51% - Uh Huh

[Glockster]

So am waiting for a flight and am at the gate at George Bush, and walk over to the snack counter for a bottle of water and notice that there is a 51% sign over the register. Photocopy in black & white. Hanging over the counter of a place that doesn't sell any alcohol. Inside the secure area of the airport.

[AJSully421]

Yet another reason why I love my signature line.

[bdgyeah]

That's interesting that you saw that inside the secure area of the airport where no firearms are allowed. Do have a question though. Is there a vetting process for businesses that request a 51% sign, or is it granted without any questions asked? I ask this because I've seen a couple places with 51% signs that I find very hard to believe that they qualify.

[C-dub]

That's interesting that you saw that inside the secure area of the airport where no firearms are allowed. Do have a question though. Is there a vetting process for businesses that request a 51% sign, or is it granted without any questions asked? I ask this because I've seen a couple places with 51% signs that I find very hard to believe that they qualify.

I'm not completely positive, but I don't think there is any sort of vetting process other than to provide proof that a business derives at least 51% of their sales from the on-site consumption of alcohol to the TABC. When any business that will sell alcohol applies for their license to sell alcohol, whether for on-site consumption or not, and it is approved I think they are sent a packet with all the signs and it is up to the business to post the appropriate signs for their business depending upon their license.

Since this business has only posted a copy and the OP stated that they don't sell any alcohol it sounds like they might have just printed one for themselves. Possibly even from an image online. Also not knowing that 51% watermark is supposed to be red.

[Sport Coach]

I think if I had the time waiting for a flight I would have had a polite conversation with the employee if they even knew what the sign meant. Obviously the person who put it there didn't know. It might have been their way of making themselves somehow feel safer. Maybe if that sign worked in that location all of Chicago ought to give it a shot?

[bayou]

I am not trying to figure out the intent of the person who posted the sign. But the 51% signs are not only for handguns only but all concealed weapons. I don't know if at this time small knives such as swiss army knives are still allowed through security. TSA seems to flip flop on this.

[ScottDLS]

I am not trying to figure out the intent of the person who posted the sign. But the 51% signs are not only for handguns only but all concealed weapons. I don't know if at this time small knives such as swiss army knives are still allowed through security. TSA seems to flip flop on this.

Technically the 51% signs are only for 46.05a prohibited weapons in locations deriving over 51% of their sales from alcohol for on-premises consumption. Small knives and nail clippers are not "prohibited weapons" under 46.05a, so you can carry them in a 51% location if TSA lets you through with them.

You can legally carry a concealed rifle in a 51% location (but not in the airport!).

[steveincowtown]

I am not trying to figure out the intent of the person who posted the sign. But the 51% signs are not only for handguns only but all concealed weapons. I don't know if at this time small knives such as swiss army knives are still allowed through security. TSA seems to flip flop on this.

Technically the 51% signs are only for 46.05a prohibited weapons in locations deriving over 51% of their sales from alcohol for on-premises consumption. Small knives and nail clippers are not "prohibited weapons" under 46.05a, so you can carry them in a 51% location if TSA lets you through with them.

You can legally carry a concealed rifle in a 51% location (but not in the airport!).

I believe that would be incorrect. 51% covers all weapons. I think you are probaly thinking of another sign we all love to hate.

[ScottDLS]

I am not trying to figure out the intent of the person who posted the sign. But the 51% signs are not only for handguns only but all concealed weapons. I don't know if at this time small knives such as swiss army knives are still allowed through security. TSA seems to flip flop on this.

Technically the 51% signs are only for 46.05a prohibited weapons in locations deriving over 51% of their sales from alcohol for on-premises consumption. Small knives and nail clippers are not "prohibited weapons" under 46.05a, so you can carry them in a 51% location if TSA lets you through with them.

You can legally carry a concealed rifle in a 51% location (but not in the airport!).

I believe that would be incorrect. 51% covers all weapons. I think you are probaly thinking of another sign we all love to hate.

Nope the 51% sign covers "prohibited weapons".

PC §46.02. UNLAWFUL CARRYING WEAPONS.
(a) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries on or about his or her person a handgun, illegal knife, or club....
...
(c) An offense under this section is a felony of the third degree if the offense is committed on any premises licensed or issued a permit by this state for the sale of alcoholic beverages.

PC §46.035. UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF HANDGUN BY LICENSE HOLDER.
...
(b) A license holder commits an offense if the license holder intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries a handgun under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, regardless of whether the handgun is concealed or carried in a shoulder or belt holster, on or about the license holder’s person:
(1) on the premises of a business that has a permit or license issued under Chapter 25, 28, 32, 69, or 74, Alcoholic Beverage Code, if the business derives 51 percent or more of its income from the sale or service of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, as determined by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission under Section 104.06, Alcoholic Beverage Code;
...
(k) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (b)(1) that the actor was not given effective notice under Section 411.204, Government Code.

[Glockster]

Been in the air and just no getting back to the forum. It was what was supposed to be this sign:
https://www.tabc.state.tx.us/publicatio ... pons51.pdf

But they just had a B&W copy that frankly looked like a copy of a copy kinda thing. I actually thought of asking the single person working the register, but as her English was really not that good I considers the potential for me missing my flight because she interpreted something incorrectly and thought I'd said that I was carrying a gun.

I am confused by some of the above because like Scott, I read the sign and the statute to be covering "handguns" only.

Added - and again, they sell no alcohol whatsoever. It is my usual departure gate so will take a pic the next time as well, and see if I can find their resale & sales tax permits for the official name that can be looked up.

[ScottDLS]

Been in the air and just no getting back to the forum. It was what was supposed to be this sign:
https://www.tabc.state.tx.us/publicatio ... pons51.pdf

But they just had a B&W copy that frankly looked like a copy of a copy kinda thing. I actually thought of asking the single person working the register, but as her English was really not that good I considers the potential for me missing my flight because she interpreted something incorrectly and thought I'd said that I was carrying a gun.

I am confused by some of the above because like Scott, I read the sign and the statute to be covering "handguns" only.

Added - and again, they sell no alcohol whatsoever. It is my usual departure gate so will take a pic the next time as well, and see if I can find their resale & sales tax permits for the official name that can be looked up.

I see the real 51% signs at DFW all the time. In the bars that don't sell much food. They have to post due to TABC regs, but they're pretty much covered by the law against carrying in the secure area anyway. The one at the non-alcohol selling snack store has the same amount of validity it would have outside the airport...none.

[Pawpaw]

That sign means absolutely nothing.

The real 51% sign looks like this:

[Rex B]

Report it to the TABC on their website. Nothing like official notice to educate the igganert

[RogueUSMC]

There is really no penalty I don't think. If you are licensed, you can lose your license for improper posting but nothing criminal. If you don't have a license, they have nothing to hold over your head...

[Rex B]

For a business that sells alcohol, that TABC license is critical to viability. With alcohol sales they may as well close up. So staying on the good side of TABC is Job 1.
When TABC tells them they have the wrong sign posted, and explains which sign they need, the sign gets changed ....Pronto!