun into certain places where weapons are prohibited. Consequently, notice is now required for successful prosecution of an individual who enters district premises with a handgun.

School districts have four possible firearm warning signs to consider:

• Texas Penal Code 46.03 (NEW): Posted as notice to all individuals (who are not otherwise authorized to carry a firearm) that firearms and other weapons are prohibited under Section 46.03 on the premises of a school district building and other locations specified by law
• Texas Penal Code 30.05 (NEW): Posted as notice that unlicensed individuals may not enter property with a firearm
• Texas Penal Code 30.06: Posted as notice that a license holder may not enter a location specified under Texas Penal Code 46.03 (including the premises of a school district building) with a concealed handgun
• Texas Penal Code 30.07: Posted as notice that a license holder may not enter a location specified under Texas Penal Code 46.03 (including the premises of a school district building) with an openly carried handgun

The text of the posters must be displayed at the entrance in a conspicuous manner clearly visible to the public, in English and Spanish, and in contrasting colors with block letters at least one inch in height. HR Services designed the new posters to be companions to our Handguns Prohibited notices. Districts wishing to pursue all options for prosecution should post each of the four separate notices.

Entities can purchase the new posters as a pair or as part of a set of all four posters from the TASB Store. Discounts are available to TASB members and for bulk orders of 10 or more. Production of the Penal Code §46.03 poster began on September 1, 2021. Orders for the pair or complete set may be placed now and will be shipped as soon as the new notice is ready.

The HR Library topic Work-Site Posting Requirements and Work-Site Posting Checklist have been updated to include the new requirement. For community colleges, see Work-Site Posting Requirements - College and Work-Site Posting Checklist - College.