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What to expect at Valley Fair

tux

New member
Joined
Jun 18, 2013
Messages
4
Location
Duluth
Hi,

First time visitor.

I'm planning to go to Valley Fair with the family in August, but have no idea what to expect in regards to my CCW permit at the front gate.

Anyone know if it is "posted", or do they check you down before entering?

I looked at their website and all I see is no outside food, height restrictions, etc, but nothing about legal permit holders.

Anyone with some info?

Thanks
:)
 

thewayiseeit240

New member
Joined
Aug 6, 2012
Messages
17
Location
Minnesota
The last time I went there was years ago, plus I do not think they wand everyone that walks on through, I'd suggest not open carrying at VF since its mostly kids there, but for security, its a high school staff, well majority.
Other than that I am sure it is fine, just have a retention holster if you ride the rides.
If they say anything, get your money back LOL
 

robdoar

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2010
Messages
151
Location
Minneapolis
1. Welcome! :)
2. No such thing as CCW in MN. It's a Permit to Carry (PTC)
3. It is posted. On two concrete pillars at the turnstiles.
4. They Occasionally wand.
5. They will kick you out if you're discovered.

Stay safe and have fun!
 

tux

New member
Joined
Jun 18, 2013
Messages
4
Location
Duluth
1. Welcome! :)
2. No such thing as CCW in MN. It's a Permit to Carry (PTC)
3. It is posted. On two concrete pillars at the turnstiles.
4. They Occasionally wand.
5. They will kick you out if you're discovered.

Stay safe and have fun!

For all intensive purpose it is CCW.

Ever try to carry openly in any metro area? It is a sure visit from the police and a half hour of your day wasted while the cops respond to the "man with a gun" call.

While yes it is "technically" a PTC, you are going to have a real long day without concealing it, and odd are you will get ejected from nearly everyplace you enter and most likely end up with a charge of disturbance, trespass or anything else that can be thought of if you keep it up.

So it may as well be CCW.

Thanks for your input.
 

robdoar

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2010
Messages
151
Location
Minneapolis
For all intensive purpose it is CCW.

For all intents and purposes, words mean things. Calling it a CCW perpetuates the misconception that it has to be concealed. The people at GOCRA worked very hard wordsmithing it to give us the rigt to open carry.

Ever try to carry openly in any metro area?
Damn near every day
It is a sure visit from the police and a half hour of your day wasted while the cops respond to the "man with a gun" call.
Not in 6 years for me. (Granted, I'm not walking down hennepin ave with an AR.)
While yes it is "technically" a PTC, you are going to have a real long day without concealing it, and odd are you will get ejected from nearly everyplace you enter and most likely end up with a charge of disturbance, trespass or anything else that can be thought of if you keep it up.
I beg to differ.
 

tux

New member
Joined
Jun 18, 2013
Messages
4
Location
Duluth
For all intents and purposes, words mean things. Calling it a CCW perpetuates the misconception that it has to be concealed. The people at GOCRA worked very hard wordsmithing it to give us the rigt to open carry.


Damn near every day
Not in 6 years for me. (Granted, I'm not walking down hennepin ave with an AR.)
I beg to differ.

Well then you are lucky, and a case of "your mileage may vary." Word smithing means very little when the public is still very sheepish about guns. I've been carrying for ten years and have known quite a few who were "advised" by the police to cover it up so as to not cause a scene.

I know two NRA instructors whose advice is, yes it is legal to open carry, but you are better off keeping it covered. I even have a couple relatives who are cops, and their advice is yes, it is legal to open carry, but it makes life easier for everyone to keep it covered.

And if you really want to play the "word game" then the "Right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed" actually means I should be able to carry a firearm with out permission from my State. But that does not get us very far either...does it?

Word smithing does not seem to matter even in the highest laws of the land

It was a basic question with out the need of being a grammar nazi for a practice that varies by municipality greatly, the person carrying, what cop happens to be working that day, etc.

So ok if we must be technically succinct then then yes it is a "permit to carry".....you win.
 
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robdoar

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2010
Messages
151
Location
Minneapolis
And if you really want to play the "word game" then the "Right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed" actually means I should be able to carry a firearm with out permission from my State. But that does not get us very far either...does it?

