Do you carry in a "gun-free zone?

[team sidewinder]

I don't like putting my gun back in the car so I just don't go there. I don't want somebody stealing my car with my gun inside loaded and what the thief could do with my gun. I will keep MY gun on MY person. I have heard too many police dispatchers telling officers of a stolen car with guns inside.

 

[TexasArmed]

In the strictest interpretation, regardless of the state, I think one should consider that the sign was posted by the owner, thus making his [erroneous ] intentions clear, that he does not want guns present on his property.

The problem is of course that those poor misunderstood miscreants armed with bad attitudes and guns will not in any way consider that sign as a hindrance to their bad intentions.

Check out handgunlaw.us where Gary has added state signage laws in the past year.

Yes the state makes all the difference. And in Texas if it is not a legal 30.06 sign, I would not mind honoring the unenforcable sign provided the business owner posted an additional sign that he accepts responsibility for any criminal acts that happen on his property. I suspect that few business owners are willingt to do that, so if they want compliance with the sign, it needs to be legally enforcable.

 

[Yiogo]

Each state is different. Follow the laws of your state if you want to be a law abiding gun owner. I do. In NH, you can't carry when a no gun sign is posted. Yiogo

 

[PatAz]

It's a mix, sometimes I put it away, most times i leave and don't go back.

 

[jlanecole]

Another Texan here; I figure if the business meant me, they would have put up the proper signage.

 

[LenS]

Each state is different. Follow the laws of your state if you want to be a law abiding gun owner. I do. In NH, you can't carry when a no gun sign is posted. Yiogo

Do you have a cite in RSA for this?

I've never found any such language and since I vacation there, I tend to try to keep up with the laws in NH.

I also didn't see any such signs, but I didn't go to shopping malls (other than Merrimack Outlets) or theaters while there.

 

[bluegrassarms]

Only place I see the sighns are banks and some malls. But on the picture it shows a revolver so obviously its ok to walk in with my semi auto concealed : )

OK, that's funny.

In Kentucky it's only trespass if you are asked to leave and refuse. even entering with a sign in place isn't illegal, just if you don't cooperate if they tell you to leave. Since concealed carry means it's highly unlikely anyone will ask you to leave, I tend to ignore it and observe only the Kentucky statutes on where to not carry.

I'll try to shop elsewhere as well, but in a pinch I don't have a problem going in if I'm not breaking the law.

One caveat -- I do think it's reasonable for gun stores to ask people to not carry loaded in the store just out of risk of confusion, someone absent mindedly pulling out their gun to compare and it getting confused with an unloaded weapon or some other scenario. At the very least absolutely don't unholster a loaded weapon in the store, but I'm OK with their logic on that one.

 

[Old cop]

The problem w/gong back to the car to secure the weapon is now you have subjected the gun to being stolen. That creates a worse problem b/c now there is a loaded gun floating around w/some nut who may use it for who knows what.

It appears that those who post "Gun Free Zones" have created a solution for a problem that did not exist.

 

[andrewb70]

I voted "turn around and never go back." I respect the wishes of a business, no matter how misguided they might be, based on the moral principle of non-aggression. It is not a legal argument because there are plenty of laws that are immoral. Let me elaborate.

We (thankfully) live in a society that offers us many choices when it comes to where we procure food, drink, entertainment, clothing, etc...Individuals enter a place of business on a voluntary basis for the purpose of mutually beneficial exchange. When I visit a grocer it is because I prefer to have food instead of the money in my pocket. The grocer prefers to have the money in my pocket instead of the food on his shelves. By definition, exchange can only take place when both parties have the desire, ability, and the means to facilitate said exchange, otherwise the exchange cannot take place. Exchange, also by definition, is voluntary. Every individual chooses numerous exchanges throughout the day.

Let's get back on point. When a business places a "no guns sign" on its door it sends a certain signal. Some perceive (incorrectly) that the business is looking out for their best interest. We all know better, because we know that "gun free" zones are more dangerous. However, what we think and what we know is irrelevant because doing business with any establishment is voluntary. So if a business chooses to not allow guns (or swords, or knives, or people wearing purple for that matter) is their prerogative. I in turn have a choice to make. I either respect their wishes and enter the establishment without my gun (or not wear purple) or I choose another establishment that does not have said rules. It is that simple...

I will even go one step further and state that it is immoral for anyone to NOT respect the wishes of the business establishment because not doing so is an act of aggression. Exerting aggression when none was exerted towards me is immoral.

