New Atlanta Georgia Aquarium - NO legal CCW

[Rob62]

Just thought I’d share with you something that has been brought to my attention. The new aquarium, billed as the worlds largest, in Atlanta Georgia, does not allow lawful CCW, even for full time sworn LEO’s.

For those that might not know it. Georgia has very liberal CCW permits. They are easy to obtain and there is also reciprocity with several other states.

Here is a direct quote from their web site (http://www.georgiaaquarium.org)

“Is there a security check before you get into the aquarium?
Yes. There are no guns, knives, matches, lighters or fishing poles allowed inside the Aquarium.”

Contact information for the aquarium is:

Georgia Aquarium
225 Baker Street
Atlanta, GA 30313
404-581-4000
[email protected].

I am making no statements about them not allowing CCW’s inside their private establishment, except to say that it is their right. I don’t to agree with it or spend my $$ going there though. I just thought I’d post the info here for anyone that might be planning on taking their family to see the pretty fish. From what I have read, and people I have talked to about the displays – all say it is incredible experience.

I am going to cross post this on a few sites in order to let the maximum number of people know. The aquarium does NOT have lock boxes to put CCW’s into, even for LEO’s.

So if you plan on going and taking your gun be prepared to leave it in some place safe, other than on your hip

Regards,
Rob

 

[gonzo_beyondo]

If I can't take my Zippo and pocket knife, which are tools I don't leave home without, then they can keep their fish. This to me, is a bigger issue than the CCW. Lately there has been a rash of drive-by Zippoings, think of the children!

As for CCW, firearms are restricted many places, including workplaces, which seems to be where people are most inclined to go postal. I don't believe it makes sense to carry to and from someplace... yet, you are expected to then leave your firearm... in an unattended car (already a target) for 8hrs while you're at work.

My point being, legally owned firearms are'nt the ones to worry about... it's the ones stolen outta cars, both civillian and police, which fall into the (obviously) wrong hands. Its harder to steal a legally obtained firearm when it's on a person.

Locked up in your safe, or on your person. Anything else seems pretty unresponsible to me.

 

[torpid]

“Is there a security check before you get into the aquarium?
Yes. There are no guns, knives, matches, lighters or fishing poles allowed inside the Aquarium.”

 

[AirForceShooter]

no fishing poles???
why are the fish there then?
just to look at?
that's stupid.

AFS

 

[jpthegeek]

I'm going on Sat

I got a yearly pass as a gift the other day and will be going on Saturday the 14th. I had not planned to carry my sidearm in the aquarium (and still don't) but I wonder if they will get angry over my trusty Spyderco and Swiss Army knife?!?

They have a coat check, so if the security stops me about the pocket knives, I will bag them and check them with that.

Will post another reply when I get home and let you guys know.

 

[Rezin]

Normally I'd be opposed to this, but I do understand it. Can you imagine an AD/ND that shatters a BIG tank?

That said, knives and zippos rules are stupid as hell. Why/how can they restrict that?

 

[outofbattery]

I understand the lighters:I worked at an aquarium in FL and a couple of scumbag kids used their lighters to melt their initials into the polycarbonate the tanks were made of.Knives can be used to do the same and it's not an easy fix.

 

[countertop]

Why/how can they restrict that?

Its their private property - paid for entirely out of their private money. They can do whatever they want there.

As for the ability to actually restrict these items, I doubt it.

 

[Oleg Volk]

Email sent:

I come to Atlanta regularly on business and intended to see the Aquarium on my next trip. Unfortunately, I just discovered a problem with that plan.
http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/visitUs/faqs.aspx#GeneralInfo lists the following:

> Is there a security check before you get into the aquarium?
> Yes. There are no guns, knives, matches, lighters or fishing poles allowed inside the Aquarium.

That poses an insurmountable problem for your visitors like me. Anyone legally wearing a sidearm would have to choose between traveling unarmed (not acceptable) and leaving the sidearm(s) in the car (not secure, dangerous due to extra handling in a confined space). That means I would not be coming to your acquarium, nor would others like me (they may or may not take the time to write to you).

>
> Price *with tax
> Adult $21.06 $22.75
> Child (age 3-12) $15.74 $17.00
> Senior (age 55+) $18.06 $19.50

We don't get to see the fish. You don't get $73 for a family of four. Seems like a bad deal for both sides. What do you think?

Sincerely,

Oleg Volk

 

[V4Vendetta]

Here's my .02 . You have a tank filled with live sharks. Then some dummy accidently lets off a round & shatters the glass. You see "Jaws"? As for the no lighters & knives, I don't see the reason. I know I won't be going there. You want a good aquarium, go to Ripley's Aquarium at Myrtle Beach, SC.

