Carry at an Airport?

[txinvestigator]

Well, the long and short of it is this. Last night I called airport security and was told that not only was I not allowed to carry my gun, "regardless of CHL", in the airport or even on the premises, parking lot, etc.
I was told my vehicle was subject to "search and seizure" and if anything was found that was considered a threat it would be confiscated.

Had you asked what specific law they were referring to you would have been met with silence followed by something like, "I don't know the specific law, but its there."

You had smoke blown up your nose.

Airports are not areas where your constitutional rights are surrendered.

[texaseyes]

Anygun, I'll make this as simple as I can.
If you had a 13 year old daughter traveling alone in the mix who was fully expecting you to be there when she got off an airplane into a situation she had never been in before, would you have taken the chance of being late or not there at all due to getting into a "right fight" with some dip wad with a little power? As a LEO friend of mine reminded me, "You can beat the wrap but you can't beat the ride!"
I previously stated my reason for my decision in this situation. My whole concept for carrying is to protect those on my watch and myself! To get into a superfluous hassle would have been counter productive to that end.
Sorry we don't agree on this or understand each other however your opinion on this matter is totally immaterial as I would do the same thing if confronted with the same set of circumstances. Thanks for your input.

[Drifter]

Well stated, TexasEyes !! Summary version is "Err on the side of caution" which I think is an excellent position for anyone carrying. Doesn't mean we have to agree or like it.

A whole lot of things in this world tic me off, and it seems like the list is getting longer the older I get. I sometimes wonder if the 20 years I spent in the military were worth it, considering some of the attitudes I see running around these days.

My latest tic-off was the article on the front page of today's Houston Chronicle, regarding some DPS Troopers citing drivers for having license plate frames which "obscure" part of the plate. According to the article, one guy wrote 300 tickets recently, and the law changes on Sept 1st.

Talk about a uniform and a little power...... but, I removed my frames, again "on the side of caution". I don't need a $98 ticket (and possible an assault charge.)

[anygunanywhere]

Anygun, I'll make this as simple as I can.
If you had a 13 year old daughter traveling alone in the mix who was fully expecting you to be there when she got off an airplane into a situation she had never been in before, would you have taken the chance of being late or not there at all due to getting into a "right fight" with some dip wad with a little power? As a LEO friend of mine reminded me, "You can beat the wrap but you can't beat the ride!"

Texaseyes, there are multiple issues here that need to be addressed.

I never would urge you to do anything to place your daughter or other family member in jeopardy. I fully agree that since you had to go to the gate to pick up your daughter, you could not carry. I never urged you to try.

I travel 46 weeks a year, am elite on Delta, Northwest, and Continental, and have been through most airports in the lower 48, Canada, and Mexico. I am fairly certain I would not have directed you to try to carry where you would risk arrest, and if I did, please show me. Myself and Texasinvestigator have pointed out to you where you can legally carry in airports with no risk of arrest or prosecution because you are breaking no law.

I previously stated my reason for my decision in this situation. My whole concept for carrying is to protect those on my watch and myself! To get into a superfluous hassle would have been counter productive to that end.
Sorry we don't agree on this or understand each other however your opinion on this matter is totally immaterial as I would do the same thing if confronted with the same set of circumstances. Thanks for your input.

In a previous post I agreed we were not understanding each other, but I hardly think my opinions are immaterial. If so, so are yours.

I am going to pick my daughter up at Bush Intercontinental outside of Houston. What are the rules at Airport Security. I will not be boarding the plane, just going to the waiting area for her to get off.
Will I encounter any problems? Is there a security check point before I get to the waiting area for Continental?

This is your original post. You asked if you could carry to the "waiting area", not the secured area. I answered your initial question, and so did others.

I agree - you should carry to protect yourself and your family. I never told you not to. You are the one who stated you would opt not to carry in a non-secure area of an airport.

I'll make this as simple as I can.

Secure area of an airport = no carry.

Non-secure area of an airport = carry.

This is what I said. Please tell me where we do not agree.

Anygun

[austin]

My guess is that every DFW flight has at least 3 men or women who are either armed or waiting for their arms at the baggage carousel - not counting the FAMs.

[texaseyes]

I need a nap!

[CWOOD]

My latest tic-off was the article on the front page of today's Houston Chronicle, regarding some DPS Troopers citing drivers for having license plate frames which "obscure" part of the plate. According to the article, one guy wrote 300 tickets recently, and the law changes on Sept 1st.

Talk about a uniform and a little power...... but, I removed my frames, again "on the side of caution". I don't need a $98 ticket (and possible an assault charge.)

Actually, this law is nearly 2 years old. There was nearly a year of grace period where only warnings were issued. Your "tic" is a bit late to the party.

The reasoning behind the law is that frequently the frames obscure the state, and year of the plate...particularly many of the out of state plates. The officers don't write the laws. For proper redress, refer your "tic" toward the legisalture. No offence intended.

Now back to the original post.

Gentlemen, I believe nearly everyone is in agreement. In summary:

Gov't owned airport in Texas..
Secured area......CHL carry prohibited
Unsecured area...CHL carry legal

Privately owned airport in Texas...
Secured area (if any).......CHL carry prohibited
30.06 posted area............CHL carry prohibited
Unsecured area not posted.CHL carry legal
Unsecured area w/ 30.06...CHL carry prohibited

Sometimes trying to communicate finer points with email or in a public forum like this, expecially with multiple participants can be difficult. So much is lost without body language and tone of voice. Let's all try to provide a little slack to each other.

And as texaseyes correctly points out.....NAP TIME!

[linh811]

Leave it in your truck and stay out of possible trouble its not worth it just for the 15 to 30 minutes of security.

All airports wish you would not carry in the terminals unless traveling and then you have to follow the rules for that. Hard case and locked away.

Not being a mind reader I don't know how we would know what airport wishes. The rules say that we CHLers can carry in all the public areas of a municipal airport. Except in a 51%er or past the TSA secure zone. I don't believe there are any 51% bars outside the secure zone.

I'm not white.

I don't really care what the law says, doesn't stop powertripping LEO's from stopping, "profiling," and hassling me for no legal reason. I'm more likely to die in the ride to and from the airport than those 15-30 minutes w/o a firearm.