Carrying concealed at a gun show

[Ironicaintit]

So I went to a gunshow today in colorado...
On the door entering the event center, there was sign informing patrons that there would be no loaded weapons allowed inside the event.
I know this is typical of guns being bought and sold; today however, this applied to any firearm, even those legally carried by a permit holder.

I asked the ticket lady and uniformed officer present for clarification; if it did in fact apply to legally carried defense weapons as well. Yup, sure did!
They were sympathetic but held that line firm. The reason why, i was told, was for insurance purposes. They were both very professional and pleasant at least, even though I may have been a little...offended in my demeanor.
I could keep my BHP, but had to surrender my ammo and have the action ziptied open.
This was a new one for me. Ive never ever had to surrender my ammo upon entering a gun show.

It seemed ironic at best, and hypocritical at worst.
If its a new trend, im against it.

Have any of you had a similar experience along these lines?

 

[guyfromohio]

I have a huge problem with this and cite it as my main reason for avoiding them. The yahoos that sell their pro 2A, anti-government, boycott this or that business etc...propaganda.... Making their living perpetuating the cause while happily being just another hypocrite. Don't make your stand outside some coffee chain. Make your stand here.

 

[X-Rap]

Another case of everyone paying the price for a few arse hats. Seeing it more all the time. Some places its state sanctioned as well.

 

[Ironicaintit]

Im a little ashamed of myself that i went ahead and disarmed as a matter of convenience, instead of walking away.

But what if insurance is the primary driver of policy? What if the vendors, and facility owners had to bend, in order to have the event at all?
Is that another tactic of the "powers that be"? The threat of withholding liability coverage?

 

[guyfromohio]

I'm sure they did. What's to stop other companies' insurance companies from doing the same?

 

[X-Rap]

Sure it is, and just think of how destructive that that could be to the 2A when insurance co can decline underwriting because of the presence of firearms.
If you don't think that's possible look who is benefiting the most from the affordable health care act.

 

[BSA1]

Unfortunately there are very valid safety reasons for not allowing loaded firearms inside a gun show. Many of us have seen unsafe gun handling in gun stores, shooting ranges and other events and locations. Many would agree there are some folks that simply should not be allowed to handle a firearm due to their lack of following safe handling of firearms rules.

The gun club I belong to puts on two big gunshows a year. We have a good safety record but have had a couple of unfortunate accidents. We do allow conceal carry based on State Law.

One year a patron managed to shoot a flare gun. The sight of red flare whistling through the rafters and bouncing off of the ceiling in a crowded building was a sight to behold. Fortunately the flare landed in a W.W.II encampment area. I say fortunately because no one was injured although the person whose tent was burned from the flare landing on it probably didn't think so.

Not to many gun shows ago someone shot an another patron handling a gun inside the show.

The practical side is it is impossible to enforce no concealed carry. The problem that arises is when a patron draws his loaded weapon to show it off, try it in holster he is interested in, to sell or trade it, etc.

I am about as Pro-2A as there is. I am opposed to permits of any type to purchase, own or carry a firearm, believe in unrestricted carry of firearms and believe the NRA of 1935 should be repealed. But I am also very pragmatic. The probability of someone being injured or killed due to a N.G. by Joe I-Know-Everything-About-Guns in a crowd is just too high for me.

 

[wadcutter45]

Concealed means concealed

I see these signs at gun shows. Just keep it concealed and don't make an issue of it and no one will know.

 

[Ironicaintit]

I get that BSA, and part of my conversation with the officer on site included that.
But if that logic is followed to its conclusion; doesn't that argument justify disarmament for anybody, everywhere?

 

[gun_with_a_view]

I went to a gun show once.

 

[USAF_Vet]

Places I cannot carry concealed:

School or school property (exception for dropping off or picking up)
Child care or day care center, child caring institution, or child placing agency.
Sports arena or stadium
Bar/Tavern where sale & consumption of liquor is the primary source of income
Church, synagogue, mosque, temple or other place of worship (unless with approval of administrative authority)
Entertainment facility with a seating capacity of 2,500 or more individuals
Hospital
Dormitory or classroom of community college, college, or university
Casino


So as long as the gun show is not held in any of those places, I'm walking right past that sign without a second thought. At worst, I can be asked to leave.

 

[Ironicaintit]

So, quietly plead the fifth to support the 2nd.

It all just took me be surprise. Disarming at a gun show. Thats just wrong!

