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by jimlongley
Wed Aug 06, 2014 9:46 pm
Forum: General Texas CHL Discussion
Topic: Texas State Fair CHL Question
Replies: 54
Views: 11746

Re: Texas State Fair CHL Question

Dragonfighter wrote:
jimlongley wrote:
General tip - Be prepared for any of a variety of different reactions - in past years we identified as CHL holders carrying, as they required and: Got shuffled aside to wait while a supervisor came to take down our names and CHL and Driver License numbers (which I wrote a letter to the State Fair about and never received a reply, but the following year they stopped doing that) and then turned us over to a LEO who wanted to know why we felt the need to carry there; We have been told to report to a LEO at a stand behind the entrance (several times) (and one year the LEO was busy so we just kept walking, and another there was no LEO at the stand, so . . . kept on walking); We have been waved through; and one time the bright light wielding the wand passed it up my side where my 1911 was OWB under my jacket, and it didn't beep because he wasn't doing it right (I have experience) while the one "inspecting" my wife's purse completely missed the compartment with her PPKS in it, so we didn't bother to identify.
-em mine

Jim,

Did you CC the DPS' Private Security Bureau? I did and got a rapid response stating that the collection and retention of the personally identifiable information was illegal, that the security (Platinum IIRC) firm was under investigation and that this violation was going on their list of complaints. Also, I allowed it ONE time and after being "lectured" by them about my responsibilities started trying to get their information. I carried a tablet and asked to see their ID stating that I did not know them, how they were securing the information and what their disposal protocols were and that only DPS could legally retain that info and an LEO could only record it as part of an investigation. Predictably an argument would normally start them usually jumping up and down and screaming about their absolute authority (only a slight exaggeration) threatening to prevent my entry unless I provided it. I'd insist on their getting the gate's LEO over and that is where it would typically end.

I have posted it before, but if ya'll would like I can post the letter again. I have no doubt that the letters written from this membership is what turned the situation around. To the OP, I normally will simply buy my ticket and as I approach the "wand" I will simply state, "I need to see the police officer." Most will say okay and wave me on past, some will cock their head like a puppy and ask, "Why?" But after I tell them again I get waved on past.
I did not CC the PSB that first time, but the following year I told them they were not allowed to take that information down and that I would be writing to PSB. That was the time they then told us to go wait for the LEO and the supervisor. No supervisor showed up, I told the LEO that it was illegal for them to take down the information (the only valid reason for recording it is retaining it) and I was going to insist that Dallas PD institute an investigation and arrest those responsible. Of course that year I had gone better prepared and was ready to take names and write to everyone. The LEO looked at our DLs and CHLs and made some comment about "If that's the way you feel about it." and waved us on. As we went up the walkway, 25 yards or so away, the security supervisor was coming down in his golf cart and by the way that he insisted on being given the right of way, I was almost convinced that he knew who we were.

Again, in more recent years the experience has been much less stressful, and last year a "young" lady escorted us around the gates and dropped us at the LEO, who looked at us like we had two heads each, and when we said "CHL" he just waved us on.
by jimlongley
Sun Aug 03, 2014 8:37 am
Forum: General Texas CHL Discussion
Topic: Texas State Fair CHL Question
Replies: 54
Views: 11746

Re: Texas State Fair CHL Question

No events that I know of.

And, BTW, although it's really not worth arguing with them about because of the lack of events, their little screed about "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.” kind of misses the point, as the law is written in the present tense, and if there is no such event taking place the law could not apply, and of course the only time the gates to the Cotton Bowl Stadium are open are for such an event, which merely gets circular. If they were allowing tours of the stadium, and no game was taking place, then the law does not apply.

General tip - Be prepared for any of a variety of different reactions - in past years we identified as CHL holders carrying, as they required and: Got shuffled aside to wait while a supervisor came to take down our names and CHL and Driver License numbers (which I wrote a letter to the State Fair about and never received a reply, but the following year they stopped doing that) and then turned us over to a LEO who wanted to know why we felt the need to carry there; We have been told to report to a LEO at a stand behind the entrance (several times) (and one year the LEO was busy so we just kept walking, and another there was no LEO at the stand, so . . . kept on walking); We have been waved through; and one time the bright light wielding the wand passed it up my side where my 1911 was OWB under my jacket, and it didn't beep because he wasn't doing it right (I have experience) while the one "inspecting" my wife's purse completely missed the compartment with her PPKS in it, so we didn't bother to identify.

Someone will be waving a wand at you, so you are kind of forced to identify, but it's anybody's bet as to what their policy will be this year.

Remember, this is the State Fair stating these rules, not LEOs, and the officials involved have had to be reeducated several times.

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