Going to Philly this weekend -- what do I need to know about CCW there?

[jkp1187]

I'm headng out to visit some friends this weekend in Philadelphia. Since this is the first time I will have visited that city since getting my LTCF, and since I know Philly is treated differently from the rest of the state I just wanted to know if there are any local ordinances/policies by businesses that I should be aware of.

We're not doing anything too crazy -- going to restaurant, bar, maybe a movie, that sort of stuff. (God, we're boring....)

Thanks in advance.

[dgg9]

Originally Posted by jkp1187

I'm headng out to visit some friends this weekend in Philadelphia. Since this is the first time I will have visited that city since getting my LTCF, and since I know Philly is treated differently from the rest of the state I just wanted to know if there are any local ordinances/policies by businesses that I should be aware of.

We're not doing anything too crazy -- going to restaurant, bar, maybe a movie, that sort of stuff. (God, we're boring....)

Thanks in advance.

No LEGAL differences with CCW in Philly compared to anywhere else. Your CCW is valid.

However, the Philly police dept are fairly anti-gun and the typical liberal urban weenie there will become atwitter if they see a gun, and call the police. So, you MUST conceal well. If you do that, that avoids any real problems.

Since legal guns are foreign to most people here, there are consequently few businesses that bother posting against them. The only places in the entire Center City area that have no firearms signs (that I am aware of) are:

1. Some tourist attractions
2. Galleria Mall downtown
3. Strip clubs and that sort of bar.

Of these, only '1' carries legal weight.

[Pa. Patriot]

Originally Posted by dgg9

...So, you MUST conceal well. If you do that, that avoids any real problems.

Ironically, open carry IS legal in Philla with a LTCF.
Your correct about the urban bullies (AKA Philadelphia's finest) being VERY likely to give you a hard time, but it's legal non the less.
Which is what I assume your point was but in the end to each there own. Some people may not mind the hassle and illegal detentions (lawsuits anyone?)

Originally Posted by dgg9

Of these, only '1' carries legal weight.

"No guns" signs carry NO legal weight in the commonwealth. None of the places mentioned signs carry any authority.
You MUST be asked by the business/property owner (or agent thereof, IE: employee) to leave.

[dgg9]

Originally Posted by Pa. Patriot

Ironically, open carry IS legal in Philla with a LTCF.
Your correct about the urban bullies (AKA Philadelphia's finest) being VERY likely to give you a hard time, but it's legal non the less.
Which is what I assume your point was but in the end to each there own. Some people may not mind the hassle and illegal detentions (lawsuits anyone?)

Yes, that was my point. Unless you have a Gandhi-like level and desire for abuse and attention, I would steer clear of open carry and stay discrete.

"No guns" signs carry NO legal weight in the commonwealth. None of the places mentioned signs carry any authority.
You MUST be asked by the business/property owner (or agent thereof, IE: employee) to leave.

But FEDERAL law trumps. I haven't checked, but I think some of the tourist attractions (Liberty Bell, First Congress Bldg) are Federal parks, or maybe State parks (which is an open debate). I do see State Park Rangers roaming around that whole area. It's not a battle I'd want to get into without being sure of my facts FIRST.

Private businesses -- sure, their signs have no weight. As for strip clubs and the like, they actually have metal detectors and bouncers with wands, so you'll get blocked that way.

[jkp1187]

Originally Posted by dgg9

Private businesses -- sure, their signs have no weight. As for strip clubs and the like, they actually have metal detectors and bouncers with wands, so you'll get blocked that way.

I know that Independence Hall is a National Park -- and there are a few others scattered about.

I don't think a strip club visit is planned, but I will keep that in mind if plans change. I'm not going to run into a metal detector in a movie theater, though, right?

What about Dave & Buster's?

[Pa. Patriot]

Originally Posted by dgg9

But FEDERAL law trumps. I haven't checked, but I think some of the tourist attractions (Liberty Bell, First Congress Bldg) are Federal parks, or maybe State parks (which is an open debate). ...

Point is that the "signs" mean nothing.
Prohibited federal property is just that, prohibited by statute, regardless of any signage.
My reply was to the statement of "some tourist attractions". Didn't specify fed or private.

AGain, we are back to the beginning Your LTCF means you can carry in all the same places in Philla (and prohibited from carrying in all the same prohibited areas) as the rest of the state.

[dgg9]

Originally Posted by jkp1187

I'm not going to run into a metal detector in a movie theater, though, right?

Doubtful.

What about Dave & Buster's?

I haven't been there in a long time, but last I was there, no detectors.

You'll generally only find metal detectors in establishments that cater to seedier thug types....best to steer clear of them anyway.

[jkp1187]

I wasn't so much concerned about runing afoul of the law, so much as avoiding having to leave the gun in the car (which I HATE to do -- anything in the car is a hammerblow away from belonging to someone else,) and/or a potentially embarassing scene if I was turned away at the door.

Thanks for your help gentlemen!

P.S. Aren't firearms prohibited from State Parks in PA as well...?

[dgg9]

Originally Posted by jkp1187

I wasn't so much concerned about runing afoul of the law, so much as avoiding having to leave the gun in the car (which I HATE to do -- anything in the car is a hammerblow away from belonging to someone else,) and/or a potentially embarassing scene if I was turned away at the door.

If you're not embarrassed going to the strip club to begin with, being turned away should be anti-climactic.

There are plenty of touristy places to go that don't have signs posted. In the area that the Liberty Bell is in, there are lots of people around, so that it wouldn't be completely unsafe to leave the gun in the car, BUT it might be difficult to holster/unholster discreetly.

You should have no problems at all devising an itinerary that avoids all no-carry places.

[reels18]

I heard on the radio yesterday that they were taking the metal detector booths down in Independence Park. I didn't know that they had metal detectors there.

The news broadcaster also stated that they will still check bags before allowing tourists to enter the park grounds. Same for the Liberty Bell exhibit.