Carrying at the TX state fair

[CliffH]

There was a bit on the news the other night about carrying at the Texas state fair. The report stated that carrying wasn't allowed - unless you had your CHL.

Since we're visiting from out of state, I called the Texas DPS to confirm that my AZ CCW would be OK. The lady who answered the phone at DPS stated that no concealed weapons were allowed at the fair, even if one has a CHL/CCW.

I'm figuring the news report was incorrect, but thought I'd check with some of the Texans here.

 

[jkingrph]

I went a few years ago, I had my ccl(Texas) and they would not even allow pocketknives at that time. Had to go through metal detectors.

I live in E Texas and think I might head back over to the Louisiana St. Fair in Shreveport. I'm about equadistant from each.

 

[cane]

There is a lot of information about this specific subject at:

http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_Forum/

 

[wdlsguy]

Can I Carry to the State Fair of Texas?

After receiving conflicting information regarding CHLs and the State Fair of Texas, TSRA issued a cautionary email alert and included the media. James Dark., Executive Director for TSRA, received a call from a reporter at the Fox Affiliate in Dallas, KDFW, with updated information from officials at the State Fair. According to the reporter, the State Fair has not changed their policy regarding patrons who have a Concealed Handgun License and are entering legally armed.

To recap what to expect, you need to notify the person with the wand (all incoming patrons are wanded) that you are armed and have a concealed handgun license. You will probably be escorted to a point just inside the fence, where you will be asked to wait for a supervisor. Depending on how crowded the park is, you will wait for anywhere from a few minutes or longer. The supervisor will verify that your license is valid and possibly the number of your CHL and name may recorded on a notepad. A common experience has been that the entire process took about 5-10 minutes.

Going through this process, while certainly annoying, will at least allow you to be able to defend yourself during your time of greatest vulnerability, which is the walk to and from the parking areas, since Dallas Fair Park is in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the city.

If anyone does encounter any difficulty in carrying a handgun legally at the State Fair of Texas, please contact our office immediately at 972-889-8772, and we will take whatever actions necessary to see that this important right does not get interrupted.

http://tsrapac.com/

You might want to carry a copy of the DPS press release just in case the supervisor isn't up to speed on TX/AZ reciprocity.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_staff/public_information/pr091599.htm

 

[SaxonPig]

Never been to the Texas State Fair but been to about 6 other state fairs and my experience was there so many cops you couldn't swing a cat without hitting one.

I don't recall ever hearing of a serious crime occurring at a state fair.

My state prohibits carry in the park during the fair but I don't worry much about it given the swarms of people everywhere (most criminal attacks will be made in seclusion) and the heavy police presence.

 

[TX1911fan]

I carried there last year. You tell the metal detector guy that you are carrying, and instead of wanding you, you go over to a supervisor, and they call someone who comes on a golf cart and writes your name and your CHL number down, then lets you in. It is a hassle, but they knew the procedure.

 

[Nathanael_Greene]

I don't recall ever hearing of a serious crime occurring at a state fair.

"Our state fair is a great state fair /
Don't miss it, don't even be late..."

Sadly, the Texas State Fair is a different animal. Murders used to be common (1 or 2 each year), many pickpockets, a few armed robberies (not to mention the unarmed robberies called "food sales"), even a couple of rapes.

And that's just on the fairgrounds proper.

The fair takes place is a genuinely terrible part of Dallas. During daylight hours it's not too bad, but after dark it's scary.

 

[TexasRifleman]

Never been to the Texas State Fair.....

I don't recall ever hearing of a serious crime occurring at a state fair.

As you say, you've never been to the Texas State Fair. Every year there are many violent crimes both inside and out in the parking lot. It's in one of the highest crime areas in Texas.

Thanks for your opinion but on this one you are provably VERY wrong.

Your flirting with death to go to the Texas State Fair unarmed.

Frankly it's not worth going at all because of where is is, but at least here we can go armed.

 

[Bitmap]

My state prohibits carry in the park during the fair but I don't worry much about it given the swarms of people everywhere (most criminal attacks will be made in seclusion) and the heavy police presence.

I prefer to carry regardless of how "safe" a certain place may or may not have been in the past.

 

[CliffH]

Thanks all for your responses.

Today, Fox 4 News (DFW area) ran another bit on concealed carry at the state fair. This time, they even had an interview with Mr. James Dark from TSRA.

I called TSRA to see if they knew of any special requirements for carrying with an out-of-state permit; they didn't. We agreed that it would probably be a good idea to carry copies of the TX DPS reg's showing reciprocity with AZ. I also told the TSRA rep about my call to DPS the other day and that I'd be calling DPS back today.

After being on hold with DPS for about 20 minutes, I got the same lady I'd spoke with yesterday. I explained to her what I'd found out, she was surprised. I also left a message for her supervisor about this matter and am hoping for a call back later today.

My Internet connection is terrible - took over an hour to load just this one page, so I probably won't be checking back anytime soon. But I will post back ASAP if/when I hear from the DPS supervisor.

And, does anyone have contact info for the folks running the fair?

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Your flirting with death to go to the Texas State Fair unarmed.

I grew up working in East Dallas about 5 blocks from the Fair Grounds. My mom worked in the old Health and Science Museum in Fair Park and I attended the Fair every year. I now work in another museum in Fair Park and am there every day. I would not say that you are flirting with death to go to the State Fair of Texas unarmed. Whether you are armed or not does not change your risk factor for "flirting with death."

It is a dangerous area based on the statistics, but it is a lot safer area during the State Fair because of the dramatic increase in police presence in the park. On top of that, because there are so many people there, that means your chances of being selected as a target are tremendously reduced. The addition of so many people also means more potential witnesses which further reduces the potential for crime.

The police beat is 313. You can check out the crime in the park at this web site. As you can see, the park is much safer than the surrounding areas.
http://maps.dallascityhall.com/inde...eat=&zoom_ra=&ThematicMapBeat=&ThematicMapRa=

 

[biggiesmalls]

glad this came up here. i was just thinking about the issue. i'll be going the fair this saturday before and after the longhorns kick some sooner a*s. i'm just sad i won't be able to carry at the game. thanks everyone for the information.

 

[Mr Kablammo]

The Lafayette Co. Fair was posted, no CHL. I am surprised, and still sceptical about the TSF. Is there a direct link to their website or the change in the CHL law? PS: I think that you are hoping against hope for the Longhorns. But best of luck.

 

[RubenZ]

Check out this thread:

http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_Forum/viewtopic.php?t=10387