Ft Worth Stock Show

[Duckdaddy]

Im more confused than ever..

[fickman]

I'll restate my experience:
1. The area is owned by the City of Fort Worth, so even if it is posted, it is not technically enforceable according to the way the law reads. There have been no test cases of this to my knowledge, so opinions on the risk / reward of carrying past these types of signs seem vary by the individual.

2. I went in the door by the Texas Room exhibit hall where the gun shows normally are. I went out of my way to look for 30.06 signs on the doors, near the ticket-taker, and on the island of signs on the concrete entryway. We already had tickets, so I didn't have to go up to the ticket booth, but if they had one, it would not have been compliant unless it was inside the booth on the back or side wall.

3. We did not attend a professional rodeo while there.

4. There were no metal detectors and they did not search our bags.

5. The competitors with livestock on display drive in another entrance altogether, and I can guarantee you there are dozens upon dozens of concealed carry firearms among their ranks.

6. A fun and safe time was had by all.

[cb1000rider]

I'll nit-pick. A 30.06 on a city owned building is enforceable. If you want to know the policy of the PD on enforcing that particular posting, feel free to inquire directly with the PD. I've done it before. I'd recommend that you inquire in an unarmed manner and it might be worth recording (Texas is a single party state).

A 30.06 on a city owned building can be enforced.. And historically *some* PDs have indicated a willingness to enforce. Some have indicated that they would not enforce. If you're subject to enforcement, the law should protect you from successful prosecution. There is zero protection from enforcement.

IMHO - there is very little downside to a PD that chooses to enforce. The fine print in the current law that excludes 30.06 from allowable enforcement locations is just that.. fine print - and it's not going to be "commonly known" - as such, officers are likely indemnified if they claim that they don't know the law.

Charles has some draft legislation that might make it more risky for jurisdictions to post invalid signs and I think it'd go a long way to make this problem go away.

[ralewis]

I'll nit-pick. A 30.06 on a city owned building is enforceable. If you want to know the policy of the PD on enforcing that particular posting, feel free to inquire directly with the PD. I've done it before. I'd recommend that you inquire in an unarmed manner and it might be worth recording (Texas is a single party state).

A 30.06 on a city owned building can be enforced.. And historically *some* PDs have indicated a willingness to enforce. Some have indicated that they would not enforce. If you're subject to enforcement, the law should protect you from successful prosecution. There is zero protection from enforcement.

IMHO - there is very little downside to a PD that chooses to enforce. The fine print in the current law that excludes 30.06 from allowable enforcement locations is just that.. fine print - and it's not going to be "commonly known" - as such, officers are likely indemnified if they claim that they don't know the law.

Charles has some draft legislation that might make it more risky for jurisdictions to post invalid signs and I think it'd go a long way to make this problem go away.

So what you are saying is Law Enforcement can make up their own laws or contradict an existing law? Below is paragraph (e) from the 30.06 statue. Seems pretty clear that it's not enforceable.

(e) It is an exception to the application of this section that the property on which the license holder carries a handgun is owned or leased by a governmental entity and is not a premises or other place on which the license holder is prohibited from carrying the handgun under Section 46.03 or 46.035. - See more at: http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/txstatutes/ ... pOfmA.dpuf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[RogueUSMC]

I'll nit-pick. A 30.06 on a city owned building is enforceable. If you want to know the policy of the PD on enforcing that particular posting, feel free to inquire directly with the PD. I've done it before. I'd recommend that you inquire in an unarmed manner and it might be worth recording (Texas is a single party state).

A 30.06 on a city owned building can be enforced.. And historically *some* PDs have indicated a willingness to enforce. Some have indicated that they would not enforce. If you're subject to enforcement, the law should protect you from successful prosecution. There is zero protection from enforcement.

IMHO - there is very little downside to a PD that chooses to enforce. The fine print in the current law that excludes 30.06 from allowable enforcement locations is just that.. fine print - and it's not going to be "commonly known" - as such, officers are likely indemnified if they claim that they don't know the law.

Charles has some draft legislation that might make it more risky for jurisdictions to post invalid signs and I think it'd go a long way to make this problem go away.

So what you are saying is Law Enforcement can make up their own laws or contradict an existing law? Below is paragraph (e) from the 30.06 statue. Seems pretty clear that it's not enforceable.