I certainly agree with you there... But we have to play with the cards you're dealt.

There are lines that we HAVE TO play in, and there's lines the nannies WANT US to play in.

Of course any cop will advise against open carry, it only has the potential to make their job harder. They would also like to search any person they want, at any time they want. We have liberties, and if we don't use them, we lose them.

As for the public, especially in the metro, they are vastly ignorant about guns, and some have an irrational fear. My goal in open carrying is to show them that I'm just a well dressed, young guy, out with my kids, debating with my 6 year old over cereal choices, wiping my son's runny nose. I'm not their image of the "typical" gun owner, sitting in a shack in the woods, stroking my rifle quoting lines from full metal jacket. Just a regular guy going through his day. I've had some excellent conversations.

I do a whole section on open carry in my classes. There are a few things that any person who open carries has to do know...

  • First, you have to look presentable. Leave the "Body Piercing by Glock" shirt at home.
  • Know the laws cold, and don't pester business that made it known they don't want carry. (even if they legally can't. i.e. MOA)
  • Be willing to be inconvenienced. Though I've never had to, you may have to deal with police. Or the occasional over inquisitive person... which leads to my next one
  • Be the nicest person on earth. Smile, open doors, help old ladies to their car.
  • Walk away from arguments. If someone wants to make a scene with you, leave. If a manager wants to kick you out, go.

The right people open-carrying in the metro can make it a "move along, nothing to see here" everyday occurrence.

I can speak from experience, it's not the "slammed to the ground, instant arrest" in the metro you might think. Be the change you want. :)
 

tux

New member
Joined
Jun 18, 2013
Messages
4
Location
Duluth
For all intents and purposes, words mean things. Calling it a CCW perpetuates the misconception that it has to be concealed. The people at GOCRA worked very hard wordsmithing it to give us the rigt to open carry.


Damn near every day
.

So do you carry open every day, or "The reason I conceal is less tactical, and more practical. I don’t want to be inconvenienced......It is because of my desire to avoid situations like this, that I conceal." as you write on http://bluelinedefense.com/concealed-carry-in-minnesota/

I guess the point I am making is the same as what you write.

This summer, an acquaintance was “cuffed and stuffed” for legally carrying a gun. He had been at Cosby Farm Park in St. Paul, and removed his vest because of the heat. As he was walking through the park he was detained, disarmed, and put in a police vehicle. The officer even said ” it was illegal to carry a pistol in the open” and asked ” if (he) knew what “concealed” meant”. Eventually it was found he had committed no crime, and he was released.

For most it is not worth the time to open carry, therefore CCW. If even the cops can't get it right, then the citizens certainly won't. Best to keep it concealed and avoid the hassle.
 
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tletourneau

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2010
Messages
70
Location
Greater Minnesota, USA
Tux, don't take this the wrong way but why are you a member on an open carry site if you don't agree with open carry? I'm certainly not saying to leave but there may be other venues that better align with your carry preferences.

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2
 
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robdoar

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2010
Messages
151
Location
Minneapolis
So do you carry open every day, or "The reason I conceal is less tactical, and more practical. I don’t want to be inconvenienced......It is because of my desire to avoid situations like this, that I conceal." as you write on http://bluelinedefense.com/concealed-carry-in-minnesota/

I wrote that a few years ago, for perspective to those interested in open carrying. I do in fact open carry every day. If I'm in a situation where I cannot afford the time for a police encounter, or to educate a citizen, I do conceal. SO in actuality, I do both on a daily basis, open carry, and conceal. I'm not afraid of the cuffed and stuffed because I know exactly what to do. Not everyone starting out open carrying can say that.

To each their own. Bottom line is, we have the right to do it. I would never tell anyone they SHOULD ALWAYS conceal, or OC. That's the joy of freedom.
 
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art kallenbach

New member
Joined
Jul 7, 2013
Messages
3
Location
ramsey, MN
For most it is not worth the time to open carry, therefore CCW. If even the cops can't get it right, then the citizens certainly won't. Best to keep it concealed and avoid the hassle.[/QUOTE]

If we all had this attitude we would eventually lose our right to open carry, What's next?
 
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