Looking at moving to San Antonio/Austin area (from NC)

[JoseM]

Due to work related issues (my company stopped wanting to pay me and I stopped wanted to work for them), I am looking very seriously about moving to San Antonio or just north of it.

While, I know TX has CCW (or is it CHL there?..doesn't really matter), I was wondering what I may be in for in terms of RKBA.

For instance, NC CCW laws SUCK! I cannot take a gun into the state parks, I cannot take it into any establishment that serves any alcohol for consumption (if it serves beer, I can't take it there even if I don't touch a drop), can't take it into any establishment that charges for admission (i.e. theaters, etc) and a bunch of other laws that make it very hard to obey the rules while carrying.

Are there any "gotchya's" for TX? Are there any specific gotchya's for Austin or San Antonio that I should be aware of?

I've already started looking and I may be able to buy about 5 acres and build a house there for what I own here (and I'm on .7 acres here). So I'm starting to really like the idea.

 

[waterhouse]

Are there any "gotchya's" for TX?

I don't know how things are in NC, but Texas has just about zero public land. I grew up here, so I didn't know how bad it was until I lived in other states where you could just "go shoot," but I imagine that if you are used to having pubic land you can shoot on that would be a downer.

As with most places, laws here are less than ideal (no open carry, 51% establishments) but they have been improving over the years and hopefully will continue to do so. The legislature only meets every other year, so getting laws changed takes some time, but good people are working on it.

The CHL licensing costs more than it probably should, and the class is arguably longer than it needs to be, but they have extended the length of the license and our reciprocity list is decent.

If you live in Travis county (Austin area) the Sheriff happily signs off on NFA paperwork if you are into that sort of thing. Possibly true in San Antonio as well, but I've never tried it there.

As far as buying guns goes, Texas doesn't do anything outside of federal regulation (no one gun a month or permit required to buy type stuff).

If you move to the Austin area, I know a guy who does transfers for cheap

 

[chris in va]

Don't forget, TX has 'castle doctrine' now.

Also be SURE you keep it concealed, non-printing. That's why I appreciate VA in that regard, doesn't matter if it prints or you accidentally expose it reaching for something.

 

[skinewmexico]

Only thing wrong with your plan is you'll be close to Austin. And San Antonio.

 

[JoseM]

Being close to Austin and SA was kinda the point?!!! My father lives in SA but all the opportunities seem to be in Austin (civil engineer/project manager). SO, half way between the two was kinda the point (never been to Austin, but visited SA a few times and REALLY enjoyed myself...plus I have "the rest" of my family in Laredo, so it's kinda of a homecoming for me).

Castle Doctrine is a bonus...and the 51% thing...may suck overall, but is a BIG stepup from NC. Where pretty much any restaurant besides McDonalds/Burger King is off limits.

 

[rritter]

I live about halfway between Austin and San Antonio, and it's a good area. If you're into IDPA there's a 'tactical' range just a little northeast of San Antonio that also holds carbine matches.

Just outside of New Braunfels there is a group of ranges (N.B. Schutzverein, Dietz's gunshop/range, and a San Antonio-based silhouette club). Dietz's is pretty much open to all, has a 25-yd pistol range, and a rifle range with 25, 50, 100, and 200-yard positions as well as a couple of shotgun spots. The other two are private clubs and I don't know their membership requirements.

On the west side of San Antonio there is a range that offers full-auto rentals.

It's a good area and not too expensive to live in. Probably a little less humid than North Carolina. I think S.A. has a city regulation prohibiting the carry of locking folding knives (maybe over a certain size?), and the state carry laws still have a few kinks to work out, but on the whole it's not bad.

 

[csmkersh]

For instance, NC CCW laws SUCK! I cannot take a gun into the state parks, I cannot take it into any establishment that serves any alcohol for consumption (if it serves beer, I can't take it there even if I don't touch a drop), can't take it into any establishment that charges for admission (i.e. theaters, etc) and a bunch of other laws that make it very hard to obey the rules while carrying.

1. State Parks are okay for concealed carry. Ditto County parks.
2. Can't carry in a bar but restaurants that serve alcohol are legal carry places.
3. Places that sell for off premises consumption like stop-n-robs, liquor stores, groceries that sell beer and wine are all legal to carry in.
4. Theaters are usually legal UNLESS they've posted a TxPC 30.06 compliant sign.
5. Race tracks, horse, dog, car, whatever, are off limits.
6. Churches might be off limits but if they don't post a 30.06 sign, carry is legal.
7. No. 5 also applies to hospitals and nursing homes. They are required to post of carry is legal.

go HERE and read Texas' weapons laws for licensed and unlicensed possession. Oh, rifles and shotguns are generally unregulated as to possession, loaded or not.

