Mardi gras wanding?

[rm9792]

Radio just said that they were wanding at mardi gras. Is there a provision for chl?

[seamusTX]

News to me. I went there yesterday. They had no wands or metal detectors.

Unfortunately they are lacking in clues in this department. I don't even know who is in charge this year. The best I can tell you is to call 1-888-GAL-ISLE.

- Jim

[Syntax360]

I believe LA specifically prohibits CHL at the site of a Mardi Gras parade. It's been a few years since I traveled there and read over their laws, but that one stuck out.

[seamusTX]

I'm sorry I'm so self-centered. I was talking about Galveston's Mardi Gras in the Strand district.

- Jim

[rm9792]

Sorry. I meant galv.

[Aggie_engr]

They were in fact wanding everyone before gaining access to the strand this past saturday. I wasn't carrying so I can't comment on chl provisions, except that they made no mention of my pocket knife.
Fiance saw the wands ahead, turned to me and , you don't have your gun do you?

[rm9792]

I guess my question is what can they actually do about a chl carrying? I wont be drinking and since you have to park in the neighborhoods I would really prefer to carry.

[seamusTX]

It's too bad you didn't get to test the system, but that's life. I went there on Sunday specifically to see if they had some kind of search or scan, which they did not at that time.

The pattern I've seen with public events is having metal detectors or bag searches for events that tend to attract maladjusted citizens, like concerts.

Mardi Gras in Galveston was pretty laid back until 1998 when some lunatic (and I do not use that word casually) went on a shooting spree (http://www.texnews.com/1998/texas/shot1108.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;). Then they had airport-style metal detectors for a couple of years. Then they went to random searches. Then they quit making the Strand a controlled area. Now they are back to that.

As for what they can do to an armed CHL holder, legally, nothing. They could deny entry and then we would have months of going back and forth in court to get a decision, which would be in favor of CHL holders allowed entry―much like the state fair.

- Jim

[c-hawk]

A friend of mine went this past Friday and they were wanding so he elected to take his back to his vehicle. I am going this weekend and I haven't found a definite answer anywhere. I called Galveston Police Department and got passed around to 3 different people and none could give me an answer. If anyone knows for certain could you please advise. Thanks

[LongHairedRedneck]

I would like for any type of signage, then if none present hand my CHL to the "wander" before being "wanded" and state that there is no signage prohibiting me from carrying.

[seamusTX]

They can't legally prohibit a person with a Texas CHL from carrying on a public street, which is what we're talking about. Unfortunately, everything around here is run by five or ten different agencies, and they often hire LEOs from other jurisdictions for security.

In other words, there is no accountability.

- Jim

[alvins]

most of its out in the middle of the street how can they restrict anything?i wouldnt count on calling and getting the correct answer.

[c-hawk]

Well, I never got a correct response from any law enforcement agency so I am going as if it is legal. Will post results tomorrow morning and let all know the out come.

[Keith B]

Well, I never got a correct response from any law enforcement agency so I am going as if it is legal. Will post results tomorrow morning and let all know the out come.

Unless there is a 51% sign up, then I would say you should be OK. I would have my DL and CHL handy if you get wanded in case they want to know what triggered the wand.

[seamusTX]

You can't predict who is going to do what at Mardi Gras. There isn't one agency that is in charge of everything. Many of the police officers are from other towns, working Mardi Gras as a part-time job.

- Jim