(e) It is an exception to the application of this section that the property on which the license holder carries a handgun is owned or leased by a governmental entity and is not a premises or other place on which the license holder is prohibited from carrying the handgun under Section 46.03 or 46.035. - See more at: http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/txstatutes/ ... pOfmA.dpuf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Technically, yes. he is right. The state statute says it is a defense to prosecution. If a PD does this as a general practice, the best we can hope for is a cease and desist letter from the AG.

[cyphertext]

So, I would say it is a professional sporting event. Same with NASCAR, Wrestling, etc.

Now, it may not be what the original intent of the statute was for (football, baseball, basketball, etc), but I definitely would not want to be a test case when it's that easy to find those words associated with rodeo from reliable sources.

While I agree with Rodeo being a sporting event, not sure on the wrestling. Since it is scripted and the outcome is predetermined, is that truly a "sporting event"? More like a stunt show...

[Keith B]

So, I would say it is a professional sporting event. Same with NASCAR, Wrestling, etc.

Now, it may not be what the original intent of the statute was for (football, baseball, basketball, etc), but I definitely would not want to be a test case when it's that easy to find those words associated with rodeo from reliable sources.

While I agree with Rodeo being a sporting event, not sure on the wrestling. Since it is scripted and the outcome is predetermined, is that truly a "sporting event"? More like a stunt show...

I agree professional wrestling is more performance art and would be a stretch to call it a sport. Collegiate or high school wrestling is a definitely a sport though and covered under school sponsored event.

Bottom line, I think the 'professional sporting event' was more aimed at football, baseball and basketball, but there are many other things that a creative DA could consider a professional sport and potentially convince a jury that it met the definition. Better safe than sorry unless you have several thousand dollars to spend being a test case.

[cyphertext]

So, I would say it is a professional sporting event. Same with NASCAR, Wrestling, etc.

Now, it may not be what the original intent of the statute was for (football, baseball, basketball, etc), but I definitely would not want to be a test case when it's that easy to find those words associated with rodeo from reliable sources.

While I agree with Rodeo being a sporting event, not sure on the wrestling. Since it is scripted and the outcome is predetermined, is that truly a "sporting event"? More like a stunt show...

I agree professional wrestling is more performance art and would be a stretch to call it a sport. Collegiate or high school wrestling is a definitely a sport though and covered under school sponsored event.

Bottom line, I think the 'professional sporting event' was more aimed at football, baseball and basketball, but there are many other things that a creative DA could consider a professional sport and potentially convince a jury that it met the definition. Better safe than sorry unless you have several thousand dollars to spend being a test case.

I agree... While fun to debate on the internet, I'm not willing to be the test case. Rodeo, monster truck, motocross, tractor pull... all would meet the sporting definition. I would argue the wrestling though.

[cb1000rider]

So what you are saying is Law Enforcement can make up their own laws or contradict an existing law? Below is paragraph (e) from the 30.06 statue. Seems pretty clear that it's not enforceable.
(e) It is an exception to the application of this section that the property on which the license holder carries a handgun is owned or leased by a governmental entity and is not a premises or other place on which the license holder is prohibited from carrying the handgun under Section 46.03 or 46.035. - See more at: http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/txstatutes/ ... pOfmA.dpuf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm saying a few things:
1) LEOs often have a very tough job. They may choose to enforce policies of higher ups, even if that flies in the face of the law. Look back at the conflicts related to segregation if you want some crystal clear examples.
2) LEOs have an "out" if they arrest (for whatever reason) and then turn out to be wrong about the law. That out is called "qualified immunity". Because the 30.06 law has a lot of "fine print" - my guess not-a-lawyer guess is that qualified immunity applies. I don't think you'll get an officer to testify that he knew the law and arrested anyway. The only other possible disciplinary thing that can happen is departmental and we've got circumstances where LEOs are enforcing departmental policy - they won't be disciplined.

Right now there is really nothing we can do invalid 30.06 signs are posted. Look for legislation that changes it.. Or actively support legislation that could change it.

[ralewis]

Oh, I agree there can be bad cops who decide what is legal and what's not based on ignorance, bias, or ideology. But that can be said of anything. If a LEO was in a 7-11 in front of the "unlicensed" BLUE sign but decided that it meant that you couldn't carry there, I suppose he can arrest you. At some point this is a state/country of laws. I'm content and convinced that the sign is unenforceable, and I'd be very motivated to sue/embarrass a LEO who decides to make up laws. By your logic you shouldn't carry anywhere because a LEO somewhere might just decide he doesn't like it and arrest you.

