Downtown Memphis & Beale St. Carry Question

[Guest arkansasguy]

I am going to be visiting downtown memphis for a family event on Sunday afternoon.  We will probably end up eating someplace on Beale St.  This will be around 1-2p.m. and we will be gone shortly thereafter.  So we will avoid the party scene.  I will not be consuming any alcohol either.  I have heard differing opinions on carrying on Beale.  I've heard some say it is okay, and some say there are metal detectors.  I was hoping a local could set me straight?  I also need to know about the broader downtown Memphis area.  

 

I do have a valid Arkansas carry permit.  

[Chucktshoes]

The metal detectors on Beale only come out at night. So carry on the street shouldn't be an issue. However, downtown has a higher number of posted businesses than anywhere else in the area and not all of the signs are as easily noticeable as I would think they should be. If you remember that "concealed means concealed" you should be ok. Edited November 14, 2013 by Chucktshoes

[Kopis]

There are only metal detectors on the weekend nights usually. You can always breeze past and check if you want. I prefer to OC downtown but can't always do so if venturing to certain establishments.

[Tempest455]

Interesting. I was just there for a wedding and carried the entire time.

 

Where are the detectors?

[Chucktshoes]

On weekend nights they bring out the wands and use them at the entry and exit points to Beale.

[94user]

Never have understood this. How can you post a street ? All the businesses can of course but a street?

[Chucktshoes]

Never have understood this. How can you post a street ? All the businesses can of course but a street?

I'm a bit fuzzy on how they can do this as well but my understanding is that it has to do with the special status of Beale as an entertainment district. The entire street is considered an outdoor bar with sales and consumption allowed openly on the street and alcohol is served past 3am. I don't know of anywhere else in the state where you can engage in public purchase and consumption of alcohol @ 4:30 in the morning.

 

 

I think it is all BS, but that is how they justify that if I remember correctly.

Edited December 4, 2013 by Chucktshoes

[JayC]

I don't think anybody has taken them to court to challenge it...  frankly I seriously doubt it would hold up in court if somebody did...

 

Simpler solution is not to go to Memphis and more importantly Beale Street and spend a single penny no matter what.

 

I'm a bit fuzzy on how they can do this as well but my understanding is that it has to do with the special status of Beale as an entertainment district. The entire street is considered an outdoor bar with sales and consumption allowed openly on the street and alcohol is served past 3am. I don't know of anywhere else in the state where you can engage in public purchase and consumption of alcohol @ 4:30 in the morning.

 

 

I think it is all BS, but that is how they justify that if I remember correctly.

 

[Chucktshoes]

I agree that if challenged it would be unlikely to withstand a court challenge but an important factor to take into account is that the city does not retain direct control over the Beale St. Entertainment area. Those several blocks, all buildings and the street itself are leased to and administered by a private management company. The city doesn't have direct control over what happens on the street anymore than it has direct control over what happens in the hallways of an office building.

[Goldsquare]

You can carry on Beal. They won't stop you. They check ID's and let you go through after a wand scan. This is only done in the summer at sunset. If you're already there before the checks you are good.