Fort Worth Zoo

[testersbc]

got to the zoo, a miracle in itself, bought the ticket and got thru the main gate before you can see the sign. posted this on the texas3006.com question arises though. isn't the sign supposed to be before you go in?

[boomerang]

The sign has to be "displayed in a conspicuous manner clearly visible to the public" but there's no requirement for it to be visible from outside.

[dewayneward]

it is on govt property and is not valid from my understanding. do a search on fort worth zoo or go over to texas3006.com for more info.

[troglodyte]

From the Zoo's website, "In October 1991— with the Zoo facing decreasing city support, demands to replace outdated animal housing and declines in attendance— the Association assumed management of the Zoo's day-to-day operations under a contract with the City of Fort Worth."

Does this change things?

[jack010203]

It sounds like the 30.06 is not valid, because the zoo is owned or leased by a government entity. Unless its a place listed in Section 46.03 or 46.035., it appears you can carry. Why not contact the zoo to find out why they are posting ?

PC 30.06. TRESPASS BY HOLDER OF LICENSE TO CARRY
CONCEALED HANDGUN. (a) A license holder commits an offense if
the license holder:
(1) carries a handgun under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter
411, Govemment Code, on property of another without effective
consent; and
(2) received notice that:
(A) entry on the property by a license holder with a concealed
handgun was forbidden; or
(B) remaining on the property with a concealed handgun was
forbidden and failed to depart.
(b) For purposes of this section, a person receives notice if the
owner of the property or someone with apparent authority to act for the
owner provides notice to the person by oral or written communication.
(c) In this section:
(1) "Entry" has the meaning assigned by Section 30.05(b).
(2) "License holder has the meaning assigned by Section
46.035(f).
(3) "Written communication" means:
(A) a card or other document on which is written language
identical to the following: "Pursuant to Section 30.06, Penal Code
(trespass by holder of license to carry a concealed handgun), a person
licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Govemment Code (concealed
handgun law), may not enter this property with a concealed
handgun"; or
(B) a sign posted on the property that:
(i) includes the language described by Paragraph (A) in both
English and Spanish;
(ii) appears in contrasting colors with block letters at least
one inch in height; and
(iii) is displayed in a conspicuous manner clearly visible to
the public.
(d) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.
(e) It is an exception to the application of this section that the property
on which the license holder carries a handgun is owned or leased
by a governmental entity and is not a premises or other place on which
the license holder is prohibited from carrying the handgun under
Section 46.03 or 46.035.

[Rex B]

We've talked about this extensively in the past.
According to the Zoo Association, they consider themselves a school since so many school field trips are held there.
That is nonsense, and I do not believe their 30.06 is enforceable.
Rather than be a test case, I wrote them a letter and crossed the zoo off my "to do" list.
That's been difficult, because my wife is a confirmed animal lover.

[pdubyoo]

We've talked about this extensively in the past.
According to the Zoo Association, they consider themselves a school since so many school field trips are held there.
That is nonsense, and I do not believe their 30.06 is enforceable.
Rather than be a test case, I wrote them a letter and crossed the zoo off my "to do" list.
That's been difficult, because my wife is a confirmed animal lover.

I agree, that is absolute nonsense. I went to the Houston Zoo on Friday, and I completely expected to be faced with the 30.06 posting at the gate. But to my pleasant surprise, no signs. I looked all over the entrance area...even inside the gate...nothing. So, you and the wife can come to Houston next time she wants to see the animals.

[Rex B]

Houston... I'll make a note, thanks

[Rex B]

I found the emails fromMarch 2007:

Here is my letter to the zoo:

Ms Nantz

This last Wednesday I and my wife celebrated our wedding anniversary
by playing "tourist", seeing the local attractions that others come here
for. First on our list was the Fort Worth Zoo, and we were not
disappointed. We have visited a number of zoos in the U.S. and Europe,
and by far FW Zoo was the best we have seen. You folks have done a
wonderful job of giving the community a top-notch facility.

My pride was tempered by the "No Firearms" 30.06 sign at the
entrance. As one of 250,000 Texas CHL licensees, I have passed the same
background checks as a Federal law enforcement officer. We are, as a
group, the most law-abiding citizens in the state. Most of us are
senior citizens. The only difference is that we have elected to take
responsibility for our personal safety and that of our loved ones.
Your 30.06 sign at the entrance of the Fort Worth Zoo is telling a
quarter of a million Texans, model citizens all, that we are not
welcome.
Note that Dallas, Houston or San Antonio zoos are not posted.
The Amon carter Museum, our 2nd stop Wednesday, is not posted.

I would also point out that, by law, you cannot legally bar CHL
holders from carrying on Zoo property
Section 30.06.3.e of the Texas Penal Code:
(e) It is an exception to the application of this section that the
property on which the license holder carries a handgun is owned or
leased by a governmental entity...

The presence of schoolchildren does not make the zoo a school.

Please ask your board of directors to reconsider this policy. I would
much prefer to bring my out of town visitors to the Fort Worth Zoo.

Please forward this as you see fit.

And here is their response:

Hi, Mr. B.

Thank you for taking the time to send a note. What a fun way to spend
your anniversary - and I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the Zoo. Our
staff is exceptionally dedicated to providing the utmost in animal care
and guest enjoyment, so it is really nice to hear the praise!

The Fort Worth Zoo is registered with the State of Texas as an
educational facility. As such, we are simply abiding with the law in
posting the No Firearms signage. I understand your frustration, but
sincerely hope this regulation does not prevent future visits to the
Zoo.

Again, thank you for taking the time to write.

-Lyndsay

Lyndsay Nantz Hoover
PR & Development Director
Fort Worth Zoo
817/759-7362

[pedalman]

Unless the zoo was able to offer a diploma, I would think that this was a BIIIIIIIIIIIGGGGGGGGGG stretch.

[Purplehood]

The Fort Worth Zoo is registered with the State of Texas as an
educational facility.

Being the ingrate that I am, I would have questioned the specifics of this statement. Are they registered with her Mom that lives in Texas, perhaps? And, why aren't other zoo's registered as such?

[Rex B]

Yeah, I didn't buy it either.
But I haven't been back.

[Purplehood]

I tend to be the same way. They don't want me, they don't want my money either.

[Keith B]

Going to Wal-Mart can be an educational experience at 2 AM. You see all kinds of unusual folks there and get a lesson in diversity. Guess it is now also considered a school; 'Sam's College'.

[jack010203]

We've talked about this extensively in the past.
According to the Zoo Association, they consider themselves a school since so many school field trips are held there.
That is nonsense, and I do not believe their 30.06 is enforceable.
Rather than be a test case, I wrote them a letter and crossed the zoo off my "to do" list.
That's been difficult, because my wife is a confirmed animal lover.

Have there been any court cases for similar situations?