I live in Indiana and I see that I can’t carry on a riverboat casino and horse tracks but wasn’t sure about if I’m inside a casino where the machines are and it has a horse track do I have to leave my gun in my vehicle ?
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I don’t know about Indiana, but WI and FL casinos all prohibit concealed carry. The prohibition in those states is by the casinos themselves.
Is the IN prohibition you mention by state law?
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Yes , but it isn’t specific if the horse track is connected to the casino even though you have to go outside to the track but you can watch it inside
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Nevada has the “we prefer you do not bring a firearm inside” signage, but, every grocery and convenience store out here has a mini casino inside without any signage.
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While this is not legal advice and I would never suggest anyone follow my advice as if it was legal advice…to me, a sign that says, no firearms is unimportant. If you are stopped and they catch you and ask you to leave, simply leave. Posting a sign will not get you automatically arrested in any state I’ve ever seen because signs are not law with only a few exceptions like federal buildings and any area where an actual law exists preventing you from carrying on those premises. Basically, if a person walks up to a casino or restaurant and a No guns sign is posted, who cares? breaking that rule isn’t something that can bring you jail time or fines unless they catch you and ask you to leave and you remain and continue to carry. then it’s trespassing.
Again, NOT legal advice…but I can say with certainty that if I followed every sign, I’d never have walked on grass, my dogs wouldn’t have pooped on certain lawns, and I would never have seen that text while sitting in a movie theater.
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@Carl102
You have to be cognizant of posted signs when entering a premises. If you are in a place which does not allow firearms then you should not bring it in or just don’t enter. I’m not sure if you indulge in a alcoholic beverage once in a while but casinos serve alcohol and guns and alcohol don’t mix. If your intentions are not to drink or get involved in any bad situations then you have to decide what is important to you. If someone sees your firearm due to a lack of concealment and decides to report you, you can lose your permit and carry privileges. My advice is if you are not sure don’t bring it with you. You can also speak to LEO and get clarification.
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I worked as security (not armed) in New Mexico, most of the Tribal Casinos forbid weapons of any type including knives. In my opinion being armed, gambling and drinking do not mix.
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Not to mention all of the Indian casinos are on tribal land by definition. And as we’ve discussed in another thread, carrying on tribal land is illegal.
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Frankly I am surprised anyone thinking carrying a firearm into a crowded casino is a good idea. The sheer number of people alone would give me some serious pause and I am one that wants to carry everywhere. Stopping a bad guy is certainly something we all want to do but the backdrop of people is just so great.
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I don’t know that the point is necessarily about stopping a bad guy in a casino. What about the transitional periods, like going back to your car after winning a few hands of blackjack? Or the rest of the day when you’re on about your business?
I really dislike having to disarm/ re-arm myself to go into a store with a “no firearms” policy — lots of reasons for this. What I’d dislike more is leaving my firearm at home, because at some point during my day, I’d be in such a place.
That totally defeats the concept of EDC.
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That’s why I don’t go where I am not welcome. No gun allowed? No business from me.
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Size of a crowd makes no difference to me. I will be carrying if legally allowed.
NO!!! “Stopping a bad guy” is not what we all want to do. I carry solely for the purpose of protecting myself.
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Exactly why I stopped carrying under LEOSA. Instead, I carry as John Q Citizen. It helped me to wean myself away from the “job” and into retirement.
Now, would I stop the bad guy with a gun intent on doing harm? Absolutely. However, my CWL isn’t a badge. I live by and teach Defensive Shooting.
Stay safe.
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Depends on the situation.
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Absolutely EVERYTHING depends upon the situation now doesn’t it? I was speaking for myself Matt.
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I hear you and realize there is no perfect solution. So much of my former training dealt with the use of deadly force and situations where it is difficult to do so. Crowded casinos to me would be a perfect example. Trust me. I’d love to stay armed there but not sure it is a risk I am willing to take.
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I should have been more clear. Protecting oneself by stopping a bad guy is what we are all looking to do. But the size of the crowd certainly can come into play here and going to prison for shooting an innocent bystander would be tough to live with. That one pesky rule about knowing your target and what’s beyond it comes into play here and will certainly be used against us. Especially those who live in a non-friendly 2A state.
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So that’s a very interesting statement, especially with your professional training. Would you elaborate a little on that risk?
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Erik’s non-legal (and uninformed) advice is only valid in states where violating no guns signs is a trespass violation. That is the case in Virginia, where i used to live. However, many states, including Arkansas where I now live, violating a business’s no guns sign is a criminal charge. Yes, in theory it COULD lead to jail.
It does appear that in Indiana a no guns sign dows not have th e force of law:
https://handgunlaw.us/states/indiana.pdf says
:Do “No Gun Signs” Have the Force of Law?
“NO”
“Handgunlaw.us highly recommends that you not enter a place that is posted “No Firearms” no matter what the state laws read/mean on signage. We recommend you print out the No Guns = No Money Cards and give one to the owner of the establishment that has the signage." As responsible gun owners and upholders of the 2nd Amendment we should also honor the rights of property owners to control their own property even if we disagree with them.”
“No Firearm” signs in Indiana have no force of law unless they are posted on property that is specifically mentioned in State Law as being off limits to those with a Permit/License to Carry.
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I’m right there with you. But I’ve got a dilemma now that my father no longer drives and has a full time schedule of doctor appointments.
Vanderbilt has an airport style metal detector at the entrance to their emergency room…
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