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Anoka County Fair/Minnesota State Fair

madrevar

Newbie
Joined
Mar 11, 2007
Messages
47
Location
Saint Paul, Minnesota
I recently had a smooth experience when my good lady of honor and I attended the Anoka County Fair. Educated a few out of state carnies, and two different guys asked questions about getting their "Permit to Carry" (YAY! Correct description) and whether I got hassle for open carry and what kinda holsters I use. Very positive day! Only curiousity of the day was when I was going on the potatoe sack slide my girlfirend on the ground level overheard some some guy kinda checking me out and mentioning to some other adults " Yea, that's the guy! I'm just keeping on eye on him". My girlfriend pointed him out after words, and his appearance gave the impression that he was off-duty LEO. Just for detail, The girlfriend was carrying my custom Beretta M9 in Blackhawk Serpa with nylon Blackhawk Duty belt. I was sporting my new Sig Sauer P226 E2 in a nylon Bianchi CarryLok. I was a good little OCer with digital recorder and hidden lapel mic equiped. So next topic, Who is planning on attending State Fair to OC?
 

USMC1986

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2010
Messages
78
Location
USA
So next topic, Who is planning on attending State Fair to OC?

I would love to but I can almost guarantee this will take away from the time that's meant to be enjoyed. I'll bet anyone who does will be stopped by all sorts of police and fair officials. If I'm not mistaken, the MN state fair bans handguns and they do it unlawfully. Clearly the fair grounds is property owned by the state and as stated in :
Minn. Stat. sec. 624.714
Subd. 2. Scope. A permit to carry a pistol ... is a state permit and is effective throughout the state.

Subd. 23. Exclusivity. No sheriff, police chief, governmental unit, government official, government employee, or other person or body acting under color of law or governmental authority may change, modify, or supplement these criteria or procedures, or limit the exercise of a permit to carry.

The MN State fair unfortunately ignores this and proceeds to ignore the law.

Anyone correct if I'm wrong on any of this but I believe they do have the "ban signs" up every year.
 

DreQo

State Researcher
Joined
Jan 8, 2007
Messages
2,350
Location
Minnesota
Check your sources. The fair grounds are owned and operated by the Minnesota State Agricultural Society, a private entity. They haven't been State funded for over 60 years. They're self-sustaining. Their police force is privately owned, hence their "Minnesota State Fair Police" title. If the property were public, it would be policed by whatever city (i.e. St. Paul) or county (sheriff) it fell under.

Sucks, but that's how it is.
 

USMC1986

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2010
Messages
78
Location
USA
Check your sources. The fair grounds are owned and operated by the Minnesota State Agricultural Society, a private entity. They haven't been State funded for over 60 years. They're self-sustaining. Their police force is privately owned, hence their "Minnesota State Fair Police" title. If the property were public, it would be policed by whatever city (i.e. St. Paul) or county (sheriff) it fell under.

Sucks, but that's how it is.

I got my source from a CCRN (Concealed Carry Reform Now) article. I can't find that same article but I've got another that speaks on the matter.
http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2003/08/20_zdechlikm_statefairguns/

I didn't know that the State Fair was privately owned. Obviously CCRN and Minnesota Public Radio didn't know either...
 

the_fox_man4

New member
Joined
Mar 15, 2010
Messages
11
Location
Buffalo Lake, Minnesota, USA
what I am going by

taken from a web site posted many times on the net, this from www.planecents.net/Resources/StateFair.htm
but same letter many other places

MPPA UPDATE -- THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR

With many new permit to carry holders out there and with the illegal actions of municipal and county governments (including the governmental organization responsible for the State Fair) CCRN’s President, Joe Olson, has prepared the following regarding the posting at the Minnesota State Fair.

When carrying at the fair, you may also want to carry this e-mail and the following phone number should you be illegally challenged, detained or ejected from the fairgrounds. CCRN is interested in any permit holder illegally challenged, detained or ejected for carrying while on the state fairgrounds for the purposes of litigation against State Fair Management.

Tim Grant – 612-869-2799

CCRN believes the law is clear. The State Fair's so-called "gun ban" is invalid as to holders of carry permits.
OUR POSITION

Like other "governmental units" the Minnesota Agricultural Society (which operates the State Fair) has no authority to ban the possession or carry of pistols by those who hold carry permits. Carry permit holders are responsible (they have passed criminal, mental, and chemical dependency background checks), competent (they have passed a DPS validated training course), adults (age 21) who are proven good citizens.

