A disappointing State Fair episode 10-1-09

[C-dub]

Today's the last day, so it must be tonight.

[wford]

Given the following I wonder how much the Fair Officials will care about the CHL voice.

After three weeks of soggy weather and lagging crowds, the State Fair of Texas ended Sunday with what was likely the biggest weekend in the fair's 123-year history.

[Nintao]

Mr. Longley great letter!

I had 2 free tickets to go this year, and gave them away! They didn't get any of my money this year!

[shoeless]

I went to the fair yesterday. As we were getting ready to leave the house, I told my wife, "I'm going to be carrying, so there might be something I have to do when we pass through security, just to let you know". She said "no problem, just keep us safe". After parking in the "on-site" lot that had us almost in Mesquite, we walk to the tram, ride to the drop off, walk to the gate area and toward security. They're checking bags and wanding about every 3rd person. I have my CHL in my hand, just in case I get wanded. Sure enough, wand comes out and beeps at my right hip. I discretely show the security guy my CHL. This is where it gets funny.... He looks around a little confused, sees the DPD officer in the chair stand - INSIDE THE GATE - and says I need to check in with him. No problem on my end. I go up and buy my ticket, with the family waiting (they had free tickets already). We go through the turnstile and into the fair. I tell my wife that I'm supposed to check in with the DPD officer. Now, remember, we are already inside the fair grounds and no security guys have escorted me or even kept an eye on me. Being an honest guy and not wanting to get stopped 15 feet further in (just in case), I see that the chair stand officer is talking to someone, but there is another officer standing not too far behind him. I approach the officer, show him my CHL and explain that the security guy said I needed to check in with a DPD officer. He asks if I had filled out any paperwork because I was supposed to. I said that I hadn't and wasn't told to. He looks at the CHL again, looks at me and says "Well, your already in here, and you checked in, looks good to me, have a great time at the fair". I was a little concerned, so I asked "You sure that's it?" and he said "Yep, no problem on my end".

Horrible security protocol, but great experience with the officer!

[PUCKER]

I didn't go this year, I had thought about it up until this thread started (23 pages ago!!). If I did HAVE to go (due to wife, inlaws, etc., although I don't think the wife would want to force the issue due to all of the things that this thread talks about) I wouldn't volunteer that I was CHL unless the wander/security folks got a "beep" and then I'd produce a metal object (keys, coins, etc) that was in the area and hopefully that would be enough to placate them (thank you sir, go ahead on in)...showing them CHL would be a last resort (hey, they are NOT LEO, right? And if there were LEO, they are not asking for ID, at this point, meaning until they know you are CHL).

[Fotopro]

I went to the fair this year. I rode TRE and then DART. I was carrying. I wasn't aware of any fair regulations re: CHL.
I wasn't wanded even though I had a $2000 camera and a waist belt full of batteries, etc.

p.s. I shot a bunch of people while I was there....

film at eleven.

[dpet]

Went to the fair on Friday after reading this thread. Despite my reservations of having to fill out my info, I decided to go ahead and carry. Told my girlfriend about it and that I may have to take care of a few things before going in. Rode the DART in (first time to carry on a train) and headed to the front gate. I noticed the "security" was not very thorough with their wanding. I decided I'd go on through and only present my CHL if asked. I'm right handed, so I picked a "wander" who seemed to only be favoring the left side. Sure enough, she never wanded my right hip. The blackberry in my left pocket set off the detector. As soon as she saw what it was I was allowed to go through. I was never once asked if I was carrying a concealed weapon. Given the incompetence of the security there, I know I made the right choice to carry. Who knows how many non-CHL holders were also carrying in there.

[Backslider]

Given the incompetence of the security there, I know I made the right choice to carry. Who knows how many non-CHL holders were also carrying in there.

I went on Saturday for the TX-OU game. The wanding was apathetic and essentially useless. They waved it in the general direction of half the people entering the gate, and there were plenty of paths to walk up to the turnstile without being wanded at all.

[age_ranger]

I chose to spend my hard earned greenbacks elsewhere this year due to the inconsistencies in security at the State Fair. I know it's probably a tactic of the fair to chase away the gun carrying public to reduce the number of firearms in their park, but I simply avoided it. They'll not get any of my money and besides, I just started a new diet and it's probably better that I not go anyway!!

[C-dub]

I'm very glad a bunch of you guys had not trouble at all. The level of incompetence and ignorance of the security people, not counting the DPD, is just insane!

[pdubyoo]

During this thread discussion, I contacted Senator Dan Patrick's office to complain about how CHL carriers were being treated at the TX State Fair. I had received a couple of e-mails over the last month that they were investigating the issue, and would be back in touch with me. I guess I somewhat expected it to die on the vine, but I received the following letter on Tuesday...Hmmm

Mr. pdubyoo,

I contacted the Department of Public Safety (DPS) regarding your question about bringing a gun to the State Fair with a Concealed Handgun License (CHL). Here is what they told me in response:

- DPS spoke with the Counsel for the State Fair and told him about concerns regarding the collection of personal information of CHL holders.
- The State Fair will now look into this situation to make sure all policies are uniform including the way any information is gathered regarding CHL holders in the park.
- DPS stated that the information taken about CHL holders should not in any way identify the person as a CHL holder, and they agreed.

Thank you for making Senator Patrick aware of the situation. Others have contacted DPS about this as well, and it looks like they are going to review their policy. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need further assistance.

Amy L. Peck, M.Ed
Office of Senator Dan Patrick
Office: (713) 464-0282
Fax: (713) 461-0108

What do you think about that statement from DPS above? Is this a pass-off, or do you think DPS is really interested in what happened?

[joe817]

Wow!! WTG pdubyoo! I take that as a definite positive, as DPS counsel contacted State Fair counsel.

That may be the catalyst needed to have the State Fair organization change that silly policy.

You get 2 thumbs up from me on doing that, with thanks!

[The Annoyed Man]

pdubyoo, you dah man!

[5thGenTexan]

Cool man someone actually paying attention to their voters what a novel thing these days.

[chabouk]

The State Fair had already been persuaded to change their policies, right? Didn't they have a good system in place the last couple of years, then suddenly implemented this new system this year?

So, they might go back to waving CHL holders through, but then a couple of years and a personnel change later, someone decides to "fix" the "problem" of "guns in the fair".