imported post
Lincoln7 wrote:
I've heard a few instances of people carrying at gun shows but also heard that they unload and zip tie your firearm. What is/isn't allowed? Open, concealed, shopper, attendant behind counter? Do they have to be unloaded/get zip tied. I tried searching but came up empty handed. Thanks! Oh, I think this is my first post here. Great site!
What is/isn't allowed depends on the show. Almost all shows prohibit carrying (CC or OC) in any loaded gun by a non-LEO. Most shows prohibit carrying a loaded magazine or ammo for a carry gun.
Often, signs at the entrance are are posted to detail these prohibited articles. Often, show personnel will verbally announce the prohibitions tosome (or all) attendees. Sometimes, show personnel will ask attendees directly whether they have any of the prohibited items (e.g., "Sir, do you have a loaded gun on you?")
Some attendees (of thegun carryingkind)obey the rules. Either, they know the rules and leave the loaded carry gun in the car orunload it (leaving the ammo/mag in the car) and get it zip-tied at the entrance.
Some attendees (of the gun carrying kind) will forget or not know the rules and when asked at the entrance ("Sir, do you have a loaded gun on you?"), they will say "Yes" and will unloade it, get it zip-tied or take it back to the car.
Some attendees will intentionally ignore the rules, intentionally ignore the signs, and will lie to the person who asks the question (e.g., "Sir, do you have a loaded gun on you?"), saying "No" or "Ahhh, nice weather we're having, eh?"
Of this latter subgroup, some will come up with most interesting rationales for disregarding, following, changing or evading the rules. They question the existence of the insurancerequirements, the logic/legalityof the prohibitions, thevalidity of the LE's authority in asking the attendendees any questions, and the patriotism of the show's promoters. Occasionally, the Brady Campaign will be evoked.
If you ask a member of this latter subgroup, "Why do you flout the clearly posted rules about loaded guns--why do you intentionally lie to the show personnel?, they are very likely to answer directly: "
Concealed means concealed!"
The best assumption to have at a gun show is that there are many, manypeople who are CCing (or OCing) loaded weapons.