No Guns or Knives at Galveston Mardis Gras

[Jeff Barriault]

Looks like Galveston is at it again. I was watching the news last night and they interviewed someone who said they will have check points with metal detectors, no guns, knives or weapons allowed. When I went last year there was a Galveston PD officer who was asking everyone to empty their pockets and open their bags, etc. When I got up to him and attempted to show him my CHL he very rudely said, "I don't need your ID. Just empty your pockets. Do you have any guns or knives on you?" So I politely raised my ID again. When he finally looked at it his attitude changed and he replied, "Come right in sir."

I'll be going to the Umbrella Parade tomorrow night to photograph my wife and her friends and I'll let y'all know how it goes.

[jmra]

Gotta love Texas. In New Orleans CC at parades is a no no.

[RHenriksen]

Looks like Galveston is at it again. I was watching the news last night and they interviewed someone who said they will have check points with metal detectors, no guns, knives or weapons allowed. When I went last year there was a Galveston PD officer who was asking everyone to empty their pockets and open their bags, etc. When I got up to him and attempted to show him my CHL he very rudely said, "I don't need your ID. Just empty your pockets. Do you have any guns or knives on you?" So I politely raised my ID again. When he finally looked at it his attitude changed and he replied, "Come right in sir."

I'll be going to the Umbrella Parade tomorrow night to photograph my wife and her friends and I'll let y'all know how it goes.

So glad there was a happy ending to that exchange!

[Shinesintx]

I remember this from last year...dejavu!

[dac1842]

I grew up in Lafayette, and have been to my share of Mardi Gras...there is no way I would be anywhere near another one. My attitude at my wiser, older age, is very simple. I never go anywhere, where the number of people present exceeds the number of bullets available..
I hate drunks.

[C-dub]

They're not really up to anything other than trying to keep the illegal guns out.

I'm not familiar with LA laws. Is there a law that prevents a CHL from carrying in NO during Mardi Gras?

[Wodathunkit]

I grew up in Lafayette, and have been to my share of Mardi Gras...there is no way I would be anywhere near another one. My attitude at my wiser, older age, is very simple. I never go anywhere, where the number of people present exceeds the number of bullets available..
I hate drunks.

X2

[longtooth]

I grew up in Lafayette, and have been to my share of Mardi Gras...there is no way I would be anywhere near another one. My attitude at my wiser, older age, is very simple. I never go anywhere, where the number of people present exceeds the number of bullets available..
I hate drunks.

X2

X3

[Jeff Barriault]

Well, I was initially denied entry to Galveston Mardis Gras by a County Sherrif. I asked to speak with a supervisor and he also denied me entry. Although I remained calm and respectful, I got the impression that they were very unhappy with me and I felt like I was on very thin ice. So I turned around and left. The reason they gave was that the event area was designated a bar and I couldn't have a gun in a bar. I looked around and did not see any 51% signs.

I then emailed someone to get some advice. After following his advice, making a few phone calls (one to the Galveston PD Chief's office), and a couple emails later I was told to try again. So I went back down to the island and went to a different gate. There was a DPS officer there and he gave me the same story and denied me access. I remained very respectful but he looked like he was about to cuff me. I explained to him that I had spoken to Galveston PD and they had assured me I could have entry. He pointed me in the direction of the command center and said he wasn't going to let me in.

So I went to the command center and at first they said I couldn't enter there. I explained that I had been turned away twice at two different entrances. One officer there echoed the same reason for denying entry, but another officer said, "That's bull. That won't hold up." He then made a radio call and then told everyone there that the supervisor said to let me in. I'm not going to give the supervisor's name he said he was talking to on the radio, but he was the same one who denied me at my first try.

I'll claim victory for CHL holders on this one. I was able to get in with my pistol and take some great photos of the umbrella parade. And in the end my wife was very happy not to have to bail me out of jail. She was also proud of me standing up for my rights.

[Andrew]

I grew up in Lafayette, and have been to my share of Mardi Gras...there is no way I would be anywhere near another one. My attitude at my wiser, older age, is very simple. I never go anywhere, where the number of people present exceeds the number of bullets available..
I hate drunks.

X2

X3

Lundi Gras and Mardi Gras, no drunks, no nudity, no prostitutes, Great Parades! Secret Mystic Societies! Great Music! Great Food! Bring the family(Lundi Gras dress up day for kids) The Real Carnival since 1703 Mardi Gras Mobile!

[TexasCajun]

I've been to plenty of Mardi Gras events, both here in Texas & in Louisiana. Done the big ones, the small ones, & the really rural ones. The small town celebrations are more enjoyable in my opinion. You still have the parades with throws & marching bands and all of the other traditional stuff. But you don't have all of the boorish, amateur behavior that really detracts from the enjoyment.

The most fun I've ever had was in Mamou, LA. They have what's called the Courriere de Mardi Gras. It's based on an old Cajun tradition where masked revelers go from house to house on horseback collecting ingredients for the community celebration. Since the revelers are required to perform tricks for the ingredients, it's pretty entertaining. When my boy is a little older, I'm going to take the family out there & to the Grand Boucherie in St Martinville.

[jmra]

They're not really up to anything other than trying to keep the illegal guns out.

I'm not familiar with LA laws. Is there a law that prevents a CHL from carrying in NO during Mardi Gras?

Yes. Parades are off limits for CC.
G. No concealed handgun permit issued pursuant hereto shall authorize or entitle a permittee to carry a concealed handgun in any of the following:
9. a parade or demonstration for which a permit is issued by a governmental entity;

[RHenriksen]

Jeff, did this happen this year, 2013, or during a previous year's event? In either case, thank you for sharing your experience

Well, I was initially denied entry to Galveston Mardis Gras by a County Sherrif. I asked to speak with a supervisor and he also denied me entry. Although I remained calm and respectful, I got the impression that they were very unhappy with me and I felt like I was on very thin ice. So I turned around and left. The reason they gave was that the event area was designated a bar and I couldn't have a gun in a bar. I looked around and did not see any 51% signs.

I then emailed someone to get some advice. After following his advice, making a few phone calls (one to the Galveston PD Chief's office), and a couple emails later I was told to try again. So I went back down to the island and went to a different gate. There was a DPS officer there and he gave me the same story and denied me access. I remained very respectful but he looked like he was about to cuff me. I explained to him that I had spoken to Galveston PD and they had assured me I could have entry. He pointed me in the direction of the command center and said he wasn't going to let me in.

So I went to the command center and at first they said I couldn't enter there. I explained that I had been turned away twice at two different entrances. One officer there echoed the same reason for denying entry, but another officer said, "That's bull. That won't hold up." He then made a radio call and then told everyone there that the supervisor said to let me in. I'm not going to give the supervisor's name he said he was talking to on the radio, but he was the same one who denied me at my first try.

I'll claim victory for CHL holders on this one. I was able to get in with my pistol and take some great photos of the umbrella parade. And in the end my wife was very happy not to have to bail me out of jail. She was also proud of me standing up for my rights.

[Jeff Barriault]

Jeff, did this happen this year, 2013, or during a previous year's event? In either case, thank you for sharing your experience

This happened last night, February 1, 2013.

[RHenriksen]

Jeff, did this happen this year, 2013, or during a previous year's event? In either case, thank you for sharing your experience

This happened last night, February 1, 2013.

Good for you for persevering!!