Concealed Carry in Hershey?

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  • Sharpster

    Active Member
    Jul 22, 2010
    393
    York, PA
    OP ill be there that weekend as well. Any chance you're going to that DMB concert on Friday?
     

    alucard0822

    For great Justice
    Oct 29, 2007
    17,643
    PA
    WTF, not at the OP, but the responses, he asked a valid question, and should have gotten an honest answer, not a mix of battered gun owner's fears, opinions, and misinformation.

    There is no LAW that criminalizes concealed carry via LTCF except for a couple very specific places, schools are a grey area, weapons are legally prohibited, but the law provides an "affirmative defense " while carrying for a lawful purpouse. Court rooms, Casinos, state and federal buildings, secure areas of Pittsburg INTL airport(ordinance may not be legal per PAUFA) and prisons are legally off limits. For the rest, if it sis private property, the owner can ask you to leave if you are carrying, and charge trespassing if you refuse, but that is about it, "no-weapons" signs or policies hold no legal weight. You should never trust any post or person to tell you what the law is, it's important that you know how to check it, and research it yourself.
    http://www.acslpa.org/html/pa_uniform_firearms_act.html

    The last couple times I have been to the Hershey Park, Zoo, and Chocolate world, even Busch Gardens VA, I was carrying concealed, as I do daily. I'm not sure if the stadium has detectors for every event or not. The culture up here(and in most of America) is different, firearms and carrying them is just an ordinary part of life for millions of PA residents, has been for as long as most can remember. Most places will even accomidate those who do carry, state law for instance requires lockers at court houses so citizens can secure their firearms in this legally off-limit place, and retrieve them as they leave. Hershey and some other places have little consistency to their security, last time I was there, they were checking bags, but that was it, I walked right by with my concealed M&P, no issue at all, if I saw a metal detector, I would have simply gotten out of line, weighed my desire for effective protection vs entry into the park, and either left, or simply put my pistol in the car, and re-entered. As a practical matter, you need to choose your concealment rig carefully, and if you are going on rides with it, make sure the retension setup is foolproof secure, I use a thumb break IWB with belt loops. If you need to take the gun off or put it on in the park, just bring a backpack(useful for extra clothes, sunscreen, camera stuff), go to the bathroom, put it in or take it out of the pack while in the stall, then you can secure the pack in a locker.

    Lots of buisnesses have BS lawyer inspired "no-weapons" policies, you would have to be the most anal person in the world to check and adhere to every single one, taking your gun off and putting it on constantly during the day. The way I see it a buisness has the right to request many things, that I buy their stuff, that I don't enter with a weapon, that I meet a dress-code, and a number of other things, I do not legally have to abide by their policies, although they can ask me to leave if I am discovered, and I would comply. The question of "why" do you need a firearm at a concert could potentially apply everywhere, the Brady campaign has certainly regurgitated that line enough. Defensive scenarios can and do happen anywhere and to anyone, especially in crowded locations, or more frequently in the large isolated area like parking lots that surround them. The simple solution is to carry everywhere we can, I personally draw the line at carrying everywhere I LEGALLY can, but to each their own. It's depressing that so many from MD's "gun rights" community ask why you need a gun, when most people in free states just say Why not? The best thing I hope for is to have my weapon, and never need it, the worst fear is to need it, and not have it.
     

    Chris0nllyn

    Banned
    BANNED!!!
    Mar 6, 2012
    1,285
    Calvert County
    WTF, not at the OP, but the responses, he asked a valid question, and should have gotten an honest answer, not a mix of battered gun owner's fears, opinions, and misinformation.

