Busch Gardens Tampa carry

[ecnovaec]

I did a search and found a year old thread about the VA park but the answer wasn't clear. I will be going to the park tomorrow and would like to know their rules on carry. If anybody has any information I would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks
Toby

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[JOHNSMITH]

I don't work for Busch Gardens but I do work for Universal Orlando part time. They share the same parent company (Anheiser-Busch), and are also a major theme park so I'm going to assume it is basically similar "rules" there.

These theme parks are techically no-carry places. With that said, concealed is concealed, and you will not be arrested provided you are not doing anything illegal. What could happen, however, is that security may ask you to leave and you will have to comply. They may also ban you from coming back ever again.

Just out of curiosity, are you going to be hanging out in the park? In that case I'm not sure I'd want to be packing with all the roller coasters and other rides that really make Busch Gardens worth it

I think technically it also applies to a weapon you may keep in your car, but let's be honest... no one is going to be searching your vehicle.

However, as an employee I can't even keep a weapon locked in my private vehicle due to an "exception" in the recent ruling here. Basically, they use some small exception of a workplace where explosive are kept. The "explosives" that they're talking about? Fireworks that are kept very, very far away from where I work

[retsupt99]

Carry there is not a problem for one who conceals on his/her body, and not in a fanny pack or a back pack (that they may search)...they will not frisk you.
There is nothing illegal about CCW on the property, signs mean nothing in FL, and concealed is just that...Shhhhhhh!

Stay armed...stay safe!

[ecnovaec]

yea I guess it's really not worth all the trouble. I'll just take my chances and not carry. Hopefully I won't regret that :) thanks for the info and quick response!

[ccw9mm]

yea I guess it's really not worth all the trouble. I'll just take my chances and not carry.

Depends on your point of view.

Trouble? What trouble? Carrying is simple and out-of-sight. Unless you're having a pat-down frisk of your person, you are highly unlikely to be found out. About the only thing you'll need to really be aware of is whether you're "printing," as that'll be a quick give-away. But, if you're the designated security person for the outing and printing is an issue, then you can simply skip the "worst" rides and remain comfortable in the knowledge that you're maintaining a better view of things.

IMO, my life and the lives of my family members are absolutely worth the trouble. Worst case is that I'd be escorted outside the park, but they'd have to find me carrying first.

[Rustynuts]

Pocket carry and your good to go. I've done it at BG, Seaworld, and Disney. They will search bags though, no pat downs.

[ecnovaec]

yea while driving here just now(Tampa) I decided I'm going to carry anyways. I carry a Kel-Tec pf-9 in an m-tac so it's tiny and easy to conceal. Plus it's going to be sweater weather tomorrow night. Thanks for all the input everyone!

[Chevy-SS]

Hang on to that PF-9. It'd be very bad news if it fell out while you were flying around on some roller coaster. Lotsa people lose keys, glasses, etc...........

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[Spike32]

I'd lock it in a car safe or lock box, but wouldn't take it into the park. I worked at BG in VA the first 4 years it was opened, including 2 as full time security. The only incident that happened the entire time that came close to warranting needing a weapon was when an irate, and VERY LARGE German lady was beating the crap out of the security supervisor with one of those wooden clogs. I was the duty guy with the weapon, but instead of pulling it I just slugged her on the jaw and knocked her out...you most likely won't need your weapon in the park.

[ccw9mm]

you most likely won't need your weapon in the park.

Perhaps, but then most people won't be victimized (to a degree requiring lethal force) across an entire lifetime, if the statistics are to be believed.

Heading to a large destination like this, don't forget about the 1/4 mile walk to and from the car, which is out of hearing distance from any security personnel. Keep in mind just how enticing a tired, distracted family of folks in condition "white" can be to a felon in a parking lot that's a long way from help. (Had a friend at Disneyland, and he confirmed that many robberies occurred in the parking lot in the late afternoons, when the sun was at an angle, people were tired people were distracted, security had other things to do than monitor a 50ac parking lot, etc.)

[Jericho]

Concealed carry is allowed in VA state parks; you must have a concealed handgun permit (CHP). Open carry is not allowed. More about VA gun laws may be found in the website of Virginia Citizens Defense League, VCDL.org Better still consider joining the group to keep current with VA gun laws.

[Dragracer]

I've been in Universal multiple times and carry every time. Last year we went with another couple to spend the day at the park, and then attend Halloween Horror Nights that same evening. Going to HHN, we had to pass through a metal detector! I informed the attendant I was carrying, and you should have seen his eyes! He called a Supervisor, and I showed my Permit. I was escorted to the main office, where they had me put my gun in a safe, and gave me the key. I retrieved the weapon as we were leaving. No other problems before or since.

[ecnovaec]

I ended up leaving it locked up in the car but kept my knife on me. Yesterday was probably my best theme park experience and I've lived here in FL my whole life, and have been a Disney passholder the whole time.

The weather was great, and 30 minutes into being there we had already been on 3 coasters, and not once during the whole day was there a line.

Plus... the hospitality house :)

[gextyr]

I live in the Tampa area and go to Busch Gardens all the time. I never carry there because it just isn't comfortable to carry a heavy gun in addition to all the other crap my wife insists I carry. I also like riding roller coasters and am concerned about retention when pocket-carrying.

Plus, the water rides are pretty fun, and I don't wanna walk around all day with a wet gun. They tend to rust when ya do that.

The parking lots have a light security presence, so leaving a gun in your car is generally safe.

Legally speaking, if you decide to carry in the park and are "made" by an employee, get out immediately. If you are detained, ask to leave. If they insist you give them your name or BG pass, you are allowed to refuse.