Do you consider metal detectors = No Guns (MI)?

[bigalexe]

There is another thread here stating about how now in Austin, TX you can pass a metal detector by holding a CHL. This spurned me to ask this question openly;

If you arrive at a building and the place has metal detectors at the entrance: Do you consider this equivalent to a sign saying "No Weapons, or anything else we don't like" or should there be accompanying materials stating strictly the banned items. Also I live in Michigan, so any commentary specific to this state is also appreciated.

I especially started wondering this when some time ago I got to an entertainment venue that had detectors, and was searching bags etc, I forgot I had my 3" folding knife on me (goes everywhere, as a tool not a weapon) when I was about 4 feet from the door. Luckily I didn't set off the alarm and the clip was not on my pocket so I got in without any issue.

So what do you think? Detectors = No guns?

 

[Blackbeard]

I was in an airport recently and being the observant guy that I am, I noted a hole in their security procedures that could allow me to get a handgun through undetected. I won't say what the hole was, or where, but terrorists are smart too and they could probably see what I saw. So no, I don't think metal detector = 100% gun free zone.

 

[Gouranga]

In NC the must have a sign conspicuously posted that firearms are not allows. A metal detector does not equal a sign.

 

[Sam1911]

It is easy enough to say that a detector is not "legally binding" the way a sign may be (depending on your state law) but remember that in just about all cases, the word of the owner or his/her representative IS.

If you are asked to leave, you must leave. Otherwise you are tresspassing.

Now, if they screen you and don't pick up the gun (what is this, a Glock 7? ), fine. If they screen you, you show them your CCW license/permit and they allow you to proceed, fine.

But if they pick up on the gun and refuse you entry, you don't have a right to enter anyway.

(In most cases, in most places, under most laws. I'm sure there's an exception somewhere...)

 

[jlasserton]

I think it just depends on what location you are at. Of course in the airport a detector means no guns, but other places not so much. I wouldn't carry a weapon into a venue either. I think this raises a good point. I wonder how many people have gotten past detectors with a weapon. It kind of scares me that people who carry guns for the wrong reason are getting past certain security measures.

 

[SSN Vet]

For public venues, it helps to go to the web. site for the arena / theatre.

After reading every printed word on the ticket stub, checking for signs and looking in the door for metal detector lines, I queud up with the fam. for an ice show at a metro arena, while carrying OWB under a fleace vest, under a winter coat.

Much to my dismay, after taking my ticket, I then had to submit to a pat down and bag check

I opened my coat and the guy put his hand on my vest right on top of the pancake and proceded to waive me through

So much for security....

After going home, I checked there web. site and sure enough, burried deep in the safety pages was a "no unsafe objects" clause. I would have been bounced and not allowed to re-enter.

Does a metal detector = gun free zone? Maybe, ... if you plug it in!

 

[RoostRider]

I walked right up to the guy with the wand at a nightclub.... he wanded over me with it going off conspicuously when he reached my gun (2 o'clock IWB).... I reached in and pulled out my keys and he waived me through....

I sat there for a little while until I rationalized that I probably don't want to be in a club where they feel the need to screen for weapons, but do so poorly....

I also know of two instances where people I know brought weapons into a court house that had the standard screening (i.e.- empty the pockets into a bucket on a conveyor belt and walk through the fully functioning, head to toe metal detector).... one was a pocket knife, that the judge noticed because the clip was sticking out of his pocket!!!!.... the judge litterally said "no harm, no foul" and let him give it to the bailiff until after the hearing.... the other was a large auto accidentally left in a briefcase before court... it never got noticed by anyone...

So, do metal detectors = no guns.... not by law in any place I know of and not in a practical sense they don't.... do they mean the place probably won't let you in with a gun on (if they notice it), yeah, I would guess so.... but as noted, I've been prompted to try before, and I got away with it....

 

[hso]

An area has to be either posted or has to be listed in the law as a prohibited area.

Anything else leads to misinterpretation of the law.

 

[speaksoftly]

In NC the must have a sign conspicuously posted that firearms are not allows. A metal detector does not equal a sign.

Same here in Texas...carry is legal unless the business owner posts a very BOLD sign stating otherwise.

 

[Sam1911]

Same here in Texas...carry is legal unless the business owner posts a very BOLD sign stating otherwise.

Yes, but that still prompts me to point out that if someone is checking folks at the door and they find your gun and they tell you, "You can't come in here with that" -- you can't insist on your right to enter.

They may not be able to prosecute you for entering with a gun unnoticed -- because their signage wasn't adequate -- but if you're told to leave, or told that you may not enter, then being on the premises is trespassing.

