How was your fair experience?

[rexinthecity]

Chevy display.
All in all, I have to say that they handled it well and were courteous. It goes without saying that it would have been better to be able to just walk on through, but in as much as they were wanding everybody, and presumably for legitimate reasons, they actually seemed like they were as interested in keeping things on the low down as we were and were respectful of our confidentiality. I think that they must have gotten enough flack after last year's fiasco to understand that they don't need to treat us like criminals.

I have no complaints about how it went.

...now the fried beer on the other hand was a huge let-down. I'm just sayin'....

What happened last year?

[C-dub]

I think some letters are in order commending them for the changes.
-They are not having their security handle it, but are referring all CHLs to commissioned police officers.
-They are not placing any burdens on CHL holders other than showing their CHLs to a commissioned officer.
-They have clearly pushed discretion, courtesy, and promptness in their training.
-They are not trying to document anything about the CHL holders.

I'd say some huge accolades are in order for their progress!

[C-dub]

Chevy display.
All in all, I have to say that they handled it well and were courteous. It goes without saying that it would have been better to be able to just walk on through, but in as much as they were wanding everybody, and presumably for legitimate reasons, they actually seemed like they were as interested in keeping things on the low down as we were and were respectful of our confidentiality. I think that they must have gotten enough flack after last year's fiasco to understand that they don't need to treat us like criminals.

I have no complaints about how it went.

...now the fried beer on the other hand was a huge let-down. I'm just sayin'....

What happened last year?

Last year we had personal information being collected by private park security, non-LE personnel. When I went the park person tried to do this, but I argued my case to the police officer that this amounted to a form of registration and also that this information is protected by the state and only available to a LE agency. The park person then tried to get the officer to get the information and, while the officer didn't really want to do that, I also pointed out that without a legitimate reason, that too could be construed as a form of registration. So, other than the short delay, my experience went well since there was no information collected and no on e was shouting about there being someone with a gun. I think I was lucky because of the officer at my gate when I arrived. She didn't want to start collecting information.

As a result of the attempt I contacted each member of the Dallas City Council about this and the few that responded were quite misinformed about where a CHL could and could not carry. One or two of those tried to pass the buck by saying that it was a private security company and they could set their own policies. I don't know if I had any affect or not, but it does sound much better this year.

BTW, I will probably not be going this year for no other reason than we have too much other stuff going on and just don't have the time.

[dicion]

I still want to know why they think the Old Mill is off limits....

If it legitimately is Private Property, and they have a 30.06, that's fine. But if it's Government Property, and not a 51% location, then they are incorrect, and it is legal.

[The Annoyed Man]

BTW, I voted in the poll from my cellphone while at the fair. I had intended to vote for "Escorted to DPD at gate to verify CHL and allowed in," but somehow that got tallied as "Had to wait for security supervisor, showed ID and no info collected." I guess I accidentally checked the wrong selection with my big fat finger.

[Barron76]

I went today with the family, arrived at the south entrance around 1230pm. Received a fairly thorough wanding and already had my CHL in my hand. My wander was fairly clueless, so he shouted over at another wander "hey, have a concealed gun over here!" (nice). Anyway, she came over and escorted me over to the side of the ticket booths and told me to wait for the LEO. 30 seconds later, he showed up. He asked if the address on my ID was still correct and what type of gun I was carrying (not sure why that was important, but I told him). He then told me the two places I couldn't carry (mentioned above), and then just said a few things about being safe and doing all I could to let DPD handle any issues. I was then on my way. No info was collected, LEO was very professional and friendly, and this took only about 60 seconds of my time. So I have no complaints.

Sounds like you & I had the same LEO! I had the exact same experience and questions from the LEO, all in all took about 2 minutes to get thru the gates.
When I got to the security I handed her my CHL she then wanded me, hit my right hip & said "is that it?" then her supervisor came over, she wanded my hip again & told her boss "it's right here!" Needless to say her sup started yelling at her, "I told you if they show you this card DO NOT wand them!" It was pretty funny.

[The Annoyed Man]

I went today with the family, arrived at the south entrance around 1230pm. Received a fairly thorough wanding and already had my CHL in my hand. My wander was fairly clueless, so he shouted over at another wander "hey, have a concealed gun over here!" (nice). Anyway, she came over and escorted me over to the side of the ticket booths and told me to wait for the LEO. 30 seconds later, he showed up. He asked if the address on my ID was still correct and what type of gun I was carrying (not sure why that was important, but I told him). He then told me the two places I couldn't carry (mentioned above), and then just said a few things about being safe and doing all I could to let DPD handle any issues. I was then on my way. No info was collected, LEO was very professional and friendly, and this took only about 60 seconds of my time. So I have no complaints.

