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Planning to attend tailgating/homecoming with my wife this weekend. I am not planning on attending the football game but would I be legal carrying at the tailgating beforehand?

I have read everything I can but can not clearly define what is legal and what is not. The tailgaiting takes place on the university campus (i.e. parking lots, open fields, and public right of ways) but not within any of the buildings.

How do I define if it is technically "school-sponsored" since anyone and everyone can attend and it is open to the public with no barriers to entry?

Tailgate = parking lot, right? Parking lot = NOT part of the off limit school premises. I wouldn't consider it a school sponsored event either. I would carry.

1 follow up point...there will a homecoming parade which is obviously "school sponsered" but will be on a public right of way...

Now there's another great law school exam question! Good law school exam questions are those with no clear answers; one's that can be rationally and vigorously argued from both sides.

If the school advertised and invited people to tailgate before the game, then I 'd be real worried it was a school-sponsored activity. If we're playing "Stump the Lawyer," you did it.

Chas.

I always get scared when we play stump the lawyer and Chas throws in the towel.

Well I don't feel so bad about not figuring it out now. I may just have to convice the wife to leave the parade alone this year.

This event is not entirely sponsored by the school, but there is plenty of school sponsorship and support. In addition it is a private school and it takes place on their grounds for the most part(minus the public right of ways), so, it is more or less a school function. Leave it at home or in the car and come anyways, there are usually plenty of armed officers on duty and you will have a great time.

Tailgating might be an art form, but it's not a "professional or scholastic sporting event". Nor is it a school sponsored event. Tailgating takes place on school grounds, but enjoys no sanction from the school (as they will be quick to tell you if you offend their sensibilities).

The parade might be on school property, and viewable from where you are, but unless you're in the parade, it can't possibly be argued that you're "on the grounds" where the event is taking place.

KBCraig wrote:The parade might be on school property, and viewable from where you are, but unless you're in the parade, it can't possibly be argued that you're "on the grounds" where the event is taking place.

The sticky point is not being on the grounds... the sticky point is being at a school sponsored event. And the parade is most certainly at least partially school sponsored.

This one is tough. My personal opinion:

Carry to be safe.
Conceal WELL.
Don't be indulging in adult beverages.
Don't shoot unless they REALLY need killing.

Come on Linda, you're not being PC this morning! That should be "Don't shoot unless they REALLY need to be stopped, controlled or neutralized."

KBCraig wrote:Tailgating might be an art form, but it's not a "professional or scholastic sporting event". Nor is it a school sponsored event. Tailgating takes place on school grounds, but enjoys no sanction from the school (as they will be quick to tell you if you offend their sensibilities).

The parade might be on school property, and viewable from where you are, but unless you're in the parade, it can't possibly be argued that you're "on the grounds" where the event is taking place.

This event is not really "tailgating". It would be more correct calling it "boulevarding" if your were going to attach a name to it. It is a homecoming event ,and it takes place on school grounds. Food, activities, tables, chairs, decorations etc. etc. are all primarily provided by the school(probably 90%). In addition it is an "open house" event for the school and a great deal of money is spent by the school in advertising to provide awareness of the event.

But, it's over now. It was fun for all, there was plenty of security, and no-one that I know of had to defend their life. Hope you ended up going.

Greybeard wrote:Come on Linda, you're not being PC this morning! That should be "Don't shoot unless they REALLY need to be stopped, controlled or neutralized."

I'm all out of PC today. Good thing I didn't have a class to teach this weekend!