And before you leave where you are now, go carve "GTT" on the front railing.

​

 

[NathanJK]

Having lived in Dallas most all of my life I moved to San Antonio about 3 years ago. I HATE San Antonio. I really didn't realize I could despise a city so much. I thought that I hated Denton when I lived there for about 3 years but it turns out I only disliked it. It's really a people thing, I don't particularly care for the general population of San Antonio. Also, it should be mentioned that I work in the service industry here, which pretty much lets me see the worst in people every day. FWIW, San Antonian's are generally bad tippers compared to Dallasites, its probably because this whole city is poor and backward. The highway system is a solid 15 years out of date and the economy leaves something to be desired. I live in a better than average part of town (281 and 1604) and I watched two bloods pick a fight with a guy in a church parking lot the other day. A couple of months back a person I worked with almost got killed walking to the corner store. Within the last 2 months I've been hit up by beggars 3 times in the freaking HEB parking lot of all places. If you have to live here live on the far north side, I would consider the Bulverde area perhaps, or Boerne or New Braunfels. I say the FAR north side because the south side of town IS invading the north side inside the loop, which is positively dandy.

My wife and I are planning to move within the next 2-3 years, I'm looking hard at the Georgetown/Round Rock area. Funny enough, I'd also tossed around the idea of Virginia, NC, and SC. I'll have to read up on their gun friendliness. Thanks for the bit of information on NC, that was something I didn't know before this thread!

My favorite tool for evaluating cities is www.city-data.com It's a great way of checking out the economy, demographics etc. Oh, and forgive me for my rant, I feel well...strongly. FWIW, my wife think San Antonio is "alright".

Edit: I forgot to mention, San Antonio does in fact prohibit lock blade knives. I ignore this rule every single day, its ridiculous and I'm not inclined to follow it. I use my knife every day at work, I carry it pretty obviously clipped in my pocket. So far it has never been an issue and I'm sure its been seen by police before. My opinion is that the knife law is mostly there so they can have one more thing to throw at gang bangers etc.

 

[Prince Yamato]

Provided you aren't a misanthrope, Austin is a great city. It's very cosmopolitan, has a fantastic arts scene, lots of parks and nature-related activities, is home to Texas wine country, is a university town, and is also pretty good for shooting. You are kind of limited for gun ranges- Red's Indoor North and South, 100 yards pistol and rifle; Eagle Peak (outdoors 300 yards) and a couple other private ones. It's not really that bad though as Red's is pretty decent and cheap to shoot at. There are plenty of gun stores, ranging from the quaint (but well stocked) Tex Guns, to the more expensive (and Class 3) Sportsman's Finest.

I call Texas CCW the "gold card", because it's accepted (well, valid actually) at most places in the state. You can carry in churches, restaurants, parks, you can even carry on certain parts of school property (parking lots, garages, and other thoroughfares), just not in school buildings (defined as premises).

Austin is like the best parts of California and Texas rolled into one great city.

 

[hoji]

Provided you aren't a misanthrope, Austin is a great city. It's very cosmopolitan, has a fantastic arts scene, lots of parks and nature-related activities, is home to Texas wine country, is a university town, and is also pretty good for shooting. You are kind of limited for gun ranges- Red's Indoor North and South, 100 yards pistol and rifle; Eagle Peak (outdoors 300 yards) and a couple other private ones. It's not really that bad though as Red's is pretty decent and cheap to shoot at. There are plenty of gun stores, ranging from the quaint (but well stocked) Tex Guns, to the more expensive (and Class 3) Sportsman's Finest.

You really did not say Red's was cheap to shoot at did you? $13+ per hour is not cheap

You might try Lone Star Gun Range near Lockhart.http://ctxpta.com/

You are allowed to draw from the holster, move and shoot multiple targets {as the crowd conditions allow} and shoot fast as long as you are shooting safe and controlling your weapon.{No full auto yet, but maybe in the next year}

The rate................... one time registration fee[$5} then $12 per day or $65 per year.


Try drawing from your concealed holster and double tapping at Reds

 

[csmkersh]

My wife and I are planning to move within the next 2-3 years, ...

<snip>

Edit: I forgot to mention, San Antonio does in fact prohibit lock blade knives.

Why wait two years?

As to the lock blades, Texas is a preemptive state. SA knows the ordanance isn't legal but drunk kickers don't. Also the "ban" is on lock blades carried in a scabbard on your belt.​

 

[Elza]

chris in va: Also be SURE you keep it concealed, non-printing. That's why I appreciate VA in that regard, doesn't matter if it prints or you accidentally expose it reaching for something.

