"No Loaded Guns" sign at gun show; no 30.06

[Liko81]

I have another thread about my trip to the Mesquite Gun Show and what I got there, but there was a question I had that I wanted to ask seperately. When walking into the show, the first thing you saw was a big ol' sign out on the sidewalk saying "No Loaded Guns Allowed Inside. This Includes CHLS". When you get inside, you are required to declare any guns you are bringing in and have them cleared and zip-tied. At no point during the approach or inspection process is a valid 30.06 sign ever displayed.

The question is, if I had been carrying a concealed loaded handgun with plastic, would I have broken any law by not declaring it and just walking in? I was not frisked; it was all "honor system", and it was really a non-issue for me as I was just bringing the pistol in to size it for a CC holster. Of course if I were found out they could have gotten me thrown out, but could I have been convicted of 30.05 or 30.06 trespass if I ignored the invalid signage, because of the gun check table and the question asked regarding whether I had ammo?

Another question; as OC is still currently banned in Texas and I do not yet have plastic in-hand, assume I didn't think to bring a case, and tell me what the proper mode of carry should have been. I just stuck it in my back pocket and it ended up concealed under an untucked shirt. I could also have taken the spare mag out of the holster I use to conceal it under the driver's seat and OCed. On the way out it was in the bag they gave me for the holster, and I think the smartest move would have been to carry it in some sort of bag coming in as it would have made for the most plausible explanation that I wasn't trying to OC or CC. Any of these ways, though, I think I could have gotten hassled if it turned out anyone cared.

[flb_78]

If you had a CHL, then the signage does not apply to you.

If you do not have a CHL, then you should not have a loaded gun outside of your vehicle unless you are walking to or from your residence and/or hotel/motel room.

And yes, you can carry it open and unloaded going into the gun show. I don't remember the exact statute, but I do remember that you can carry to a gun related event with no hassles.

[HerbM]

No 30.06, no verbal specific notice about your CHL, no other prohibition (e.g., 51%) then you are good as long as you stay concealed.

What CHL holders should NOT do (in my opinion) is wear (or bag carry) their loaded concealed gun into the gun show, then pull it out to show people for sale, trade, gunsmithing, or just comparison.

If it is concealed it remains legal unless prohibited OR REVEALED (intentionally). If you want to sell it or get gunsmith work you should unload it and take it in like everyone else (e.g., get it banded/flagged etc.)

Concealed guns should stay concealed.

(IF we had OC they should stay in the holster.)

[Keith B]

I am not sure where you entered, but there WERE valid 30.06 signs on the exterior doors and on an easel just as you go into the main doors for the hall. Yes, the generic sandwich-board sign is outside, but the legal 30.06 signs were there.

[bpet]

I was there on Sunday and Keith is correct. There were two 30-06 signs clearly visible. If you went on Saturday, maybe you got there before they put the proper notification in place.

It was a pretty good show. I went with my son and we had a great time, but neither of us carried.

[Liko81]

I was there on Sunday and Keith is correct. There were two 30-06 signs clearly visible. If you went on Saturday, maybe you got there before they put the proper notification in place.

It was a pretty good show. I went with my son and we had a great time, but neither of us carried.

Well, possibly; I was there bright and early on Saturday and I looked pretty hard for 30.06 (trying to get in the habit ) and didn't see anything (looked around the doors, above and around the checking table, etc. - the logical places).

Anyway, my question has been answered; if it's unloaded, no mag, I can carry it pretty much however I want when going between my car and a gun show as long as my carry mode does not constitute "a manner calculated to alarm". With no 30.06 sign posted, if I had my CHL I could just walk in, and as long as I kept it concealed it's fine.

I would have been most confused about that if I'd walked in with a CC and a gun I wanted to test-fit or sell. I'd declare the gun I was OCing, they'd clear and zip-tie it, then ask if I was carrying any ammo. Any answer other than "no" and I wouldn't be allowed in as they would assume "yes" if I said something like "that's not your concern" or "nothing you need to worry about". But "no" is a lie

This is all just academic ATM; the show's over, I didn't CC, and the gun I brought in was empty.