Being verbally and specifically denied entry -- because of your gun or your haircut or your bad breath -- trumps any question of whether their sign is legally binding.

 

[killchain]

For public venues, it helps to go to the web. site for the arena / theatre.

After reading every printed word on the ticket stub, checking for signs and looking in the door for metal detector lines, I queud up with the fam. for an ice show at a metro arena, while carrying OWB under a fleace vest, under a winter coat.

Much to my dismay, after taking my ticket, I then had to submit to a pat down and bag check

I opened my coat and the guy put his hand on my vest right on top of the pancake and proceded to waive me through

So much for security....

After going home, I checked there web. site and sure enough, burried deep in the safety pages was a "no unsafe objects" clause. I would have been bounced and not allowed to re-enter.

Does a metal detector = gun free zone? Maybe, ... if you plug it in!

I got a pretty thorough patting down at a concert a few months ago.

They completely missed the P-3AT I had in my pocket. I didn't even think about it because of state laws and my permit.

I didn't find out until later that firearms weren't permitted. Whoops.

 

[speaksoftly]

Yes, but that still prompts me to point out that if someone is checking folks at the door and they find your gun and they tell you, "You can't come in here with that" -- you can't insist on your right to enter.

They may not be able to prosecute you for entering with a gun unnoticed -- because their signage wasn't adequate -- but if you're told to leave, or told that you may not enter, then being on the premises is trespassing.

Being verbally and specifically denied entry -- because of your gun or your haircut or your bad breath -- trumps any question of whether their sign is legally binding.

Very true...a CHL doesn't exempt you from being liable for trespassing charges.

 

[Gouranga]

Same here in Texas...carry is legal unless the business owner posts a very BOLD sign stating otherwise.

Unlike texas though we do not define the height, width, lettering for the sign. It has to be 'conspicuous'. To Sam1991's point though the owners word trumps all. He/she was "leave" you leave, period.

 

[ironcode]

I also was patted down at a concert and the bouncer missed my GLOCK 19 IWB. I told him about it, though, and he was pretty surprised and looked pissed

 

[ichiban]

Colorado law states:

(4) A permit issued pursuant to this part 2 does not authorize a person to carry a concealed handgun into a
public building at which:
(a) Security personnel and electronic weapons screening devices are permanently in place at each entrance to
the building;
(b) Security personnel electronically screen each person who enters the building to determine whether the
person is carrying a weapon of any kind; and (c) Security personnel require each person who is carrying a
weapon of any kind to leave the weapon in possession of security personnel while the person is in the
building.

 

[ms6852]

I believe in Tx the sign "30-06" has to be posted in 3' letters. Any it is illegal to go into an establishment that gets 50% of their revenues from alcohol. So this illiminates most clubs and bars.

 

[JColdIron]

Metal detectors do not make a no go place by themself but they have caused a moments questioning as others have mentioned.

Ran into one at the last State Fair we went to. NC CCW rules mean no firearms for places that charge admission (among others) so I did not have my pistol. I did have my knife and flashlight with me. I'd already dropped the knife all the way into the pocket as to not draw attention before we we got to the metal detector. No signs on what was prohibited, just the machine.

It was a long walk back to the car so I just gritted my teeth and walked through. As I stepped over the threshold I noticed the male end of the plug to the thing just sitting on the ground next to the machine. It wasn't even on. I think they were using it as a visual deterant and did not want to deal with the beeping. It may be that they only use it at night when the hoodlums come out to play. We came in the afternoon.

Also ran into one at the exit of a gun show as well. All I could think of is that they were doing the same thing but for theft. They had had a couple high dollar items stolen and if they wanted too they could screen anyone on the way out for the item but until there was a problem they were not going to plug it in.

 

[LHRGunslinger]

Metal detectors don't mean didly. When I went to high school I had to go through a metal detector every day. I was friendly with the security people. One day I walked in with a folder with a good 4 inch blade. I set off the detector and they didn't even bother to wand me or ask me what set it off. Technology is only as good as the people using it.

 

[speaksoftly]

Any it is illegal to go into an establishment that gets 50% of their revenues from alcohol.

I think the rule is 51% but I'm not entirely sure.

 

[wishin]

I must admit that I've always gone under the assumption that metal detectors mean no weapons. But, then again, all the places I've been to that have them don't allow guns.

 

[trickyasafox]

i've been patted down at security - never while carrying, but in the 3 or 4 times i've gone through (for concerts) never once have they found my pocket knives. never came up with a metal detector.