Open Carry… at the Horse Show?

“Every citizen shall have the right to keep and bear arms in the defense of himself or the State; but the legislature shall have power, by law, to regulate the wearing of arms, with a view to prevent crime.”

Texas Constitution- Art. I, § 23 (enacted 1876).

By: Brittany Bevis

The second amendment is, by far, one of the most frequently cited portions of the Constitution. Furthermore, the right to keep and bear arms, and the larger topic of gun control, are red hot topics given the current state of affairs in today’s society.

Since the Texas Open Carry law went into effect on January 1st, 2016, restaurants, stores, and private businesses across the state have been trying to determine what this should look like. If you plan to attend the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, Jan. 15- Feb. 6th, don’t be surprised if you see someone on the Carnival Midway, buying cotton candy, while carrying a handgun in a shoulder holster.

For a bit of explanation, here are a few basics from the Texas Department of Public Safety website which lists the Open Carry, House Bill 910 that went into effect January 1, 2016.

• Authorizes individuals to obtain a license to openly carry a handgun in the same places that allow the licensed carrying of a concealed handgun with some exceptions.
• Unconcealed handguns, loaded or unloaded, must be carried in a shoulder or belt hostler.

Click here to read more about Texas License to Carry a Handgun Laws and Selected Statues.

Some of the exceptions where Open Carry does not apply include schools, sporting events, bars, places for voting, correctional facilities, and secure locations at airports. Additionally, private business owners will be able to determine guidelines for their own premises.

That brings us to 120th Fort Worth Stock Show, which includes the traditional rodeos, Midway with carnival rides, exhibit hall, parades, and plenty of equine events such as the Cowboy Mounted Shooting, Donkey and Mule Show, Miniature Horse Show, AQHA, APHA, NCHA, NRHA, POA, PHBA shows, and AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenge. When you roll into the Will Rogers Memorial Center, with trailer in tow, to pick up your exhibitor packet, and bed down your horses for the night, there will be some extra signage worth taking a look at. The following text has been posted at all entrances.

Information For Stock Show Visitors Who Are Licensed to Carry a Handgun:

“Any firearms carried onto Stock Show grounds are subject to all applicable state and federal laws. Texas law allows a person licensed to carry a handgun to carry their handgun onto the City of Fort Worth-owned Stock Show Grounds except for the following areas where handguns are prohibited.”

Areas Where Handguns Are Prohibited:

1. Will Rogers Coliseum Building when the Professional Rodeo Events (PRCA) are taking place (January 19, 2016-February 6,2016)[V.T.C.A. PENAL CODE §46.035(b)(2)]

2. Any livestock barn or other building or portion of a building where a FFA, 4H, or other high school, collegiate, or interscholastic event is taking place. [V.T.C.A. PENAL CODE §46.035(b)(2)] Please visit www.FWSSR.com/dailyschedule for a listing of daily events and locations.

3. The Coors Light Roadhouse and Reata at the Backstage Club [V.T.C.A. PENAL CODE §46.035(b)(1)]

While handguns won’t be allowed at PRCA events, they will be allowed at non-professional rodeos such as the Best of the West Ranch Rodeo, Cowboys of Color Rodeo, and Best of Mexico Rodeo. Why? That has to do with Texas State Law Penal Code 46.035(b)(2), which prohibits the carrying of a handgun “on the premises where a high school, collegiate, or professional sporting event or interscholastic event is taking place.” That’s also the reason why handguns won’t be allowed during any FFA, 4H, or collegiate event during the Stock Show, including the Sale of Champions where junior livestock goes up for auction. However, handguns will be allowed on the Midway where the carnival rides and food vendors are set up.

Also, handguns won’t be allowed within the Reata at the Backstage Club and Coors Light Roadhouse due to the sale of alcohol exception. If a business derives 51% or more of its income from the sale or service of alcohol for on-premise consumption, guns are not permitted.

Looking ahead to other major Texas equine events in 2016, we wondered how they plan to address the topic of Open Carry. A spokesperson from the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo informed us that “firearms have not been allowed on the grounds in the past and therefore we are continuing with that policy.” According to show officials at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, they have “no information to release at this time regarding Open Carry.”

So, what does Open Carry mean for the typical, every-weekend horse show in Texas, not held in conjunction with a stock show and rodeo? We’re certainly not experts in state statues, but one could guess it might have to do with whether the property is owned by the city or a private individual and whether the “youth on the premises” exception would apply if the event isn’t specifically defined as a 4-H, FFA, or collegiate show. Only time will tell…

For more information about the 2016 Fort Worth Stock Show, including a daily schedule of events, visit www.fwssr.com. The show begins today!