Can you be arrested for conceal and carry in a public business that does not allow guns on the property, such as casinos, retail stores, etc, or can they only ask you to leave?
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It may depend on the laws unique to the business’ city, county, and state. One might need to look up those laws at each of the three levels. Great post.
I’ll probably spend my life advocating for more freedoms for us in more areas. I think we have evidence to show there is minimal harm in allowing for such and higher risk of theft if we are forced to leave our Fire Arms (FA’s) and ammo in our vehicles unsupervised.
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I’ve carried in the casinos in PA everytime I’ve gone in the list 3 years. I finally saw a sign posted that said no firearms allowed. Could i have denied seeing the sign, maybe, but i took it off before i went in this past time.
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@Shebe2266 Welcome to the community. This should answer your questions. 
https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/ccw_reciprocity_map/pa-gun-laws/
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@Shebe2266
Welcome to the Community.
Yes, you can be arrested… but mostly it depends on the facility .
I don’t think it can happen in Casino. You will probably be asked to leave, they won’t look for publicity.
Other thing is if you are caught in federal building… they will be happy to arrest you.
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In Utah,
It is LEGAL to carry a firearm into private businesses with “No Weapon” and “No Firearm” signs.
- These signs Do Not have the force of law, but businesses may have policies that can restrict a person from carrying a firearm. When going into businesses with these signs and carrying a firearm, either open or concealed, you are ignoring the property owner’s policies. If you are asked to leave by the owner or any employee of the business, you must leave. If you refuse to leave you could be charged with criminal trespass and/or disorderly conduct. Always be aware of the possibility that responding law enforcement who may have been called without your knowledge could arrest you even if you are within the law.
The law, 76-8-311.1. (1)(e)(ii), says, “a secure area may not include any area normally accessible to the public.”
I carry concealed everywhere I go that it is “Legal” to carry. I pretty much ignore the gun free zone signs. I don’t show off my EDC, I Really Conceal it and for the last few years I haven’t had a problem.
Now, let me add this, IF I use my EDC in a legal self defense situation, shots or not, in a gun free zone, would the DA’s office use that against me?
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Sounds to me like a training issue. I wonder what sort of Instructor you had when you went for your Concealed Carry license application training.
Welcome aboard and check your local listings,
The answer is maybe!
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Welcome Shebe,
Good and important question. As others have answered, in Pennsylvania it appears that violating a no-guns sign in an otherwise permitted location (e.g. private business) is not a criminal act. Two sources quoted below.
However, each state sets its own laws on this topic. In Virginia, where I lived for decades, violating a sign in a business means you can be trespassed by the management, and cited by police for civil trespass if you refuse to leave. In Arkansas, on the other hand, where I now live, violation of the sign is a criminal offense, a misdemeanor. In a number of states the sign must meet certain requirements to be valid. The best known is in Texas, where the 30.06 (no concealed carry) and 30.07 (no open carry) signs have to be specific wording, specific size type, and in both English and Spanish.
From HandGunLawUS:
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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 Pennsylvania 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. If you are in a place not specifically mentioned in the law that is posted and they ask you to leave, you must leave. If you refuse to leave then you are breaking the law and can be charged. Even if the property is not posted and you are asked to leave you must leave. Always be aware of the possibility that responding Police Officers who may have been called without your knowledge and may not know the laws on trespass etc. could arrest you even if you are within the law.
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And, from the USCCA Reciprocity Pages (linked above in an earlier reply):
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“NO WEAPONS ALLOWED” SIGNS ENFORCED?
Are “No Weapons Allowed” signs enforced in Pennsylvania? If yes, violating the sign would be considered to be a crime. If no, violating the sign would not be considered a criminal offense.
No. Pennsylvania does not recognize “No Weapons” signs.
=-=-=-=
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As covered, depends on the state. And depending on the state, it may depend on the specifics of the sign itself.
I do my best not to patronize any businesses that post those signs, though. For example, one of my favorite restaurants that I’ve been to a bunch put up a no guns sign…I haven’t been back in a couple years. I choose not to give them any money if they choose to make stupid requests.
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Welcome to the family @Shebe2266 and God bless you.
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A lot of our laws are extremely tricky.
Here’s an example from Florida’s Statutes. Chapter 790 is titled “WEAPONS AND FIREARMS” and provides a specific details about concealed carry in “790.06: License to carry concealed weapon or firearm” It does not mention Hospitals nor Doctor Offices at all.
However, Florida Statute 394 titled “MENTAL HEALTH” states no firearms or deadly weapon with or without CCL in any facility that provides mental health services.
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You must hate what is going on in your city these days. Thank you for the welcome. Very nice to meet you.
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I like it
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That’s a huge help than you
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Lol, i don’t carry in airports or federal buildings. The rivers casino just installed walk through metal dectors.
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That was a worthless non-answer from you, a USCCA Certified Instructor. It was a valid question and we all can do with refreshers in this crazy climate of arbitrary gun laws.
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Thanks for straightening me out Travis. I apologize for my comment. It’s born of dealing with stories of clients who have been steered wrong in previous classes.
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I carry all the time, however I do leave my gun in the vehicle when I see the “No Firearms Allowed” sign on the entrance of a business. We have a shopping mall that has had a couple of shoot outs. I get nervous getting back to my vehicle to retrieve my firearm-watching that no thugs are following me.
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