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Here's another update.

I know it's shocking, but, as of right now, I have not heard a squeak from Hilton Austin or Corporate Hilton concerning my phone calls or email. Frankly, I doubt if I will get a response. I may try another "follow up" email, but, I think I pretty much have my answer. I'll post up anything I hear from them, but, I'm not gonna hold my breath. I will also post my association's reaction when and if I get one from them. Stay tuned.

P.S. Thanks for all the supportive and informative comments on this.

TrueFlog wrote:

TxCommish wrote:Also, I noticed the recent post by Pucker with the photo of a similar sign. This is exactly what they looked like. Veeeery hard to see. Also, here's a question for y'all. There were actually two signs. One on the window to the left of the door, another on the window to the right of the door. The one on the left was a correctly worded, sized, etc. sign in English. The sign in the right window was a correctly worded, sized, etc. sign (I assume) in Spanish. So, my question. Since the sign on the left window in English does not also contain Spanish wording on the same sign, is it a legal 30.06?

I would think that it is not binding. What you have is two signs, and neither sign contains the words in both languages as required. Then again, if the letters are affixed directly to the glass, one could argue that the entire pane of glass constitutes a single sign. It's a stretch, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't try.

Nope. It was two separate pieces of glass. BTW, to update y'all, as of right now 11:29 pm on Friday night, not a squeak from anyone at the Austin Hilton or Hilton Corporate. As Gomer used to say, surprise, surprise!!

I got this in my inbox today;

Dear Mr. ********,

We have received your comments regarding our hotel in Guest Assistance and forward onto the correct department. We want you as our loyal guest and appreciate you bringing this to our attention.

Best regards,
Loretta Dunn
Guest Assistance Specialist
Hilton Hotels Corporation
Carrollton Tx, 75006



Also, I noticed the recent post by Pucker with the photo of a similar sign. This is exactly what they looked like. Veeeery hard to see. Also, here's a question for y'all. There were actually two signs. One on the window to the left of the door, another on the window to the right of the door. The one on the left was a correctly worded, sized, etc. sign in English. The sign in the right window was a correctly worded, sized, etc. sign (I assume) in Spanish. So, my question. Since the sign on the left window in English does not also contain Spanish wording on the same sign, is it a legal 30.06?

03Lightningrocks wrote:LOL...I carried concealed around that hotel for three or four days not realizing it was posted. I came in from the parking garage and there was no sign at that entrance.


Nice letter...

It was the second day before I noticed the signs after venturing out for lunch because I also first came into the hotel through the garage entrance. I double checked the garage entrance when I was leaving today and sure enough, no signs.

Thank you all for the comments. It just really made me mad and I couldn't let it go! I also called the hotel when I arrived home and asked to speak with a manager. They assured me that one would "get back to me." So far, no return call or email. I will keep y'all posted as to any sort of reply.

I just returned from a conference there. It was "posted." I let them know I didn't like it with the following email.


Dear Sirs,

I would like to inform you of a complaint I have about the downtown Austin Hilton Hotel. I was in Austin along with several other county elected officials for a conference held at your facility. The conference was hosted by the Texas Association of Counties and took place August 24-26, 2009. My complaint centers on the posting of signs prohibiting the licensed carry of concealed handguns on hotel property. I was not only disturbed that your policy prohibited me from carrying my licensed concealed handgun on your property. But, that it also appeared to be an open invitation to criminals to take advantage of your “gun free zone” to perpetrate crimes on your unarmed guests. In my mind, it is simply nothing short of dangerous and irresponsible to “advertise” for all to see that guests, walking out of your hotel on their way to a local restaurant or nearby business meeting, have been rendered unable to defend themselves. The concealed carry laws in Texas were enacted for very good reasons. And, those reasons are often just outside your hotel doors. In fact, I would venture a well educated guess that they don’t go away within your hotel either just because you posted a sign disarming concealed carry permit holders.

As an elected official in the public eye who sometimes makes very public decisions some disturbed individual or criminal may not like, I choose to carry a concealed weapon. I carry it always, hoping as every concealed carry license holder does, that I will never have to use it. I am not a vigilante, nor am I a “cowboy.” I am a duly elected official of a county of over 220,000 population sworn by an oath of office to uphold the laws of this great state. I’m able to carry my handgun after completing a state mandated concealed carry firearms course. After being subjected to countless background checks, including an FBI background check. After submitted my fingerprints to state and federal authorities, and after agreeing to have much of my personal information shared among those agencies.

I complied with the law and your policy, but, only because I had no other choice in the matter since yours was the host hotel for our conference. Please know that I am very involved with the Texas Association of Counties and will shortly be sharing my disappointment with their choice of host hotel with their Executive Director. Since this state association represents several thousand county elected officials in 254 Texas counties, the relocation of future TAC conferences due to your concealed handgun policy could result in a substantial revenue loss to your company for this and possibly other Hilton Hotel locations. I would hope a change in your licensed concealed handgun carry policy would avert any such unfortunate outcome.

A personal reply to this email and its subject matter is requested.

Sincerely,

Honorable William ********
County Commissioner
County of *****, Texas