Movie Theatres

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eotp

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For the past few months every movie theatre that I have entered has had some sign posted to the effect that guns are not allowed. As I usually am carrying concealed and because I also recognize this as a public notice of defenselessness of those who attend a movie, I personally have chosen to ignore these signs and just walk on in with my concealed handgun for purposes of protection if the need arise.

The other options, as I see them, is to take my family to a movie unarmed recognizing that this is a place that BGs will know that you are unarmed, or just quit going to movie theatres altogether.

What do you do?
 
Im not sure about the laws in your state but, here if a buisiness decides to post a "no firearms" sign its pretty much just a conveyence of the wishes of the buisiness and not legally binding (excluding bars etc). In other words you arent breaking any laws in doing so. I have chosen to completely ignore such signs. This may be different in your neck of the woods though.
 
Write a polite letter to the manager of the theatre. Keep it short, to the point, and conclude by mentioning a rival cinema chain as your future destination.
 
I quit going to the movies, but then I did that already ten years ago. High prices, crying babies, missing crucial scenes when that 64 oz. soda hits you...ugh.

Carrying in a posted establishment is cause to revoke your permit in NC, and all theaters are no-carry zones by law, as they charge an admission fee.
 
I quit going to the movies, but then I did that already ten years ago. High prices, crying babies, missing crucial scenes when that 64 oz. soda hits you...ugh.
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So, you mean you missed the whole 'cell phones ringing in the middle of the movie' fad? I envy you. Then again, when I took my mom to see FOTR, a guy with his kid, probably less than 18 months, sat right next to us. Kid was wide awake and did not make a single noise through the entire thing....go figure.

The other options, as I see them, is to take my family to a movie unarmed recognizing that this is a place that BGs will know that you are unarmed, or just quit going to movie theatres altogether.

What do you do?
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Considering the actions I've seen outside AND inside the two movie theaters I sometimes go to (Loews in New Brunswick and AMC 24 Hamilton), had I the legal option of carrying, the movie theater could take their sign and....you know the rest. Their signs won't do crap to protect anyone. Besides, I've seen and read of the evidence that the....lesser element wouldn't pay attention to them anyway.
 
Here in VA they can post a no firearms sign but the only way you get in trouble is if you refuse to leave...I believe they can get you for trespassing at that point.

I carry to the movie theater all the time...it stays concealed. Worst case is they ask me to leave if they see it.
 
There's only two theaters I've noticed that have a 'no weapons' sign posted... I figure a gun isn't a weapon until it's used to inflict harm against another so I carry inside.
 
I would write a letter, the text of which could be found in a thousand threads here.

But, in terms of what you can legally do ... in Texas if it isn't the 30.06 sign with the correct language posted on the front door then it's just a suggestion and you can ignore it.

Your state might be similar in that regard. You should check.

Regards,
ChickenHawk
 
"Don't ask - don't tell" for me in these circumstances. Here in KY, all the business owner can do is demand you leave. Only a legal issue if you refuse to leave.
 
I don't think I've ever seen one of those signs on any business anywhere. Oh, they might be there, but I've never seen one.

In VA, I believe Cacique500 is right, they can ask you to leave if you are careless enough to get found out carrying. We don't have any thing specific similar to Texas' 30.06 schtick. It is in the codes but not with specific wording that must be posted for it to be binding.
 
Between the cell phones, the babies, the gangs of loud adolescent brats, the overpriced artery-stuffing junk food, the crowded bathrooms, the guys who need to make some insecure grunt or comment about everything that happens on the screen, the 20 minutes of commercials before the movie starts. . .

No thanks. I'll be at the library with the homeless people.

But unfortunately theatres and other establishments do have a right to exclude patrons who carry. A posted no-CCW sign is a kind of contract, if I'm not mistaken.
 
Movie theatres are good when you're young (dating age) or travelling (noting better to do at night). When you're home and DVD rentals are $1 and you've a big screen and can have a houseful of buddies over, it beats the $8 or so they ask for the silver screen.

BTW, can you guess me & my buddies are cheap? One of my buddies is the one with the big screen and projector unit.

Oh, I'd ignore the sign if I were you.
 
In Colorado the only way a business' decision to not allow guns can actually have any legal effect on you is if they have metal detectors.

Otherwise the only reason to not carry in a business that posts "No Guns" is out of courtesy.

Back in college I worked in a movie theater. Theaters get all types of people ... even those I had to ask the Mall Ninja (armed, off duty Sheriff's officer) to remove.

So I wouldn't ever consider going to a movie unarmed (especialy if its a movie that appeals to young men)
 
They can ask you to leave and if you refuse you're trespassing. In some states, if it is posted and you go in anyhow carrying and you are discovered you can be charged with tresspassing. Be proudent and check out the laws.

If there is a state organization that works for CCW laws get with them. The MCRGO has been quite successful with getting many business to take down signs such as these. (Except for Lake Side Mall in Sterling Heights which refuses to take down the signs because they want to promote a "family atmosphere." What CCW has to do with families or air quality is beyond me.)
 
It depends on your state laws.

Because I can legally ignore signs (except at the courthouse and post office), I do ignore them, valuing my safety above their placebo effect.

I then make a note to take my business elsewhere, and send a letter telling them why.

I also carry in a very concealed way (SmartCarry), so the only way I'll get noticed for carrying is if I have to draw the gun.
 
The real reason they don't allow guns in movie theaters is because they don't want anyone defending themselves against the robbery that takes place at the concession stand.
 
I could be mistaken here, but I'm sure there are some movies in the DFW area that used to post "no carrying" signs that no longer do so. With three kids, we get to a movie once and a while, and it just seems that I've been surprised by a lack of those signs. I'd like to know if anyone else has this opinion. geegee
 
You know what I say to signs like this?

"Scroo'em!"

They don't know I'm packing. They don't need to know I'm packing. And if anything happens when I must declair that I am packing - it will be in a situation where the gun is needed... and If I get into trouble for packing heat in that location - SO FREAKING WHAT. My loved ones and I are still alive and a badguy will have been removed from the genepool.
I'll take my legal licks after I secure the situation and remove the threat.
 
They can ask you to leave and if you refuse you're trespassing.
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This is the way it is in Michigan. I carry whether they like it or not. It's my choice. It becomes their choice to ask me to leave only if they find out. If it's a restaurant, more than likely, they have then made several enemies of their patrons.
 
a movie theatier would be a prime target for a terrorists attack, especially a small arms attack.....you have to weigh the risks and consequences of obeying or breaking the law...
 
Blackcloud
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I don't think you would be breaking any restrictions of you CCW by going into Lakeside anyway while armed.

Trespassing would be the only thing that they could nail you on. It's definitly not an entertainment venue if over 2500. It's a retail venue.
 
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