imported post
Today I went to the Parmatown Mall in Parma, OH to say hello to some friends at the food court, grab a Pepsi, and then go buy a new CD from one of the music stores. I happened to be openly carrying my sidearm. I smiled and said good morning to anyone with whom I made eye contact, including the head security guard of the mall, who reciprocated and continued walking past me. About 10-15 paces later, I passed a well-dressed gentleman and exchanged a good morning, a smile, and a head nod. After passing one another, he turned around and inquired about my status as a CCW permit holder. I politely informed him that I was not yet a CCW permit holder. but that I was openly carrying because that is lawful in the State of Ohio, and in fact the only way I am permitted to carry without a permit. He responded by saying that concealed weapons were not allowed in the mall. I again politely informed him that I was not carrying concealed, but openly and again reiterated that open carry is legal in the State of Ohio without any permit or license. I asked if there were signs which prohibited firearms in the mall and apologized if I had missed them, because I had looked for them prior to entering the premises (the kind that are usually a gun in a circle with a line drawn through it, like the no smoking signs which are posted in that manner). He informed me that there were, in fact, signs posted at every entrance stating the rules of the mall.
This was true. Posted at every entrance is a rather inconspicuous sign which lists all the Parmatown Mall's expectations and rules, ranging from not using obscene language to children of school age being expected to be at school during school hours. However, this gentleman was incorrect to assert that these rules explicitly prohibit all firearms on the premises. The sign only explicitly prohibits concealed weapons. A reasonable person's (and my) interpretation of this was that lawful open carry was not prohibited. I noted this out loud, to which the reply was something to the effect of "Well, we just don't allow firearms. Only security is allowed to have them."
He told me that I was welcome to re-enter the mall after securing my firearm in my vehicle, but that I would have to leave the premises immediately. I asked if he would mind allowing me to walk the shortest route to my vehicle (back toward the food court) rather than exiting immediately and then walking all the way around the mall. He agreed to this. We then exchanged names and a handshake, and he escorted me to the exit I had requested.
Throughout the incident, he was pleasant and cordial, even though we were in disagreement. He was not aware that open carry was legal without a license. I mentioned the Supreme Court case to him and a little bit about the background of the case and the reasoning behind the decision as we walked.
The Parmatown Mall is private property, and as the manager of that private property, Mr. Nick Rudy had and has every right to prohibit the carrying of firearms on the premises of his mall. However, I respectfully disagree with Mr. Rudy that it is necessary or even desirable to prevent otherwise law-abiding citizens from exercising these reasonable and necessary rights in his establishment.
No one was visibly alarmed or made any comment other than Mr. Rudy, and that includes his security guard, though I cannot be certain that he observed my firearm as we passed and neglected to ask him when we spoke again shortly after I deposited my firearm in my vehicle (in accordance with Ohio law concerning transport of firearms in a motor vehicle, of course. ). I myself displayed no aggressive or threatening behavior, gestures, or speech and remained cordial and polite as I spoke with both of them.
Our civility and cordiality notwithstanding, I fully intend to politely inform Mr. Rudy in writing of my intentions to no longer patronize any of the establishments in the mall. This saddens me greatly because the Parmatown Mall is one of the most convenient places for me to go for many things. There is a food court, where my favorite sandwich shop, Charley's, is, along with several friends who work there. There is a GameStop where I have made probably 85% of my game and game-related purchases in the past 3 years. And there is a WalMart, TGI Friday's, and a Dick's Sporting Goods, all of which I have patronized.
I would prefer that I be able to practice my public rights on Mr. Rudy's private property. However, I will respect his wishes and exercise my right to not spend my money in his establishment.
Today I went to the Parmatown Mall in Parma, OH to say hello to some friends at the food court, grab a Pepsi, and then go buy a new CD from one of the music stores. I happened to be openly carrying my sidearm. I smiled and said good morning to anyone with whom I made eye contact, including the head security guard of the mall, who reciprocated and continued walking past me. About 10-15 paces later, I passed a well-dressed gentleman and exchanged a good morning, a smile, and a head nod. After passing one another, he turned around and inquired about my status as a CCW permit holder. I politely informed him that I was not yet a CCW permit holder. but that I was openly carrying because that is lawful in the State of Ohio, and in fact the only way I am permitted to carry without a permit. He responded by saying that concealed weapons were not allowed in the mall. I again politely informed him that I was not carrying concealed, but openly and again reiterated that open carry is legal in the State of Ohio without any permit or license. I asked if there were signs which prohibited firearms in the mall and apologized if I had missed them, because I had looked for them prior to entering the premises (the kind that are usually a gun in a circle with a line drawn through it, like the no smoking signs which are posted in that manner). He informed me that there were, in fact, signs posted at every entrance stating the rules of the mall.
This was true. Posted at every entrance is a rather inconspicuous sign which lists all the Parmatown Mall's expectations and rules, ranging from not using obscene language to children of school age being expected to be at school during school hours. However, this gentleman was incorrect to assert that these rules explicitly prohibit all firearms on the premises. The sign only explicitly prohibits concealed weapons. A reasonable person's (and my) interpretation of this was that lawful open carry was not prohibited. I noted this out loud, to which the reply was something to the effect of "Well, we just don't allow firearms. Only security is allowed to have them."
He told me that I was welcome to re-enter the mall after securing my firearm in my vehicle, but that I would have to leave the premises immediately. I asked if he would mind allowing me to walk the shortest route to my vehicle (back toward the food court) rather than exiting immediately and then walking all the way around the mall. He agreed to this. We then exchanged names and a handshake, and he escorted me to the exit I had requested.
Throughout the incident, he was pleasant and cordial, even though we were in disagreement. He was not aware that open carry was legal without a license. I mentioned the Supreme Court case to him and a little bit about the background of the case and the reasoning behind the decision as we walked.
The Parmatown Mall is private property, and as the manager of that private property, Mr. Nick Rudy had and has every right to prohibit the carrying of firearms on the premises of his mall. However, I respectfully disagree with Mr. Rudy that it is necessary or even desirable to prevent otherwise law-abiding citizens from exercising these reasonable and necessary rights in his establishment.
No one was visibly alarmed or made any comment other than Mr. Rudy, and that includes his security guard, though I cannot be certain that he observed my firearm as we passed and neglected to ask him when we spoke again shortly after I deposited my firearm in my vehicle (in accordance with Ohio law concerning transport of firearms in a motor vehicle, of course. ). I myself displayed no aggressive or threatening behavior, gestures, or speech and remained cordial and polite as I spoke with both of them.
Our civility and cordiality notwithstanding, I fully intend to politely inform Mr. Rudy in writing of my intentions to no longer patronize any of the establishments in the mall. This saddens me greatly because the Parmatown Mall is one of the most convenient places for me to go for many things. There is a food court, where my favorite sandwich shop, Charley's, is, along with several friends who work there. There is a GameStop where I have made probably 85% of my game and game-related purchases in the past 3 years. And there is a WalMart, TGI Friday's, and a Dick's Sporting Goods, all of which I have patronized.
I would prefer that I be able to practice my public rights on Mr. Rudy's private property. However, I will respect his wishes and exercise my right to not spend my money in his establishment.