Non-Gun-Friendly Movie Theater

[TexGun]

So, last night the family and I went to see Avatar in 3D.  And, despite some of the overt political overtones, it was quite an awesome production.  But hey, make believe is what most movies are all about, right?

Having said that, this is not about the movie, but rather the theater, which to my disappointment is a non-gun-friendly esabilshment. (TX 30.06 sign clearly posted at the entrance: no concealed carry even with a permit)  Unfortunately, all of the theaters in this particular chain (AMC) in my area have the appropriate sinage prohibiting concealed carry.  Given that the family was a bit stir crazy and that the kids and I were excited about seeing this movie, I decided to suck it up and go to this particular theater without my CCW.  Man, what a mistake, at least as far as my sanity is concerned. 

Well, everybody else in my part of town had the same idea.  And, holy smoke, there are some wierd(looking) folks out on Christmas day!  As is the norm in my part of town, no scary incidents, people were well behaved, but sitting in that very crowded theater waiting for the movie to start, all of the "what if's" started crossing my mind, most of which a firearm couldn't fix.  But nonetheless, the option of protecting my family with whatever means necessary had been taken from me and it kind of began to tick me off. 

Now before you say it, I did make the choice to go to that particular theater (Way to practice AVOIDANCE!), but next time we will play ahead and pick a time that works for the gun-friendly theater about 6 miles further away.  And , I think I will work on some of my CHL holding buddies to bombard AMC with letters.  Probably won't do any good, but at least the protest will be lodged.

[fightingquaker13]

It won't do any good as they are just practicing CYA. Put up the sign and maybe sell a few less tickets. Don't put up the sign (when they could have) and someone gets shot by a CHL holder and they open themselves up to a multi-million dollar lawsuit for not practicing "due dilligence". Your letters would be better addressed to your state rep to change the law so that these signs have no legal force. Most businesses won't care one way or the other, they just don't want to get sued.
FQ13

[WaltGraham]

No metal detector, no foul.

It's possible I've missed seeing a "no guns" sign on occasion...

[bryand71]

I don't pay any attention to those stupid signs, unless they pat you down or make you walk through a metal detector, how are they to know if you are carrying? In the event you do have to use it to defend yourself or someone else, can the theater really say that they were protecting you? I don't think so. I look at like this: The business is not going to be responsible for my safety, nor are they going to do anything to protect me. It is my responsibility to protect my family and myself. If the business does make a stink about it, I will sue or counter sue them for failing to provide protection against the bad guy(s).

it may not be the best response, but I have had enough of other people telling me when and where I can exercise my 2A right for my personal safety.

[Pathfinder]

I've read reviews of Avatar, most praise the graphics, but have hammered the "white guys = bad, blue guys = good) theme as well as the movie being an AGW (anthropomorphic global warming, that is, man-caused global warming) person's wet dream with all of the "peace-loving planet and blue beings stomp evil white people" messages.

Sucks about the theater. AMC won't give a crap about the protest, and sadly you live in a state where they get to make that call. Better to spend your time getting the state to put into place pre-emption language that takes this power (not a right) away from the theaters.

[Sponsor]

[billt]

this is not about the movie, but rather the theater, which to my disappointment is a non-gun-friendly esabilshment. (TX 30.06 sign clearly posted at the entrance: no concealed carry even with a permit).

This is why we don't go to theaters anymore. That, and the way they blast the Surround Sound. I'm deaf in one ear and it bothers me. Thank God for DVD's and early releases! And let's not forget the "Pause" button when it's time to shake the dew off!   Bill T.

[tombogan03884]

I agree with FQ, Walt, and Billt.
public places will do anything their lawyers say if they think it will keep them from getting sued, THE STATE should not make one of those methods denying your constitutionally guaranteed rights,
If their isn't a metal detector it is not a gun free place, as proved by that Post Office stand off in West (?) Virginia the other day.
I also prefer DVD's with a pause button when I wish to smoke or deal with an empty cup or full bladder.

[billt]

What would happen if you were in one of these wonderful "gun free" establishments that do not allow concealed carry, yet you possessed a CCW, and were shot by a bad guy, and were denied the right to self defense by the very establishment you were shot at? I'm certainly no attorney, but that smells like a big fat law suit to me.  Bill T.

[MikeBjerum]

What is Texas law on CCW and postings?  In Minnesota, if we have it concealed and they don't know it is no harm, no foul.  If they see it and ask you to leave, you must leave.  Key is they must know if you are carrying.  If you are carrying, and they ask you if you are, and you say no, they can't search.

[GUNS-R-US]

What is Texas law on CCW and postings?  In Minnesota, if we have it concealed and they don't know it is no harm, no foul.  If they see it and ask you to leave, you must leave.  Key is they must know if you are carrying.  If you are carrying, and they ask you if you are, and you say no, they can't search.

yea what does the TX law say? Minnesota's rule seams "reasonable" to some extent.