Wednesday, April 24, 2013

FAQ: Is It A Crime To Conceal Carry In A Private Business With A "No Guns Allowed" Sign?

Ask The Michigan Firearms Instructor

Q: I have a fast "Ask The Instructor" type of question. What are the legal aspects of carrying concealed in a private business that has signs posted that no firearms are allowed (such as banks, restaurants, etc). What law are you actually breaking and what could you be charged with while CC (concealed carrying) into a bank that has a "no firearms" sign on the door?

A: Carrying a firearm into a private property establishment which has either posted a "No Guns" signs or has an un-posted policy AND is not a business or other entity specified in the statute as a pistol-free zone is not a violation of the law in this state (Michigan).

Having said that, even though I am an advocate of gun rights, I would advise you to respect the private property rights of the owners. Moreover, if you are discovered to be carrying by the owners or management, you probably will be asked to leave.

If you are asked to leave, you must leave or be subject to a trespassing charge by attending law enforcement officers when they arrive to the scene for failing to leave when asked. Additionally, if you are an employee of the aforementioned business, you could be disciplined and terminated.

Disclaimer
You are strongly encouraged to not only conduct your own independent research but to also consult with a competent and qualified attorney before acting upon any information in this article. Laws covering self-defense, lethal force, firearms, and the Michigan Concealed Pistol License and their enforcement are always subject to change due to laws being amended, politics conducted in the Prosecutor's Office, and election results at all levels of government. Ignorance of the law, legally speaking, is not a valid excuse for running afoul of it. The penalties and fines imposed upon violators of firearms related offenses are stiff and severe.

About The Author
Rick Ector is a National Rifle Association credentialed Firearms Trainer, who provides Michigan CCW Class training in Detroit for students at his firearms school - Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit.

Ector is a recognized expert in firearm safety and has been featured extensively in the national and local media: Associated Press, UPI, NRAnews, Guns Digest, Tactical-Life, The Truth About Guns, The Politics Daily, Fox News Detroit, The Detroit News, The Detroit Examiner, WJLB, WGPR, and the UrbanShooterPodcast.

For more info about free shooting lessons for women and Michigan CCW Classes, please contact:

Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit
Web: http://www.detroitccw.com.
Email: info@detroitccw.com
Phone: 313.733.7404

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