Chicago, IL—As thousands of concealed weapons permits are
being issued here some people running local businesses apparently fear anyone law-abiding
that is also armed. They are putting up signs prohibiting guns.
Illinois politicians opposed to gun rights have offered up a feel
good solution allowing businesses to ban guns on their property that’s otherwise
open to the public. Some of the
businesses are following corporate mandates others are ignorant and perhaps
frightened by the idea of guns.
Of course all armed and dangerous criminals can be counted
upon to ignore the signs. Adding to the
madness the business owners utilizing the signs are telling criminals that they
can rob, kill or rape without encountering armed resistance!
These days in most safe appearing neighborhoods finding
armed security guards not involved in money transportation is nearly
impossible. No local business would
dare begin TSA style frisking. If they
tried doing that, it would guarantee a trip to the Bankruptcy Court.
Putting up the signs sends a political message that will
bring more than enough customer loss and economic damage. Frankly you have a choice and can avoid
doing business where such signs are displayed. It’s simply one more good reason to use
amazon.com, skipping the brick and mortar Gun-Free Zones altogether.
First and foremost concealed weapon arrests are made almost
exclusively during vehicular traffic stops.
Occasionally some arrests are made incident to unrelated arrests for
shoplifting, street disturbances or trespassing cases. Shoplifters that carry guns find out the hard
way that packing heat may raise a misdemeanor offense to a much higher-level
felony crime in many jurisdictions.
Thankfully none of us have ever seen police enter businesses
and restaurants and begin searching patrons.
There is still a shell of the Fourth Amendment protection from
unreasonable search and seizure preventing that kind of police nightmare. The fact is entering a sign posted business
with a No Gun sign carries almost no risk of discovery. That may and should change with a breach of
the peace.
If a permit holder were discovered armed, they’d have to
prove that the sign was not obstructed from view. Often I’ve seen the signs posted on glass
doors that were actually propped open and not facing where people could
reasonably be expected to see them. Did
the patron enter behind a large person blocking view of the sign?
One thing we can all count on thugs, robbers, rapists and
killers will never obey these or any signs or laws. Why put yourself at risk simply to obey a
stupid sign?
If there was the rare situation where a violent crime occurs
like a robbery and a patron was armed and actually displayed or otherwise used
the firearm judiciously I think an arrest would be highly unlikely especially
of a violent crime was halted.
The signs have no real impact but to divide businesses from
customers. A concealed weapon permit guarantees
that the holder is a sane and law-abiding citizen. Felons, the insane and otherwise troublesome
people cannot be barred from businesses without fear of bringing the wrath of
the ACLU and government regulators.
If you have a concealed weapon permit and you are armed you
need not fear arrest provided that you are not intoxicated or disorderly. If something happens and you either display
or otherwise deploy your weapon do not answer questions but instead ask for a
lawyer.
My advice is to not patronize any business with these ridicules
signs. If for convenience, you feel the
need to give them business they don’t deserve you should simply ignore the
signs. Never let some politician or law
deter you from protecting yourself or someone you love. Be safe, not sorry!
Comments
Hey, not a bad idea!