Texas State Fair CHL Question

[OleWarSkuleAlum]

I know that you are able to CHL at the Texas state fair aside from the Cotton Bowl. I have never been to the fair before and was wondering what type of events I would miss out on in the Cotton Bowl if I chose to go to the fair and CHL? Any other general tips about the fair will be greatly appreciated.

[Keith B]

Actually, you CAN legally carry in the Cotton Bowl unless a sporting event is going on (no matter what the police say). The only thing I know of in there during the fair is the football game, so that would be off limits then.

[jimlongley]

No events that I know of.

And, BTW, although it's really not worth arguing with them about because of the lack of events, their little screed about "CHL holders will not be permitted to carry their concealed handgun inside the Cotton Bowl Stadium, a facility defined under Texas Penal Code §46.035 as “the premises where a high school, collegiate or professional sporting event or interscholastic event is taking place.” kind of misses the point, as the law is written in the present tense, and if there is no such event taking place the law could not apply, and of course the only time the gates to the Cotton Bowl Stadium are open are for such an event, which merely gets circular. If they were allowing tours of the stadium, and no game was taking place, then the law does not apply.

General tip - Be prepared for any of a variety of different reactions - in past years we identified as CHL holders carrying, as they required and: Got shuffled aside to wait while a supervisor came to take down our names and CHL and Driver License numbers (which I wrote a letter to the State Fair about and never received a reply, but the following year they stopped doing that) and then turned us over to a LEO who wanted to know why we felt the need to carry there; We have been told to report to a LEO at a stand behind the entrance (several times) (and one year the LEO was busy so we just kept walking, and another there was no LEO at the stand, so . . . kept on walking); We have been waved through; and one time the bright light wielding the wand passed it up my side where my 1911 was OWB under my jacket, and it didn't beep because he wasn't doing it right (I have experience) while the one "inspecting" my wife's purse completely missed the compartment with her PPKS in it, so we didn't bother to identify.

Someone will be waving a wand at you, so you are kind of forced to identify, but it's anybody's bet as to what their policy will be this year.

Remember, this is the State Fair stating these rules, not LEOs, and the officials involved have had to be reeducated several times.

[SC1903A3]

The Old Mill Inn restaurant is posted 30.06.

[Crossfire]

There is usually a high school marching band contest in the Cotton Bowl sometime during the fair. Just watch for that.

[Pawpaw]

The Old Mill Inn restaurant is posted 30.06.

It is? Admittedly, I haven't gone to the fair the last two years, but the last time I DID go, I intentionally looked the place over and didn't see it.

[The Annoyed Man]

The Old Mill Inn restaurant is posted 30.06.

Must have bad food then. They keep out those with discriminating tastes.......

[n5wd]

... what type of events I would miss out on in the Cotton Bowl if I chose to go to the fair and CHL? Any other general tips about the fair will be greatly appreciated.

For the last three years that I've gone (I missed last year), the only thing you would have missed (besides a football game in the Cotton Bowl) was the Old Mill Restaurant and, one year, a beer garden that was set up and licensed as a 51% Red facility.

We just walked up to the security screening point, and I'd discretely show the security person the CHL and they'd point me to the police officer sitting in the lifeguard chair watching everything. A quick walk over to the cop, show the CHL, and he (or she) would remind us that XYZ was off limits, and away we'd go. Little hassle, no drama.

[SigM4]

We just walked up to the security screening point, and I'd discretely show the security person the CHL and they'd point me to the police officer sitting in the lifeguard chair watching everything. A quick walk over to the cop, show the CHL, and he (or she) would remind us that XYZ was off limits, and away we'd go. Little hassle, no drama.

This has always been my experience as well.

[mikeloc]

For the last three years that I've gone (I missed last year), the only thing you would have missed (besides a football game in the Cotton Bowl) was the Old Mill Restaurant and, one year, a beer garden that was set up and licensed as a 51% Red facility.

We just walked up to the security screening point, and I'd discretely show the security person the CHL and they'd point me to the police officer sitting in the lifeguard chair watching everything. A quick walk over to the cop, show the CHL, and he (or she) would remind us that XYZ was off limits, and away we'd go. Little hassle, no drama.[/quote]
The Old Mill Inn
MB264241

Trade Name: THE OLD MILL INN
Owner: ED CAMPBELL CONCESSIONS COMPANY
Location Address:
3611 GRAND AVENUE SUITE 8
DALLAS , TX 75210
Mailing Address:
PO BOX 141168
DALLAS , TX 75214-1168
County: Dallas Orig. Issue Date: 4/11/1996
Status: Current Exp. Date: 4/10/2015
Wine Percent:
Location Phone No.: 214-426-4600
Subordinates: CB,LB,PE
Related To: Gun Sign: BLUE

Should not have the Red Sign.

Maybe a 30.06; but the last time I was there they had neither.

Mike

[TomsTXCHL]

Unless they don't sell beer at the State Fair, I would not carry anyway.

Please tell me they sell beer. I've been wanting to go ever since we moved to TX!

[ajwakeboarder]

They do sell beer. They even have fried beer. I didn't like it, but YMMV.

[TomsTXCHL]

They even have fried beer.

[Dragonfighter]

General tip - Be prepared for any of a variety of different reactions - in past years we identified as CHL holders carrying, as they required and: Got shuffled aside to wait while a supervisor came to take down our names and CHL and Driver License numbers (which I wrote a letter to the State Fair about and never received a reply, but the following year they stopped doing that) and then turned us over to a LEO who wanted to know why we felt the need to carry there; We have been told to report to a LEO at a stand behind the entrance (several times) (and one year the LEO was busy so we just kept walking, and another there was no LEO at the stand, so . . . kept on walking); We have been waved through; and one time the bright light wielding the wand passed it up my side where my 1911 was OWB under my jacket, and it didn't beep because he wasn't doing it right (I have experience) while the one "inspecting" my wife's purse completely missed the compartment with her PPKS in it, so we didn't bother to identify.

-em mine

Jim,

Did you CC the DPS' Private Security Bureau? I did and got a rapid response stating that the collection and retention of the personally identifiable information was illegal, that the security (Platinum IIRC) firm was under investigation and that this violation was going on their list of complaints. Also, I allowed it ONE time and after being "lectured" by them about my responsibilities started trying to get their information. I carried a tablet and asked to see their ID stating that I did not know them, how they were securing the information and what their disposal protocols were and that only DPS could legally retain that info and an LEO could only record it as part of an investigation. Predictably an argument would normally start them usually jumping up and down and screaming about their absolute authority (only a slight exaggeration) threatening to prevent my entry unless I provided it. I'd insist on their getting the gate's LEO over and that is where it would typically end.

I have posted it before, but if ya'll would like I can post the letter again. I have no doubt that the letters written from this membership is what turned the situation around. To the OP, I normally will simply buy my ticket and as I approach the "wand" I will simply state, "I need to see the police officer." Most will say okay and wave me on past, some will cock their head like a puppy and ask, "Why?" But after I tell them again I get waved on past.

[Javi07]

The Old Mill Inn restaurant is posted 30.06.

Must have bad food then. They keep out those with discriminating tastes.......

You got that right!