Deep Cover on Short Notice

[BigRedBowtie]

I went to the MN State HS Hockey Tournament at the Xcel Center last night. For those of you who think :scrutiny: "High school hockey?"; just parallel it with hoops in indiana or football in texas- it's a BIG deal here. Anyway, we (wife and I, another couple and their 7mo old) arrived 2 tickets shy of entry, and needed to find some, so while we did, the ladies and junior sat in the entryway, where it was warm. My wife is as accustomed as I am to walking past "the signs" while carrying, so they weren't all that bothersome. However, she started to notice that, before they were even taking tickets, a rather complete pat-down was performed. This was a problem, as I had a 3" SP101 IWB at 4:30, and she was wearing a KT P11 in a paddle at 3:00. She noticed that one of the "guards" wasn't giving a complete pat-down, but she left before we got tickets.

We (the men) finally scored some face-value tickets, so my wife and I went for a walk. Across the street there was a park bench. She handed me the P11, which went in my front pocket, and told me how she'd seen a kid sneak a bottle of water through in his sock... hmm :cool: I have my 8" redwings on... So the '101 rode in my improptu ankle holster, completely inaccessible to me or anyone else- but with 100% retention!

We walked (myself bearing noticeable ankle pain) back over to the "X" to run the gauntlet. Pass out the tix, and I take point. My keys were hanging over my front pocket, so that passed muster, then he found the holster...

"What's this?" (as he's lifting up my coat and cover)

"My empty holster."

"OK, just thought I felt something a little funny there."
... ... ... That's it?!?!
So on we went to find the nearest restroom, so I could "re-configure"

Got to thinking- wouldn't a holster, albeit empty, prompt one to look with a little closer scrutiny? My next question would be "where's the gun?"! I also missed out on a golden opportunity to try out the "colostomy bag" line. Bottom line is, we were able to account for our own safety to and from the game. Also, and you may be surprised at this- neither gun jumped out of its holster and started "spraying bullets" into crowds of "the children"... imagine that.

As a disclaimer: as a permit-holder, I did nothing against the law. As of right now, our carry law has been set aside, making carry at HS events legal, and negating any legal effect of "the signs", which have no real legal weight anyway. I was not asked to leave or stow my weapons in my vehicle, and therefore was not tresspassing. That said, it would have been a major hassle had they found me out.

[yorec]

And this surprises you?

Most security measures are just "window dressing" anyway. A determined individual can always circumvent them...

I do wonder though, if you had been discovered, what would have been the reaction? Simple expulsion would have been the least and hopefully all that would've taken place. A bad write up in every paper and Martha Stewart frenzy style indepth investagative reports on how really "safe and sound" the "regular" citizen's CCW is would be the worse... (or maybe some mall ninja taking action against ya would be worse... It could always be worse. :banghead: )

[DDGator]

Last year (two years ago?), I went to the NCAA basketball finals in Tampa. I knew to leave my gun behind, but had a 3.5" Kershaw in my pocket. As I walk up, I see a half-#$@ed security check -- rent-a-cops with hand held metal detectors.

Now I am ticked. I parked a mile or more away and I didn't have the time or energy to go back to the car. There were no signs, but I assumed the knife would not get past this check. So I watched the procedure for a bit. As you approach, they tell you to put your wallet, keys, etc. in your hands and hold them out from you side while they wand you.

O.k. I put my wallet, cell phone, and tactical-looking folding knife in my hand -- keep in mind its fairly dark outside the forum -- and walk up to the guard. He wands me from the armpits down and I walk right in. No inspection of my hands at all. Frankly, if I had evil intentions, I think I could have had a .380 in my hands...

I wouldn't mind security at these things if it was effective -- but its not.

[Kamicosmos]

I wouldn't mind security at these things if it was effective -- but its not.

Precisely! Those of us with a legal carry permit either leave the guns at home or run the risk of real legal trouble to follow the 'law'. Meanwhile, the real badguys are casually doing what they always have, which is sneaking guns/knives/saps/drugs/whathaveyou into where ever they want.


Preaching to the choir here, of course.

[dev_null]

Rent-A-Bully at Capitol Centre (now "US Air Arena" :barf: ): "You can't take that weapon in here, buddy."

Me, looking at the Victorinox Swiss Army Knife (don't leave home without it): "What am I gonna do, corkscrew someone to death? Threaten to remove a stone from their hoof? Tweeze them unmercifully?"

R-A-B, swelling up and getting ready to call half a dozen fellow goons: "Either take it back to your car or give it to me."

These are the same schmucks who threatened to physically throw the wife (now ex) out for sitting down while waiting for the line of people exiting at the end of a show to move more than an inch, instead of standing around for 30 minutes. (Yes, she tried to explain, but was interrupted and physically threatened.) I told her she should have had them do it just so she'd have gotten out of there sooner.

You think "badge-heavy" cops are a PITA? Try badge heavy ushers with bad attitudes, racial issues, and a penchant for 6:1 odds. :fire:

- 0 -

[pogo2]

The only way I can think of a justification for an easily-circumvented weapons check like this is deterrence of some, but not all, of those who would enter with weapons. The management must figure they are better off deterring the 70 out of 100 who are intimidated by the prospect of being frisked, and will disarm before entering. I guess they must realize that the hardcore 30 out of 100 will sneak the weapons in, as the poster did.

Of course, the 30 who sneak in armed probably include the few who actually intend to cause a problem with their weapon. It would seem that the most motivated are the most likely to risk running the gauntlet. So all the screening does is exclude the 70 who are no problem, anyway.

A clear waste of time.