It doesn’t matter in Texas either. As long as you make an honest effort to conceal it doesn’t matter if it inadvertently shows.

Our CHL is grossly overpriced at $140 ($70 if you are an honorably discharged veteran). At least they increased the time to five years. There are a handful of places we can’t carry:

PC §46.035.
UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF HANDGUN BY LICENSE HOLDER.
(a) A license holder commits an offense if the license holder carries a handgun on or about the license holder's person under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, and intentionally fails to conceal the handgun.
(b) A license holder commits an offense if the license holder intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries a handgun under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, regardless of whether the handgun is concealed, on or about the license holder's person:
(1) on the premises of a business that has a permit or license issued under Chapter 25, 28, 32, 69, or 74, Alcoholic Beverage Code, if the business derives 51 percent or more of its income from the sale or service of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, as determined by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission under Section 104.06, Alcoholic Beverage Code;
(2) on the premises where a high school, collegiate, or professional sporting event or interscholastic event is taking place, unless the license holder is a participant in the event and a handgun is used in the event;
(3) on the premises of a correctional facility;
(4) on the premises of a hospital licensed under Chapter 241, Health and Safety Code, or on the premises of a nursing home licensed under Chapter 242, Health and Safety Code, unless the license holder has written authorization of the hospital or nursing home administration, as appropriate;
(5) in an amusement park; or
(6) on the premises of a church, synagogue, or other established place of religious worship.
(c) A license holder commits an offense if the license holder intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries a handgun under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, regardless of whether the handgun is concealed, at any meeting of a governmental entity.

Texas as a whole is fairly gun friendly. No licenses to buy or own, no waiting period, no signoff by the popo, and no NICS check if you have a CHL. We also have a great Castle Doctrine and tort protection against the perp (or perps family) if it is judged to be a clean shoot.

All-in-all it’s a rather nice place to live.

 

[JoseM]

It's looks pretty nice from the responses...don't get me wrong...NC is a fantastic place to raise a family...the laws are alright (this is an open carry state as well), but the places you can't carry makes it hard to carry at all seeing that the wife and I usually stop somewhere while we're out to eat and she doesn't like fast food...so that severely limits the locations to eat.

And $6.00 / transfer is "pretty good" I may use you if 1) I move there and 2) you tell me how to pronounce your town...is the P silent or is the F silent...please God don't tell me they're both pronounced! "Pa-Flew-ger-veal"

 

[wdlsguy]

Race tracks, horse, dog, car, whatever, are off limits.

Texas Penal Code § 46.01. DEFINITIONS.
In this chapter:
...
(15) "Racetrack" has the meaning assigned that term by the Texas Racing Act (Article 179e, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes).
...

Texas Racing Act Sec. 1.03.
In this Act:
...
(25) "Racetrack" means a facility that is licensed under this Act for the conduct of pari-mutuel wagering on greyhound racing or horse racing.
...

As to the lock blades, Texas is a preemptive state. SA knows the ordanance isn't legal but drunk kickers don't.

San Antonio's lockblade ordinance is enforceable (the Texas legislature has not preempted knife ordinances).

 

[CBS220]

No pistol purchase permits is a big +1 for TX.

I HATE those things.

 

[texas bulldog]

haha! the P is silent. it's just north of austin. and you will not find a cheaper or friendlier person to do your transfers than waterhouse.

please do not heed the austin bashers here on THR. yes, it is more liberal on average than other cities in the state, but i seem to get along just fine wearing my NRA hat everyday to possibly the most liberal workplace in town. they find me "quaint" and i find them "entertaining". it's really not a big deal.

i would agree that red's indoor range is not cheap, and i too plan to start using the lone star gun range in lockhart ('bout halfway from austin to san antone, and to the east).

CHL laws are not the best in the nation, but they're decent and seem to be getting better. despite being in the hated liberal oasis (at least amongst some folks), i have seen only one 30.06 sign so far, and their customer service didn't give me a reason to go back anyway.

the castle doctrine is awesome. if we could get open carry, i would be plenty satisfied. i'd still probably like to see a few places crossed of the no-CCW list, but i can more or less live with it as-is.

the real question you need to ask your self is if you can handle a couple months of straight 100+ degree days, with dang near all of august being 110+ with fairly high humidity. that's my biggest complaint with living here.

but...i lived in dallas prior to coming here, and i definitely prefer austin despite the bad rap it sometimes gets. 'course i also plan to be living in lockhart within the next year or two, so maybe i don't like it as much as i say i do...