Andrew

 

[cmort666]

Until recently, I couldn't carry into liquor serving restaurants, including Chipotle. I didn't hold that against the business. Whether they agree with it, it was the law.

In Ohio, "no guns" signs have the force of law. I don't enter posted businesses while armed. I routinely enter posted parking lots, since to do so is not a crime, but instead civil trespass. They have to KNOW you're armed, tell you to leave, and you have to refuse before a crime is committed. Given that I'm not prone to waving my firearm around in parking lots, they never know.

If there are two similar businesses, one that's posted and one that's not, my preference is for the non-posted one. I don't ABSOLUTELY boycott posted businesses, but they get a LOT less of my business. There's a Barnes & Noble about ten miles from my house and a Books-A-Million about a mile from my house. The Barnes & Noble is in a posted mall and the Books-A-Million isn't. Guess which one I go to twenty times more often than the other. You have a right to post your business. You have NO right to my money.

 

[tom turner]

I always follow the law . . . usually!

 

[merbeau]

I would never admit to breaking the law on a forum... Of course I always obey those signs.

One local farm supply store near me has a sign saying something like all guns must be unloaded and encased in a gun case EXCEPT for those persons who have a concealed carry permit and are exercising their right to legally carry a firearm.

I like that sign!

I'm going to start carrying some slips of paper I can hand clerks and owners asking them why they would post a 'no gun' rule and what they expect is going to happen besides keep the good guys unarmed and making the place safer for the bad guys.

The indoor range that I frequent has that exact quote. When I go to the range my handguns are enclosed in my Gun Ho pistol box and unloaded. I would just walk away from the store. No need to cause a problem or worse yet get arrested and then your carry permit is gone along with probably buying any other firearms. I live in Texas where you would think issues for firearms are little more foregiving but the same signs are everywhere and the county I live in just passed a rule making it illegal to discharge a firearm unless you own 10 acres or more of property!!

 

[mwilson6]

Hard to imagine the store has something so unique you can't purchase elsewhere. I saw a few comments about pressing the issue with the store manager, but doubt that would do any good unless it is a local small business owner. Even if it is, they have gone through a fair amount of soul searching to arrive at their position and aren't likely to back up because of a gun advocate pressing the issue.
I say, walk away and find another vendor.

 

[feralmerril]

Maybe I am not observant enough but the first and only sign I have seen was a few days ago in colorado. My daughter is a instructor at a huge gym. She took us over the other day to show us where she works. I wouldnt want to carry in there to start with due to stripping down, changing cloths amoung many and not being able to exercise with it anyway.

 

[CigarGuy]

I have to admit to being a little surprised. I would have thought at least half of us woulda penalised the establishment by not shopping there.

 

[66snub]

Here in Michigan, just because a regular business posts a "no hand-guns" sign in their window, that doesn't mean that it's illegal to do so. Having said that, there are still places that you cannot carry in accordance to state statute. Being a police officer gives you more authority to do so in most cases, however, even law enforcement aren't allowed to carry off-duty in certain places, such as casinos.

 

[photoman]

I just carry it.
Just conceal it very good.
And when the wolves come and the sheep start to cry you just pull it out and snd the wolf to go nite nite.
And the sheep will love you and squeeze you forever.
Good night kids.

Boy howdy are you in for a big surprise...

 

[Hunterfz6]

To me, if your carrying concealed and its very well concealed, I just might go in. As long as your not showing it, and nobody is frisking you. Just don't make it anybodies business. Of course I'd never go into court, police station, etc with a gun on me. More of a risk of metal detection anyway. Aren't gun free zones hunting areas for armed mentally deranged people anyway?

 

[mwilson6]

My previous post (95) was a logical one, from my view.

However, after reading views by Massad Ayoob, it seems I might have been on track from a professional's point of view as well. Take the time to read his writings, it just might cause you to take a different view of what a CHL is all about.

Not that you would abandon your view to carry a concealed weapon, but if you aren't a "seasoned" concealed carrier, I can guarantee his vantage point will make you stop and think.
He is absolutely a proponent of being protected at all times, but he is always respectful of local, federal, and local business guidelines-laws.

You are carrying a weapon for protection, not to make a political point.

There, I feel much better!!!
Be safe, folks.

 

[CigarGuy]

So many(all) of you are so rabid when it comes to ANYONE or ANYTHING infringing on your 2A rights, but over a 100 of you would still frequent a business that does just that? I really don't understand that?