In your state: can you carry in a PUBLIC Zoo?

[BB62]

I'm currently engaged in a lawsuit against the St. Louis Zoo related to what I feel are their illegal "No Weapons" signs: http://forum.opencarry.org/forums/s...TRO-filing-status-legal-financial-help-needed

The Zoo has already claimed the "end of the world" if carry was allowed in the zoo - which begs the question "Can one carry (CC or OC) in publicly-owned zoos in your state?"

If it's necessary to have a CCW permit/license in order to do so, please say state that this is the case. Please be specific about the zoo name and location, if carry can be CC/OC/both, and what, if any, licensing is necessary to carry there.

I would think that even CA CCW permitees (however few there are) in could carry in zoos.

The next court date is next Tuesday, so the more information I can get ASAP, the better.

THANK YOU.

 

[Fallschirjmäger]

GEORGIA - Public Zoo, no restrictions on carry

 

[davidmcbeth]

Only one public zoo in CT - Beardsley Zoo ... https://beardsleyzoo.com

No signs that I can recall. Carry OK.

If they have a fit over OC is unknown. (to me)

 

[Bill45]

Well first off, every time I step out of my house I am in a public zoo. A good percent of the animals are sheep, some are wolves and some of us are tigers.

But to your point... In Washington State you need no permitt to open carry in a municipal zoo or park. We need a CPL to carry concealed or while in a vehicle.

 

[color of law]

The Louisville Zoo has no restrictions on firearms, except the City's "No Concealed Weapons in Buildings" ordinance, which is in accordance with state law. OC is not restricted anywhere and CC is restricted only in buildings. Over the years, the Louisville Zoo has claimed at different times that they were private property, that they were a school and that federal law allowed them to ban guns. KC3 confronted them on each of these points. The Zoo was never willing to take their ridiculous arguments into a courtroom. I have OC'ed and CC'ed in the Zoo on several occasions.

So are you saying that on the several occasions you carried at the zoo is the only time the zoo actually had a live dinosaur on display?

 

[Grapeshot]

So are you saying that on the several occasions you carried at the zoo is the only time the zoo actually had a live dinosaur on display?

Now days holograms are very realistic.


The Virginia Zoo/Virginia Zoological Park in Norfolk has no restirctions on OC or CC. It is a public facility.
http://virginiazoo.org/

All other zoos in Virginia are private property, most do not restrict personal defense tools.

 

[nonameisgood]

Several Texas zoos were posted to prohibit licensed CC. Currently, Texas only has licensed CC and no OC. Along with passing OC earlier this year, the legislature passed a measure creating a method to fine government units that illegally post public property - we also prohibit the posting of public/government property except in very particular circumstances. Several zoos that have made the school/amusement park claim have since remove signs prohibiting guns. I think the Dallas Zoo is the only one still playing this game.
No animals nor people have been harmed since removal of signs at Houston or Fort Worth Zoos.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BB62]

Great stuff. Please keep them coming, and specifics about carry (whether CC/OC or both) and links to zoo(s) are very valuable.

Thanks again.

 

[decklin]

Washington state. No permit to OC. Only to cc and loaded car carry.
In the puget sound area we've got point defiance zoo and woodland park zoo and Northwest trek. All three are covered by state preemption.
I've OC'd and CC'd at all locations.

 

[BB62]

--mod note, quote and related post deleted, off topic--

Please stay on subject and either contribute or post elsewhere.

 

[BB62]

Still working on the list, using OCDO members input as well as input from Handgunlaw.us

Input still sought!

Alabama -
Alaska
Arizona - YES
Arkansas
California - YES
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia - YES
Hawaii
Idaho - YES
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky – OC: YES, CC: YES, outside of buildings
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan - YES
Minnesota - YES
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire - YES
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon - YES
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas – YES (with the exception of those fighting it, using claims similar to the STL Zoo)
Utah - YES
Vermont
Virginia - YES
Washington - YES
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

 

[Lord Sega]

Oregon is OC, CC with a CHL, cities are allowed to have an Unloaded (CHL exempt) ordinance.
Oregon Zoo is Unloaded OC or Loaded carry (OC and CC) with CHL due to being located within Portland city limits.

(Oregon statute) 166.173 Authority of city or county to regulate possession of loaded firearms in public places

(Portland city code) 14A.60.010 Possession of a Loaded Firearm in a Public Place

 

[F350]

Still working on the list, using OCDO members input as well as input from Handgunlaw.us

Input still sought!

-
[RL="http://state.1keydata.com/wyoming.php"]Wyoming

IF we had a zoo it would be OK

 

[Grapeshot]

IF we had a zoo it would be OK

Apparently no public zoos in Wyoming.

The closest thing to a zoo would seem to be Kindness Ranch - Animal Sanctuary in Hartville, Wy. It's private and no indication of any gun rules.

 

[decklin]

No public zoos in NH either but it would be legal and protected if one existed. The state has firearm and knife preemption.

 

[DeSchaine]

In Michigan, there are no specific laws regarding public zoos. However, public zoos would fall under the state pre-emption laws being along the lines of libraries and other "local units of government."

The big question is which ones are public, and which are private. Detroit and Belle Isle Park state they are publicly run on their website, but others like John Ball (Grand Rapids) or Binder Park (Battle Creek) are not as clear.

 

[BB62]

In Michigan, there are no specific laws regarding public zoos. However, public zoos would fall under the state pre-emption laws being along the lines of libraries and other "local units of government."

The big question is which ones are public, and which are private. Detroit and Belle Isle Park state they are publicly run on their website, but others like John Ball (Grand Rapids) or Binder Park (Battle Creek) are not as clear.

So, considering that a Zoo has gates, maybe an entrance building, then open spaces and more buildings, what are the laws regarding libraries and "local units of government" - and how do they affect one's ability to OC and/or CC at a public zoo?

Thank you.

 

[BB62]

No public zoos in NH either but it would be legal and protected if one existed. The state has firearm and knife preemption.

Thank you.

So, am I to understand that one can OC and/or CC in government owned buildings in NH?

 

[BB62]

IF we had a zoo it would be OK

Thank you.

OC and/or CC in government-owned buildings on WY is OK?

 

[utbagpiper]

OK in Utah

Utah has only one zoo (so far as I know), the publicly-owned Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City. Its rules can be found at this link. Nothing about banning the lawful possession of firearms.

Under State law, permit-free OC is legal if the gun is "Utah unloaded" (empty chamber, but full magazine is ok).

With any permit issued anywhere in the nation, OC or CC fully loaded is legal.

I don't have much personal experience with the zoo. But the last OC event organized and reported by UtahConcealedCarry.com back in 2011 seems to have gone off without a hitch. This was after some of the good grassroots activists convinced the zoo they had to remove their "no guns" rule as being in violation of Utah's State Preemption laws.

Our State Preemption laws prevent most all State and local agencies from imposing any gun regulations and rules at all (cities can ban discharge and a few, specifically enumerated "secure areas" can ban possession). These State preemption laws can be read at 76-10-500 and at 53-5a-102.

Best of luck and let me know if I can be of any help.

Charles