The NRA's 2012 Annual Meeting is less than a month away. In a little over three weeks, I'll be getting on a plane {shudder} and winging my way to St. Louis for the meeting, arriving Thursday and heading home Monday.
The question arises, then: Is it worth the hassle of flying with a firearm (remember, I'm flying out of Logan Airport and changing planes in Chicago, so I hit two of the major GFW states on this trip)?
Ordinarily, I'd brave the hassle of flying with a firearm out of Logan and through Chicago, except that this year, the venue is specifically prohibited from concealed carry. Additionally, MO prohibits carrying in bars and restaurants, so this means that I'd be able to carry legally when I'm... um... in my hotel room. I just can't reconcile the hassle with the very limited opportunity to carry.
It's not like Pittsburgh, where the venue was okay with open or concealed carry and bars/restaurants were okay (but could post). That's all kinds of worth it, and if it were Phoenix, I'd deal with flying with guns. I just don't see putting up with the TSA, transfers, worrying about everything, only to lock the gun up in the hotel room for all but the 8 hours I'm sleeping there.
So... Convince me it's worth the hassle...
That is all.
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23 comments:
I'm having the same thoughts. I have to drive across Illinois to get there, so I have the added hassle of stopping at the border and disarming. One does not simply drive across Mordor. I'm seriously considering not taking along a gun.
I seriously wish the NRA would try to put their annual meetings in venues that are OK with us exercising the rights the NRA is spending so much time and treasure defending.
Either ship a gun to yourself at the hotel, to be collected when you arrive, or arrange for a friend who's arriving via a less gun-unfriendly route to bring a 'loaner' for you to keep in your room. Criminals who prey on hotel guests are equal-opportunity crooks - they won't leave you alone on the grounds that you're unarmed!
No gun != unarmed... :)
I thought "loaners" were verboten on the Federal level?
We got put up in a different hotel than usual for drill one month. Three of our soldiers were late for formation becuase they were filling out police reports because someone came in their locked rooms and stole their wallets and some other stuff.
Turns out the desk worker was making duplicate key cards for her friends, who then keyed into rooms to steal stuff.
Of course the usual hotel is posted, so I was pretty much screwed at that unit.
I generally dislike going without a gun.
That being said whenever I'm in North Carolina, despite being licensed to carry there, there are so many legally binding gun-free-zones that the risk of getting a felony pinch for carrying illegally (even when you do your very best to avoid the GFZs) becomes greatly higher than actually needing to pull your gun.
If I was going (unfortunately I'm not) I'd be going without my guns.
Jay,
I have never heard anywhere that a 'loaner' is illegal. How would that work at a gun range trying out your buddy's new gun?
But above all, if there aren't metal detectors at the door or a TSA style groping (http://v.cdn.cad-comic.com/comics/cad-20120319-5d5f3.png)
then concealed carry means concealed ;)
It's not worth it. Pick up a cheap piece of stabby for carry and tote around all of your valuables during the convention. I attended a conference in St. Louis in January (stayed at the Union Marriott and the hotel bar and bartenders were great btw) and that is what I did.
Aren't you guys concerned that all this talk of non taking your guns will attract the bad guys like catnip to cats.
That is one of your major arguments isn't it, bad guys seek out the sitting ducks?
Unc wrote something awhile back about flying with his Tactical Pen, and no one hassled him. Give him a buzz.
And for God's Sake , don't go across the river into East St. Louis! It makes Syria look like Switzerland!
After seeing this little life hack, I realized that if traveling with anything valuable, then one should always travel with a fire arm, even if it's a flare gun.
http://deviating.net/firearms/packing/
Anon, the only thing I'll be checking is my clothing and toiletries. It's also the only thing that will be in my hotel room.
I thought Missouri had a 51% law? If so, carry in restaurants is not verboten--you just cannot drink or sit at the bar.
If the balloon goes up while you're at the convention, it's a long walk home without a gun.
Of course, this is the guy who hasn't flown in such a long time, I had a Swiss Army Knife. Left the lockblade at home because, well, we were going to Noo Yawk City, and I was under the impression they weren't allowed. Plus I was 19, Ohio had no legal carry anyway...
Now? I carry. If I absolutely had to fly, well, I'm bringing a blaster. Especially if I brought the munchkin.
You're in the motel, asleep, and the door comes open. W/o your gun, you are just a sleepy bald dude in his undies hoping the bad guy lets you live.
Again, to reiterate:
No gun != unarmed.
I won't have the *best* tool, that's for certain.
But I damn won't be unarmed...
I just forwarded you an email I had gotten from a STL attorney regarding MO laws on CCW. It may give you some more options.
Missouri does honor other states CCW cards. But, business have the right to post a sign banning weapons in their establishments. Also, we have local premption regarding open carry. Ain't that the shit's? We can carry openlt by state law but any podunk town can over ride that law and forbid open carry.
It's Missouri. Stay home.
According to the Mo. State website, you are okay in a restruant that holds more than 50 people and makes most of its money from food.
Hope this helps.
Dennis the librarian shusher
@John Richardson - Would you forward a copy of that email to me as well, please?
Jay,
When the NRA eventually convenes once more in Texas, just drop me an e-mail.
I'll set you up with loaner hardware, belt gear and other acrutements as necessary.
Premium gear, at that. You won't be underequipped! Just let me know your preferences, and if I can't match it exactly, I'll likely have a very close alternative at hand.
Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX
Could y'all forward me that email from John Richardson too? Thanks
I don't know if it's worth the hassle or not, but I have to wonder why the NRA doesn't stick to states with reasonable carry laws.
Arizona is nice, Texas has some nice cities, and there are others.
Why have a convention in states where people have to ask themselves if it's worth the hassle?
That is all.
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