quote:

Originally posted by BarbC:
We'll be at Magic Kingdom this Thursday and I don't anticipate any problems.

Be sure to say hi to our favorite rodents. And remember the WDW motto for guests...Spend, spend, spend!

Seriously, have a great time.

Bob

I was at the range yesterday with Mickey's cousin, Mighty, and he saw this thread.

Mighty Mouse values his privacy during a well deserved retirement, but asked me to share his thoughts regarding the policies of "that nitwit cousin of mine."

Mighty says no self respecting Gentle Mouse would be caught dead leaving his mousegun at home when taking the family out.

"Felix isn't so bad, but you never know when Topcat, Sylvester, or one of their homies will come out of some dark alley.

The Mouse Father figure needs to set the appropriate example for the little mice, and life is better when Mrs. Mouse doesn't feel threatened by some alleycat who really should be locked up in the Pound anyway.

I personally prefer Baer 1911s, but then I am crotchety and old school. A good used S&W Model 10 can do well for you. DVC"





Personal protection is a serious responsibility, and you only get one chance at it. Florida even has provisions for non-resident permits, and that is a hint. I usually boycott businesses that discriminate against me.

Last summer I carried in a Model 15 Snub in my BOB from the vehicle into the Hotel on site. Did not carry on grounds though. Still, I went through no detectors anywhere. Believe me, I was looking for them concerning a large Kershaw I was carrying in a fanny pack.

I just got back recently from a trip there. My wife and I had been warned about the bag searches and no weapons policy so I kept the 1911 locked up back in the room. After our first day and the bag checks but no obvious metal detectors, I was pretty sure I could conceal well enough. I also decided that our 5 year-old would not appreciate the drama that would result if I was made. I also had concerns about the rides and the water. I opted not to carry in the park.

Things got funny, however, as I forgot to move my folder to a better concealed location as my wife did. As I went through the bag check I was asked to step aside. A security guard asked me what was in my pocket. I showed her my folder. I was then escorted to lockers outside the gate in which to secure it. I was wearing an untucked t-shirt and the pocket clip was slightly visible below the hem. I was surprised how quickly they homed in on me. My wife made it through unscathed.

As I was being escorted out, I asked (very politely and respectfully) what the problem was, due to the state of FL not considering my knife a weapon. The security guard became defensive and I was informed that on private property Walt Disney determined what was a weapon.

On a similar note, I just received an NRA e-mail to the effect that WDW considers themselves exempt from the new FL guns at work law.

quote:

Originally posted by Chubbs103:
I just received an NRA e-mail to the effect that WDW considers themselves exempt from the new FL guns at work law.

They think no one will take them on due to their big pockets.

I bet the NRA will love to make an example out of them.

quote:

Originally posted by Chubbs103:
I just got back recently from a trip there.

For the group, let me ask two questions. First, during your visits to Disney World, were you ever in a situation where you wished you were carrying? Second, can you think of any location in the park where the area behind a potential target would have been clear of bystanders? Epcot doesn't count on this second question as I can think of a dozen just off the top of my head.

And most importantly, did you and your family have a good time?

Bob

quote:

Originally posted by bk43:
First, during your visits to Disney World, were you ever in a situation where you wished you were carrying?

This is an exceedingly dumb question.

I have never been in a situation where I wished I had a gun handy. And yet I carry whenever I can. By your logic I shouldn't ever carry a gun.

FWIW, I have travelled alone, and alone with small children, all over this country. I have had weapons on me and not have had weapons on me. I have been in situations where I'd rather have had a weapon and not had one. I have been in situations where I was glad I was armed. I have had to openly use my defense weapon as a deterrent in some situations.

I have been to either Magic Kingdom, Epcot or MGM on an annual basis for the last 12 years and approximately 8 times sporadically before that. There have been times I went alone with children.

I have never encountered any situation in any of the Disney parks where I felt threatened in any fashion or even witnessed any incident which would cause me to question my future security.

The personal security scale which segue from precautionary into paranoia vary from person to person. If you cannot reconcile with Disney's policies and security system, don't go.

quote:

Originally posted by Wyatt Earp:
This is an exceedingly dumb question.

Lighten up hot shot. And dumb is replying to a posted question when you are clueless as to what the answer is.

Bob

I have been in situations where I've wished I had a gun and didn't, both in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I almost never leave the house unarmed and I'm sure as hell not going to Disney anything. I spent nine years in the armed forces and if they think they can't even trust me with a pocket knife, they can kiss my glow-in-the-dark white ass.

quote:

For the group, let me ask two questions. First, during your visits to Disney World, were you ever in a situation where you wished you were carrying? Second, can you think of any location in the park where the area behind a potential target would have been clear of bystanders? Epcot doesn't count on this second question as I can think of a dozen just off the top of my head.

And most importantly, did you and your family have a good time?

Thank you for asking, my family did have a good time. This was partly due to the fact the security check had no problems with our bringing bottled water and sandwiches into the park.

To address a your other questions: I did feel secure while inside the park. If I truly felt it was unsafe, I would not have taken my family. Sound judgment and situational awareness will go farther than a weapon 99% of the time. I also feel safe at my local grocery store. I still carry there. I carry in general not because of the neighborhood I live in (it is actually quite nice), but because I have made a decision to defend myself and my family if the unexpected happens. It is this logic that drives most of us to have the option of armed response in our homes, even though we feel quite safe in our living rooms as we read this forum.

Furthermore, as we took the shuttle to the park and subsequently waited in the parking lot for the shuttle back to our hotel (we were staying off sight), I couldn't help notice that the congregation of tourists and their money would have to be tempting to criminals.

Obviously, if you are employing a firearm for any reason you need to be aware of your target, what surrounds it, and what is beyond it. It is true that the park is quite crowded, and that is a consideration. If you or your family become the target of violence, it may or may not take place because you find yourself separate from the crowd.

Hopefully, this boils down to preparation not paranoia.

I just read an article on Yahoo news that stated that Disney is exempt from the new law because they have an explosives permit for the fireworks displays.

Disney lobbied for that exemption and got it put in the law.

I am also a seasonal employee for disney and I have never felt in danger while on property although I do have a concealed permit.

Thanks to those who left thoughtful replies. I find it interesting that no one familiar with Disney feels a need to carry there yet the subject always draws a bunch of folks adamant about doing so. Frankly, the thought scares the snot out of me as I have visions of some Rambo from up North taking out a "perp" who pushed him in line and half a dozen innocent kids with him.

xdealer, you're right, Disney is fighting the new firearms law and is the one company that could win. Being in effect their own city allows them to get away with stuff nobody else can. BTW, I've got to ask...a seasonal employee from Central Arkansas screams Osborne Family from Little Rock? Just curious.

Bob

quote:

Originally posted by bk43:
Frankly, the thought scares the snot out of me as I have visions of some Rambo from up North taking out a "perp" who pushed him in line and half a dozen innocent kids with him.

Pretty much the line used by anti-gunners everywhere.

quote:

Originally posted by bk43:
Disney is fighting the new firearms law and is the one company that could win. Being in effect their own city allows them to get away with stuff nobody else can.

So does WDW have some special status among FL cities that exempts it from FL's pre-emption statute?

It smells like the NRA needs to smack them down.