Anti Second Amendment Texas Rodeos
Many of you are probably aware of the loophole the State Fair of Texas used last year regarding self-defense. Even though the event was held at a City of Dallas facility and, under Texas law, they cannot prohibit LTC holders from carrying, they prohibited it because they were a private company leasing the grounds. That was not what the legislature intended, but that’s what happened.
The same thing is happening now with the larger rodeos and stock shows across the state. Austin, San Antonio, and Houston have eliminated our right to self-defense, and there may be others.
I’ve raised livestock and ranched most of my life. For several years, I was an active volunteer at the Austin/Travis County Rodeo and Stock Show. I also served on the board at one time. The last year I was on the board, the threat of gang violence was such that we had volunteers wearing body armor, patrolling the grounds with two-way radios to report threats.
During this year’s rodeo, my wife and I were invited by a current board member to attend an evening rodeo performance. I knew we would be walking around the tents and carnival, so I was carrying concealed. When we went through the entrance, I saw no signs indicating legal carry was prohibited (in fact, the signs were almost completely hidden). When we entered, there was some kind of scanner and a deputy sheriff. I had a concealed pistol, knife, and flashlight, and was not stopped.
Once we were through the gate, I questioned my friend as to what they were scanning for at the entrance. He said weapons. I told him they weren’t very thorough because I had a gun and a knife, not thinking it would matter to my friend, who is an avid hunter. Well, it did.
He stopped immediately and told me I had to take my gun back to the car. In respect for him, and the fact that it could cause him a problem with the rodeo committee, I did as he asked. Very reluctantly.
When I returned from the car and went through security again, I asked the deputy if I was allowed to carry if I was licensed. He said that I was. Another person working the gate corrected him and showed us the partially hidden sign.
Of course, this begs the question we all ask when we see a 30.06 sign. “If someone is coming in to do harm, does anyone really think they will obey a sign?”
Think for a minute how many vehicles, trucks, stock trailers, equipment trailers, food suppliers, etc., go in and out of a major rodeo over a 10-day period. Without bomb sniffing dogs, X-ray machines, and hundreds of security personnel on duty 24/7, it would be impossible to keep out serious miscreants or terrorists. I proved that when I walked through the gate with a gun and a knife.
After this incident, I called a good friend to get his take. He was with a major city police force for 30 years and was commander of their SWAT team. He was also First Sargent of his National Guard unit, served a tour in a war zone, and was awarded the bronze star and combat infantry badge. He knows his business. His comment about the rodeo committee was, “I’m sure they had good intentions, but they are incredibly naïve.” He said he would have left; there was no way he would go in there unarmed.
My hope is that maybe this article will encourage some of our members to bring up the subject with their friends who may serve on various rodeo and stock show committees across Texas. Rodeo is close to my heart and has always espoused patriotism, honor, and all things Texan and American. Of all places, our Second Amendment rights should be sacred there.
Don Cadden
TSRA Life Member
