Sam1911 - it's a question of respect and a question of safety first. If you don't want to follow the rules of an establishment, stay out.
Safety is of primary concern to me, two ways. First, I WILL NOT and DO NOT handle my personal protection firearm at any time. It is not "in play" at a gun show or anywhere else. It will not be drawn, handled, set on a dealer's table, or in any other way brought into public. If it is safe in a restaurant or out about town, it is safe at a gun show, it is safe anywhere at all times. Second, I am concered about safety and my ability to defend myself and my loved ones in all places that I legally can. There is no moral or ethical need to avoid places where a corporate "policy" may be violated. It is also not a respect issue. Whom are you suggesting that I should respect? If you ask me not to enter your house armed, I inubitively would respect you and your wishes. But I don't "respect" the policy of a corporation. There's no moral, and in my state's case, legal, need for me to do so.
If that is different from your belief structure, fine. I respect your right to that view, but I don't hold it myself.
I suppose you don't need to follow the rules at the gun range or at shooting competitions either? It's people who think the rules only apply to everyone else who are the most likely to screw it up for the rest of us.
This is getting a little silly. Of course I follow the rules of competition. That doesn't mean that I may or may not have a personal protection weapon that is not "in play" in any way. Any gun being displayed/drawn/handled/wielded/fired/etc. is subject to the range commands. If you have a j-frame in your pocket that is your "gravest extreme" weapon, that you do not draw, handle, shoot, etc., how could I possibly fault that? It's just good common sense! (Remember, there are plenty of robberies and murders that have taken place at firing ranges when folks "went clear" and walked away from their weapons to change targets only to find themselves facing their own guns in the hands of violent criminal types.)
You are no better than the vendor who put his concealed carry on his table that led to an accidental discharge that led to a death at a gun show. I'm sure he felt the rules didn't apply to him either.
Absolutely incorrect, and let's not get too personal, ok.? He brought his self-defense arm into public. This is a huge mistake. Akin to brandishing, as it turned out. Some other person picked up a weapon and violated the four safety rules. That's four other HUGE mistakes. I don't think you're grasping the basic philosophy underlying the difference.
The gun owning community has enough problems without people who think they are above the rules risking everything for the rest of us.
We all risk a lot every day. Guns are inherantly more dangerous than some other items. They also carry much greater benefits when needed. Everything is a balance of risks. If you are concerned about the pistol in my holster, under my shirt, as I walk the aisles of a gun show, then you are alarmed by that pistol as I eat dinner in a restaurant next to you, or as I sit on the bus, walk in the park, etc. If that is the case, we have reached an impasse. I can't accept your restrictions.
If I see an idiot carrying a loaded gun at a gunshow, I'll do everything in my power to get that fool ejected from the premises.
That is your decision, of course. Rest assured, the great majority who carry are quite discreet about it and probably won't alarm you by displaying their personal weapon(s).
We may have to agree to disagree, but I do hope you can see my point.
-Sam