[chemicalpoet]

I always liked this mall, it's a pretty cool place overall, and one of the better malls around these parts.

So, my birthday was the 25th and my girlfriend and I decided to take a trip up the mall to shop a bit and grab a bite to eat @ TGI Fridays.

While waiting for seats, I got some odd stares from a couple folks, obviously because of my carry method, but thought nothing of it and proceeded to have a good dinner.

While passing Spencer's and thinking about what flick to see, I was confronted by three mall cops, and the "leader" (one not on the silly segway) flagged me down, informing me that this mall is private property, and all firearms are prohibited.

"Is that right? Well, do you have some proof?" I asked, because I always take a few seconds to scan every entrance to any confine I plan on entering, and there was definitely NOT a "posted" thing of any kind on the door, and I was a bit perplexed.

"Sure, it's posted; I'll show you, and I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

:ticking:"Shall we?" I reached for my finance's hand as I began moving with the "herd."

"So, when did this mall start banning legal firearm carry?" I asked.

"Well, it's not that you can't carry, but it's just so big--I carry a 4" bbl. .357--and it can freak people out."

We approach the "posting". This posting was is actually located INSIDE the doors of this mall, which is pretty far beyond the norm, and frankly, I began questioning myself on the legality of the placement of this posting. It seemed a little precarious and silly to me.

Right on the virtually hidden "mall rules" poster near the entrance, was my prohibition in question, number #6. I think a little after "no outside food or drinks." :icon_rolleyes: Yup, no guns by anyone, and the security guy was quite a ways off with his information.

I will say I did get off pretty well after looking at the potential fines and consequences for having a gun in there (it's rash.)

So, long story short, guns are only for criminals there. Sorry guys.

I'm rather gad I didn't drop the $500 on clothes, video games and sporting/hunting goods in that place after that. 'Shame too, I liked that mall.

Next time, mustached, Segway-mounted, helmeted, mall cop. Next time. . .


:bier:

 

[TN_Mike]

I believe the law states that the entrances must be posted. I think you could have beaten any charge that they may have tried to bring on you for carrying.

Still, I would surely write a nice letter telling the mall owners that you planned on spending a good deal of money there and that you now will not be shopping there and have since spread the word on at least one very prominent internet site dedicated to the lawful carry of self defense firearms.

 

[kellyII]

Well thats too bad, I too like visiting the mall on occasion.
Now it just gives me a reason not to leave Bass Pro and wander into the mall area now

 

[chemicalpoet]

entrances

Maybe they were decoys?!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eub5cbqAGX4

Yup, I sent a "friendly" letter. :tongue: It wouldn't have been so bad if it were just me, and not a birthday celebration.

My family is part of the one that owns Cracker Barrel, and we have a strong foot-hold in most of the probationary and D.U.I education systems in East TN. 'Not gloating (no jealousy, I'm not too "rich", and the 'Barrel likes its money), it is what it is, and I guess 'ole granny Annie won't be picking up that $8k mink she was looking at @ O-mills this Winter.

Kelly, heck, I'm not sure is the gun prohib. keeps legally armed citizens out of Bass or not, be careful on that one (or inform me, because I surely do not know), but that store is quite the awesome (barring their ridiculous gun prices and "no trigger before you buy" policy.) I find it to be one of the best zombie stands in TN. :comeandgetsome:

 

[F350]

Still, I would surely write a nice letter telling the mall owners that you planned on spending a good deal of money there and that you now will not be shopping there and have since spread the word on at least one very prominent internet site dedicated to the lawful carry of self defense firearms.

Mall management probably doesn't give a flip......Inform the merchants you intended to do business with that due to mall management policy all your business will now go to other merchants.

 

[RETSUPT99]

Mall management probably doesn't give a flip......Inform the merchants you intended to do business with that due to mall management policy all your business will now go to other merchants.

Good point...the management gets their money from the stores without worrying about you. It's the individual business who you need to inform of your plan/concerns...:yup:

 

[kellyII]

Maybe they were decoys?!


Kelly, heck, I'm not sure is the gun prohib. keeps legally armed citizens out of Bass or not, be careful on that one (or inform me, because I surely do not know), but that store is quite the awesome (barring their ridiculous gun prices and "no trigger before you buy" policy.) I find it to be one of the best zombie stands in TN. :comeandgetsome:

Im just about 100% sure Bass Pro is not posted, however when you walk outside of basspro youre now in the main area of the mall, which is a no carry

 

[heater]

Not long ago they had some gang bangers shoot it out in that mall. I guess the mall only wants the bangers to have guns and not the good guys. I just don't get it, it makes no sense to ban honest people from helping to protect the place. I know I won't be going back. As for Bass Pro, they have enourmous influence with the management of that mall. Makes me wonder where their head really is regarding defensive carry?

 

[SCfromNY]

The type of sign you are talking about is a generic sign that would be placed somewhere since it came with the "mall kit". Here in Myrtle Beach in 5 years I have seen 1 legal sign, in a IHOP. There are the generic signs at the Coastal Grand Mall and the mall movie theaters and they have no meaning.