The signs posted at the Fairgrounds may be, however, effective against criminals (who are unlikely to comply) and non permit holders (who are unlikely to care).
WHAT THE LAW PROVIDES

The Agricultural Society is a governmental unit of the state (Minn. Stat. sec. 37.14). It has authority to adopt ordinances and rules for the Fairgrounds (violation of which is a misdemeanor) but only those which are "consistent with law." (Minn. Stat. sec. 37.16)

Carry permits and their exercise are governed solely by Minn. Stat. sec. 624.714 (enacted in April 2003). That law says, in part:

Subd. 2. Scope. A permit to carry a pistol ... is a state permit and is effective throughout the state.

Subd. 23. Exclusivity. * * * No sheriff, police chief, governmental unit, government official, government employee, or other person or body acting under color of law or governmental authority may change, modify, or supplement these criteria or procedures, or limit the exercise of a permit to carry.

By it's rule and signs, the Agricultural Society is attempting to "limit the exercise of a permit to carry." This it has no lawful power to accomplish.

Tim Grant
 

USMC1986

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2010
Messages
78
Location
USA
Frustrating! I really don't like "gun-free zones"! They don't make any sense to me at all.
 

the_fox_man4

New member
Joined
Mar 15, 2010
Messages
11
Location
Buffalo Lake, Minnesota, USA
well

well I will be at the state fair close ing weekend as the wife and I will be at horse show. as i will be camping there and wife would flip if got thrown out I am going to opt to keep it covered and CC that weekend. If some of the others on this site want to meet up there and make a statement and open carry i would be in.
 

rotty

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2010
Messages
217
Location
Minneapolis Minnesota
I am all for a group meeting and exercising our rights. I work out of town often but if I am in town and I am not dispatched out I would be more than interested in walking the fair with a group. PM me or post back if you are interested.
 
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rotty

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2010
Messages
217
Location
Minneapolis Minnesota
well .. since I cant get anyone to reply I guess I will go solo to the fair. I thought someone might step up and go to see what happens but I guess not ... all kinds of people reading .. no one willing to go.
 

robdoar

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2010
Messages
151
Location
Minneapolis
Any updates to this? Just wondering..

They say we can't carry there. We say we can. Concealed is Concealed. Get caught, they ask you to leave.

Want to fix it? Need free time, a great lawyer, and a couple hundred thousand in legal fees.
 
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GunClasses.Net

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2012
Messages
26
Location
Minneapolis
Gun Free Zones | vs. | CRIMINAL Free Society

Frustrating! I really don't like "gun-free zones"! They don't make any sense to me at all.

If we really wanted to stop people from behaving badly, we would first try regulating those who commit those atrocious acts. In that regard, I advocate "criminal free society". No, I do not think people should be background checked to enter, say, the state fair - however, rather, ALL of society should be a criminal free zone. Releasing violent offenders because our prisons are packed with non-violent offenders makes no sense whatsoever, and only creates a society full of, well, duh - experienced criminals. When you do that, it matters little whether a law attempts to regulate some of the tools they may choose to aid their shenanigans.

Am I just crazy, or, just how is this simple point seems lost on so many...?

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PO Box 23612 | Minneapolis, MN 55423
612.424.7955 Ext.101
info@gunclasses.net | www.gunclasses.net
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Cgavinm

New member
Joined
Aug 18, 2013
Messages
1
Location
Minnesota
Landlords and Tenants

Well, even if it's true they are a private organization I'm fairly certain they lease space to vendors such as Famous Dave's and Sweet Martha's Cookies. If they do they qualify as landlords. Subd. 17(e) states "A landlord may not restrict the lawful carry or possession of firearms by tenants or their guests."

Seems pretty clear cut to me.
 

robdoar

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2010
Messages
151
Location
Minneapolis
Well, even if it's true they are a private organization I'm fairly certain they lease space to vendors such as Famous Dave's and Sweet Martha's Cookies. If they do they qualify as landlords. Subd. 17(e) states "A landlord may not restrict the lawful carry or possession of firearms by tenants or their guests."

Seems pretty clear cut to me.

The chief of the state fair police is convinced he can ban.

There are multiple reasons they legally can't.

Unfortunately, a test case is needed to settle it. As the late Joel Rosenberg said, "Test cases are for other people".
 
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