Toyota Center-carry there- yea or nay?

[SJRTX]

Im guessing they probably have a 30.06, but someone give me the fact.

Going there this weekend to watch a horse show (Lipizzaner horses), so its not a professional sporting event. So whats the skinny from someone thats been there?

[stevie_d_64]

There was a guy I know (PDO forum) that was planning on attending a Barry Manilow (sp?) concert with his wife...I know...What a guy!

It was at the Toyota Center...

We kinda went back and forth on it, and he had down soem homework in the policy and we talked about the law and how it related to that facility...

Of course we understood that the event was not sport related, and that that event did not fall under the provisions in the law in that regard...

What was unknown, was if the whole facility was posted under the 30.06 section...Then we figured out that it was a facility owned (in part) I believed by the City of Houston...So we kinda went back and forth on that as well...

Turns out they came down from Fort Worth as well...And had a great time, but left the firearm locked up in the vehicle...

Oh well...

[Paladin]

I've been there once for a sporting event. Left my gun in the car. Was next to a guy on the way out was saying to his buddy "I feel like hitting somebody... I don't care... I've been to jail before" :x

As near as I can tell, 30.06 is posted at every entrance (although it is posted on glass, not a solid background)

Bags were seached when I went in. I didn't go through any metal detectors.

Since the facility is city owned, I don't think 30.06 applies outside of a sporting event.

Might want to talk to them before you go. They may give you a hard time.

[stevie_d_64]

Sounds to me like their intent is clear...

If its a sporting event...Nope, going to have to leave it...

If its a Barry Manilow concert...I think I'd carry...It can get rather rough at those things...

"At the Copa, Copa Cabaaaaaana..."

[Mike_1960]

Since Toyota Center is leased from the Harris County Sports Authority they can put the 30-06 into effect for any event. The only authorized weapons are those carried by current law enforcement officers. Don't carry.

[rm9792]

Since Toyota Center is leased from the Harris County Sports Authority they can put the 30-06 into effect for any event. The only authorized weapons are those carried by current law enforcement officers. Don't carry.

Wrong. The law states govt owned property cant be posted, period. It doesnt matter who is leasing it. Same as the gun shows at GRB and Pasadena Convention center. They can post all they want but the signs ultimately are not valid. I carried at the Dino event at the Toyota center and it wasnt posted and no detectors. No one searching bags either.
The law is 30.06(e): It is an exception to the application of this section that the property on which the license holder carries a handgun is owned or leased by a governmental entity and is not a premises or other place on which the license holder is prohibited from carrying the handgun under Section 46.03 ir 46.035.

Pretty straightforward, the land is owned by a governmental entity and therefore (with certain exceptions) cant be legally posted.

[Ameer]

owned or leased by a governmental entity

"OR"

[Kirk]

For what its worth from the Toyota Center's website

Prohibited Items
For safety reasons, patrons may be refused entry if they are in possession of prohibited items including, but not limited to: alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, food, drinks, glass/plastic/metal containers, laptops, IPads, video recorders, audio recorders, fireworks, laser pointers, backpacks, coolers, knives, weapons of any type, baby seats or carriers, unauthorized noise makers, glitter, confetti, streamers, helium balloons, basketballs, hockey sticks , beach balls, parcels or packages, inflatables, or large bags of any kind.

[Ameer]

Are you saying cops can't carry there?

[esxmarkc]

As someone who has worked every Houston Rockets event for the last 2 years I can assure you 30.06 signs are clearly posted on every entrance including the side administration entrance. Bags are searched even at the admin entrance and about every fourth game they metal-detect/wand everyone.

Now you can argue the validity of these signs all day long but I opted to never have to "do the ride" since you are never gong convince the officer placing you in cuffs that her/his interpretation of the law is incorrect AND I was at a professional sporting event which is carry-prohibited anyways.

Are they posted: Yes
Are they legal: probably not - especially during a non-sporting event

Good luck if you attempt to swim in the grey area.

ETA: Sometimes the wand you right inside the door - especially if it is raining outside. At such an event you have walked past the 30.06 sign and into the building and now you are caught by the metal detectors so you cant argue that you haven't entered the building yet.

[tacticool]

At such an event you have walked past the 30.06 sign and into the building and now you are caught by the metal detectors so you cant argue that you haven't entered the building yet.

The same is (was) true at the Houston public library when they had signs.

[ss1088]

The 30.06 sign has no business on that building. Any event going on that would prohibit carry is already defend by the law and the sign is not necessary. As a CHL holder, it is our duty to know the law. If there is something like a concert going on, you should be able to carry without any problem. If you get arrested, the case will likely be thrown out so the department can avoid as much embarrassment as possible.

I doubt they would arrest anyone though. They would probably just ask you to leave, and then you could take it up with the supervisors from there.