So what you are saying is Law Enforcement can make up their own laws or contradict an existing law? Below is paragraph (e) from the 30.06 statue. Seems pretty clear that it's not enforceable.
(e) It is an exception to the application of this section that the property on which the license holder carries a handgun is owned or leased by a governmental entity and is not a premises or other place on which the license holder is prohibited from carrying the handgun under Section 46.03 or 46.035. - See more at: http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/txstatutes/ ... pOfmA.dpuf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm saying a few things:
1) LEOs often have a very tough job. They may choose to enforce policies of higher ups, even if that flies in the face of the law. Look back at the conflicts related to segregation if you want some crystal clear examples.
2) LEOs have an "out" if they arrest (for whatever reason) and then turn out to be wrong about the law. That out is called "qualified immunity". Because the 30.06 law has a lot of "fine print" - my guess not-a-lawyer guess is that qualified immunity applies. I don't think you'll get an officer to testify that he knew the law and arrested anyway. The only other possible disciplinary thing that can happen is departmental and we've got circumstances where LEOs are enforcing departmental policy - they won't be disciplined.

Right now there is really nothing we can do invalid 30.06 signs are posted. Look for legislation that changes it.. Or actively support legislation that could change it.

[cb1000rider]

Oh, I agree there can be bad cops who decide what is legal and what's not based on ignorance, bias, or ideology. But that can be said of anything. If a LEO was in a 7-11 in front of the "unlicensed" BLUE sign but decided that it meant that you couldn't carry there, I suppose he can arrest you. At some point this is a state/country of laws. I'm content and convinced that the sign is unenforceable, and I'd be very motivated to sue/embarrass a LEO who decides to make up laws. By your logic you shouldn't carry anywhere because a LEO somewhere might just decide he doesn't like it and arrest you.

First, I'm unwilling to call these people "bad cops". Often they're following the rules of their department and/or supervisor. They're trying to keep their jobs.

The example that you provide is a bit more black and white. That sign says "unlicensed possession" - it's pretty clear what that means and I'd assert that making a false arrest based on it probably isn't covered by qualified immunity. That is, knowing that the law doesn't apply to someone with a license is something that a regular person should probably know. Like you, I'd almost welcome that arrest because it's so bad that it would come with consequences - both disciplinary and likely civil damages.

The key here is that I personally believe that qualified immunity applies in the 30.06 case of a city owned building.. There's very little downside to arresting in that circumstance. I'd be careful.

And let me be clear, I've asked LEOs about these unenforceable signs. I have gotten answers like "I'm not going to make illegal arrest". The real problem here is not the LEOs, but the guys that are putting LEOs in a position where they have to decide between a departmental policy and the law.

[Glockster]

Oh, I agree there can be bad cops who decide what is legal and what's not based on ignorance, bias, or ideology. But that can be said of anything. If a LEO was in a 7-11 in front of the "unlicensed" BLUE sign but decided that it meant that you couldn't carry there, I suppose he can arrest you. At some point this is a state/country of laws. I'm content and convinced that the sign is unenforceable, and I'd be very motivated to sue/embarrass a LEO who decides to make up laws. By your logic you shouldn't carry anywhere because a LEO somewhere might just decide he doesn't like it and arrest you.

So what you are saying is Law Enforcement can make up their own laws or contradict an existing law? Below is paragraph (e) from the 30.06 statue. Seems pretty clear that it's not enforceable.
(e) It is an exception to the application of this section that the property on which the license holder carries a handgun is owned or leased by a governmental entity and is not a premises or other place on which the license holder is prohibited from carrying the handgun under Section 46.03 or 46.035. - See more at: http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/txstatutes/ ... pOfmA.dpuf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm saying a few things:
1) LEOs often have a very tough job. They may choose to enforce policies of higher ups, even if that flies in the face of the law. Look back at the conflicts related to segregation if you want some crystal clear examples.
2) LEOs have an "out" if they arrest (for whatever reason) and then turn out to be wrong about the law. That out is called "qualified immunity". Because the 30.06 law has a lot of "fine print" - my guess not-a-lawyer guess is that qualified immunity applies. I don't think you'll get an officer to testify that he knew the law and arrested anyway. The only other possible disciplinary thing that can happen is departmental and we've got circumstances where LEOs are enforcing departmental policy - they won't be disciplined.

Right now there is really nothing we can do invalid 30.06 signs are posted. Look for legislation that changes it.. Or actively support legislation that could change it.