 

[Drizzt]

Just as an FYI.... I am in Austin, and have been out of work since October. I have been applying for Project Management jobs, amongst everything else, and have not had any luck. Dell has laid off about 7-8000 folks locally in the last year, and that has created a bit of a glut in the number of people job hunting. If you can, I would find a job before moving here. Once you are here it may not be so easy.

 

[JoseM]

Drizzt....Those 8000 people that were laid off are not in my field. I am a civil engineer working in Land Development and I have 3 engineering degrees working part-time on my 4th engineering degree (PhD with urban stormwater as a concentration). I really don't think the IT sector PMs will be any competition with Civil Engineering PM positions...it's just a completely different skill set.

Now, my main problem is that most companies (rightfully so) want someone with experience with the local municipalities. I obviously don't have this since I live in NC. In other words...I'm a senior level PM that can't fully "hit the ground running". But it shouldn't take me long to get up and moving

But...I won't move there and uproot my whole family without a job offer already being extended. That's just not the responsible thing to do.

 

[csmkersh]

As to the lock blades, Texas is a preemptive state. SA knows the ordanance isn't legal but drunk kickers don't.

San Antonio's lockblade ordinance is enforceable (the Texas legislature has not preempted knife ordinances).

Wrong. The legislature retains the right to regulate weapons. That's the same reason SA's ban on rifles/shotguns in PU truck gun racks is also void. You'll beat the charge, you just won't beat the ride.

​

 

[wdlsguy]

Wrong.

Not wrong. Go here, select Local Government Code, and search for "knife" or "knives". There will be no matches. Now search for "firearm". Click on the very first link (Chapter 229, Miscellaneous Regulatory Authority Of Municipalities).

The legislature retains the right to regulate weapons.

True. The fact remains that the legislature has not chosen to preempt knife ordinances.

That's the same reason SA's ban on rifles/shotguns in PU truck gun racks is also void. You'll beat the charge, you just won't beat the ride.

I agree that San Antonio's ban on rifles/shotguns in vehicles is unenforceable, because the legislature has chosen to preempt most firearm ordinances.

 

[csmkersh]

Still wrong. From your own cite of LGC 229 we find not one meantion of knife or knives. It's all regarding a municipalities very limited rights to regulate firearms. As it is, a city may require all to bear arms but may not prohibit a person licensed to carry from doing so....

LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE
CHAPTER 229. MISCELLANEOUS REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF MUNICIPALITIES
Sec.A229.001.AAFIREARMS; EXPLOSIVES.A (a)AAA municipality
may not adopt regulations relating to the transfer, private
ownership, keeping, transportation, licensing, or registration of
firearms, ammunition, or firearm supplies.

(b)AASubsection (a) does not affect the authority a
municipality has under another law to:

(1)AArequire residents or public employees to be armed
for personal or national defense, law enforcement, or another
lawful purpose;

(2)AAregulate the discharge of firearms within the
limits of the municipality;

(3)AAregulate the use of property, the location of a
business, or uses at a business under the municipality ’s fire code,
zoning ordinance, or land-use regulations as long as the code,
ordinance, or regulations are not used to circumvent the intent of
Subsection (a) or Subdivision (5) of this subsection;

(4)AAregulate the use of firearms in the case of an
insurrection, riot, or natural disaster if the municipality finds
the regulations necessary to protect public health and safety;

(5)AAregulate the storage or transportation of
explosives to protect public health and safety, except that 25
pounds or less of black powder for each private residence and 50
pounds or less of black powder for each retail dealer are not
subject to regulation; or

(6)AAregulate the carrying of a firearm by a person
other than a person licensed to carry a concealed handgun under
Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, at a:

(A)AApublic park;

(B)AApublic meeting of a municipality, county, or
other governmental body;

(C)AApolitical rally, parade, or official
political meeting; or

(D)AAnonfirearms-related school, college, or
professional athletic event.​

(c)AAThe exception provided by Subsection (b)(6) does not
apply if the firearm is in or is carried to or from an area
designated for use in a lawful hunting, fishing, or other sporting
event and the firearm is of the type commonly used in the activity.

(d)AAThe exception provided by Subsection (b)(4) does not
authorize the seizure or confiscation of any firearm or ammunition
from an individual who is lawfully carrying or possessing the
firearm or ammunition.

Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended
by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 229, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts
1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 10.07, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Renumbered from Sec. 215.001 by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec.
12.002(10), eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 18, Sec. 5, eff. April 27,
2007.
Sec. 229.002.AAREGULATION OF DISCHARGE OF WEAPON.A A
municipality may not apply a regulation relating to the discharge
of firearms or other weapons in the extraterritorial jurisdiction
of the municipality or in an area annexed by the municipality after
September 1, 1981, if the firearm or other weapon is:
(1)AAa shotgun, air rifle or pistol, BB gun, or bow and
arrow discharged:
(A)AAon a tract of land of 10 acres or more and
more than 150 feet from a residence or occupied building located on
another property; and
(B)AAin a manner not reasonably expected to cause
a projectile to cross the boundary of the tract; or
(2)AAa center fire or rim fire rifle or pistol of any
caliber discharged:
(A)AAon a tract of land of 50 acres or more and
more than 300 feet from a residence or occupied building located on
another property; and
(B)AAin a manner not reasonably expected to cause
a projectile to cross the boundary of the tract.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 18, Sec. 4, eff. May 3, 2005.
1

Ya' buy 'em books and send them to school....


​

 

[wdlsguy]

From your own cite of LGC 229 we find not one meantion of knife or knives. It's all regarding a municipalities very limited rights to regulate firearms.

You just made my point, Sam. Municipalities have the power to enforce firearm *and* knife ordinances, unless the legislature takes it away. The legislature has done so for firearms, hasn't done so for knives. So San Antonio's lockblade ordinance is enforceable.

 

[csmkersh]

No, I proved you pulled stuff out of your ----- hat and were still wrong and unable to acknowledge your error. LGC 229 sets the limits of a municipalities power to regulate weapons. It doesn't leave a door open for liberal politicians to create unarmed victims.

FYI, in the 15 plus years the ordinance has been on the books, zero arrests and fewer convictions.



Ya' buy 'em books and send them to school....


Also, FYI, a list of prohibited weapons in Texas. Note what type of knives---

§ 46.05. PROHIBITED WEAPONS. (a) A person commits an
offense if he intentionally or knowingly possesses, manufactures,
transports, repairs, or sells:

(1) an explosive weapon;
(2) a machine gun;
(3) a short-barrel firearm;
(4) a firearm silencer;
(5) a switchblade knife;
(6) knuckles;
(7) armor-piercing ammunition;​

(8) a chemical dispensing device; or
(9) a zip gun.
(b) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that
the actor's conduct was incidental to the performance of official
duty by the armed forces or national guard, a governmental law
enforcement agency, or a correctional facility.

(c) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that
the actor's possession was pursuant to registration pursuant to the
National Firearms Act, as amended.

(d) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this
section that the actor's conduct:

(1) was incidental to dealing with a switchblade
knife, springblade knife, or short-barrel firearm solely as an
antique or curio; or

(2) was incidental to dealing with armor-piercing
ammunition solely for the purpose of making the ammunition
available to an organization, agency, or institution listed in
Subsection (b).​

(e) An offense under this section is a felony of the third
degree unless it is committed under Subsection (a)(5) or (a)(6), in
which event, it is a Class A misdemeanor.

(f) It is a defense to prosecution under this section for
the possession of a chemical dispensing device that the actor is a
security officer and has received training on the use of the
chemical dispensing device by a training program that is:

(1) provided by the Commission on Law Enforcement
Officer Standards and Education; or

(2) approved for the purposes described by this
subsection by the Texas Private Security Board of the Department of
Public Safety.
​

(g) In Subsection (f), "security officer" means a
commissioned security officer as defined by Section 1702.002,
Occupations Code, or a noncommissioned security officer registered
under Section 1702.221, Occupations Code.​

​

 

[wdlsguy]

There is no use trying to reason with you, Sam. Have a nice day.

 

[GEM]

To avoid the law discussion, yawn! The Austin/San Antonio area is a rich shooting environment.

Check out the area faq on www.krtraining.com - range, matches. For matches, check out www.texastactical.net for IDPA and carbine. www.rivercityshooters.org for clubs and matches for IPSC, IDPA, three gun, steel (the site has links to the local clubs for all of these). www.bullethole.com - you'll find that linked on the sites above also. There's cowboy action too.

Gun stores:

We have Cabelas, Bass Pro, Dicks, Sportsmans Warehouse for big box. There are some local stores that vary. I like Dury's in San Antonio. McBrides in Austin and Nagel's in San Antonio - kind of the big private names with attitude to match at times. Go their and make your own call. Gun shows once a month in Austin and a little more sporadically in SA.

www.tsra.com - Texas State Rifle Association - good local organization.

There are two TX specific gun forums. Texaschlforum and TXguntalk - I don't have the exact Urls in front of me - easy to google. Glock Talk has a TX subforum.

So it is a good gun and shooting environment.

BTW, SA has a no-loaded long gun ordinance. If you call the law they will tell you so. Is it enforceable given the state? Let the TSRA deal with that. It was put in force to nail gang bangers driving around SKS's in their cars.