I went to a Prepper show there a couple weeks back. See below. Reply came from Security Director there. Sent him my phone number and he called me and we discussed. He indicated he was 40 years with Henrico County S.O. I am waiting on his email summary of our conversation. He did take the time to call me for discussion just before he left on vacation and said he would send summary on his return.
Short story on our phone conversation was that RIR says no loaded firearms on property. He agreed I was correct in no signs. He indicated that would be corrected soon. 8 minute conversation basically ended that he was right and nothing was changing there and I could like it or stay away. I will stay away. I will discourage all who go there to find another venue for their shows.
I am waiting on his email summary before copying to all the vendor I spoke with regarding shows at RIR.
VCDL was also copied. They replied and seemed pretty interested in me keeping them advised.
Copy to NRA Friends group as they have a dinner upcoming there in the next month or so.
Additional letter and copy to Organizer of the show. Copy below.
I received a reply from the organizer which is below.
Va_Nemo
Copy sent to organizer of show
Short story on our phone conversation was that RIR says no loaded firearms on property. He agreed I was correct in no signs. He indicated that would be corrected soon. 8 minute conversation basically ended that he was right and nothing was changing there and I could like it or stay away. I will stay away. I will discourage all who go there to find another venue for their shows.
I am waiting on his email summary before copying to all the vendor I spoke with regarding shows at RIR.
VCDL was also copied. They replied and seemed pretty interested in me keeping them advised.
Copy to NRA Friends group as they have a dinner upcoming there in the next month or so.
Additional letter and copy to Organizer of the show. Copy below.
I received a reply from the organizer which is below.
Va_Nemo
May 7, 2016
Richmond International Raceway Management EMAIL ONLY RIRInfo@RIR.com
NPS Expo EMAIL ONLY Ray@NPSexpo.com
Ray McCreary Info@NPSexpo.com
NPS Expo/RIR Security/Firearm Possession Complaint
Greetings:
I attended the NPS Expo at the Richmond Va raceway earlier today. As I do nearly always and in compliance with Virginia law, I was open carrying my sidearm. As usual for me, I had checked for any firearm limits on the state law websites as well as the NPS Expo (NPSExpo.com) and Richmond International Raceway (RIR.com) websites. I also carefully inspected the doors for signs as well as carefully looking for such on the roads and parking lots. I found nothing.
The only thing related to firearms was on RIR.com and that was they were not permitted in the grandstands at a race. This expo was certainly not in the grandstands and certainly not at a race.
As I was walking around and speaking with the vendors I was accosted by an elderly gentleman who demanded to know if my gun was loaded. He was not in any uniform or wearing anything to indicate he was anything other than another attendee at the expo. Intending to be completely cooperative I advised him that it was. I asked him who he was and why he was asking. He advised me that he was there on “Fire Watch” and the raceway did not permit loaded firearms on the premises. Due to his lack of any identification type implements or attire I was a bit uncomfortable with complying with his statements and asked for a manager or someone higher up the chain of command.
He advised that he could call his lieutenant and I requested he do so. Continuing to be as cooperative as possible I spoke with the lieutenant and he advised me that RIR did not permit loaded firearms on their property. We also discussed the things I mentioned above regarding firearms at the show.
At one point he asked if I had a concealed weapon permit and I advised him I did not need one due to it being completely openly carried. He stated he could not see it despite it being a S&W Model 5906 in a half pancake holster and not under any type of shirt or covering and in no way hidden from any type of common observation. Apparently he was not looking or just not on the right side of me to notice it.
Please advise me as to what the policy of RIR is regarding firearms being fully in compliance with state law. I will be awaiting your response.
Sincerely
ME signed by real name
CC: NRA / Friends of the NRA dwells@nrahq.org
Virginia Citizens Defense League pete@vcdl.org
Copy sent to organizer of show
May 7, 2016
Mr Ray McCreary EMAIL ONLY ray@npsexpo.com
info@npsexpo.com
I believed it appropriate to send you a copy of a complaint regarding my attendance at the Expo at Richmond Int’l Raceway earlier today.
I have attended several of the NPS Expos in Lakeland Fl and other places and always found them informative and engaging. I look forward to attending more.
Should RIR reply that they prohibit firearms on their property I strongly encourage you to have no further dealings with RIR and move your Expos to another location in that area.
I will also be contacting all the vendors at the Expo that I spoke with and obtained business cards from and be encouraging them to continue participation in your shows, but strongly discouraging them doing so should the Expo be held at RIR.
Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely
Me with real name
CC: VCDL.org
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