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My gun experience at the fair
Wyatt Earp
Member Posts: 5,871
Not a big deal, but amusing. We were getting ready yesterday to go to the South Plains Fair in Lubbock, so I called the fair office to ask if concealed carry by licensed CHL was allowed. The girl I talked to wasn't sure at first, but then blurted out "Why in the world do you think you need a gun at the fair?" To which I said "Because it's my Second Amendment right to do so. Look, I'm not interested in your personal view of guns, I just want to know the fair's policy on it."
She then looked through their rules and said she guessed it must be ok, but about then another girl in the background shouted that it's illegal. So, I called the Lubbock PD, and they didn't know either.
Sinmce it's a long walk from the parking area to the gates, I decided I didn't want to walk all the way to the gates to find a no guns sign, so my wife and I left our guns at home.
When we got to the fair we didn't see any signs. I saw a Lubbock cop on a golfcart enjoying a corndog so I stopped by to ask him. He didn't know either, but said if there's no sign out front, it's ok.
Sure was hard finding someone who knew what the policy was. Had we been going at night, when the recent trend of flash mobs might have been a bigger risk, I might have just carried because there certainly was nobody at the gates checking.
She then looked through their rules and said she guessed it must be ok, but about then another girl in the background shouted that it's illegal. So, I called the Lubbock PD, and they didn't know either.
Sinmce it's a long walk from the parking area to the gates, I decided I didn't want to walk all the way to the gates to find a no guns sign, so my wife and I left our guns at home.
When we got to the fair we didn't see any signs. I saw a Lubbock cop on a golfcart enjoying a corndog so I stopped by to ask him. He didn't know either, but said if there's no sign out front, it's ok.
Sure was hard finding someone who knew what the policy was. Had we been going at night, when the recent trend of flash mobs might have been a bigger risk, I might have just carried because there certainly was nobody at the gates checking.
Comments
I'm very surprised the LEO didn't know the answer.
I feel it's mandatory that law enforcement be aware of the laws in the area they are responsible for. Such as the case here.
The cop I talked to was nice enough, but he seemed far more concerned with the mustard on his footlong corndog than he was about whether or not I should be carrying a gun at the fair. [:D] And actually, that's the way it should be, imo.
But I agree, he should know the fair policy if he's on duty there.
Pennsylvania put out a bulletin to all Police Departments educating them on the law. Most did not know that open carry was legal here until about 2 years ago.
NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
+1
don't ask, don't tell.
What about concealed handguns?
A person holding a valid Texas Concealed Handgun License (or valid CHL from a reciprocating state) is permitted to enter onto State Fair property with his/her concealed handgun; provided, however, that CHL holders will not be permitted to carry their concealed handgun inside the Cotton Bowl Stadium, a facility defined under Texas Penal Code 46.035 as "the premises where a high school, collegiate or professional sporting event or interscholastic event is taking place." Note that the Fair does not provide lockers for the storage or checking of weapons for CHL holders, so if you plan to attend a game or event in the Cotton Bowl, please secure your weapon at home or in your vehicle prior to entering the fairgrounds. We want the Fair to be a fun and safe experience.
I knew it was illegal to carry at a sports event(too many chances for collateral damage) but I wasn't sure about a fair.
So long as they don't have metal detectors and you conceal it good I say carry everywhere possible.
If they have a sign outside refusing your right then you have to consider whether you think they are willing/able to protect you and yours.
I think CHL is illegal in Texas at amusemenmts parks over 40 acres, but I'm niot sure if a temporary fair midway qualifies as such an amusement park.
I had forgotten that you can't carry in an amusement park. It doesn't, however, apply to a fairgrounds as the statute states it must be a permanent facility with other restrictions:
(f) In this section:
(1) "Amusement park" means a permanent indoor or outdoor
facility or park where amusement rides are available for use by the
public that is located in a county with a population of more than one
million, encompasses at least 75 acres in surface area, is enclosed
with access only through controlled entries, is open for operation more than 120 days in each calendar year, and has security guards on the premises at all times. The term does not include any public or private driveway, street, sidewalk or walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area.
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/InternetForms/Forms/CHL-16.pdf
Why is it we must ask permission for 2A rights in public places(after receiving permission from the government)but we don't need to ask permission for other constitutional rights?
oh? ever hear of a need to obtain a permit to hold a demonstration?
The fact of the matter is, so many of our rights are trampled so often, we lose a lot of sensitivity to the issue.
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
quote:Originally posted by Wyatt Earp
I think CHL is illegal in Texas at amusemenmts parks over 40 acres, but I'm niot sure if a temporary fair midway qualifies as such an amusement park.
