Metal detector at museum entrance

[vito]

Of course I am aware that museums are "no carry" locations by IL statute, but I also know that not everyone is totally observant of the law. Yesterday I went to a museum that not only is posted but visitors must pass through a metal detector for entry, so if you go there I'd advise you to be especially sure you are not carrying your firearm as well as anything else that would raise the alarm to the security staff at the entrance. The museum is the Holocaust Museum in Skokie, and the increased security as compared to other museums is very sensible when you think about violent attacks at Jewish centers and locations throughout the country. I was glad I followed the law and did not have the embarrassment of having to walk back to my car to store anything that might be a problem at the metal detector. The museum itself is well worth a visit and is a sobering look at where racial and ethnic hatred can lead an otherwise educated and sophisticated country.

 

As a comparison to IL, I often go with my wife to the Milwaukee Art Museum which is not a "Gun Free Zone" by either Wisconsin law or by posting. Licensed concealed carry individuals are free to go to that museum with their concealed firearm. What a difference in respect for our rights as citizens in this neighboring state.

[spec5]

There wouldn't be any embarrassment for me either since if I knew I was going to visit the museum I would have left my gun in the car. The metal detector wouldn't have bothered me. Also, if someone wanted a gun they know to go to the parking lot of a museum or any other GFZ.

[brianj - now in Kansas]

There are those that will disarm, but may not necessarily leave their spare mags, for instance, in the locked case with their sidearm. It's always good, if possible, to know the level of security that you're dealing with before going to a place like this.

[RoyB]

I have disarmed before and forgotten my spare mag in my jacket. Got up to a metal detector and a light went off. Had to run back to the car.

[JTHunter]

As the detector would pick up a pocket knife (3-blade folder), does anybody know if this would get security bent out of shape?

[brianj - now in Kansas]

As the detector would pick up a pocket knife (3-blade folder), does anybody know if this would get security bent out of shape?

 

I can tell you that I gave my Gerber multi tool to Mrs. J to put in her purse when we went to the United Center a while back. The security there didn't say anything.

 

Bri

[AuroraInstructor]

I have disarmed before and forgotten my spare mag in my jacket. Got up to a metal detector and a light went off. Had to run back to the car.

 

Under what law is a spare magazine, even loaded, illegal in a museum???? Not UUW. Not FCCA.

[jrc905]

As the detector would pick up a pocket knife (3-blade folder), does anybody know if this would get security bent out of shape?

 

Several years ago was in D.C, and visited the National Holocaust Museum. Metal detectors, bags/purses x-rayed even though you couldn't bring them into the museum proper. I hear the security announcement loop "No pocket knives" - can't even be in the bag (which can't be brought in...). Security guard sees me with the "oh crap" look and asks if there's a problem. I explain about my pocket knife problem. He just smiled and said "well, you see those planters across the street? If you go over there and look like your tying your shoes, you can ditch the knife in there and it'll most likely be there when you get out"

 

Did like the man said and yes, it was still there! If memory serves the planters were in front of the FDA building.

 

I've used that same trick a few times since. Wife sure gave me a funny look the first time I did the knife in the planter trick...

[brianj - now in Kansas]

 

I have disarmed before and forgotten my spare mag in my jacket. Got up to a metal detector and a light went off. Had to run back to the car.

 

 

 

Under what law is a spare magazine, even loaded, illegal in a museum???? Not UUW. Not FCCA.

 

You're very correct. It's not against the FCCL or UUW laws. However, I don't know if they can bar someone just by fiat. Regardless of whether or not they can bar you, security CAN make a scene. And, since a magazine without a firearm is about as useless as a screen door on a submarine anyway, I've never made an issue of keeping the mag with me.

[vito]

Knowing I was going to a museum, and knowing I could not legally go armed, I had left my gun in my car (yes, I know that might be considered risky for a car break in and theft). And although I had not anticipated a metal detector, I was glad that I did not have a knife with me. I only carry a knife occasionally, and that is when I am leaving the house for any reason without a gun. But as I have previously discovered, the laws regarding carrying knives are all over the map in Illinois and I had no intention of taking the chance that I would be guilty of some crime in a community (Skokie) that I knew nothing about their knife laws. Without a state pre-emption law, one takes a big risk carrying a knife in Illinois unless you are staying within a particular community and know the laws of that community. Living in Rockford, I often have reason to be in the adjoining suburb of Loves Park. Loves Park has an ordinance that makes any knife over 1.5 inches a crime. I know that last year I was in New York City and visited the 911 Memorial and museum. Of course I was without a gun (in New York City) but I did have a smaller pocket knife with me. It was taken by the security guard when it showed up on the metal detector, a reciept issued, and returned to me after the visit. Two years ago at the Arch, in St. Louis, they looked at this same knife when it showed up on the metal detector and shrugged and said nothing. So its pretty much all over the board as far as knife carry goes. I guess it would not have been a problem having a magazine with me at the Holocaust museum, except that Illinois law includes the parking areas as banning guns for museums, and having a magazine in my pocket pretty much tells the world that I have left my gun in my car, itself a violation in Illinois. I would suggest that if you leave your gun in your car, leave the spare mag as well.

