DNC security nuts...

[ScottE]

Last night I went into downtown Denver to check out what was happening with the DNC. Mostly a BUNCH of police with riot gear. Not many protesters or people causing trouble.

On our way back to the light rail station, the friend I was with and myself stopped at a restaurant for a beer. One of the security guards at the door noticed my pocket knife clipped to pocket and told me I could not enter with a weapon. Weapon? I said. He said NO knives allowed in the restaurant. I let the kid hold my knife while I was inside and just let the incident go. While inside, the kid security guard came to my table and said that he would be at the front door waiting for me so that he could return my knife.

When I left, there were four security guards at the door. I asked for my knife, which sparked a conversation about how cool the knife was (Spyderco) and how this policy was only for the DNC. Everyone was very polite and cordial, but acted like they had never seen a pocket knife before. I have never even considered my pocket knife to be dangerous to anyone except myself. Very strange experience considering where I live. Good thing I left my CCW at home.

Scott

 

[Tyris]

Why is a good thing that you left your CCW at home?

How would the gestapo see it?
And do the restaurants in devner not have knives?

-T

 

[Flintlock Tom]

It makes me curious about what they thought you were going to do with it.
And since they were apparently not searching people, would it have been okay if it was all the way in your pocket?
More dumb nonsense rules.

 

[RobNDenver]

Sounds like you ran into some TSA Screeners on their second job. But seriously, if you have a CHL, why wouldn't you be carrying? I have been rethinking my knife selection because I don't want others to know that I am prepared with an edged weapon.

 

[Bill2e]

another reason to keep it in your pocket (and not use the clip)

BTW, I guess there were no knives in the resturaunt.

 

[Zundfolge]

This story would have been funnier if you'd have been packing ... leaving the knife with the door guy but walking in with your concealed handgun.

Security Theater at its finest.

 

[divemedic]

In Florida a pocketknife is not considered to be a weapon. Anyone know Colorado law?

 

[Zundfolge]

Has to be over 3.5" to be a weapon here.

Of course in this case we're talking about "company policy" not law.

 

[shooting4life]

It's not Colorado law that you have to worry about; it's turkey bacon law that can give your problems

 

[Galen]

I'm glad I don't have to go into downtown Denver for ANY reason this week. Just nuts.

 

[rondog]

Nah, we can't have steak knives here in Denver, we have to pick the meat up by hand and gnaw on it!

This Damned Nitwit Convention is really making things nuts around here, I work in downtown Denver.

I prefer to call it The Festival Of The Sheep. They're everywhere, hollering Oba-a-a-a-a-ma, Oba-a-a-a-ma.

 

[jakemccoy]

That atmosphere seems like precisely the place a gun owner would want to be using their CHL.

 

[SomeKid]

Was it a private security guard, or a cop who made you give up the knife?

 

[Puppy]

I would have just taken my business elsewhere.

What sort of resturant has security officers screening people at the front door anyway? was there entertainment in the resturant? entertainment like topless dancers or something?

 

[ScottE]

The reason I was not packing was because of all the police activity in the area, and the fact that I pretty much knew I was going to stop at a bar (not illegal in CO). Watching the news, there seems to be a great need for police to arrest as many people as they can, and I was not looking for trouble. Besides, I'm 6'8", 290 lbs. and not necessarily worried about being beaten up by some street thugs.

Had I known that I would be singled out by a minimum wage security guard for carring a pocket knife, I would have put it in my pocket instead of using the clip. The thought of having my knife taken never occured to me. Had I been CCW'ing, I would have just given them the satisfaction of being the hero for finding the knife and had a good laugh afterwords.

Scott

 

[Tyris]

Besides, I'm 6'8", 290 lbs. and not necessarily worried about being beaten up by some street thugs.

Your large size does not make you immune to a shank in the gut or an mugging by 2 attackers.

-T

 

[WinchesterAA]

I'm confused.. Why are the people North of me so nutty? I mean, I thought Texas was bad with it's BS laws, but ya'll have some genuine crazy going on...

 

[MachIVshooter]

I'm confused.. Why are the people North of me so nutty? I mean, I thought Texas was bad with it's BS laws, but ya'll have some genuine crazy going on...

Denver is it's own little world, and not in sync with the rest of the state. You'll find that people living outside the metro area have very little desire to go there unless they need to buy something.

 

[RoadkingLarry]

See Security Theater

So I guess no steak knives in the place....

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

One of the security guards at the door noticed my pocket knife clipped to pocket and told me I could not enter with a weapon

What kind of firearms were they carrying? Did you feel comfortable with your safety in their hands?
Are the RNC conventions so enthralled with security theater? I've never been to either.

 

[ScottE]

"What kind of firearms were they carrying? Did you feel comfortable with your safety in their hands?
Are the RNC conventions so enthralled with security theater? I've never been to either."


I hear what you are saying, and no, the security guards were not packing, but security was not necessarily a big concern. Federal and local LEO's were plentyful. Cops on dirtbikes, bicycles, Harleys, ATV's, SUV's, cars, foot, were everywhere. The restaurant/bar was only about half full while every other place was packed (which is why I stopped there). If it had been any other week of the year (i.e. not DNC), I would have been CCW.

It's just a dumb policy by a national restaurant chain with overpaid, bored lawyers. I imagine you can expect similar at the RNC.

Scott

 

[230RN]

Mine's smaller than yours!

Has to be over 3.5" to be a weapon here.

The dot-gov regs have it as 2" in federal buildings.

I've been telecommuting all week this week, but I've got to go in tomorrow for about an hour to check something out.

Ain't lookin' forward to it. I cleaned out my car, my pack, and pockets for anything that could be remotely "defined" as a weapon.

Stark nekkid, I'll be.

Hope there are no empty cases floating around in my vehicle.

 

[jakemccoy]

I don't subscribe to the idea of "security is not a big concern and therefore I don't need to carry." My main purpose for carrying would be to handle imminent threats that require a split second response. The LEO's are only able to address threats on a grand scale. They are unable to protect me as an individual. I'm not putting them down. I'm just saying that it's not possible if somebody is intent on harming me specifically.

Having said all that, I do understand the concept of just not wanting to deal with any hassle from a LEO.

 

[rondog]

Besides, CCW is actually illegal in the City of Denver. I do it everyday, but I recently found out that Denver has a law against it. Everywhere else in the state is OK, just not the actual city of Denver. Thankfully, it's not really that big, it's all the surrounding towns/cities that make the whole area huge. But, I work right in the heart of the mess.

 

[hkOrion]

Besides, CCW is actually illegal in the City of Denver.

Please post the statute! Open Carry is prohibited in the City and County of Denver, CCW with a valid permit is perfectly legal.