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Featured Listener Comments Section: Contents List |
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Listener: TSRA
Category: General
Date: 28 Sep 2007
Time: 12:04:24 -0700
Remote Name: 70.238.205.143
This is the follow-up, the original email is
below.
Apparently, including the media in our last email was a good idea! I just
received a call from a reporter at the Fox Affiliate in Dallas, KDFW, who had
just gotten off of the phone with officials at the State Fair. According to the
reporter, the State Fair has NOT changed their policy regarding patrons who have
a Concealed Handgun License and are entering legally armed.
To recap what to expect, you need to notify the person with the wand (all
incoming patrons are wanded) that you are armed and have a concealed handgun
license. You will probably be escorted to a point just inside the fence, where
you will be asked to wait for a supervisor. Depending on how crowded the park
is, you will wait for anywhere from a few minutes on up (I have heard of one
member who left after waiting in vain for 45 minutes, but this seems to be an
extreme example). The supervisor will verify that your license is valid, and on
my only visit to the park armed, the number of my CHL and name were recorded on
a notepad. In my case, on a weekday afternoon, the whole process took about 5-10
minutes.
Going through this process, while certainly annoying, will at least allow you to
be able to defend yourself during your time of greatest vulnerability, which is
the walk to and from the parking areas, since Dallas Fair Park is in one of the
most dangerous neighborhoods in the city.
If anyone does encounter any difficulty in carrying a handgun legally at the
State Fair of Texas, please contact our office immediately at 972-889-8772, and
we will take whatever actions necessary to see that this important right does
not get interrupted.
James Dark
Executive Director
Texas State Rifle Association
First email:
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am writing to you today to let you know of a possible change in policy by the
State Fair Foundation, regarding CHL Carry at the State Fair of Texas. In years
past, CHL holders were allowed to carry after displaying their CHL to a
supervisor brought to the front gate for that purpose. We have reason to believe
that policy may be undergoing revision, but cannot yet confirm it. We also have
no confidence whatsoever of getting a straight answer out of State Fair
officials.
Our source of information is the following message posted to the Texas CHL
Forum:
We just attended our orientation meeting for all the officers that will be
working the State Fair this year. One important change to this year's event is
that CHL holders will not be allowed to carry firearms while in the Fair this
year. This is a big change from previous years that you will need to prepare
for. This is not a DPD rule or policy - this comes from the State Fair
management.
We were told that if someone comes into the fair with a gun and they have a CHL
that there will be no LE action taken against them as they have not broken any
state laws. However, a representative of the State Fair will be contacted and
the violator will be detained until they arrive. Once the State Fair
representative arrives the violator will be informed once again of this new
policy and asked to remove their gun from the premises. If they refuse to do so
then they will be given a Criminal Trespass warning and if they refuse at that
time to leave, or return back to the fair grounds this year they will be
arrested. I can also pretty well assure that their weapon will be seized and a
report made to DPS.
Anyway, I wanted to let as many of you know as soon as I found out since the
Fair opens tomorrow. I can just imagine that there will be quite a few people
parking some distance from the fair grounds and being stopped at the gate
regarding this new policy. They will be faced with a long trek back to their
vehicle, or if they took DART to the fair they will have to spend money and time
to return to some location where they can safely store their gun.
Also, be prepared for longer lines at the entrances due to the extra security of
wanding every person and searching all of their belongings. If you do decide to
come and visit have a great time as there are a lot of new attractions, rides
and food vendors this year.
We are presenting this information to you as quickly as possible as a warning,
so that you will not find yourself in a predicament. If you do wish to attend
the State Fair with your legally carried firearm, be prepared for this new
policy to be enacted. If you are ordered to leave, do not risk your CHL by
refusing to do so. But we are sharing this information, so that you can prepare
yourself for the eventuality of having to walk back to your car to store your
firearm, or leave entirely if you utilize DART transportation (since you will
have no place to store your firearm).
Remember, if given instructions or a trespass warning by the State Fair
officials, please follow them. If the Fair personnel insist on attempting to
change their long-standing CHL policy, which has not resulted in a single
incident or injury, then we will take this issue up with the State Legislature
in 2009.
Questions regarding this message can be directed to the Texas State Rifle
Association at 972-889-8772.
James Dark
Executive Director
Texas State Rifle Association
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