Gun Show CCW

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Dorryn

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Apologies to moderators/ Fellow THR members if this topic is repeated in another thread, I did a search and didnt find anything.

Ive never been to a gun show before, as my interest in firearms stems from my Army grandfather, my own USMC career, and other such background. Until recently I was not aware there even were gun shows in NY, nor that NY wasnt THE least gun-friendly state. So, today im going to the gun show.

I normally CCW everywhere it is legal to do so. The Gun Show today in Clarence is in the WNY Event Center, which ive never been to. I know its not Federal property, but i dont know if they (or typical gun shows) do much in the way of security, eg. pat-downs, metal detectors, etc. I know antis would love to believe that people try to forcibly rob gun shows all the time... but i know it simply isnt true. But I carry even when im pretty sure I wont need it. I also dont want to get in trouble for trying to walk in with a concealed weapon.

Advice? Do gun shows typically search or force you to lock up your carry weapon? I have no experience in this area.
 
I carry large sums of cash (large for me) at gun shows. The request that I not carry my CCW at a gun show has always bothered me as a result.

I understand why......There are a lot of jakeleg knuckleheads about, who like to pull out their piece to talk about it, try it into holsters, etc.......The insurance for a gun show must cost a pretty penny, and one ND will likely triple the insurance costs afterwards. Still, it bothers me. I don't like having people see me making transactions involving hundreds of dollars, and then walking through a parking lot unprotected afterwards. I often wonder what the statistics are for muggings in gun show parking lots. I often wonder about vehicular break-ins in the same areas. Seriously.

In Louisiana it is illegal to CCW anywhere it is prohibited by "property
owners, lessees, or other lawful custodians" which would include gun shows. Know your local laws, and obey them.

I have never been searched at the door to a gun show. The inability to carry there has always bothered me, for the reasons stated above. I understand why CCW is prohibited at gunshows. It doesn't ease my concerns, and I'm not sure if there is a good answer.
 
At my local show, all guns must be unloaded at the door. The police then check and strap them with a zip tie. All the guns at the dealers tables are also strapped.

When I walk out the door I reload.
 
It's just normal policy at any gun show that I have attended. I wouldn't condone breaking the rules or anyting, but it seems to be an honor system.
Besides, a lot of shows will allow you to check your weapons at the door.
 
I can only speak about the shows that I sell at. The rule here is no holstered guns, but the attitude is "if it's concealed, then we won't know about it".
 
Just as anywhere else I go, I tell nobody about my CCW...even at gun shows. My personal weapon is not going to be displayed or fondled. Any firearm I bring to sell or show I allow to be strapped as I expect it to be handled. Don't ask- Don't tell, but that's just me.

As a side note, most gun shows here in Virginia have a heavy contingent of LEOs, and they look at you as you come in. I consider it a test of my concealment effectiveness. So far so good.
 
In GA, a gunshow is considered a "pubic gathering" and therefore off limits for CCW.

V
 
Pro Gun shows in Columbus (Ohio) do not allow CCW. All guns must be checked at the door and zip tied.
 
Here in Colorado, all firearms are checked at the door and zip-tied, from what I have been told by one of the officers at the gun show, this is Colorado law. There are also several prominent signs at the entrance which state "no concealed firearms on this premises". So the short answer is no concealed carry at gun shows.

The myth that gun shows are somehow a "bizzare for criminals" is rediculous. At least here in Colorado, there are police officers posted at the entrance and I'm sure there are undercover federal agents milling about as well. A criminal would have a hard time getting a gun at a gun show, since all the licensed dealers run the required background checks. All of the "unlicensed" dealers, don't even sell guns.
 
Most gun shows in MN are not posted properly! They do say no loaded firearms but not carry bans.

So, don't ask and don't tell. They don't frisk so keep the gun in your holster. :)
 
I've only been to a few shows. Some were posted, some not. One had a guy at the door asking everybody that walked in if they were carrying concealed. Just depends. If they aren't frisking/doing a metal detector, then you have to make up your own mind as to what you will do.
 