I had forgotten that you can't carry in an amusement park. It doesn't, however, apply to a fairgrounds as the statute states it must be a permanent facility with other restrictions:
(f) In this section:
(1) "Amusement park" means a permanent indoor or outdoor
facility or park where amusement rides are available for use by the
public that is located in a county with a population of more than one
million, encompasses at least 75 acres in surface area, is enclosed
with access only through controlled entries, is open for operation more than 120 days in each calendar year, and has security guards on the premises at all times. The term does not include any public or private driveway, street, sidewalk or walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area.
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/InternetForms/Forms/CHL-16.pdf
Yep. Thanks for the clarification.
quote:Originally posted by Hunter Mag
Why is it we must ask permission for 2A rights in public places(after receiving permission from the government)but we don't need to ask permission for other constitutional rights?
oh? ever hear of a need to obtain a permit to hold a demonstration?
The fact of the matter is, so many of our rights are trampled so often, we lose a lot of sensitivity to the issue.
Not for a demonstration but now that you mention it we're accustomed/trained to ask permission for constitutional rights.
Drivers license, not to mention proof of insurance and plate fees.
Hunting license not to mention the permits/4473 checks to have a firearm.
Hunter safety course to obtain the hunting license
Trapping license to trap animals.
Fishing license not to mention the various stamps ect for both.
License/conservation stickers just to go fishing in a boat.
Building permits
License to practice law
License to practice dentistry
License to practice in the medical field
License/passport to leave the country, for that matter the next closest thing to a strip search just to board a plane.
This is a good start, yes I know all of the above is for our own good, and so was the original intentions of our founding fathers when they wrote the constitution.
Ever hear of a gun free zone for law abiding citizens? That's what these laws have created.
quote:so my wife and I left our guns at home.
Two Texicans without guns! Now the Alamo is starting to make sense!
Hell, we even brought pirates at the Battle of New Orleans!
There is a bar named "Cosmo's" on the edge of the French Quarter. There is virtually every type of "person" concievable in there. The girl I was with wanted to go in.(She was fine, so wewent in about 3:00a.m. As in most States, guns are forbidden in bars. But after a few drinks, the 15 patrons all took out there pistols, and said I'll take my changes in court, but not in this neighborhood.
Funny what you will risk for a fine blonde!
Then there's that non-Johnny Horton version. [:D]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqLa-hLqcnQ&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL8477E261AA41E27A
quote:Then there's that non-Johnny Horton version.
In 1965,"Betsy" hit New Orleans square on. But the levees were blown in Chalmette (Where the Battle of New Orleans was really fought.)
I was 12 years old. Our entire family stayed, as well as the entire neighborhood.
Difference: White Mayor,White City Counsel,and 75% White population.
The next morning we hit the chain saws, lawn mowers, rakes, etc. We had no electricity for two weeks. The grocery stores were only 5 blocks away. The management gave away all food that would spoil. Now listen to this!
They gave all the kids gallons of ice cream. We stood in line,said thank you (He even gave us plastic spones.) Not one arguement, not one empty cartoon thrown on the ground, and we first rode our bikes home with any other cold food for our parents BEFORE we eat the ice cream.
In two weeks school re-opened, and our neighborhood was back to normal.
OH!!! No one even locked their screen doors. And NO! The Federal Government did not give us a penny. What could have changed? Oh yeah,but we are not "allowed" to mention that! SORRY! My father gave me some money, and told me to go pay the man for the ice cream and food. When I got there 99% of the kids were there for the same reason. The manager/owner said that insurance would pay him. Me, and all of my friends, brought the money back to our parents. None of us would have even thought of keeping our parent's money.
Times have changed!
Can you imagine the human stampede if a grocery store was giving away free gallons of ice cream in NOLA these days? And dimes to donuts, half the heifers tromping and shoving to the front of the line would have butts as big as VWs.
And if one of said heifers twisted her ankle and fell down while shoving normal-sized people aside, the grocery store owner would be sued for creating an unsafe condition.
Get caught carrying someplace you shouldn't carry - it's a $100 fine and is not considered a criminal offense.
Obviously I wouldn't carry into a Police Station or Courthouse but, I'll risk $100 elswhere.
Times haven't changed and neither have the people.
One of my most cherished functions here is doing that pointing out and wading through all the resultant hissing and screeching.
Good times.[:)]
I'm trying to fathom what acreage has to do with CCW?
It confuses the issue, provides for a threat of criminality due to the differing rules and regulations and ultimately, it discourages many citizens from carrying. After all, if you are unsure of whether you are 'allowed' to carry in a certain venue, most will opt not to do so rather than risk violating 'the law'.
Collectivism operates under such principles, where people, places and things are separated, compartmentalized and categorized with special privilege and special rules applying to different people, places or things, rather than ensuring equality for the individual person, place or thing.
A classic manifestation.