Saturday, July 21, 2012

Was CO Theater a "No Guns" Zone?

A lot of people weighing in on forums and elsewhere are saying "yes," and pointing to anecdotal evidence that the Cinemark chain has a policy against concealed carry.

What we haven't determined yet--and with all the gun owners in that part of CO, it should be easy to confirm with a photo (after the crime scene is cleared): Was that particular theater posted?

And here's the thing--even if it was, there's the matter of state law.

Per HandgunLaw:
“No Firearm” signs in Colorado have no force of law unless they are posted on property that is specifically mentioned in State Law as being off limits to those with a Permit/License to Carry. If you are in a place not specifically mentioned in the law that is posted and they ask you to leave, you must leave. If you refuse to leave then you are breaking the law and can be charged.
Per USA Carry:
Places off-limits when carrying:
1. Any place prohibited by federal law (e.g. federal offices or courthouse)
2. Any property of public school grades kindergarten through 12, unless the firearm remains inside a container in a locked vehicle
3. Any public building that prohibits ALL weapons which posts guards and permanent metal detectors at all entrances and requires all entrants to surrender handguns to security personnel before entry

3 comments:

Ned said...

Doesn't matter to me if a business posts "legal" no guns allowed signs or not.

I simply refuse to enter a business that refuses to permit gun owners to carry protection while doing business with that vendor.

I'll take my business elsewhere.

Of course, as usual, in this case, the owner didn't provide "protection" to the disarmed folks who chose to do business with them.

So another "defense-free zone" was utilized by a mass-murderer.

Ed said...

Another vivid example of "the police are only two minutes away".

Did the exit door that James Holmes propped open and returned through with the weapons also have a "No Weapons Allowed" sign?

What should the first person who saw Holmes with the weapons do? Get up and search for an usher or the theater manager?

Divemedic said...

It looks like that is correct:
http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/07/robert-farago/incendiary-image-of-the-day-cinemark-gun-ban-notice/

Here is a carrier in 2009 that was asked to leave a Cinemark for that policy:
http://www.defensivecarry.com/forum/open-carry-issues-discussions/89005-asked-leave-cinemark-theater.html

Here is another:
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/node/1951