CCW in a Theme Park

[anapex]

I was recently up at a theme park in Massachusetts and it sparked a question I really couldn't answer. First Massachusetts does allow CCW, granted it's not shall issue but it's still there. Now the park I went too had no signs displayed coming in to the park prohibiting CCW yet they had metal detectors going in to the park after the ticket booth. Would they have a right to refuse you if you were licensed and carrying?

 

[Coronach]

Is it private property? If so, the owner of the property can decide whether or not you can carry your gun on his property.

Not unlike, say, your own house.

Mike

 

[scbair]

Coronach is probably correct.

I think it might vary from state to state, depending on laws re: "private dwellings" vs. "businesses." At any rate, if the metal detectors are situated so you pass through them after you've purchased the ticket, and if there are no signs posted or legal prohibitions against CCW, you should certainly be refunded the ticket price, if denied admission. I generally don't make public scenes, but, were that situation to arise, I'd probably become quite vocal regarding discrimination against law-abiding citizens, etc., and make it an unpleasant experience for the personnel. Nothing aggressive, of course; just indignant.

 

[anapex]

The detectors were after the ticket counter so I probably would have asked for a refund if I had even been carrying. I was just curious to see what others would do. Especially since there were no signs prohibiting firearms, actually no signs listing prohibited items at all, at least on the way I walked in.

 

[DigitalWarrior]

I doubt they were working

Seriously I do not think that those metal detectors were working (Something similar at most theme parks). If it were working, then metal belt buckles, Car keys, etc. would have set it off. No theme park that I am aware of wants to start a visitor's stay off with a wanding and detainment/questioning.

Those partitions are there for the sheep, like the plastic "theft deterents" at many stores. The deterrent effect is because people assume them to be something they are not.

For instance, Disneyland did a cursory visual examination of my bags, but none on my person. The examiner was all of 19 years old. I bet her real purpose is to stop visitors from carrying food and drink into the park.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

I don't believe there is any state in the US where a license for anything gives an individual to perform a given type of activity on private property other than his own. Having a license does not mean you get to carry on property where they don't want you carrying. If the license granted that power, then the license would be granting the licensee the power to override the rights of the property owner, be that an individual or corporation. The owner or management of the property has right to refuse folks many things such as carrying weapons onto the property, requiring a certain style of dress, etc. In short, the licensee does not have rights that supercede the rights of the property owner.

This sort of 'discrimination against a law-abiding citizen' is not discrimination against the citizen any more than attire requirements at a local posh eatery. Making the experience unpleasant for the personnel seems pretty darned stupid, especially if you aren't dealing with any of the actual rule makers such as the property owner. Yelling at come acne-faced teenaged ticket seller about how you are a law-abiding citizen really does absolutely nothing to better the situation to a reasonable conclusion or do much to give the public the impression that licensed gun owners are well balanced people that pose no threat to public safety. Making a big scene and making things unpleasant for the employees simply looks bad, reflects bad on other 'law-abiding' gun owners, and really helps to justify to the property owner why they don't want those gun-nuts on their property with guns and disturbing their other customers. It may not be aggressive, but such vocalizations of indignation come across more as tantrums.

Also, while it may be most advantageous that a property where guns are not allowed by the rule of the owner to have posted signs, the absence of signs does not mean the owner has given up their right to exercise control over the property pertaining to a specific item such as a gun.

 

[HBK]

Better make sure that CCW is very secure if you plan to ride one of the roller coasters with the loop.

 

[sanchezero]

Seriously I do not think that those metal detectors were working (Something similar at most theme parks). If it were working, then metal belt buckles, Car keys, etc. would have set it off. No theme park that I am aware of wants to start a visitor's stay off with a wanding and detainment/questioning.

I just went to Paramount's King's Dominion in VA. They had fully functional detectors, prohibitive signs and several guys with wands on the other side. I, of course, got held up for a bit.

In a related note, the metal buckle of a wilderness belt is placed very close to a pistol in a smartcarry rig.

 

[NukemJim]

No theme park that I am aware of wants to start a visitor's stay off with a wanding and detainment/questioning.

6 Flags/Great America in Illinois. Wouldn,t let me take my swiss army knife in.

NukemJim

 

[SGT109FA]

Is it private property? If so, the owner of the property can decide whether or not you can carry your gun on his property.

I agree with coronach.

 

[DigitalWarrior]

The Carry with a big belt buckle rig is a great idea

I am amazed that they took away a pen-knife, I bet canes are next as possible bludgeoning devices.

As far as there being no difference between a business and another non-commercial private property, you are dead wrong. There is a world of difference, regardless of whether it is morally justifiable or not.

A commercial property has a lot of regulations that are not applied elsewhere. Handicapable restrooms on new properties for instance. Try putting up a "whites only" sign if you doubt me. I believe that Texas has the 30.06 regulation. Not sure about the details because I am in PRK.

 

[anapex]

Ok in the instance where the place has no posted rules governing what can or cannot be carried in to the park yet has metal detectors at the gates. Should you, after being informed by pimply nosed teenager who someone earlier said we shouldn't really bother with anyway since they are not the owner/rulemaker of the property. Wait until said owner/rulemaker shows up to discuss why certain items are prohibited and to ask them to actually post those items where they are visible to everyone coming in? Should you leave? Or should you just walk in anyway and let them have security chase you down and then have a big lengthy court battle?


Yes I know I started to exagerate near the end.

 

[BerettaNut92]

Someone I know knows someone who is a po-po and Disneyland security said he couldn't carry his off-duty piece in. I believe it was in a fanny pack. They told him even if he was a po-po (he had his badge, etc on him as well) he couldn't bring it in the park.

So he went back to the car, dropped the fanny pack off and went back in. With his gun in his waistband

Bad popo! Bad popo!

 

[anapex]

Ok did quick search at the parks online website. Out of all the parks they have the only ones that they list policy for not bringing in any firearm or weapon even are two parks in Texas, one in new orleans, and one in denver. For all the others (including the one I visited) nothing is listed in their policies.

 

[SoCalGeek]

DigitalWarrior- Unless their policy has changed, that's not what it was. I've always been able to bring outside food/drink into disneyland with no problem whatsoever. I think it's more to provide the illusion of security than anything else. This is especially considering that they, like you said, don't search on your person. So if i wanted to bring in something that's not allowed (e.g. a small folding knife, which i don't carry occasionally) i just put it in my pocket.

 

[willyjixx]

this might be an ignorant statement.....................but couldnt you just ask to see the manager and show him your CCW license (not weapon) an let him use his professional judgement?