Wstar425
Regular Member
Wife and I rode bikes down, open carry in a retention holster. Walked in the open gate onto the airport grounds with the normal Rib stands set up around the perimeter. Decided on the Chicago Ribs place and got in line. Beautiful day, a little warm and a little breezy to fly balloons.
So, standing in line, two Wausau Policeeman approach me and ask if they can speak to me for a moment. Ask if I am LE, no I am not. Informed that I am not allowed to carry a handgun in here as we are on FEDERAL airport land, on the grass runway in fact.
I told him I WAS allowed to carry in an airport in Wisconsin up to the security check point, and that I did not go through a checkpoint.
They asked me to walk with them to their patrol car outside the gate, which I did, while my wife stayed in line. I was still armed at this point. But I had one on each side of me, and I was not certain I wouldn't be thrown to the ground outside the gate. They were both very polite and nice, if somewhat business like, which I can understand.
As we walked to the gate I again confirmed that I COULD be in an airport up to the security gate. That in fact I can carry LOADED on a private aircraft, and that how could I do that if I could not carry on an airport. Also, since this is a special event with designated gates, they would need marked no gun signs located at all entrances, that I could reasonably see. I saw none.
Once we got outside the gate, they informed me that I would need to leave my firearm in my vehicle. I told them I was on a motorcycle with no way to secure it. He offered to store it in the trunk of his car for me!!!! I was not too thrilled about that, except my wife was in line with no money, my phone, and I had no good way to contact her.
So, I disarmed, put my LOADED firearm in his trunk,he gave me his business card and I walked back in. I realize there is quite a bit wrong with this whole process, on their part as well as mine.
We got our ribs, ate and were walking around when I see these same two officers bee lining it towards me. The lead officer informed me that He had talked to his supervisor and that I could in fact t have a firearm in there and that I could have my gun back. I wasn't sure if they were coming to arrest me now, or what? For some reason, not sure exactly why. I guess cause we were about as far from his car as we could get, and they were about to launch, I said we can just leave it in the trunk until we're ready to leave. We parted ways. About an hour later, I called, he answered, and then met me at his vehicle where I got my firearm back.
Overall, it could have been worse I suppose. Maybe I should have waited at his car for the supervisor. I won't argue that I did everything the best way I could have, or should have. They were polite the entire time, I told him to stay safe the rest of the evening. It went till 11 pm, we left about 7 pm. Ride home was uneventful. Feel free to critique, I'm well aware of some things I did or allowed to happen were not maybe the best choice, in the big picture. I was somewhat caught off guard, then operating from behind the curve. It happens fast, you kinda think you are prepared, then maybe not so much. I was probably too concerned about my wife being inside. Maybe she should have gone out with me and I should have had my phone on me and recording from the start.
So, standing in line, two Wausau Policeeman approach me and ask if they can speak to me for a moment. Ask if I am LE, no I am not. Informed that I am not allowed to carry a handgun in here as we are on FEDERAL airport land, on the grass runway in fact.
I told him I WAS allowed to carry in an airport in Wisconsin up to the security check point, and that I did not go through a checkpoint.
They asked me to walk with them to their patrol car outside the gate, which I did, while my wife stayed in line. I was still armed at this point. But I had one on each side of me, and I was not certain I wouldn't be thrown to the ground outside the gate. They were both very polite and nice, if somewhat business like, which I can understand.
As we walked to the gate I again confirmed that I COULD be in an airport up to the security gate. That in fact I can carry LOADED on a private aircraft, and that how could I do that if I could not carry on an airport. Also, since this is a special event with designated gates, they would need marked no gun signs located at all entrances, that I could reasonably see. I saw none.
Once we got outside the gate, they informed me that I would need to leave my firearm in my vehicle. I told them I was on a motorcycle with no way to secure it. He offered to store it in the trunk of his car for me!!!! I was not too thrilled about that, except my wife was in line with no money, my phone, and I had no good way to contact her.
So, I disarmed, put my LOADED firearm in his trunk,he gave me his business card and I walked back in. I realize there is quite a bit wrong with this whole process, on their part as well as mine.
We got our ribs, ate and were walking around when I see these same two officers bee lining it towards me. The lead officer informed me that He had talked to his supervisor and that I could in fact t have a firearm in there and that I could have my gun back. I wasn't sure if they were coming to arrest me now, or what? For some reason, not sure exactly why. I guess cause we were about as far from his car as we could get, and they were about to launch, I said we can just leave it in the trunk until we're ready to leave. We parted ways. About an hour later, I called, he answered, and then met me at his vehicle where I got my firearm back.
Overall, it could have been worse I suppose. Maybe I should have waited at his car for the supervisor. I won't argue that I did everything the best way I could have, or should have. They were polite the entire time, I told him to stay safe the rest of the evening. It went till 11 pm, we left about 7 pm. Ride home was uneventful. Feel free to critique, I'm well aware of some things I did or allowed to happen were not maybe the best choice, in the big picture. I was somewhat caught off guard, then operating from behind the curve. It happens fast, you kinda think you are prepared, then maybe not so much. I was probably too concerned about my wife being inside. Maybe she should have gone out with me and I should have had my phone on me and recording from the start.