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

[Grapeshot]

Without going there to see if it is posted against CC, the NC Zoo is a no-go for OC. Admission is not free, so OC is not permitted.

http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_14/GS_14-269.3.html

§ 14-269.3. Carrying weapons into assemblies and establishments where alcoholic beverages are sold and consumed.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to carry any gun, rifle, or pistol into any assembly where a fee has been charged for admission thereto, or into any establishment in which alcoholic beverages are sold and consumed. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

(b) This section shall not apply to any of the following:
(5) A person carrying a handgun if the person has a valid concealed handgun permit issued in accordance with Article 54B of this Chapter, has a concealed handgun permit considered valid under G.S. 14-415.24, or is exempt from obtaining a permit pursuant to G.S. 14-415.25. This subdivision shall not be construed to permit a person to carry a handgun on any premises where the person in legal possession or control of the premises has posted a conspicuous notice prohibiting the carrying of a concealed handgun on the premises in accordance with G.S. 14-415.11(c).

Aaah - we think OC is permissible/possible WITH a permit.

 

[BB62]

Without going there to see if it is posted against CC, the NC Zoo is a no-go for OC. Admission is not free, so OC is not permitted...

First, thanks for the post and the link.

I'm not seeing how you draw that conclusion from the law you quoted.

Whether because of an admission charge or the serving of alcohol, I don't see a prohibition on OC, only CC.

Is the Zoo public or private?

Ignoring for a moment the Zoo's admission fee/alcohol serving status, is one be able to legally carry on public property/in publicly owned buildings in NC?

 

[carolina guy]

Aaah - we think OC is permissible/possible WITH a permit.

You have strayed into well debated area...

IMO, I think you are correct, but there are others that will disagree. This section would seem to equally apply to the Zoo as would an establishment serving alcohol.

 

[bc.cruiser]

Aaah - we think OC is permissible/possible WITH a permit.

Possible, yes. I did not approach this as someone who has paid to play, only as a straight OC question.

For BB62: Because of the word "or" separating the bolded section and that referring to alcohol, you may as well put a period after "admission".
That makes the phrase applicable to all manner of carry before the exception is given to CHPs.

The zoo is owned by the state.


Stay tuned. Maybe I can get over there by the end of January and personalize this. It would be a good chance to use my 'faux pro' camera.

 

[BB62]

First, thanks for the post and the link.

I'm not seeing how you draw that conclusion from the law you quoted.

Whether because of an admission charge or the serving of alcohol, I don't see a prohibition on OC, only CC.

Is the Zoo public or private?

Ignoring for a moment the Zoo's admission fee/alcohol serving status, is one be able to legally carry on public property/in publicly owned buildings in NC?

Possible, yes. I did not approach this as someone who has paid to play, only as a straight OC question.

For BB62: Because of the word "or" separating the bolded section and that referring to alcohol, you may as well put a period after "admission".
That makes the phrase applicable to all manner of carry before the exception is given to CHPs.

The zoo is owned by the state.

Stay tuned. Maybe I can get over there by the end of January and personalize this. It would be a good chance to use my 'faux pro' camera.

I'm not sure I understand your reply, but regardless of how I read it, and disagreeing with my own prior post - I now read thing as, that unless legal signage is posted, either OC or CC would be fine for a CCW permit/license holder. (In which case it appears that OC might be okay)

It seems you said as much when you said "That makes the phrase applicable to all manner of carry..."


Back to my prior question, though: Ignoring for a moment the Zoo's admission fee/alcohol serving status, is one be able to legally carry on public property/in publicly owned buildings in NC?

 

[DeSchaine]

http://www.ag.state.mi.us/opinion/datafiles/2000s/op10195.htm

Mostly, that has nothing to do with defining a zoo as entertainment or educational. The only bit that could be construed to have any bearing on that is this bit near the end:

Accordingly, if an outdoor recreation park includes a band shell, amphitheater, or similar structure that has the required seating capacity, that portion of the park would constitute a gun-free zone under section 5o(f) of the Act.

emphasis mine

At this time, I have to wonder if Freedom1Man's point is a valid thing. Using Binder Park Zoo as an easy example, do they count the seating in the entire place even though it's spread out over several acres, or does the seating have to be concentrated in a smaller area?

 

[BB62]

Jacksonville, Florida Zoo (and any other municipal zoos that anyone else wants to add)

http://forum.opencarry.org/forums/s...e-Florida-Zoo-quot-Gun-Free-Zone-quot-No-More!

 

[PackingPastor]

Only one I'm familiar with is Montgomery Zoo, a city-owned facility which has this on their website: "Firearm and weapons policy: No firearms and/or weapons of any sort are allowed on City of Montgomery Zoo property. Signs are posted at each entrance."

IANAL, but believe this violates the state of Alabama's preemption statute.

I can report that the Montgomery Zoo has “No Firearms” signs all over the place, but they must be old because no one seems to care—no metal detectors, no guards at the gate, no bag checks. Today, I carried a shoulder bag full of water & my cell phone, and no one looked at it.

 

[PackingPastor]

I can report that the Montgomery Zoo has “No Firearms” signs all over the place, but they must be old because no one seems to care—no metal detectors, no guards at the gate, no bag checks. Today, I carried a shoulder bag full of water & my cell phone, and no one looked at it.

Also, in my research prior to going today, I discovered that someone complained about the Birmingham Zoo in 2017, and they removed their signage. I’m writing to the AG now about the Montgomery Zoo.