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OK I'm not a lawyer but I did some digging into the law. The zoo may in fact be an amusement park but under 30.06(e) they can't post it with a 30.06 sign. And an amusement park has to be posted 30.06 in order for 46.035(b)(5) to apply, see 46.035(i).

The only thing they have left to stand on is the school sponsored activity thing but I suspect that "intentionally, knowingly, recklessly" clause of 46.03 would apply, and if you went in carrying and there wasn't for example a huge banner saying SCHOOL FIELD TRIP DAY, then you would have no intent to carry into the prohibited school sponsored activity and thus no violation of 46.03.

I'm still going to press for them to remove the signs.

rp_photo wrote:

Keith B wrote:Well, unless they have amusement RIDES, then they don't fit the amusement park portion. And, the any grounds has been interpreted to be property under control of the school, not just where school kids happen to show up, so IMO he is wrong and if I go, I will carry.

This is a prime example of why it can be bad to ask. The uninformed zoo director has now been put on alert that people want to carry there, which could lead to further postings and increased scrutiny.

Know the law and carry quietly and confidently.

The fact that he's posted some attempt at 30.06 signage means he's already aware that people want to carry there. Anyway I'd like someone to explain how the zoo is not an amusement park and if someone has a reference for the interpretation of "property under control of the school," I'd like to see that. Was that case law or something else?

Keith B wrote:Well, unless they have amusement RIDES, then they don't fit the amusement park portion. And, the any grounds has been interpreted to be property under control of the school, not just where school kids happen to show up, so IMO he is wrong and if I go, I will carry.

He specifically mentioned the merry-go-round and the monorail, and the pony and camel rides.

Just FYI, I got an email response back from Mr Doug Dykman, the Zoo's Deputy Director for Operations and Facilities. He says the Dallas Zoo falls under 46.03(1) (any grounds or building on which an activity sponsored by a school or educational institution is being conducted) and 46.035 (5) Amusement Park.

The sign is still there and now there's a Spanish language version posted underneath. I have reported the sign to the Dallas 311 system for code compliance to come out and take it down. Anyone else want to report this sign? Lets get this sign taken down.
-Mark