howdy wrote:I think we will have our test case real soon.Txtension wrote:Hi everybody, I've been lurking here for several months and gained a lot of good information here.
I visited the Houston Zoo today and saw their 30.06, 30.07, and they even tossed up a 46.03 sign. I walked pass the sign wall.
My firearm was IWB appendix (Browning Hi Power). I also had my saw-back knife (about 5 inches of metal from tip to top of the handle, 4" are sharpened). These weapons were openly carried on my belt.
At first everything seemed cool, no one said anything or even offered up resistance. Even had the camera dude take a picture of me including the wife and kids. Shortly after, a woman approached me and asked if I had a real firearm on me, I said yes. She said it was against company policy to have any firearms open or concealed. I informed her that since the zoo was on city property the signs were invalid. She restated the company policy bit, and asked me to return the gun to my car, and that I could speak to the director of security. I said sure.
So the director of security comes out and I give him the 30.06 .07 signs are invalid speech. To which he says, they are valid because the zoo is an educational institution. I asked him if he knew there was up to a 10,000 dollar fine for the illegally posted signs. He assured me he was well aware of the law. He also noted that my method of carry was not in compliance with the law and that it was illegal to carry in condition 1 (pretty good eyes to mention that detail). I told him that was not true and asked him for the statute that said otherwise. He said he could even look it up for me, and made an insulting remark that I should have paid attention in chl class. I asked him politely if he could retrieve the statute for me, and I offered to wait, or even come back after we finished viewing the zoo. So he must have realized I called his bluff on that one and he told me to look it up on my own time.
The rest of my experience at the zoo was like any other day at the park. Aside from coincidentally running into a security guard every 10-15 minutes (had me followed?). Everyone was really cordial and I'd be happy to bring the family in the future.
At least he put the weapon up when told but seriously talk about swatting the hornets nest. Unbelievable.
I much prefer taking the alcohol approach mentioned earlier. The city of Dallas also prevents alcohol sales within 300 feet of a school or daycare...didn't the zoo claim to be both?