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Dallas Love Field: I might have broken the law.

Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 12:02 am
by nitrogen
I went to pick my fianceé up from Dallas Love Field today. I entered through the baggage-claim door, which had no sign of any kind posted.
We met up, and went to a ticket counter to resolve some issues, and left through the "arrival" enterance, where I saw A Sign.

I wish I could remember the exact wording, but it contained a "ghostbusters" type graphic, with wording saying guns were not allowed, even if you were a CHL holder, and how it was a Class A Misdemeanor to carry one.

I just wish they would have posted both enterances, if they didn't want me carrying. I'd have most likely honored their wishes if they had done so, regardless of legality.

Now I know the sign is not legal. I'm wondering if there's some type of law I might have not previously known about carrying in the non-secured area of an airport? As far as I know, there's no Federal requirement about it...

Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 12:15 am
by KBCraig
If you didn't pass through a security checkpoint, then you didn't break any laws, state, federal, or otherwise.

Relax about it.

Kevin

Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 9:13 am
by Charles L. Cotton
Most of the "ghostbusters" signs you see around the State are left over from pre-30.06 days.

Chas.

Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 9:49 am
by nitrogen
OK, so basically there's no state law banning carry in the unsecured area of an airport.

That's what I thought. Thanks.

Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 3:53 pm
by jimlongley
The signs at Dallas Love Field reference 30.05 and claim that it applies to CHL holders. I have discussed the issue with several LEOs that work at Love (I worked there for three years) and most of the LEOs at least tacitly agree that the signs mean nothing.

I have a picture of the sign somewhere around, it's really kind of funny.

The baggage claim area doors do not have the signs, but most of the sidewalk level entrances do, and the entances from the parking garages do not.

I wrote a letter about the signs a long while back, addressed to the city, Laura Miller, and the city council, but never received a reply.

Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 11:08 am
by Hickeroar
nitrogen wrote:OK, so basically there's no state law banning carry in the unsecured area of an airport.

That's what I thought. Thanks.
From what I understood, You can't carry on the premises of an airport. (premises meaning inside any building). Isn't that what it says right in the CHL manual or am I missing something?

Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 12:02 pm
by ElGato
It's the ''secured area of an airport'' meaning past the metal detector, or an area of an airport terminal building to which access is controled by inspection of persons and property under federal law.

Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 12:31 pm
by cyphur
For the most part, only LEOs or military-en-route/posted can carry in the secure side. Not even TSA carries back there(they have DPS do all the dirty work).

Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 1:30 pm
by jimlongley
cyphur wrote:For the most part, only LEOs or military-en-route/posted can carry in the secure side. Not even TSA carries back there(they have DPS do all the dirty work).
Actually DPS has to get escorted in, either by TSA or DPD, and "certain" TSA personnel do carry "back there."

I am flying out through Love Field tomorrow, unfortunately to MO, so I won't be taking a gun, but I will have a camera so I will try to remember to get new pics of Love's interesting signage.

Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 1:37 pm
by txinvestigator
Hickeroar wrote:
nitrogen wrote:OK, so basically there's no state law banning carry in the unsecured area of an airport.

That's what I thought. Thanks.
From what I understood, You can't carry on the premises of an airport. (premises meaning inside any building). Isn't that what it says right in the CHL manual or am I missing something?
§ 46.03. PLACES WEAPONS PROHIBITED. (a) A person commits
an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly
possesses or goes with a firearm, illegal knife, club, or
prohibited weapon listed in Section 46.05(a):

(5) in or into a secured area of an airport;

Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 2:13 pm
by cyphur
jimlongley wrote:
cyphur wrote:For the most part, only LEOs or military-en-route/posted can carry in the secure side. Not even TSA carries back there(they have DPS do all the dirty work).
Actually DPS has to get escorted in, either by TSA or DPD, and "certain" TSA personnel do carry "back there."

I am flying out through Love Field tomorrow, unfortunately to MO, so I won't be taking a gun, but I will have a camera so I will try to remember to get new pics of Love's interesting signage.
I was referring to the DPS officers who work at the airport for the most part. Them, FAMs, and other federal agents are the main ones who tend to carry in the secure side.

However, unless you work the airport on a regular basis, I do believe you are correct in needing to be escorted or cleared all the same.

Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 2:22 pm
by KBCraig
jimlongley wrote:I am flying out through Love Field tomorrow, unfortunately to MO, so I won't be taking a gun,
Why not? Missouri recognizes the Texas CHL.

Kevin

Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 2:23 pm
by jimlongley
cyphur wrote:
jimlongley wrote:
cyphur wrote:For the most part, only LEOs or military-en-route/posted can carry in the secure side. Not even TSA carries back there(they have DPS do all the dirty work).
Actually DPS has to get escorted in, either by TSA or DPD, and "certain" TSA personnel do carry "back there."

I am flying out through Love Field tomorrow, unfortunately to MO, so I won't be taking a gun, but I will have a camera so I will try to remember to get new pics of Love's interesting signage.
I was referring to the DPS officers who work at the airport for the most part. Them, FAMs, and other federal agents are the main ones who tend to carry in the secure side.

However, unless you work the airport on a regular basis, I do believe you are correct in needing to be escorted or cleared all the same.
I worked at Love Field for three years, there are no DPS personnel assigned there, just DPD.

Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 5:01 pm
by Braden
I carried many, many times on the "secure" side of Terminal D at DFW Airport, but technically it wasn't secure yet because it was still under construction. ;-)

I can tell you that they have a really nice gun locker room in that terminal filled with lots of really nice weapons. :cool:

Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 8:32 pm
by jimlongley
KBCraig wrote:
jimlongley wrote:I am flying out through Love Field tomorrow, unfortunately to MO, so I won't be taking a gun,
Why not? Missouri recognizes the Texas CHL.

Kevin
Should have added; "for just one day, nothing but carry on bags,"

Quick turnaround, it's too much of a hassle to have to check a bag.