TexasCHLforum.com

About once a month i have a little side gig working security at a mexican rodeo near my house. There are hundreds of drunk Mexican fellas and only 4 of us big ole country boys. The arena that the event is held at belongs to a very good friend and he leases it out to these boys to hold their rodeos. The producer of the rodeo is the one that pays us for our "bouncer" services. I am not a security gaurd. My question is, can i carry while doing this?? I asked a seargent of the sherrifs dept where the event is held and he said it was private property, and i could carry anything i want. Another deputy said he didnt think so because i am not commissioned. I know someone on here knows.....any help would be appreciated, i like the money but i wont do it without my concealed, and i dont want to break the law.

muleman wrote:About once a month i have a little side gig working security at a mexican rodeo near my house. There are hundreds of drunk Mexican fellas and only 4 of us big ole country boys. The arena that the event is held at belongs to a very good friend and he leases it out to these boys to hold their rodeos. The producer of the rodeo is the one that pays us for our "bouncer" services. I am not a security gaurd. My question is, can i carry while doing this?? I asked a seargent of the sherrifs dept where the event is held and he said it was private property, and i could carry anything i want. Another deputy said he didnt think so because i am not commissioned. I know someone on here knows.....any help would be appreciated, i like the money but i wont do it without my concealed, and i dont want to break the law.

Could this be considered a professional sporting event (is their prize money)? I go to the Tejas Rodeo a lot in San Antonio. It is an amateur rodeo but since their is prize money it is illegal to carry.

I can't answer your question....but....my thought is that even on private property that a public event is taking place, if you are acting in a position of security, you need to be a security guard (licensed). If you are armed then you need to be a Commissioned Security Guard. Just the way I see it.

But I have a question for you, is anyone checking ID's of these drunk people for age requirement to consume alcohol? Is alcohol being sold on the premises?

...if they sell alcohol for consumption there...the TABC rules say that only the licensee/permitee may have possession of a firearm(not talking about a CHL)...and may have rules governing "bouncers" and their qualifications...

...if they don't...the "professional sporting event" may kick in....and prevent your carrying under your CHL...

...if you're being paid to do security work, you're a security guard and need to follow the laws and get the licensing that regulate that work...whether in uniform or not...whole different critter...

...rather than trust an opinion, I'd prove out in the laws just what I was doing and what regulates that activity...and come under the protection of the appropriate laws...

...these folks http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/psb/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; are the ones to ask the questions of...they know the laws...

I'd suggest cutting grass for a side gig. Far less civil liability and much safer than the disaster you describe above. Having a CHL and putting on a tight fitting security shirt does not make anyone trained for providing security or crowd control. Even if you figure out a way to legally carry, I can think of few worse ideas.

If this type of work is what you're set on, contact Excaliber and find some training.

There is no alcohol being sold, no one checking anyone's id. They bring coolers in. All we do is break up fights and remove the problem people. Most of the time we just stand around bull'ing.

gigag, I dont even cut my own grass....and i dont wear a security shirt......As far as my training or abilities to handle this deal, you dont even know me. so to assume im not qualified is retarded. I didnt ask for your evaluation of whether you think its a good gig or not, only the legality of carrying concealed in this situation.

Well, you're probably on the cutting edge of case law if you carry. You post no qualifications or licensing to act in a security capacity, so I have to assume you don't hold any. Yet you perform this function...I guess I'm confused then.

I respectfully withdraw my freely posted opinion on the Internet.

...that kind of response to good-natured, well-intended advice when the new guy asks for it kinda tells us a lot...you won't last long in the job you describe with that attitude...and it won't take "hundreds of drunk Mexican fellas"...it'll just take one...the officer was trying to help you stay out of trouble...most of us here appreciate that kind of advice...

I appologize for being snippy. I tend to be too blunt most of the time. If you are concerned for my safety, thank you that is nice of you. I assure you, in the real world i handle people very well. I am not a security gaurd and have no desire to be. This is not much different than a bouncer in a bar as far as the work goes, only there is no bar and its in the middle of no where. I wouldnt dream of carrying until i was sure of the legality of it. Really didnt think about it until the sherrif came through one night and told me i was out of my mind for not carrying.

Speed, what do you mean by "the new guy"? because im not new to carrying. and I have somehow managed to "last" for a good long while now. Worked my way through school at various crappy dives.

...new guy referred to the length of time you've been on the forum...compared to the man who was trying to help you...


...we all have our days...but we're here to get help and to give it...and his years of experience qualify him to try to suggest that what you're asking about might very well cost more than it pays...if it's even legal to do...most of us are old fat grey-headed guys...and it kinda shakes my rocker to see a man out there lookin' for trouble in the first place...let alone takin' offense at being warned off of it...and if you do it, the crowd you speak of will "read" your capabilities like they were printed on your shirt...good professional training will carry you much further than bluff...gun or no gun...the rule #1 is that you stay in good health to enjoy the money you earn...anytime you put your hands on a man, you're holding a grenade...with a loose pin...either you're capable or not...years of handling drunks at bars and parties teach any LEO that...size of the man don't mean a lot...nuff said...

once again you are assuming that i have no training or that im not qualified to do the job....whether or not you agree with how i spend my time has nothing to do with my original question. I understand there are safer things to do, and i certainly dont think im invincible. Im not a kid (42) and im not looking for trouble.

I will find the answer to my question elsewhere. Thanks for your time

Muleman,

It is all good. I don't think anyone is trying to ding you for anything. You keep saying we do not know your capabilities, or qualifications, but you have yet to make mention of them. Perhaps that would help people obtain a different perspective on your question?

RJ

its either legal or not legal. My abilities have nothing to do with it. There are tons of folks out there carrying that probably shouldnt be. but they are doing it legally.

...for the benefit of any of us wanting to do the right thing the right way...from the Texas Private Security office: the owner of a facility or the promoter of an event must contact a LICENSED security company for Texas licensed security people to handle an event...if he "hires good ole boys" to handle it ...both he and they are exposed to tremendous civil liability and are breaking Texas law...
...finally had time to wait it out and call them...

...to be found guilty of that crime while carrying with a CHL would probably cause you to lose your CHL, or, at the least, have it reviewed...


...so you're either a professional...or a thug...your choice...

...in researching this, I also found out another interesting thing:since '99, in Texas if you wanna be a bounty hunter, you either have to be a licensed peace officer, a licensed private detective, or a licensed commissioned security guard...or it's a state jail felony...

muleman wrote:its either legal or not legal. My abilities have nothing to do with it. There are tons of folks out there carrying that probably shouldnt be. but they are doing it legally.

...it is illegal to carry your weapon under authority of your CHL while breaking the law...that oughta nail it...