While the Texas “open carry” law takes effect with the new year, officials with Hunt Regional Medical Center note the hospitals within the system will be among the locations where the weapons will not be permitted.
“The law is pretty clear and our plan is to follow the dictates of the law,” said John Heatherley, Hunt Regional’s operations administrator.
Starting Friday, properly licensed individuals can carry a handgun, openly or concealed. The handgun must be carried in a shoulder or belt holster, although long firearms do not require a license.
There are caveats to the new law, which does not apply if a businesses or other private property displays the authorized signs, either banning open carry or concealed carry. A business wanting to completely ban firearms is required to post both.
“It is really nothing new,” Heatherley said, noting the hospital campuses will be posting both notices. “Our main goal is the safety of our patients, employees and visitors and to be compliant with the revisions of the law.”
Open carry will also not be effective on college campuses. Concealed carry will be allowed on campus starting Aug. 1, 2016, provided the carrier is properly licensed.