 

[deadin]

My take on this has already been mentioned. Nobody is forcing you to go to a show with rules you don't like. Enough people feel that way and don't attend, the show will go out of business and then there will be nothing. (This will really make the anti's happy...)
Another point, it has been suggested that concealed means concealed and nobody will know you are carrying. This is true, but my problem with this is if someone is willing to break one of the rules, what other rules are they willing to break?

 

[BK]

The reason why, i was told, was for insurance purposes.

That's right. If you want to hold a show, you'll need to comply with local regs; this means holding the appropriate general liability policy; this means conducting the show exactly the way your insurer asks you to; this way you are protected from all the possible courtroom craziness that exists today. Otherwise you shouldn't be asking anyone to protect your business venture. And if you aren't going to operate with protection, the venue and locale will not grant you access to conduct your business.

-and hypocritical at worst.

Hypocritical for a company to comply with all the rules... just so that they can conduct business? That means no gun show. Would you prefer to have NO gun show? News flash: insurance companies are a part of the free market because they offer protections that our businesses need and ask for. Either utilize their protection or try and operate outside local requirements.

-doesn't that argument justify disarmament for anybody, everywhere?

No, insurance companies do not require the disarming of everyone, everywhere. They are businesses just like ours, and realize that there is a market available in the gun-owning community.

 

[pittpa]

Did you have to surrender your knife (so as not to defeat the zip tie) and your wallet, so as not to buy any additional ammo?

 

[Drail]

It's not about "rights". It's for the lawyers.

 

[JohnKSa]

If you want to rent a big venue for a gun show, you have to have insurance. If you can't find an insurer who will allow loaded firearms in the show then you have to bar loaded firearms from the show. Simple as that.

 

[JRH6856]

I don't think this is anything new. I can't remember ever going to a gun show that did not ban loaded firearms past the front door. This goes back to before Texas allowed concealed carry and extends thru today.

 

[Librarian]

There are places (all right, it's California) where it is actually illegal to possess a gun and ammo for it at a gun show.

Penal Code 27730.
No person at a gun show or event,

other than security personnel or sworn peace officers,

shall possess at the same time both a firearm and ammunition that is designed to be fired in the firearm.

Vendors having those items at the show for sale or exhibition are exempt from this prohibition.

First offense is an infraction (equivalent to traffic ticket); second offense a misdemeanor.

 

[old lady new shooter]

So the regulations require an actual insurance policy, there is no option to self-insure, for example by posting a bond?

 

[JRH6856]

So the regulations require an actual insurance policy, there is no option to self-insure, for example by posting a bond?

In most cases, I suspect the insurance is cheaper. Especially if loaded guns are not allowed. As in most business ventures, bottom line rules

 

[JohnKSa]

So the regulations require an actual insurance policy, there is no option to self-insure, for example by posting a bond?

I doubt there's actually a regulation involved. I believe that the venue requires it to protect themselves from liability.

As far as posting a bond, the question would be what should the amount of a bond be if it needs to cover the liability incurred by someone shooting someone else and killing them or maiming them for life?

 

[Glock Doctor]

Here, in Pennsylvania, I've seen it all. At some shows the people at the door want me to remove my gun so that THEY can empty the chamber and, then, strap the trigger and/or hammer with a plastic tie.

I have, categorically, told them all the same things: (1) It isn't safe for you to be handling so many unfamiliar guns; and (2) I don't want you touching my gun - Period! It's an issue with me. I've walked away from most shows that absolutely insisted; at one or two others that I felt I just had to get into I returned to my vehicle; and, very sneakily, put my gun in the trunk when I thought that nobody was looking. (Always a risky thing to do!)

There are, also, gun shows where the staff completely ignores you. It's almost like a, 'don't ask/don't tell' CCW policy. I, myself, have a hard fast rule. Unless I intend to use my pistol it never comes out of the holster - Period! (This from a guy who always carries in C-3, too!)

Then there's the other side of the coin; but, in two out of three recent events, it's not what you might expect. I've been to three gun shows where , at some point during the show, somebody got himself shot - Ouch! The interesting thing is, though, that in two of these events IT WAS A DEALER who ND'd a gun into a customer; and not the other way around. (Who'd a thunk!)

 

[76shuvlinoff]

Enough stupid stuff happens at gun shows that I only attend one every few years. Then I forget, go, and remind myself not to go anymore. Same reason that even though I've been riding two wheeled motorized vehicles for nearly 45 years, bike rallies make me a little ill.

signed:
Misanthrope

 

[Snyper]

The interesting thing is, though, that in two of these events IT WAS A DEALER who ND'd a gun into a customer; and not the other way around. (Who'd a thunk!)

It could have been a customer who put the ammo in the gun.
If you can't abide by their rules, you should just not attend the show