[ZARASTER]

Last year there was a free standing large sign to the right of the ticket counter just as you are past the counter. It was the last time I have gone there.
No gun no money

[HerbM]

Last year there was a free standing large sign to the right of the ticket counter just as you are past the counter. It was the last time I have gone there.
No gun no money

(And gun shows have even less of an excuse for such signs than banks, hardware, or grocery stores -- problems with the insurance company need to be addressed by boycott as well.)

[SCone]

Big Mike was asking about concealed weapons on Sunday when we went in. That meets the "oral" rule.

[flb_78]

I carried right past the 30.06 signs at the Amarillo Gun Show. It was at the Amarillo Civic Center. Plus, the sign was only in English, no español. Civic Center is government owned and cannot be posted.

[nemesis]

Last year there was a free standing large sign to the right of the ticket counter just as you are past the counter. It was the last time I have gone there.
No gun no money

(And gun shows have even less of an excuse for such signs than banks, hardware, or grocery stores -- problems with the insurance company need to be addressed by boycott as well.)

You probably don't draw your gun too often in a bank, hardware or grocery store but CHL holders and off-duty LEO's don't seem to have any inhibitions at gun shows. I think its honest to say that not a gun show goes by, and we do 2 to 5 a month, that someone doesn't whip a loaded gun out and starts fitting it into a new holster. Thats troubling but not as much as when they draw a loaded gun and point it at me.

The fact that they tell me "I didn't have my finger on the trigger" is not much consolation.

I'm a CHL holder and I object to restrictions on where I can carry but I'd rather see gun shows posted PC30.06 than dealing with people who don't have the sense to keep loaded guns holstered.

[SCone]

The fact that they tell me "I didn't have my finger on the trigger" is not much consolation

That's right! What's it been, eight months, maybe a year since the last "accidental discharge"?

[HerbM]

Last year there was a free standing large sign to the right of the ticket counter just as you are past the counter. It was the last time I have gone there.
No gun no money

(And gun shows have even less of an excuse for such signs than banks, hardware, or grocery stores -- problems with the insurance company need to be addressed by boycott as well.)

You probably don't draw your gun too often in a bank, hardware or grocery store but CHL holders and off-duty LEO's don't seem to have any inhibitions at gun shows. I think its honest to say that not a gun show goes by, and we do 2 to 5 a month, that someone doesn't whip a loaded gun out and starts fitting it into a new holster. Thats troubling but not as much as when they draw a loaded gun and point it at me.

The fact that they tell me "I didn't have my finger on the trigger" is not much consolation.

I'm a CHL holder and I object to restrictions on where I can carry but I'd rather see gun shows posted PC30.06 than dealing with people who don't have the sense to keep loaded guns holstered.

No one should DRAW a concealed handgun at a gun show (unless their is a situation requiring and authorizing the use of deadly force.)

Concealed handguns must STAY concealed. If necessary do to the confusion or exitement of seeing so many guns have every read and SIGN a notice explaining this fact -- no problem.

Having a sign at a gun show is precisely the same as having it at a bank -- and the excuse they make that "CHL holders will shoot someone at the show" is the same excuse as "CHL holders will shoot someone at the bank". How many times have you heard that about the CHL in general?

Make the law clear -- enforce the law -- CHL holder are no real problem. And remember, the sign has no effect on anyone determined to be an idiot or criminal. You bad behavior is not cause to limit my rights, and vice versa for your rights.

At least one of the problems in Austin was a DEALER, the other was a CHL holder who tried to have his carry arm serviced by a gunsmith I believe.

[Target1911]

I was at a FTW show a couple of years ago when one of the vendors had not one but 2 NDs about 5 seconds apart. That was Just scary.