Galveston Mardis Gras

[Jeff Barriault]

Went to the Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade for Mardis Gras in Galveston last night. Got turned away because I had my tripod and a "backpack" as a camera bag. Had to walk all the way back to the vehicle to drop them off. The cop at the gate was just being an jerk. When I showed up again he was like no weapons, empty your pockets, etc. When I tried to show him my CHL he was rude and cocky and said I don't need your ID, got any weapons? So I showed him my CHL again. When he finally looked at it his attitude immediately changed and he said, "Come right in sir." Love it!

So I can't bring my camera bag or tripod, but I sure as hell can bring my pistol. Go figure . . .

[Thomas]

They are more worried about copyright infringement or whatever than you scoping out the place for terrorism.

[JP171]

They are more worried about copyright infringement or whatever than you scoping out the place for terrorism.

I think its more of a what happens at Mardis Gras stay at Mardis Gras than copyright infingements LOL, hey the nicer ones get the good beads

[tommyg]

LEO probably knew that he could not legally keep a CHL out.
So he changed his attitude to avoid
a clash with some pro gun organizations

[Jeff Barriault]

Well, I could understand the tripod. Worried about someone tripping on it, liability issue, blah, blah, blah. But my camera bag. The guy was just being a, well, can't say what I'm thinking. So it looks like a backpack, but it is still a padded camera bag with my spare lenses, batteries, memory cards, and flash, etc. He said it looked like a backpack, therefore I couldn't bring it in. The camera was fine, but no backpack. Good thing I was wearing my cargo pants and had a few extra pockets to stick my gear.

It was nice having my CHL and NOT having to empty out all my pockets and be wanded like he originally wanted me to do.

[Ameer]

That's how they support freedom of the press.

[alvins]

yea never goto galveston without your gun.ever.my mother works down their and i make her carry atleast mace since she refuses to learn how to use a gun.

[Liberty]

yea never goto galveston without your gun.ever.my mother works down their and i make her carry atleast mace since she refuses to learn how to use a gun.

Funny I aways arm, upto leave Galveston.

[kyreb]

We were there most of the weekend.

On my tickets they specifically prohibited "commercial" cameras and video gear. They defined those cameras as those having a removable lens and/or tripod. backpacks and coolers were also no go.

So far as the CHL goes, last year it all depended on which gate you enetered and what cops were there. I know people who were turned away and people who were let right in with CHLs. I only carried a Kimber pepper blaster as I knew I would be enjoying a few beers while there.

I did not see anyone getting out of hand all weekend. ( I did see one shoplifter go to jail at Academy Saturday morning.) The whole event was pretty poorly attended due to the weather and the $17 per head cover charge to get into the strand.

[punkndisorderly]

I had more bad experiences with Galveston cops in the five years I lived there than the rest of my life put together. More tickets there than the rest of my life, including a half million miles as a long haul trucker. Had two different officers treat me like crap, do everything they could to escalate the situation, and one threatened to take me to jail for dropping a cigarette on the ground in front of my place of business. In Galveston PD's defense, both officers were fired.

Galveston hires a lot of new officers, some good, some bad. Because their pay and benefits are lower, they lose a lot of the good officers to other departments. I know some great officers there, but I think they're in the minority.

[LongHairedRedneck]

Funny I aways arm, upto leave Galveston.

But I always arm when leaving the house as well