Posted on 01/16/2014 8:03:31 AM PST by KeyLargo
ILLINOIS STATE RIFLE ASSOCIATION
INFORMATIONAL ALERT
WHAT TO DO ABOUT THOSE PESKY “NO-GUNS” SIGNS
As you may know, the concealed carry law enacted last year ironically includes provisions that will greatly impede your ability to defend yourself against violent criminals. Among these impediments to self defense is a provision allowing private property owners to prohibit concealed firearms on their property. The law requires such property owners to post government-approved “no guns allowed” signs on property entrances.
As implementation of concealed carry goes forward, more and more of these “no guns allowed” signs will be springing up in businesses across Illinois. Although law-abiding firearm owners are offended by such signs, most of us accept that private property owners are free to limit access to their property as they see fit. Nonetheless, the placement of such signs poses some serious public policy implications to those who honor free exercise of basic human rights.
In practical terms, the official “no guns allowed” sign actually declares, “No Self Defense Permitted Beyond this Point.” Thus, a property owner who posts a “no guns allowed” sign is telling you point blank, “I don’t care if you and your family are in danger, I will not allow you to defend yourself.” The net effect of the property-owner’s self-righteous indignation is that anyone who enters the posted property unarmed is being set up for violent attack.
The beauty of concealed carry is that only handful of citizens need to be armed in order to protect the greater part of society from harm. This benefit arises out of the fact that would-be criminals are never really sure which citizens around them may be armed. As a result, their criminal urges may be stifled in the interest of not getting shot.
Given the deterrent value of concealed carry, the posting of “no guns allowed” signs openly invites criminals to enter a business to commit mayhem without the fear of facing an armed citizen. Under the concealed carry statute, persons licensed to carry must obey these signs. By their very nature, criminals will not be deterred by a plastic pictogram stuck to a window. Consequently, armed criminals will be absolutely assured that nobody in the establishment is capable of warding off their violent behavior. “No guns allowed” signs give a distinct advantage to those who seek to harm others.
For thugs who may be too shy to perform for an audience, the parking lots of “no guns allowed” establishments would be little more to their liking. It would be a given that anyone leaving such a business would be unarmed and, thus, easy pickings for robbers or rapists. Likewise, these criminals would be free to burglarize cars in the parking lot to harvest guns dutifully left behind by permit holders who enter the antigun business.
All in all, it’s distinctly possible that posting a “no guns allowed” sign makes patronizing a business more dangerous now that concealed carry has been passed than it had been to patronize the same store before the passage of concealed carry.
Quite a few people have contacted ISRA headquarters to report businesses that have posted “no guns allowed” signs. Many of the people ask how they should respond to the posting of such signs. Below are our recommendations.
1. Carrying a concealed firearm in to an establishment bearing an official “no guns allowed” sign is not lawful and should not be attempted.
2. Business owners who post “no guns allowed” signs consider lawful firearm owners to be social outcasts. Therefore, those businesses should be avoided, but not without first hearing how displeased you are with their decision. We recommend that you ask to see the manager and then politely tell him or her that you are a lawful firearm owner and that you disagree with their position on concealed carry. Advise the manager further that, as long as the offensive sign is posted, you will not spend money at their establishment and that you will tell all your friends to avoid doing business with them as well.
3. Reward businesses who allow concealed carry by spending money in their establishments.
4. Remain active in the gun rights movement at a local level.
5. Join the ISRA.
6. Donate to the ISRA so that we may carry on the fight to preserve, protect, and enhance gun rights in the state.
Follow the ISRA on Twitter and Facebook.
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http://isra.org/
What about walking in and asking if you can check your firearm at the front desk while you patronize the business? (You don’t actually have to packing, but could do this just to see the reaction.)
no-gun zone means civil liability.
have the lawyers lined up and ready to go.
Good one!!
In 6 months, I have only seen one open carry person. Most everyone carries concealed... but the right is there and affirmed!
“Here in Texas, a business establishment has to place a State Approved sign (30.06) on their point of entry for it to be valid.”
More to the point, only bars and restauraunts that bust the 51% booze revenue law can legally put those up -— and churches I think.
“I am glad to hear the Mississippi has open carry! I hope the Louisiana and Texas get it too. And yes, all responsible gun owners should do most of the shopping at gun friendly businesses.”
I have a CHL in New Mexico (and routintely carry in Texas).
NM is open carry, so I never worry about accidently showing my gun (e.g., coat lifts up and people see).
TX they’ve got stories about people getting arrested for “imprinting” -— a concealed gun that is visible as a buldge and such.
Just seeing that signage is enough to make me do an abrupt about-face and leave.
In Texas there are two different signs that restrict a concealed handgun license holder from carrying into a place of business. They are a 30.06 sign, and a 51% sign.
A 30.06 sign is a sign that a business owner can post to restrict a CHL holder from entering the business with a concealed handgun. The sign must contain the exact words required by Section 30.06 in both English and Spanish, be placed in an area visible to the public, and have 1” lettering or it will not be considered a legally-binding 30.06 sign. “Gunbuster” signs, or signs with a red slash through a gun, are not considered valid 30.06 postings.
A 51% sign is a sign that a business is required by law to post if 51% of their revenue is obtained through on-premises drinking, such as at a bar. Unfortunately this also has the consequence of not allowing CHL holders to enter the premises where the drinking is taking place while carrying their handgun.
Additional places are not required to post a sign to forbid CHL holders from entering the premises with their handgun as Texas law already forbids it, such as court houses and educational institutions.
In essence, one must exercise COMMON SENSE as well as being up to speed on the Law. Then again, part of the requirement in obtaining a CHL IS being familiar with the Law.
Let such businesses die a swift and painful death.
Give your business to someone who deserves it!
The real solution to any “No Gun Allowed” sign, IMHO, has to wait until someone is injured or killed while in such an establishment.
Then the owner of that establishment needs to be sued in court for failing to protect people in his establishment.
Isn’t that the logical outcome of taking away a person’s God given right to self defense? If you are in a business that will not allow you to defend yourself and family, then, aren’t they responsible for your safety?
While at initial look this might be considered a frivolous law suit, IMHO, it is the logical outgrowth of various laws dealing with food safety, food temperatures, food preparation, and even those requiring bar tenders to stop serving drunks, etc.
Based on those types of laws mentioned above, if I say you can not defend yourself while in my dwelling/business didn’t I just make myself responsible for your safety?
“WHAT TO DO ABOUT THOSE PESKY “NO-GUNS” SIGNS?”
“Damn, I didn’t notice any sign. Sorry, I won’t return.”
Not if you leave when asked!!
Seems like the students are being racist by correlating high crime areas with areas where mainly minority groups live....
Yep. Our motto is no gun no go.
There is no impedance of self-defense other than one’s self willing allowing it. Signs can also go up stating “No public talk of politics”, etc. Whether a bow or yawn is up to you.
just keep up the pressure everwhere until it is so common, rational, and socially accepted that they are the ones who appear ridiculous for posting their signs. We can not expect to change everyone’s position on this immediately. patience and perseverence will win this war in the end though.
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