Every gun show I've been to in Texas has been properly posted with the 30-06 criminal trespass signs, aka 'no concealed carry allowed'.
 
Originally posted by Dorryn
I normally CCW everywhere it is legal to do so.
Click to expand...

Well, if that's the case, then you shouldn't carry a loaded gun into the gun show. Outside and in the parking lot is OK to carry a loaded gun (with a CWP). But inside, the owner of the show can prohibit the carrying of loaded guns. It is their right and sometimes it is their legal obligation, depending on the venue and insurance requirments. They have signs all over the place and often they will verbally advise of their policy.

On the other hand, if you wish to violate the gun show owner's and venue's property rights and/or obligations, just don't say anything about it or lie to the guy if he asks you if you have any loaded weapons. Make sure your loaded gun is concealed. You'll very likely get away with it.
 
At the Portland gun shows CCW is prohibited and any firearms going in need to be unloaded and ziptied. But no metal detectors or pat downs. Also no checking of bags. Very much a honor system. (Seems to be a lot of cover your ass stuff to me)
 
At my local show, all guns must be unloaded at the door. The police then check and strap them with a zip tie. All the guns at the dealers tables are also strapped.

When I walk out the door I reload
Click to expand...
Same here in NC. We have a policeman at the admissions table asking everyone if they have a firearm. We actually have a law here where you can't carry concealed anyplace that charges admission, so even if the gunshow promoters didn't require it, state law does.

I'm not too concerned about it. It's easy enough to cut the zip tie with a pocket knife after I leave. The only problem is folks keep asking to buy my CCW. :rolleyes:
 
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If it's not illegal to carry at an event like that, you can carry. If they have a sign posted, it's a policy not a law. They can't arrest you for violating a policy, but they can ask you to leave. If you refuse to leave, or come back and again violate their policy, you can then be charged with trespassing. I suppose in the extreme you could possibly be charged with some kind of felony trespassing, which would be aggrivated since you were in possesion of a firearm while in commission of a felony, but I think that would be a stretch. I'm not sure there is such a thing as felony trespassing though...:rolleyes:

Note that this doesn't apply in certain instances, such as in Texas with a posted 30-06 sign, which is a state law and not just a policy. I have no idea what the laws in New York are like.

There are a lot of states where it's illegal to carry at public gatherings, and a gun show is likely included. We don't have any restrictions like that here in South Dakota, so even if there's a sign posted I don't worry about it. However, there are very few places that have a sign posted in this state, so few that I can't actually think of one right now, so I don't worry about it too much anyway. :neener:

Also, I'm not an attorney, so you shouldn't completely trust anything I say about this issue. Then again, if I was an attorney you wouldn't trust me anyway, so I guess it's a moot point. :)
 
At the Portland gun shows CCW is prohibited and any firearms going in need to be unloaded and ziptied. But no metal detectors or pat downs. Also no checking of bags. Very much a honor system. (Seems to be a lot of cover your ass stuff to me)
Click to expand...
I don't know about the CYA, but yeah, that's the way I see it in MI too. They ask if I have any guns, I say no (not saying I do or don't), and go on in.
 
Well, when I am asked upon entering a show if I'm carrying any guns, I just ASSUME that they mean guns to sell.
I am shocked, shocked to hear that they might mean concealed weapons!
If I am ever stopped by a cop at the entrance, I'll be sure to ask for a clarification.;)
 
:cool: I don't see the big deal of unloading and putting a strap on the gun. You're just honoring the rules of the show. If you don't want to follow the rules then don't go. Not following the rules is how the anti's rub it in our faces. Hopefully we are not so insecure that we have to break the rules. I have been to hundreds of gun shows and have not seen or heard of any trouble from anyone. It's a pretty safe place to go and if you do happen to need a weapon--- they are on every table..
 
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