When open carrying you do have a disadvantage in argruments since they can ask you to leave. With concealed carry no one would know and you would be legal without a hassel. This is not meant to disrespect OC just the way it falls in many places.

 

[archer51]

Not sure about TN law, but most places require all entrances to be posted. If you enter the mall through an entrance that isn't posted about all that can be done is ask you to leave. They could possibly try to do more about it, but in court they would lose.

 

[Agave]

That went a whole lot better than my incident in the Old Hickory Mall.

Legally posting requires a specific sign on every entrance.

 

[orangevol]

Hmmm...I was just at Opry Mills mall with the wife about a month ago where we spent about 4 hours shopping on a Sunday afternoon. I specifically looked for any anti-carry signs and didn't see any.

I guess the mall cop couldn't see my Glock 27 hiding under a black golf shirt. I feel so Ninja!!! :rofl:

 

[Familyguy]

All of the **** Mills Malls I've seen are posted at the mall entrances. However, they never seem to post the mall entrances that come directly from a major store - such as Bass Pro. I guess you'd have a legal argument if you'd entered through a store, but I'm not sure it'd be worth the $$$ to hire an attorney. I just refuse to spend my money at their malls.
-Randyman

 

[FlyboyLDB]

The entrances should be posted. But regardless of where the posting is, what size it is, what language it is in, etc - once one is informed either by signage that one can understand or verbally - then one is trespassing and can be arrested. I had someone state because the sign what not the correct size and font they could get away with it - just ask any judge about that one. One judge I know would toss out the trespassing charge if one claimed they did not understand the signage, but also yank your license\permit for being too naive to legitimately carry a firearm. So roll the dice I guess. If you know - you go. I have no issue with respecting others rights - I just won't shop\eat there.

 

[gottabkiddin]

The entrances should be posted. But regardless of where the posting is, what size it is, what language it is in, etc - once one is informed either by signage that one can understand or verbally - then one is trespassing and can be arrested.

Depending on your particular state, those signs don't mean squat. And it's only trespassing if you are ask to leave and you refuse to do so. It's not a "NO TRESPASSING" sign, by which your quoted statement would be correct. It's a NO Weapons signage, which in GA isn't worth the media it was printed on, unless it falls under the States Off limits for carry code, which can be found here. Georgia Gun Laws in Plain English on GeorgiaPacking.org :bier:

 

[ltc-usa]

Not long ago they had some gang bangers shoot it out in that mall. I guess the mall only wants the bangers to have guns and not the good guys. I just don't get it, it makes no sense to ban honest people from helping to protect the place. I know I won't be going back. As for Bass Pro, they have enourmous influence with the management of that mall. Makes me wonder where their head really is regarding defensive carry?

Yup. I have been there many times. I thought this happened twice. They just want the illegal guns.

 

[logan]

The mall in La Crosse, WI bans guns, but it is not posted anywhere. A few guys went there for a little open carry dinner, then did some shopping. One of them was escorted out and given a copy of the mall policy stating no firearms. The only way you could know about the policy was to go to the security and ask for a copy of it. This was not posted on their website or at any entrances. Due to this, I had made a couple business cards in case anybody wanted to go to the mall and hand them out. Never actually used them myself, but I would figure they would be effective if enough people did it. I know a lot of us did however e-mail the owners of the mall and express our concern and that we would no longer be shopping there.

Feel free to use this if you wanted. I also have one that states "business" instead of "landlord" as the "landlord" one was mainly for a mall.

Front:

Back:

Hi-Res Front
Hi-Res Back

 

[Cookeville]

Tennessee Carry

I just took my carry class yesterday (and passed!). They said in TN there is no official 'no carry' sign and it can be posted in various locations, in various formats and still be valid. In fact, it can be a verbal announcement - over the intercom or a one-on-one statement - and it is valid. We were told to remember that we are on private property within a store and if approached and told to leave if was as good as a sign. I've been looking to find this in writing - if anyone finds it please post it.

A final note - the teacher said there is NO Tennessee mall that allows carry. He seemed confident of this and had apparently researched this. He was a retired marine, a current police officer and a certified NRA instructor.

I'll be interested in following this thread. I admit I am trying to learn where I can and can't carry legally.

 

[Agave]

I just took my carry class yesterday (and passed!). They said in TN there is no official 'no carry' sign and it can be posted in various locations, in various formats and still be valid.

There is no official sign, however there is official verbiage. The sign has to say a certain number of things. I don't have time currently or I'd look it up for you.

the teacher said there is NO Tennessee mall that allows carry.

The Old Hickory Mall has the proper sign posted, but it is not posted in the manner consistent with the law. Therefore, it isn't legally off limits.

 

[Dakota97]

Im just about 100% sure Bass Pro is not posted, however when you walk outside of basspro youre now in the main area of the mall, which is a no carry

The last time I was there, which was several months ago, there was a sign at the door of Bass Pro going into the mall which stated no firearms beyond this point.