Houston Livestock Show/Rodeo to Prohibit OC

[RossA]

There is no question that the AG could take action immediately, not necessarily fines until the official process is used, but in making a short phone call to county officials telling them that all it takes is a few days to activate the official notification process, and if they don't fix things right away, he will act. Of course, that takes political will.
As far as the time investment by the AG, a few phone calls to get the illegal prohibitions removed takes a lot less time than actually going through the official process.

[TexasCajun]

I just looked at the HLSR map online. They show 8 ticketed entrance gates. The livestock show & rodeo runs from Mar 1 - Mar 20. If you conservatively estimate 1 sign per entrance & allow for the 3 days to remedy, this could cost Harris county $136,000. Not a staggering amount given the overall size of the county budget. But not exactly an amount they could just waive off.

[Middle Age Russ]

Interesting news... We showed animals at the Livestock Show for many years, often using the entrance for exhibitors, but sometimes coming in through the main gates. During these years, I was never once wanded, nor was anyone in my family. If they are now wanding folks, that process has only begun during the last couple of years.

Regarding the Livestock Show and possible argument that it is a school event... Many of the breed shows, as well as some of the species shows encompassed in the overall Livestock Show are OPEN shows rather than YOUTH shows. Only the specific events that require entry through an FFA advisor or 4-H leader/extension agent could be considered school events, and they are but a portion of what is going on in the building. If someone is trying to label the Livestock Show as a School event for legal purposes, I am of the opinion that they are over-stepping considerably. It would be like saying that due to a field trip to the Museum, it is legally a school event that day and off-limits.

[txyaloo]

Interesting news... We showed animals at the Livestock Show for many years, often using the entrance for exhibitors, but sometimes coming in through the main gates. During these years, I was never once wanded, nor was anyone in my family. If they are now wanding folks, that process has only begun during the last couple of years.

Regarding the Livestock Show and possible argument that it is a school event... Many of the breed shows, as well as some of the species shows encompassed in the overall Livestock Show are OPEN shows rather than YOUTH shows. Only the specific events that require entry through an FFA advisor or 4-H leader/extension agent could be considered school events, and they are but a portion of what is going on in the building. If someone is trying to label the Livestock Show as a School event for legal purposes, I am of the opinion that they are over-stepping considerably. It would be like saying that due to a field trip to the Museum, it is legally a school event that day and off-limits.

IIRC, the wanding began about 3 years ago. Last year they had walk through magnetometers.

[Scott in Houston]

I'm surprised this isn't getting more run on this forum.

I am a bit in shock that the HLSR is about to get away with this.
There's no way the AG does anything in time. (I'm starting to wonder if he will ever act on any protest filed...)

I plan to CC to the BBQ Cook Off which occurs just prior to the official start of the Live Stock Show and Rodeo.
There is no way they can argue that the grounds are off limits for a school event or the rodeo as neither will be started.
Their only stance would be 30.06 which we all know is not enforceable on pucblic property.

This should be interesting.

[Divided Attention]

That's not new. There always have been.
You just showed your CHL to the LEO working the gates and you were let through.

In re-reading your post... The actual livestock show is a grey area. It could be seen as an "educational event" as it's mostly students, etc.
The initial entrances to the fair grounds have always had detectors as did the entrance to the Rodeo itself, but never the Live Stock Show.[/quote]

You do not have to be part of a school to participate in the livestock show. We spent at least a week there for years showing livestock. We never encountered metal detectors unless we were going to the Rodeo itself. Going out to the parking lot in the dark after a 16 hour day of dealing with cattle or whatnot it is nice to have the proper tools

[Scott in Houston]

Read this article. This is not like last year. This is the first year they're saying "banned carry" everywhere.
The President said that as a private organization, it's their right.
They're going full-force against OC and CC this year.

[The Badger531]

THERE WILL BE METAL DETECTORS AT ALL THE ENTRANCES TO THE FAIR GROUNDS From What KPRC News Reported

[Scott in Houston]

THERE WILL BE METAL DETECTORS AT ALL THE ENTRANCES TO THE FAIR GROUNDS From What KPRC News Reported

There always have been. The question is whether a LTC will be allowed through. In the past, you could walk over to the LEO, show your CHL and be let in without going through the detectors.

[winters]

The President said that as a private organization, it's their right.

Then they can go build their own facilities on land they purchased with their own money. Then they can make up whatever rules they want.



Though it really doesn't matter to me. I attended once and never could figure out what the big deal about it was.

[anygunanywhere]

The HLSR elites have spoken under protection of Harris County. The commoners must obey. Buy your tickets! Eat, drink, be merry….unarmed.

[RossA]

Speaking out against HLSR in Houston is like speaking against the Catholic Church in Rome.
Someone in authority will have to find some male hormones to stand up to them. Or, unfortunately, some citizen will have to be willing to take the ride to have this beaten in court.
I guess there is a possibility that private citizens could file for an injunction to keep this from being enforced. Wonder what Charles thinks about this idea?
As a matter of fact, that would be a great new addition to the law for the next Legislature. A specific provision allowing citizens, not just the AG, to bring injunctions against illegally posted areas.

[TexasCajun]

Speaking out against HLSR in Houston is like speaking against the Catholic Church in Rome.
Someone in authority will have to find some male hormones to stand up to them. Or, unfortunately, some citizen will have to be willing to take the ride to have this beaten in court.
I guess there is a possibility that private citizens could file for an injunction to keep this from being enforced. Wonder what Charles thinks about this idea?
As a matter of fact, that would be a great new addition to the law for the next Legislature. A specific provision allowing citizens, not just the AG, to bring injunctions against illegally posted areas.

Given the speed at which the AG's office is "addressing" the current list of offenders, that might not be a bad idea. But in the interim, I'm considering reaching out to the author of SB273, Sen Campbell, as well as to the TSRA to see what can be done about this. The HLSR president is on record saying that they intend to violate the law and the county is silent on the issue. If the county is going to ignore this & the AG's office won't act, what was the point of passing the law?

[Dan20703]

I'm surprised this isn't getting more run on this forum.

I am a bit in shock that the HLSR is about to get away with this.
There's no way the AG does anything in time. (I'm starting to wonder if he will ever act on any protest filed...)

I plan to CC to the BBQ Cook Off which occurs just prior to the official start of the Live Stock Show and Rodeo.
There is no way they can argue that the grounds are off limits for a school event or the rodeo as neither will be started.
Their only stance would be 30.06 which we all know is not enforceable on public property.

This should be interesting.

Please let us know what happens ASAP. I planned on attending the BBQ on Friday.
Below is the response to an email concerning this from previous years. I have not received a response yet this year.

"Anyone wanting to bring a concealed handgun onto the grounds must present themselves to a HPD security officer before they enter the gates and show the officer their CHL license -- and, if requested, their weapon. The license will be checked out to see if it is valid and/or expired. If there is an issue with their license, then they could be turned away from entering the Reliant Park grounds.

Thanks!

Stephanie"

[Charles L. Cotton]

Someone needs to file a complaint with Harris County now. The Rodeo has already made a public statement banning open and concealed carry and that triggers SB273's provisions. The County will have three days to "cure" this notice. Since the notice was oral rather than a sign, the retraction must also be oral. Three days after filing the notice with Harris County, file a complaint with the AG. The AG must give fifteen days to cure and, again, the only cure will be oral retraction. Since the rodeo is more than 15 days away, and lasts more than 15 days to boot, the $1,500 per day per sign fine will attach.

Chas.