[Neumann]

It is not illegal to leave a gun in your car, even in an area posted under Illinois law (federal areas are separate), even loaded if you have a CCW license. You have what is called "safe haven" under law. You just can leave you car with it, except to store it in luggage compartment. For "safe haven," it must be concealed in a closed container, including the console or glove compartment. It does not have to be a locked container, as long as the car is locked.

 

If you didn't learn that in your 16 hours of training, you should get a refund.

[RoyB]

 

I have disarmed before and forgotten my spare mag in my jacket. Got up to a metal detector and a light went off. Had to run back to the car.

 

Under what law is a spare magazine, even loaded, illegal in a museum???? Not UUW. Not FCCA.

 

 

I didn't say it was illegal. I was at a hockey game and didn't need UC cops to give me a hard time about bringing ammo into the stadium.

[soylentgreen]

I think a Holocaust museum should have a bomb detector instead of a metal detector...

[vito]

Maybe they do, but not that I saw. I hate to see anyplace using metal detectors because I know that it would not stop a determined terrorist who would blow past the security point and/or take out the typically unarmed guards (or even if they are armed I can almost guarantee you that they are not "at the ready" and could be easily overpowered) and thus provide only a minimum of security to the location. What it does do is ensure that I and other law abiding patrons are unarmed and vulnerable. And frankly, while I do not ever encourage breaking the law, a metal detector does in fact take away my ability to decide when and if I must bend the rules for my own security. And all of this reminds me of just how civilized it feels to go a museum in Wisconsin where there is no prohibition on carrying if so licensed.

[soylentgreen]

You're preaching to the choir, my friend. I agree 100%.

[Mike]

You should see the incredibly heavy security at the Holocaust Museum in D.C. I'm sure for good reason.

[GAS3987]

I think a Holocaust museum should have a bomb detector instead of a metal detector...

 

I think it's sad that one has to disarm to learn about what happens when innocents are disarmed at the hands of an evil dictator.

[DiSc0rd]

 

I think a Holocaust museum should have a bomb detector instead of a metal detector...

 

I think it's sad that one has to disarm to learn about what happens when innocents are disarmed at the hands of an evil dictator.

 

i believe they call that irony.

[vito]

It is indicative of the mindset of the left that when an idealized concept does not work, rather than change the concept they double down and want more of it. Gun control does not lower crime, nor protect the vulnerable, so rather than saying to themselves "this is not working and maybe we need LESS gun control" they think "if only we REALLY clamp down on legal gun owners we will achieve lower crime and protection of the vulnerable". Sort of like the liberal answer to why the almost TRILLION dollar "stimulant" that Obama engineered in his first term did little or nothing to help the economy (it went to his union cronies, personal cronies, etc.) they say we should have had even a bigger stimulant.

 

Jewish organizations are well aware that they might be a target for anti-Semites in general, and Islamic fanatics specifically, but rather than saying "we need to be able to defend ourselves" their leaders say "we need to be tougher on EVERYONE with guns", not willing to recognize that the bad guys do not obey the signs or necessarily get deterred even by metal detectors. All my life I have argued with fellow Jews that gun control has never been in the interests of the Jewish people, and putting our faith in the government to protect us has had disastrous consequences in our history, but usually to no avail. I point out that with a handful of guns a few determined Jews held off the German army in the Warsaw ghetto for weeks; I ask them to imagine how much harder it would have been for the Nazis to herd up and exterminate millions of Jews if they had been armed and had possesses a sense of self defense, but this seems to be beyond the level of imagination of most American Jews. The small percentage of us who say "never again" and who wish to have the means to make that real, or who join the NRA, etc. are looked at as weirdos and kooks.

[Mike]

Jews for The Preservation of Firearm Ownership understands and has put out some good videos in the past. Check out their website: http://jpfo.org

[TLR Rider]

steel toe boots... they are metal detector detectors

[Tango7]

 

 

I think a Holocaust museum should have a bomb detector instead of a metal detector...

I think it's sad that one has to disarm to learn about what happens when innocents are disarmed at the hands of an evil dictator.

 

i believe they call that irony.

 

http://36.media.tumblr.com/71bddd1e27026cf543c68b9a85fd7863/tumblr_o4bjjjEl0l1ugmkf5o1_500.jpg

 

As I've posted elsewhere - if they're making a habit of supporting candidates that believe only the police and military should have any non-sporting firearms then they might have seen it before, but they certainly didn't learn anything.

 

#santayanawept