"The Event Area is a Bar. You Can't Have a Gun in a Bar"

[Charles L. Cotton]

The event is over and Chief Porretto did a great job handling a situation that was not directly related to his department.

Chas.

[Jeff Barriault]

I think the chief blew the whole "immunity defense" out of the water when he admitted an arrest would not be valid. Now he is responsible for the actions of his officers when they are operating in uniform. If the officer makes an arrest and claims ignorance, the chief had a duty to train.

I disagree. Chief Porretto did notify all Galveston PD officers (his officers) that they must allow armed CHL entry into the event. He can't be held responsible for the actions of an officer from another agency working the event. So his officers were fully trained, albeit after the details were brought to his attention, and in the end it was a Galveston PD officer who let me in. And his officers were directed to notify all officers working the event of the details.

The officer who refused to call a supervisor even after I had informed him that the situation was resolved by Chief Porretto was a DPS officer. He was the only officer present at that particular entrance, and it was 10-15 minutes after I had received word that the situation was resolved. It is possible word hadn't filtered through the chain of command yet to him. But he was an absolute jerk. A quick call on the radio would have resolved the issue. When the Chief gave me the advice regarding immunity, it was in reference to our conversation about the DPS officer.

[Jeff Barriault]

The event is over and Chief Porretto did a great job handling a situation that was not directly related to his department.

Chas.

I totally agree! Well, except there is still next weekend's event. And thanks to Chief Porretto there should be zero problems for armed CHL.

[mojo84]

I should have added to my comment that it would be impossible to know all the laws off the top of their heads. Same goes with insurance agents knowing all their is to know about insurance, CPA's knowing the entire tax code or attorneys knowing all the laws.

[Jumping Frog]

I disagree. Chief Porretto did notify all Galveston PD officers (his officers) that they must allow armed CHL entry into the event. He can't be held responsible for the actions of an officer from another agency working the event.

I agree with you. I missed the change in agencies on my original read. I'll blame it on my phone . . .

[texanjoker]

Bottom line is the LEO's did not want to be outnumbered and outgunned.

They (and their bosses) had to think of something, right or wrong.....

I'm guessing it had more to do with insurance companies and city politics.

Postings indicate they were working off duty gigs and not in their official capacity. Sounds like the chief did what needed to be done.

[bayouhazard]

I had an incident like that a few years ago. I made a mental note of their name and department. When we got home we sent separate written complaints to TCLEOSE documenting the peace officer in uniform who threatened to arrest us for breaking imaginary laws.