handgun

Carrying a Gun at The State Fair of Texas

September 20th, 2009 |

A fellow CHL holder told me the other day he won’t go to the State Fair of Texas because he can’t carry his concealed handgun there.

“Why, sure you can.” I replied.

“Nope, they got metal detectors there now and cops checking everyone at the entrances. Can’t carry.”

So I did a wee bit of research…Google…and discovered I’m right and he’s wrong:

A person holding a valid concealed handgun license is permitted to enter onto State Fair property with his/her concealed handgun. Licenses will be examined at the entrance by an authorized security supervisor. Handguns will not be permitted inside the Cotton Bowl, 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.” We want the Fair to be a fun and safe experience.

That’s straight from the horse’s…er…Big Tex’s mouth at http://www.bigtex.com/generalinfo/faqs/bring.asp.

Update 10/12/09 – See my later post on this at Texas State Fair Bends Texas State Law. It’s not as simple as all that.