Stopped at Porter County Fair while carrying.

[RyanGSams]

I now know I was in the wrong for carrying in the fair, but i didn't know who ran the fair until I emailed the Porter County Sheriff.

I OC'ed for the first time at the County Fair and was approached by 3 County Sheriffs.

I was OCing for about an hour and then basically ambushed by 3 Porter County Sheriffs. When I say ambushed, I mean they came out of no where. I had two on my right side (where my gun was) and one facing me who was talking to me. He was very polite, asked for my LTCH and ID. Said I wasn't allowed to carry on the grounds. He let me wait for my girlfriend to get off the ride since i had our kid in the stroller. He asked me about the length it took to get my LTCH as well and seemed curious. They all left while I was still waiting for my girlfriend to get off the ride. First encounter with LEO and it was an excellent one. Hope all my encounters are that way.

My Email:

Sheriff ,

Hello, I was at the Porter County Fair yesterday and while I was carrying my sidearm with me and was asked politely to take it back to my vehicle. I complied and when I got home I read up on the laws about carrying at the fair. I have found out that if the fair ground is owned by the county and run by the county then it is illegal to enforce signage posted on the fences. If I am wrong would you be able to provide me with the law of which can be enforced?

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Me

His response:

Thank you for the complimentary words about our officer. I am curious how he knew that you were armed. Did you mention it, or was it visible at the time?
In answer to your question, the fairgrounds is rented by the Agricultural Society from the county during the fair. The renters have set certain prohibitions for the property including firearms and alcohol. The Society contracts for security.

Sheriff

I posted this in NWI General post, but figured to post in here as well. I also realize that the way I worded my email wasn't the best.

 

[92ThoStro]

Yea same as the other thread, it was legal for them to ask you to leave. It was being rented out and you were trespassing by ignoring the signs. It sounds like you saw the signs before hand, and were not oblivious. Same as the 4h fair deals, it is public property but.privately managed. The law allows them the ability to ban firearms. It is in the IC

 

[KG1]

Kudos to the County Sheriffs for what seems to be a right proper assessment and handling of the situation and realizing there was no need to go hands on (disarm).

 

[churchmouse]

OK...you saw the signs?

Did you think this would go any other way?

Did this ruin the day for Your family?

Just curious.

+1 for LEO response.

 

[lonehoosier]

Lets just be clear here. There has always been a sign posted at the Porter County fair grounds even when the fair is not going on. Under SB292 there are in violation of the law. We just found out recently that the fair is run be a private party.

 

[CPT Nervous]

Glad to hear they handled it professionally. I would like to know who has to tell the officers that they cannot carry at the fair...

 

[HoughMade]

They are the contracted security.

 

[Redhorse]

Well I'm glad the police here handled this so politely. I hate how you were forced to disarm but at least they didn't make a scene.

 

[rsklar]

And they did not even escort you to your car, or off the premises.. How nice. Sheriff's tend to be more 2A Friendly anyway.

 

[RyanGSams]

Yea same as the other thread, it was legal for them to ask you to leave. It was being rented out and you were trespassing by ignoring the signs. It sounds like you saw the signs before hand, and were not oblivious. Same as the 4h fair deals, it is public property but.privately managed. The law allows them the ability to ban firearms. It is in the IC

I can tell you, that I did see the signs. I just thought they were like any other sign and could not be taken as law. I also didn't know it was privately managed until I got the email from the Sheriff.
There was no easy information to obtain saying who ran the fair. I seen a few places where the county actually ran it.

OK...you saw the signs?

Did you think this would go any other way?

Did this ruin the day for Your family?

Just curious.

+1 for LEO response.

I seen the sign, didn't know it was privately managed.

I wouldn't have carried had I known it was privately managed. It could have gone other ways. They could have been jerks and disarmed me or could have just been pricks in general. I have seen many threads on here about LEO. I am glad it turned out good. My post is no way negative. I just want to inform other members of carrying at the Porter County fair as it is privately managed, as some members thought it was ran by the county. Also, there isn't many positive posts about LEO so I figured I could commend him on the Internet, even though i never got his name...

It did not ruin the day with the family, I didn't think you could get that from my post. If they would have acted differently, It could have easily ruined it.

 

[92ThoStro]

I thought most fairs are privately managed, that is.why I don't go. They had a nice looking fair over by Walmart in noblesville.

 

[mrjarrell]

I thought most fairs are privately managed, that is.why I don't go. They had a nice looking fair over by Walmart in noblesville.

If you didn't go then you missed out. The Hamilton County 4H Fair is not a gun free zone. I've been going there every year for years now and have never had a problem. No signage anywhere that forbids weapons. Not odd since the 4H org has a local 4H shooting sports group. Don't miss out next time.

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

If you didn't go then you missed out. The Hamilton County 4H Fair is not a gun free zone. I've been going there every year for years now and have never had a problem. No signage anywhere that forbids weapons. Not odd since the 4H org has a local 4H shooting sports group. Don't miss out next time.

My family and I went last Saturday! Couldn't have axed for better weather...

And standing there eating a rabbit BBQ sandwich while staring at the exhibited 4-H rabbits was fun, too.

Me being me, I make it a point to try and spot belt-carried handguns on others. I didn't notice any. Not even on the feller proudly wearing his nice NRA T-shirt. Only OC'ers I saw were LEO (and only three of them).

That said, I think the Hamilton County Fair may very well make it into the rotation of summer things to do....even if it takes us 45 minutes to get there.

-J-

 

[jedi]

Glad to hear they handled it professionally. I would like to know who has to tell the officers that they cannot carry at the fair...

All animals are equal, some animals are more equal than others.
/thread

 

[CPT Nervous]

All animals are equal, some animals are more equal than others.
/thread

Exactly.

 

[jedi]

btw cpt I think this avatar will serve u best.

 

[CPT Nervous]

btw cpt I think this avatar will serve u best.

Are you calling the GPD Nazis? That's pretty disrespectful.

 

[jedi]

Are you calling the GPD Nazis? That's pretty disrespectful.

Is GPD = Grammar Police Department as in what your avatar shows? As in INGO Grammar Police Department (which I think is a make believe department here on INGO) right? If so yes I was showing you a better avatar for the grammar police. It's a joke CPT. Since I quoted the all animals quote and you agreed.

Or is GPD = some real PD department?

 

[CPT Nervous]

Is GPD = Grammar Police Department as in what your avatar shows? As in INGO Grammar Police Department (which I think is a make believe department here on INGO) right? If so yes I was showing you a better avatar for the grammar police. It's a joke CPT. Since I quoted the all animals quote and you agreed.

Or is GPD = some real PD department?

I would think the INGO GPD is a real thing!!! They gave me a badge!!! Are you saying I'm not a real grammar cop????

 

[jedi]

I would think the INGO GPD is a real thing!!! They gave me a badge!!! Are you saying I'm not a real grammar cop????

Well if the INGO GPD is a real police department then you are NOT a nazi but a JBT!
So I guess the choice is yours.