 

[VirgilCaine]

Here's my .02 . You have a tank filled with live sharks. Then some dummy accidently lets off a round & shatters the glass. You see "Jaws"? As for the no lighters & knives, I don't see the reason. I know I won't be going there. You want a good aquarium, go to Ripley's Aquarium at Myrtle Beach, SC.

I wouldn't think a handgun could shatter the several inch think glass. Damage it very expensively, yeah...but they'll probably be making the tanks with transparent aluminum soon...

 

[Oleg Volk]

How can even a dummy fire a holstered gun? Brandishing is already illegal. I thinkt hey are trying to calm the shoople who, without this note, would have never even thought of guns carried around them.

 

[NineseveN]

Here's my .02 . You have a tank filled with live sharks. Then some dummy accidently lets off a round & shatters the glass. You see "Jaws"? As for the no lighters & knives, I don't see the reason. I know I won't be going there. You want a good aquarium, go to Ripley's Aquarium at Myrtle Beach, SC.

Well then, what about some dummy letting an ND fly in rush hour? Could hit a fuel tanker, or an infnant, or a baby seal! Yup, better restrict CCW on public tarnsportation.

What about the supermarket? Some dummy could have an ND and hit the Pepsi Display, causing slippery pepsi goo to wash the floor and maybe someone will slip! It's not easy to clean up gallons of Pepsi hiding under store shelving units! No CCW in supermarkets either.

...all just as ridiculous. I agree that the establishment has the right to invoke their own rules for the sue of their property, but agreeing with it, as a gun owner, is just silly to me. Not directed at the OP or anyoe else in particular, just my general thoughts.

 

[STiTkacik]

Interesting. Not that I would have planned on carrying while in the aquarium, but I wonder why the rules are so tight here.

 

[Rob62]

This post was deleted after I thought about it.


Rob

 

[Standing Wolf]

I don't ever do business with anti-Second Amendment bigots.

 

[bogie]

Drop a note to Home Depot, and ask 'em if they know what their money is paying for... After all, they're major donors...

Don't boycott HD - they're on our side...

 

[Norm357]

Drop a note to Home Depot, and ask 'em if they know what their money is paying for... After all, they're major donors...

Don't boycott HD - they're on our side...

Home Depot has nothing to do with the Georgia Aquarium. Aurther Blanks built it with money out of his own pockets. No money came from outside doners.

Those stupid no guns signs carry no legal weight in GA. I think I might carry their anyways just to see what happens.

 

[sabre452]

I went the day after Christmas and chose to ignore the posted signs. It was a long, cold walk back to the car when I discovered that the security station was doing a wand check and pat down. The place was extremely crowded which made viewing difficult. I highly recommend waiting until the new wears off if possible if you don't enjoy crowds or being constantly jostled and harried.

 

[Inline_6]

Wow! I wouldn't think they couuld stop an LEO or federal agent from carrying a weapon... glass walls and sharks or not, I think the policy is retarded.

 

[Slinger]

A Loophole

No guns, no knives, no lighters, no fishing poles.

Nobody mentioned SPEARGUNS! Look out sharks!

 

[LiquidTension]

I doubt this aquarium would be too impressive after going through the one on Okinawa. That one didn't have any "no guns" signs due to the lack of guns in Japan, but it didn't have any silly security checkpoints either. My blade and lighter were not a threat there, and they wouldn't be in Atlanta either.

Of course, the culture is quite a bit different over there as well. People here go to see the pretty fish and scary sharks because they are different and neat. People in Okinawa walk through and say, "wow, that one looks tasty." Seriously.

As for etching stuff into the plexiglass, there's an easy fix for that - put ropes up to keep people at arm's length from it and have employees keep an eye on things.

 

[GoBrush]

Yippie another CRIMINAL EMPOWERMENT ZONE oh goodie do they have become a victim here sign up forms? When will people learn the difference between a 2nd ammendment activist and a anti is one mugging. I have been waiting to see one of these places face a civil law suit because an otherwise CCW carrier gets killed and because they disarmed him are liable for his death.

 

[pyrguy]

Just an observation of a friend that went to the aquarium.

He said that there is a secure storage area for knives, lighters, etc..

It’s a large trash can behind the guard’s table at the entrance.

 

[Firethorn]

My thoughts:

It's their right to put the rules they want on their property. At least they have security actually checking there. In 99% of the areas, they don't have even that.