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Crossfire wrote:I think we should all show up at 1 gate, at the same time, and invite Fox 4 News to meet us there.

Sensationalized news coverage about a mob of people bringing guns into the fair? I don't think that would help the cause. When the broadcaster explains the ambiguity of the owns or leases law--which Charles said in another thread would lose if currently challenged--and the public, in the way they associate guns with violence and the state fair with being a greater than average risk for violence together with the info that you're already allowed to carry there but object to searches or what the public will perceive to be a very easy documentation process, then you're guaranteed to lose that PR campaign.

Heritage1 wrote:How about we create a CHL day at the fair? Wouldnt that be interesting, having hundreds of CHL holders show up at the same gate at the same time. Or everyone shows up at the same time just at different gates. I wonder how their so called security would react then.

I'd propose same gate. Multiple gates would look very suspicious and would be seen as so out of the ordinary that something suspicious and secretive was afoot with guns involved. Not the image you'd want to portray. Instead, everyone being lively and friendly and normal all at one gate would be reasonable because you clearly choose to congregate and attend together, like many other groups, but you're not being secretive or suspicious. It would make documentation and individual searches of a positive and respectful group seem daunting and ridiculous, and if they tried to go ahead with it, they'd be kicking themselves in the butt for the work, too. It would really highlight the stupidity of the policy to all involved.

momo7 wrote:I'd like to go to the TSF this year, with my two older children, another mom friend and her child, but with it being in a bad part of town, I thought it prudent to carry. I don't want to be made a spectacle of at the fair (kind of negates the whole reason of having a CONCEALED HL), and don't want my other friends to have to wait while I refuse to give any personal information to a non-LEO.

After all the stuff when down last year, I'm really curious as to how CHL holders will be dealt with this year. I don't plan on going until Oct. 9th, so if other CHL holders go before then, if you could please post your experiences, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Welcome! We have a ladies' only forum here that Crossfire can get you access to. Great to have another mom aboard!

jimlongley wrote:

tonyh wrote:Think the only time the Cotton Bowl is off limits is if there is a Sporting Event of a School Event.

When asked for clarification the fair officials stated that the Cotton Bowl was off limits to CHL at ALL times per their stated policy. When pressed about the "is" clause in the law, and the quote of same in the policy, they refused to discuss it.

Isn't it only open during the game? So it would be unlawful to carry there during the game and everyone is unable to go in the rest of the time including CHLs.

tonyh wrote:

Hoi Polloi wrote:If you plan to go with family and don't want your entrance seen, that's easy enough to orchestrate. Tell them you'll meet them at Big Tex or whatever other landmark inside the park at a particular time.

I recommend parking in the official lots and paying the extra money for them. The official satellite lots have tram service and the trams are packed with people coming and going. You're not going to be in dark secluded areas by yourself that way. It still isn't a grand part of town and caution should definitely be taken, but it isn't the same as wandering down dark alleyways trying to find your car parked up next to some stranger's house. You can also park cities away and take the DART which now stops at the front entrance of the fair.

You would have to enter at a different gate. Saw posts last year where people were more or less called out. They would yell to someone we have a CHL or we have a Gun here.

Yes, it was very unpredictable last year. Some people walked right in without being wanded or noticed, some showed their CHL and walked right by with a nod, some had to wait on security, some had their CHL numbers written down while some didn't...

My point was that by setting an internal location to meet, the chances that you'd coincidentally show up at the exact same entrance at the exact same time as your family members is very low so you'd avoid the issue of being at the entrance with them.

The light show I remember is not in the Cotton Bowl. I think it is called the Esplanade where it is held. The only thing held inside the Cotton Bowl that I know of is the TX/OU game. If you're not going to it, I recommend avoiding that day because it gets really busy once the game is let out. It isn't a deal breaker, though, if that's the best day for you.

If you plan to go with family and don't want your entrance seen, that's easy enough to orchestrate. Tell them you'll meet them at Big Tex or whatever other landmark inside the park at a particular time.

I recommend parking in the official lots and paying the extra money for them. The official satellite lots have tram service and the trams are packed with people coming and going. You're not going to be in dark secluded areas by yourself that way. It still isn't a grand part of town and caution should definitely be taken, but it isn't the same as wandering down dark alleyways trying to find your car parked up next to some stranger's house. You can also park cities away and take the DART which now stops at the front entrance of the fair.