Escorted by police out of Cinemark-Moosic location

[nepawolf]

Nepadestroyer and myself (both OCing) went to the Cinemark on Montage mountain to see the 12:35 showing of GI Joe. We bought our tickets and went to the concession stand for drinks. After purchasing our drinks we went to enter the theater where it was being shown.

Right before entering, I was pulled aside by manager Dan Halt. He informed us that guns were not allowed there and asked if I would mind putting my gun in my car. I told him that I would mind putting it in my car and that as I was handicapped, my gun is my crutch for self defense and that I had openly carried there many times before. He said alright, that's fine. To make sure I understood his last statement, I asked if I had to put my gun in my car, to which he replied that I didn't and told us to go on in.

After sitting through all of the ads for about a half of an hour, we see Mr. Halt at the entrance with two police officers. After looking over the whole theater he spotted us and sent one of the officers over to me. The officer asked if he could talk to me on the side, to which I of course agreed to. The officer walked with me to the entrance of the theater where the other officer and the manager where standing. Officer #1 informs me that firearms are prohibited in the theater and as such I'm going to have put it in my vehicle. I told him that I was not willing to put it in my vehicle and that Mr. Halt had said that I could have the weapon in the theater in our previous discussion and restated that I had open carried there many times before. Mr. Halt interjected at that point saying that people had complained since I had talked to him and that's why he had to call the police. Officer #1 said that they have a "no firearms" sign out front and as such I have to leave if I won't put it in my car. I told them that I didn't see any sign but if I have to leave I'm going to have to get my buddy who came with me. I gesture to nepadestroyer and he comes over. While he's walking over, officer #1 tells me that he'll show me the sign. I inform the group of them that if we have to leave that we're going to need refunds. At that time the manager disappeared somewhere after saying that we'll get a refund. After he left I said to the officers that I hope we're going to get a refund for the expensive drinks we bought.

About a third of a way to the exit, the manager comes back and asks for our tickets saying that he needs them for us to get a refund. We hand him the tickets and he heads off for our refund. Officer #1 shows us the sign at the bottom of a list of prohibitions, about knee height on the far left side (Which, of course, you wouldn't see when you're looking straight up to find your movie time or when you're paying for your ticket as the counter is in the way then). Officer #1 tells us that since they have the sign they can ask us to leave and if they didn't they wouldn't be able to. He also said that Mr. Halt can't give us special permission as it is corporate policy. Mr. Halt gives us our movie ticket refund (no money back for the almost $5 drinks though) and we leave.



Before anyone says anything about the sign, I already know about it's legality. Also, at no time were we asked for ID, nor did they run the "registration" on either one of the OCed guns, nor were we searched or disarmed. The bottom line of the whole situation is that we were allowed entrance, had to talk to the manager and were given the OK, and then escorted out in front of a packed theater like criminals and were not given a full refund. If we had just wanted to go out for a large fountain soda, we could have gone to McDonalds and gotten them for $1 each and would not have been treated like criminals. Thanks to the lack of full refund, nepadestroyer doesn't have money to see the movie elsewhere as he's presently strapped for cash. Of course, I am paying for his ticket when we see it elsewhere since they didn't even see him OCing and had only noticed mine. As a note, Officer #2 (who had a white shirt on) didn't say much of anything except answer my questions about his revolver while we were walking. Smith and Wesson 38 special SS in a leather holster, by the way.

Also posted on PAFOA and to be followed by paopencarry.

[Prophet]

Serves you right for going to see that anti-american hollywood propaganda crap movie GI Joe.

Better to get a refund than watch that abortion of a former american icon. GI Joe, the real international response team?!?!?! Whiskey tango foxtrot?!?!

What happened to being a real american hero? Holllywood can suck it, they don't get my money for ******* on a formerly iconoclastic piece of americana.

[nepawolf]

This was resolved by corporate. OC is still against policy, but they did not agree with how the manager handled this and are making sure he knows how to handle it next time.

[codename_47]

After looking over the whole theater he spotted us and sent one of the officers over to me. The officer asked if he could talk to me on the side, to which I of course agreed to.

Weak. I would have told them I was watching a movie and to quit bothering me.

[Citizen]

codename_47 wrote:

After looking over the whole theater he spotted us and sent one of the officers over to me. The officer asked if he could talk to me on the side, to which I of course agreed to.

Weak. I would have told them I was watching a movie and to quit bothering me.

Then they just get the cops to come and "bother" you. Maybe embellishing the phone report by saying that you were being "angry" and "uncooperative".

[codename_47]

Then they just get the cops to come and "bother" you. Maybe embellishing the phone report by saying that you were being "angry" and "uncooperative".

The cops were there and asked "can I speak with you". The answer is always no to the police.

[R a Z o R]

Here in North Carolina ... if you have to pay to get in , it is unlawful to carry period .

However most LE are good guys about OC where legal in these parts .

Tell two friends to boycott and let corporate know about it . I would also write an opinion piece for the surrounding newspapers .

Lady Justice is blind and she favors us handicapped .

[Citizen]

codename_47 wrote:

Then they just get the cops to come and "bother" you. Maybe embellishing the phone report by saying that you were being "angry" and "uncooperative".

The cops were there and asked "can I speak with you". The answer is always no to the police.

Boy, do I feel dumb. That'll teach me to go back and read the OP, even after only a day or so.

Please ignore that fella over in the corner with the red face.

[nepawolf]

codename_47 wrote:

Then they just get the cops to come and "bother" you. Maybe embellishing the phone report by saying that you were being "angry" and "uncooperative".

The cops were there and asked "can I speak with you". The answer is always no to the police.

Well, from my experience, them asking to speak to you on the side is the last chance you get before they cuff you and drag you off to the side. As I knew exactly what it was about, he was being polite at that point and it was going to stop if I refused. Had he not come in with the manager, and had the manager not spoken to me ahead of time, I would have refused, but I knew what he was there for even if it was unjustified. I was not about to have it look like I was making a scene and that being handcuffed and hauled off was justified, if I were to be cuffed, arrested and/or assaulted I wanted to make sure that there was a theater of witnesses that there was no reason for it whatsoever.

[KBCraig]

Cinemark is anti-gun. The only theater in my small city is a Cinemark 14, and they have a prominent "no guns or weapons" sign on the entrances. (It's not compliant with Texas PC 30.06, so it's not legally binding for concealed carry.)

Since Hollywood in general is anti-gun, I figure any money spent on movies is a donation to Boxer and Pelosi.

[grog18b]

Been to quite a few movies... always armed. Never stopped, or questioned. I simply cover my sidearm with a shirt. I stay armed, and they never know, and I am still prepared when criminals come knocking.



Bottom line is... It is their theater, and their right to deny access to you, if they want. Wonder how much heat they would feel if they descriminated against blacks or jews?

Just simply don't go and see their movies. Reward them with none of your money, and recommend to all of your friends they not spend money there either.

If I were OCing... I'd refuse to enter a place that had "No Guns" signs. Simply refuse to give them your money.