Sounds like you & I had the same LEO! I had the exact same experience and questions from the LEO, all in all took about 2 minutes to get thru the gates.
When I got to the security I handed her my CHL she then wanded me, hit my right hip & said "is that it?" then her supervisor came over, she wanded my hip again & told her boss "it's right here!" Needless to say her sup started yelling at her, "I told you if they show you this card DO NOT wand them!" It was pretty funny.

That would have been really funny if she did that to me. I'm left handed.

[Pawpaw]

I told the wander at Gate 11 I needed to speak to a supervisor and was met with a blank stare. Then I just said the magic letters, "CHL", and he got a supervisor's attention. He told the supervisor, as discretely as possible over a 20-30 foot distance, "We need an officer."

They had be stand under a tree, just beyond the wanders, to wait for the officer. Another fair-goer walked up and stood next to me. I looked at him and said, "You too?" He chuckled and said, "Yes." and then the officer arrived.

The officer seemed less than thrilled about the whole thing but he could also have been less than thrilled about working the gate. Either way, he simply looked over my DL, CHL, & retired military ID card and told me to, "Keep it concealed."

He turned and started to walk away, so I and the other guy had to call him back. Apparently, he thought we were together.

Edit: I didn't check on the Old Mill because... well, I just don't care.

[Dragonfighter]

BTW, I voted in the poll from my cellphone while at the fair. I had intended to vote for "Escorted to DPD at gate to verify CHL and allowed in," but somehow that got tallied as "Had to wait for security supervisor, showed ID and no info collected." I guess I accidentally checked the wrong selection with my big fat finger.

I'll fix it when I compound everything.

[jeff5725us]

Before I found this forum, I emailed the State Fair PR office asking if it was legal, as a Texas CHL holder, to bring my weapon on State Fair grounds. Here is the response I got. I read between the lines "leave your gun at home".

Yes, but you need to be prepared to show your license and your weapon must be totally concealed.



We have an abundance of security (police) at the Fair.



Thanks,



Debbie Flatt

Public Relations

State Fair of Texas

P O Box 150009

Dallas TX 75315

Phone: 214.421.8715

[Keith B]

I still want to know why they think the Old Mill is off limits....

If it legitimately is Private Property, and they have a 30.06, that's fine. But if it's Government Property, and not a 51% location, then they are incorrect, and it is legal.

The Old Mill is privately owned.

[Keith B]

Before I found this forum, I emailed the State Fair PR office asking if it was legal, as a Texas CHL holder, to bring my weapon on State Fair grounds. Here is the response I got. I read between the lines "leave your gun at home".

Yes, but you need to be prepared to show your license and your weapon must be totally concealed.



We have an abundance of security (police) at the Fair.



Thanks,



Debbie Flatt

Public Relations

State Fair of Texas

P O Box 150009

Dallas TX 75315

Phone: 214.421.8715

First off, welcome to the forum.

The Fair's website tells you it's legal. You are just getting the opinion of a PR person who has no authority since the Fairgrounds is owned by the City of Dallas and they cannot legally prohibit concealed carry.

So, in other words, carry away and don't what their opinion is.

[sjfcontrol]

Yes, but you need to be prepared to show your license and your weapon must be totally concealed.

Ahhh! TOTALLY concealed. That's different!

[BrianSW99]

...now the fried beer on the other hand was a huge let-down. I'm just sayin'....

I expected as much. I think it won the creativity award, not necessarily on taste. Now, the fried frito chili pie is what I'm interested in trying :)

[Hoi Polloi]

Yes, but you need to be prepared to show your license and your weapon must be totally concealed.

We have an abundance of security (police) at the Fair.

Now that was a really great PR piece, huh?

I'll re-write it for her...

Mr. Us:

Howdy! Thank you for contacting the State Fair of Texas! In response to your inquiry: Concealed Handgun License holders are welcome to attend the fair with their legally concealed firearms.

If you choose to attend the fair with a concealed firearm, the gate supervisor will escort you to a commissioned police officer who will verify that you have a current valid CHL before your admittance. Having your CHL out or easily accessible will make this process go quickly and smoothly.

As a courtesy, I'll point out that the Old Mill Inn is a private restaurant on the fair grounds which is 30.06 posted. [My note: that isn't confirmed about why the Old Mill Inn is supposedly off-limits.] CHL holders would also not be able to go in the Cotton Bowl which is only open for a collegiate sporting event as we host the Red River Shoot-Out between the University of Texas and University of Oklahoma football teams each year.

We pride ourselves on the great food and great fun we provide to this great state every year, so you will find that we have an abundance of security and police on and around the fair grounds should you have any difficulties while at the fair.

We look forward to welcoming you to the State Fair of Texas!

Sincerely,
PR Lady's Helpful Alternate Personality