Busch Gardens, VA

[maddy345]

We are going to be going to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA for their Christmas Town event the day after Christmas.

Can anyone give me an idea if concealed carry is allowed in the park? Is it posted? Do posted signs in VA hold the weight of law? Do they have metal detectors as you go in?

In other words.......can I carry?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[archer51]

Haven't been to Busch Gardens in years. The last time I was there, they were not posted. As to signs, they do not hold the weight of law. From http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/virginia.pdf

“No Firearm” signs in Virginia 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.

[maddy345]

The park rules say "No Weapons" but if they don't have metal detectors they would never know.

[KBSR]

Can't talk to the Virginia property, but I've carried at the one in Florida, as well as at Disney World in Orlando. Micky the Rat has an outstanding security plan/team, but I still did what I do, with no problems. Most recent trip was in 2008, and after 4 days of carrying, I made the mistake of having my benchmade knife clipped to my pocket when I entered the park. I was told I could return to my hotel and leave it there, or rent a locker for .50 a day to leave it in. They escorted me to the locker, I locked up the knife, and carried my Kimber .45 the rest of the day unmolested. Still felt naked without my knife. LOL Be safe.

[matthew03]

In VA signs do not carry the weight of law. So carry if you want. If someone in authority in the park does notice your weapon by some freak occurance and they ask you to leave do so and you will have no problem.

[AngryBadger417]

Pretty much what everyone else said, and I will add there are no metal detectors there, I mean hundreds if not thousands walk through those turnstiles every day with cameras and pocket knives and god knows what else. Trust me you're good. Just make sure you secure your piece, well! (Very well) if you are going to ride even one ride. I'd hate to hear that you lost a nice gun in the water or somewhere behind a fence :)

[umwtnt]

Busch Gardens has posted a sign stating they welcome carrying weapons for the protection of their customers. one of my men showed me a picture of the sign from where his father, who carries, sent him today. You are good to go, enjoy.

[Pistology]

Busch Gardens has posted a sign stating they welcome carrying weapons for the protection of their customers. one of my men showed me a picture of the sign from where his father, who carries, sent him today. You are good to go, enjoy.

Is this the future, yet?

[mastercapt]

In Florida, the signs themselves cannot get you arrested. However, lets say you are carrying and get "discovered" for whatever reason. Any employee of the establishment can ask you to leave. (Thats their right w or w/o the signs). Failure to do so, is tresspassing. With a weapon on you its "armed tresspassing" which is more severe.
So sign or not, legal status or not, if asked to leave, apologise and leave. Standing on your 2nd amendment rights may get you rewarded by being a guest of the state, all expenses paid for a while.

[tnd2]

We went last night, and the Christmas Town sign at the entrance to the ticket booth said:

Sorry the following are not permitted to be taken into the park:
Weapons or knives, laser pointers, radios or other electronic devices, pets, food or beverages.

My issue is that there are no signs at the entrance or parking areas, so once you reach the ticket sales area you have to go back to the car to disarm, which can be a long walk or even a tram ride to one of the remote parking lots.

[maddy345]

But if the signs don't hold the weight of law then why disarm?

[JaxRolo]

We went last night, and the Christmas Town sign at the entrance to the ticket booth said:

Sorry the following are not permitted to be taken into the park:
Weapons or knives, laser pointers, radios or other electronic devices, pets, food or beverages.

.

Sounds like you have to leave your cell phones, iPads, cameras, etc in your car.




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[tnd2]

Not a great excuse to go unarmed, but we drove over an hour to get there, paid $185 for a group of 5(2 from out of town visiting) to get in and for dinner tickets, there was no way I was going to chance being asked to leave. As heavily dressed as we were it would have been easy to stay concealed but I made the choice to secure my CCW in the car. It immediately went back on the belt once I reached the car.

[maddy345]

Not a great excuse to go unarmed, but we drove over an hour to get there, paid $185 for a group of 5(2 from out of town visiting) to get in and for dinner tickets, there was no way I was going to chance being asked to leave. As heavily dressed as we were it would have been easy to stay concealed but I made the choice to secure my CCW in the car. It immediately went back on the belt once I reached the car.

Thanks you to tnd2 for calling me and giving me the full 411 on the Busch Gardens Christmas Town event.

This is why I love this board. The people here make this one of my favorite forums!

Both the wife and I plan to carry as usual on our trip and just make extra sure we stay concealed. I will be carrying the Glock 23 in a Crossbreed Supertuck with a spare Glock 22 mag in a Comp-Tac single mag carrier and the DB9 in my right front pocket. The wife will have a Glock 27 on her.

Merry Christmas to everyone and I will post pics of our trip after we get back on the 30th.

[DC]

Thanks you to tnd2 for calling me and giving me the full 411 on the Busch Gardens Christmas Town event.

This is why I love this board. The people here make this one of my favorite forums!

Both the wife and I plan to carry as usual on our trip and just make extra sure we stay concealed. I will be carrying the Glock 23 in a Crossbreed Supertuck with a spare Glock 22 mag in a Comp-Tac single mag carrier and the DB9 in my right front pocket. The wife will have a Glock 27 on her.

Merry Christmas to everyone and I will post pics of our trip after we get back on the 30th.

You've made the right choice IMO. I hope you all have a great time and I look forward to those pics.

Merry Christmas.