Which does happen. I'm from a state that has constitutional open carry and have read of cases where an arrest was made based on nothing more than that - and the person arrested is cleared but has "lost" anyway because they had to pay their own legal expenses with no recourse due to qualified immunity. And one particular example comes to mind regarding a case of claimed brandishing based on a security guard (who if I remember correctly was an off duty LEO) not liking a finger being shaken at him.

[ralewis]

Oh, I agree there can be bad cops who decide what is legal and what's not based on ignorance, bias, or ideology. But that can be said of anything. If a LEO was in a 7-11 in front of the "unlicensed" BLUE sign but decided that it meant that you couldn't carry there, I suppose he can arrest you. At some point this is a state/country of laws. I'm content and convinced that the sign is unenforceable, and I'd be very motivated to sue/embarrass a LEO who decides to make up laws. By your logic you shouldn't carry anywhere because a LEO somewhere might just decide he doesn't like it and arrest you.

First, I'm unwilling to call these people "bad cops". Often they're following the rules of their department and/or supervisor. They're trying to keep their jobs.

The example that you provide is a bit more black and white. That sign says "unlicensed possession" - it's pretty clear what that means and I'd assert that making a false arrest based on it probably isn't covered by qualified immunity. That is, knowing that the law doesn't apply to someone with a license is something that a regular person should probably know. Like you, I'd almost welcome that arrest because it's so bad that it would come with consequences - both disciplinary and likely civil damages.

The key here is that I personally believe that qualified immunity applies in the 30.06 case of a city owned building.. There's very little downside to arresting in that circumstance. I'd be careful.

And let me be clear, I've asked LEOs about these unenforceable signs. I have gotten answers like "I'm not going to make illegal arrest". The real problem here is not the LEOs, but the guys that are putting LEOs in a position where they have to decide between a departmental policy and the law.

How is the BLUE Unlicensed Possession sign any more clear than the stature where it says 30.06 doesn't apply to publicly owned property?

I do understand what you are saying though, and it frustrates me that all of us here who debate these things and are diligent about following the law yet still are concerned about an individual LEO or agency having a policy/bias.

[cb1000rider]

How is the BLUE Unlicensed Possession sign any more clear than the stature where it says 30.06 doesn't apply to publicly owned property?

This is my opinion - and it'd come down to the opinion of 12 people or one judge:

The blue sign says "unlicensed possession" - clearly, if you're carrying a license, that's licensed possession. I'd expect anyone with a high school education to be able to figure that out.
The 30.06 sign does not include any verbiage that indicates it doesn't apply if presented at a city owned building. That particular exclusionary verbiage is found in the penal code. We don't expect "most people" to have that knowledge. We can argue about if LEOs "should" have that knowledge, but that's not the qualified immunity bar.

The "most people" bar is what is used to determine qualified immunity. Most people don't know that 30.06 is invalid on city owned buildings (some exceptions, of course). I play "real nice" with those circumstances - IE, I don't argue, because I believe that a LEO gets a pass if he arrests in that circumstance. It's also fairly well documented that PDs have policies to ignore the law and enforce anyway. That's just reality. I'm always curious, curious enough to ask, but I record it. It can expose bad policy - which may be accidental or intentional.

I do understand what you are saying though, and it frustrates me that all of us here who debate these things and are diligent about following the law yet still are concerned about an individual LEO or agency having a policy/bias.

It frustrates me too, but it teaches me a lot about what to look for in good legislation. Right now there is nothing we can do about 30.06 being posted on city owned buildings. Sometimes this works to our advantage - right now there is nothing a LEO can do if we're carrying, get pulled over, and don't provide a CHL.. It's a punshmentless crime...

Again - read through some of Chas' proposed legislation.. I know he's proposed something recently that would allow citizens to file civil action against the city for posting those signs. That goes into law, they won't be able to remove those signs fast enough.

[fickman]

The summary is something we've discussed on the forum many times:

You might beat the charge, but you could take the ride.

It's a sad state of affairs as I believe the law is written very clearly, but each person needs to do their own calculation of the "cost" of being right vs. the risk of not carrying. We reserve the right to be right and broke at the same time. This shouldn't be the decision we're left with, but it is.

In other words: are you willing to be the test case. For gun shows, I'm not, mainly because they have off duty LEOs enforcing the unenforceable sign. I just email the guy every time and tell him he's an idiot, then keep my money away from his show.

For the Stock Show, not only am I right in carrying, but there's less risk of being found out and being the test case if you stay properly concealed.