Not sure about the legality of carry here

[Guest arsenal9mm]

Ok so last weekend my wife, son, and I went to Rivergate Mall. When we went in there was no sign posted anywhere that I noticed. So naturally Im not going anywhere with my family or myself unprotected. We went in and shopped for a while. Then went to eat at in the food court. When I went to pay for my food my shirt came up as I reached for my wallet and one of the mall workers saw my gun. He just shook his head and said thats a no no here, and walked on. It got me thinking maybe i missed a sign. Well we left out of the food court doors to get to the car instead of having to walk bak through the mall. There is a completely legal sign posted on that entrance. I drove back by the door we first went into and there is no sign. So what gives?

[Oh Shoot]

...So what gives?

Everyone faces that.

For example, I've never seen a gun posting on any anchor store entrance to any mall, whether there's a statute compliant/non-complaint notice on main entrances or not.

No one wants to be the test case for carrying beyond a sign, or for carrying in a "partially posted" place, or a non-compliantly posted place, but nobody has yet heard of anyone being charged with it either.

Concealed well is well concealed, except, well, oopsie on you.

The august legal mind of our esteemed AG has opined that one may be charged with carry in a prohibited park, even if the park is not posted at all, even though TCA says it must be.

In short, until some case law is established (which means someone must be charged, exonerated, convicted, appeal, whatever), I don't think there can be a definitive answer to your question.

- OS

[daddyo]

It seems to be a given that most, if not all, shopping malls are "gun-free" zones. That's why I just don't go there. There are better deals to be had elsewhere, particularly online, and I don't even have to disarm to order from my computer.

[JayC]

It seems to be a given that most, if not all, shopping malls are "gun-free" zones. That's why I just don't go there. There are better deals to be had elsewhere, particularly online, and I don't even have to disarm to order from my computer.

+1 - Too many other businesses don't require you to disarm... why give business to the anti's?

Also I'd double check the entrance between the anchor store and the mall and make sure they haven't placed signs there... it maybe that the anchor store isn't posted bu the 'mall' is... which would be clearly enforceable...

[Guest spoolie]

At Nastygate mall the wife and I just go in any of the store entrances....and exit from them also.

It's legal. Never the food court or any main entrance.

[vontar]

There is a completely legal sign posted on that entrance.

everyone else has made the valid points, I want to be the crazy one and go off the wall.

Are you certain it was a completely legal sign? Did it have a gun buster or was it just no fire arms allowed?

It seems allot of places post a generic, none legal sign.

Per the law it has to be the Gun Buster or contain the legal Language of the law. I am sure someone will correct me on this.

However if it is not fully legal, don't point it out to them. Just leave if ask

See thread about Northgate.

http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/handgun-carry-self-defense/45031-northgate-mall-chattanooga-posting.html

Edited August 27, 2010 by vontar

[Fallguy]

There is a completely legal sign posted on that entrance. I drove back by the door we first went into and there is no sign. So what gives?

It boils down to the mall attempting to comply with the law, but not fully doing so. Apparently they have missed the part where it says every entrance generally used by the public must be posted.

No whether that defense would help in court?....Who knows......

[tntnixon]

Rivergate's postings are actually on the side of the streets as you enter the parking lot but they are all obscured by overgrown trees. But there are ways to enter the lots without going past one of the signs, by entering via El Chico or Red Lobster, for instance. Who knows what would ultimately become of someone "caught carrying" there.

[Guest uofmeet]

I have never seen a sign at the mall i go to here in memphis.....what wolfchase mall....but then again, it is memphis.....would be wise to carry anywhere in memphis.

[Fallguy]

Rivergate's postings are actually on the side of the streets as you enter the parking lot but they are all obscured by overgrown trees. But there are ways to enter the lots without going past one of the signs, by entering via El Chico or Red Lobster, for instance. Who knows what would ultimately become of someone "caught carrying" there.

Yeah I did a search and found an old thread where someone had reported that the entrances to the parking lot/property were posted. It was mentioned that if that was the case then then the whole place would be off-limits. But again those postings would have to be at all entrances and be clearly visable.

[Guest arsenal9mm]

Its a Gun Buster Sign. Thanks for the link to the other thread.

[SonnyCrockett]

Your shirt was too short.......

If these places do not want guns they need to be clearly posted at every entrance ........I personally dont subscribe

I'll take my chances - Better to be judged by twelve than carried by six......

Last week im at Walmart and I see some dumb looking kid with the biggest holster looking bulge

on his him I think I ever saw,clearly he has one of them Ebay 9.99 big foam junk holsters with a FS handgun it in

If you want to carry it has to be totally hidden from view , its my belief - I am not fan of OC or sloppy CC

.02

[Guest 270win]

You will want to review holster/gun choice in the future to avoid this 'misunderstanding' with people in the future.

I have a Smith and Wesson Airweight carried in an uncle mike's pocket holster in cargo shorts in the summer. I also have an ankle holster for thin dress slacks to carry at conventions/business meetings. I also use the pocket holster in my outer coat pocket in the winter time. It's nice when pumping gas. No one knows about this gun. I travel some and will tell you where I have carried it and yes I was legal and no one knows: Bars, weddings, churches, beach, zoos, baseball games, college campuses, concerts, theater musical. Some of these events like concerts they do check you out at the gate with a silly raise your shirt but I have yet to be 'found out' with my snub hammerless airweight. I quickly walk through no problems. I haven't tried yet through metal detectors! You have to dress around your gun and holster to truly hide that gun. No way would I have been able to carry a full sized Glock or even baby Glock to these events without it showing wearing shorts, T shirt, slacks and dress shirt with no blazer.