Racetrack Carry

[Wisewr]

What qualifies as a racetrack? I mean technically, there is a go-kart racetrack right down the road here. Surely that is not prohibited for permitted individuals. I thought I read somewhere that the law was talking about horse and dog tracks, i.e. racetracks where gambling is conducted. So is a dragstrip such as Houston Raceway Park, Texas Motorplex in Ennis, and Houston Motorsports Park offlimts even if you have a permit? Still trying to figure out all the "loop holes" in the laws here, sorry. Thanks in advance.

[seamusTX]

A horse or dog track that has parimutuel betting (PC 46.01(15)). There are only a few in the state.

This is the law that defines racetrack: http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/D ... 0.htm#179e" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

[C-dub]

I think it would have to be a "professional sporting event" to be restricted?

[C-dub]

Places like the Texas Motor Speedway, for example. However, they don't really control the access to those places like they do baseball, football, hockey, or basketball. There aren't even any metal detectors at the Frisco Roughrider's games, but I still don't risk it.

[joe817]

A horse or dog track that has parimutuel betting (PC 46.01(15)). There are only a few in the state.

- Jim

To further elaborate on what Jim has said, this is from Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes:
"Art. 179e. TEXAS RACING ACT.

ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Short title
Sec. 1.01. This Act may be cited as the Texas Racing Act.
Purpose
Sec. 1.02. The purpose of this Act is to provide for the strict regulation of horse racing and greyhound racing and the control of pari-mutuel wagering in connection with that racing.......etc, etc, etc.
.
.
.
(25) "Racetrack" means a facility that is licensed under this Act for the conduct of pari-mutuel wagering on greyhound racing or horse racing.""

So it appears that it pertains to horse racing and greyhond racing only. HOWEVER......

the other types of race tracks may(stress may) have other restrictions that you need to check out before you go in and start carrying. EG: a valid 30.06 sign, etc.

I don't think I'd want to carry at the Texas Motor Speedway, as it could be construed as a professional sporting event, which has a prohibition to carry , PC 46.035(b)(2).

Phew, Jim, you're gonna make me memorize this yet!

{Jim you beat me to it!}

[seamusTX]

Professional automobile races are off-limits (thanks to the lack of oxygen in Austin), but they are a different section of the law than horse and dog tracks.

- Jim

[Count]

I think it would have to be a "professional sporting event" to be restricted?

No. Professional sporting events are prohibited in 46.035 and racetracks are prohibited in 46.03 and there are some important differences between them in what weapons are prohibited and who it applies to.

Sec. 46.03. PLACES WEAPONS PROHIBITED. (a) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly possesses or goes with a firearm, illegal knife, club, or prohibited weapon listed in Section 46.05(a):
(4) on the premises of a racetrack;

Sec. 46.01. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(15) "Racetrack" has the meaning assigned that term by the Texas Racing Act (Article 179e, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes).

Texas Racing Act
Sec. 1.03. Definitions.
In this Act:
(25) "Racetrack" means a facility that is licensed under this Act for the conduct of pari-mutuel wagering on greyhound racing or horse racing.

[seamusTX]

All horse and dog races are professional sporting events, so these events would actually come under both sections. The prohibition in 46.03 (racetracks) was probably there a long time before 46.035 (professional sporting events).

- Jim

[C-dub]

I wasn't sure of the horse/dog track definition, but was mainly refering to the go-cart track. It would not be off-limits, unless 30.06 posted. I would've also considered the horse or dog track as a professional sporting event, but that's just my opinion.

[C-dub]

Oops. Thanks Seamus. I was typing while you were, but you were faster.

[boomerang]

It looks like a racetrack is off limits even if there's no race that day.

[Wisewr]

Thanks for all the quick replies. We're going to the nationals in September at Texas Motor Speedway in Ennis which is why I'm asking. This event is considered a sport and the people racing are professionals, so I guess this would be considered a professional sporting event which would mean carrying would not be allowed, if I understand everyone right. Like someone said, why chance it? I know they'll have security there and would hate to be in a situation where I might get in trouble. But just to add on and make this extremley more difficult; there are races that occur on the weekends where locals show up, nonprofessionals on the same track on a different day. So, in my opinion this would not be a professional sporting event which means you could carry, assuming there are no 30.06 signs posted. So would the deciding factor here be who is "performing," professionals or nonprofessionals, and that would determine wheter you could carry or not? Does that sound right?

Tell me if I'm taking it way too far over the edge here, I'm new and trying to get a deeper understanding than what the class gave.

[seamusTX]

...there are races that occur on the weekends where locals show up, nonprofessionals on the same track on a different day. So, in my opinion this would not be a professional sporting event which means you could carry, assuming there are no 30.06 signs posted....

Yeah, the same as a stadium that is used for professional games at some times and concerts at others.

- Jim

[PUCKER]

Wife and I were out at the Texas Motor Speedway Friday night to watch the Scion Drag n Brag event (amateur). Here's the sign they had posted, I always get a chuckle out of signs like this...

[Rex B]

Thanks for all the quick replies. We're going to the nationals in September at Texas Motor Speedway in Ennis which is why I'm asking. This event is considered a sport and the people racing are professionals, so I guess this would be considered a professional sporting event which would mean carrying would not be allowed, if I understand everyone right. Like someone said, why chance it? I know they'll have security there and would hate to be in a situation where I might get in trouble. But just to add on and make this extremley more difficult; there are races that occur on the weekends where locals show up, nonprofessionals on the same track on a different day. So, in my opinion this would not be a professional sporting event which means you could carry, assuming there are no 30.06 signs posted. So would the deciding factor here be who is "performing," professionals or nonprofessionals, and that would determine wheter you could carry or not? Does that sound right?

Tell me if I'm taking it way too far over the edge here, I'm new and trying to get a deeper understanding than what the class gave.

If there is official prize money it can be considered a pro event.

I don't know if that is the legal definition for this purpose though.