Tacoma Metro Parks

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New, and have been searching for the last 12 hours to whether or not any kind of carry into the Point Defiance Zoo is okay. On my way in to the parking are I noticed a sign with the prohibition of firearms stated way at the bottom and in very small print that I almost didn't notice it. I know it falls under MetroParks.
After many hours looking in Tacoma Codes and in other posting, I can not find anything coming close to whether this is a "No, no."
Help?



Why can't finding the right thing to do be easy?

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If the zoo is owned by the city, county, or state, state preemption does not allow you to be prevented from carrying in a lawful way. However if it is a private business, it is their rules and you can be removed and trespassed. (Just CC if this is the case)

lol, I'll do the "I am not a lawyer" disclaimer now.

I am not a lawyer.

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I would just OC even if it is privately owned you are not breaking the law. The worse that can happen is you get asked to leave.

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You should be just fine to OC or CC at the zoo. It is not a federal government building. Also, the worst case scenario they ask you to cover up or leave, at thats becoming a less frequent occurrence as OC gains awareness.

Welcome to the forum, glad to have ya with us.

Bat

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PDZA is owned and operated by the Metro Parks Department. This is a city-owned entity, so firearms carry is preempted by state law. OC and CC is completely legal and allowed, regardless of what their sign may say. If you are asked to leave, you can ask to talk to a manager and show them the 9.41.290 reference regarding state preemption. My family has a zoo membership, and although I've never OC'd there, I've also never gone w/out CCing (nor has my wife).

City and county owned parks MUST abide by the state's requirements as far as firearms possession, regardless of what the local code states. If it is stricter than what the RCW's allow, it is automatically "preempted and repealed" so it is unenforceable. Cities/counties may be unaware of the preemption statute, or they may just try to be pulling one over on people ("Well it says no guns on the sign, so I guess I'll have to leave the gun at home, etc..."). Either way, if it is publically-owned property, (and not a courthouse, jail, post office, federal property, or secured area of a police station) the state preempts any regulation that may prevent you from carrying there.:celebrate Carry on. Welcome to the forum!

-G20

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Thank you for all the info, I all ready pretty much assumed this but you know what they about those.

Has anyone ever contacted MetroParks about there signs, I'm sure they're all "accidentally mis-labeled."

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tiggr9 wrote:

Thank you for all the info, I all ready pretty much assumed this but you know what they about those.

Has anyone ever contacted MetroParks about there signs, I'm sure they're all "accidentally mis-labeled."

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In the Tacoma park near my home there is no reference to firearms.

The PDZA is a 'Code of Conduct' on their website. I will later today take a picture of my park sign.

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Feeding and MOLESTING ANIMALS??!?!?!?!

HOW MUCH HAD TO HAPPEN BEFORE THEY ADDED THAT?@!?!?!?@#?$

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Poosharker wrote:

Feeding and MOLESTING ANIMALS??!?!?!?!

HOW MUCH HAD TO HAPPEN BEFORE THEY ADDED THAT?@!?!?!?@#?$

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It is another way of saying don't bother the animals.

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Questions were asked about freedom fair and the permit process. Here is the answer....

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NavyLT wrote:

http://www.pdza.org/page.php?id=456



Protect everyone's safety �

• Follow the instructions on all signs.
• Walk at all times.
• Do not touch any animals unless they are in an area that allows contact.
• Do not bring any firearms or other weapons on zoo grounds.

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This code of conduct, is it a suggestion or a rule? If it is a rule, is the parkcity or private property?

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lol@ molesting animals. Couldn't they have said "harassing"?

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LT, I am interested in the progress you have made with this. I am currently working on an emergency powers restriction in my county code but have not been succesful.

-Whitney

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NavyLT wrote:

Whitney wrote:

LT, I am interested in the progress you have made with this. I am currently working on an emergency powers restriction in my county code but have not been succesful.

-Whitney

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I sent the email off to them the same day and have not received a reply.

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They must have taken it to heart...I just clicked the link for the code of conduct and found no references to firearms .:shock:

(bottom of page says Site last updated on 6/3/2010 © 2005-2010 Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium)

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here is a copy of an email i received today :



Thank you for your recent email about the firearms language in Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium’s Code of Conduct. We have removed the firearms prohibition language from our Web site and our Code of Conduct signs.



We appreciate your interest in this topic. Please contact me directly if you have any questions or additional concerns.



Best regards,

Whitney DalBalcon



Whitney DalBalcon

Marketing and Public Relations Manager
Zoological and Environmental Education Department

Metro Parks Tacoma
253.404.3637

Whitney.DalBalcon@pdza.org