TexasCHLforum.com

I couldn't figure out how to vote (maybe voting is closed), but the short story is that I went directly to a DPD officer, showed my CHL, and was waved in. No muss, no fuss. This was Saturday, around noon, at the DART's Fair Park stop.

I resent having to show my CHL at all, but otherwise it went about as smoothly as I could have hoped. We got off the DART rail at the Fair Park exit and entered the fair there. As we approached the grounds, I saw a sign hanging on the fence that said (and I'm paraphrsing), "Weapons of any kind are not permitted in Fair Park. Persons licensed by the state of Texas (or a reciprocating state) to carry a handgun should proceed to the security desk for futher instructions." As we walked up to the wanders, there was no line, so I didn't have much time to plan or think. My friends walked right on up, and I glanced around for a supervisor. I didn't see one, but there was a large booth marked "Police" and manned by two DPD officers. I walked over to them, held up my CHL, and asked who I needed to see in order to gain admission. The officer looked closely at the license and asked if I still live in Plano. I answered in the affirmative, and he motioned for me to go on in. As I walked past the wanders, I heard him call out to her, "I took care of him. He's good to go." All in all, a good experience - and my friends were none the wiser.

It's worth noting that the officer didn't ask for my DL, nor did he ask if/what/where I was carrying. He also didn't tell me about any area being off limits or remind me to keep it concealed. My friends later mentioned that the wander pretty much ignored them and didn't ask to search their purses. In retrospect, I probably could have gotten in without being wanded or showing my CHL, but I didn't want to take a chance on being outed in front of my friends. Lastly, during the DART ride, there was a gal on the train wearing a Bullet Trap shirt and a Beretta cap. I wondered if she was carrying, but if she was, it wasn't obvious.

Thanks to those of you who had gone earlier and posted your experiences. I'm glad I knew what to expect and was able to formulate a gameplan.