    There is no LAW that criminalizes concealed carry via LTCF except for a couple very specific places, schools are a grey area, weapons are legally prohibited, but the law provides an "affirmative defense " while carrying for a lawful purpouse. Court rooms, Casinos, state and federal buildings, secure areas of Pittsburg INTL airport(ordinance may not be legal per PAUFA) and prisons are legally off limits. For the rest, if it sis private property, the owner can ask you to leave if you are carrying, and charge trespassing if you refuse, but that is about it, "no-weapons" signs or policies hold no legal weight. You should never trust any post or person to tell you what the law is, it's important that you know how to check it, and research it yourself.
    http://www.acslpa.org/html/pa_uniform_firearms_act.html

    The last couple times I have been to the Hershey Park, Zoo, and Chocolate world, even Busch Gardens VA, I was carrying concealed, as I do daily. I'm not sure if the stadium has detectors for every event or not. The culture up here(and in most of America) is different, firearms and carrying them is just an ordinary part of life for millions of PA residents, has been for as long as most can remember. Most places will even accomidate those who do carry, state law for instance requires lockers at court houses so citizens can secure their firearms in this legally off-limit place, and retrieve them as they leave. Hershey and some other places have little consistency to their security, last time I was there, they were checking bags, but that was it, I walked right by with my concealed M&P, no issue at all, if I saw a metal detector, I would have simply gotten out of line, weighed my desire for effective protection vs entry into the park, and either left, or simply put my pistol in the car, and re-entered. As a practical matter, you need to choose your concealment rig carefully, and if you are going on rides with it, make sure the retension setup is foolproof secure, I use a thumb break IWB with belt loops. If you need to take the gun off or put it on in the park, just bring a backpack(useful for extra clothes, sunscreen, camera stuff), go to the bathroom, put it in or take it out of the pack while in the stall, then you can secure the pack in a locker.

    Lots of buisnesses have BS lawyer inspired "no-weapons" policies, you would have to be the most anal person in the world to check and adhere to every single one, taking your gun off and putting it on constantly during the day. The way I see it a buisness has the right to request many things, that I buy their stuff, that I don't enter with a weapon, that I meet a dress-code, and a number of other things, I do not legally have to abide by their policies, although they can ask me to leave if I am discovered, and I would comply. The question of "why" do you need a firearm at a concert could potentially apply everywhere, the Brady campaign has certainly regurgitated that line enough. Defensive scenarios can and do happen anywhere and to anyone, especially in crowded locations, or more frequently in the large isolated area like parking lots that surround them. The simple solution is to carry everywhere we can, I personally draw the line at carrying everywhere I LEGALLY can, but to each their own. It's depressing that so many from MD's "gun rights" community ask why you need a gun, when most people in free states just say Why not? The best thing I hope for is to have my weapon, and never need it, the worst fear is to need it, and not have it.

    Thank you for the clarification! :thumbsup:

    I thought there was no such thing as a dumb question.

    I guess it depends on the question.
     

    OEH

    Active Member
    Nov 18, 2010
    353
    29B
    WTF, not at the OP, but the responses, he asked a valid question, and should have gotten an honest answer, not a mix of battered gun owner's fears, opinions, and misinformation.

    There is no LAW that criminalizes concealed carry via LTCF except for a couple very specific places, schools are a grey area, weapons are legally prohibited, but the law provides an "affirmative defense " while carrying for a lawful purpouse. Court rooms, Casinos, state and federal buildings, secure areas of Pittsburg INTL airport(ordinance may not be legal per PAUFA) and prisons are legally off limits. For the rest, if it sis private property, the owner can ask you to leave if you are carrying, and charge trespassing if you refuse, but that is about it, "no-weapons" signs or policies hold no legal weight. You should never trust any post or person to tell you what the law is, it's important that you know how to check it, and research it yourself.
    http://www.acslpa.org/html/pa_uniform_firearms_act.html

    The last couple times I have been to the Hershey Park, Zoo, and Chocolate world, even Busch Gardens VA, I was carrying concealed, as I do daily. I'm not sure if the stadium has detectors for every event or not. The culture up here(and in most of America) is different, firearms and carrying them is just an ordinary part of life for millions of PA residents, has been for as long as most can remember. Most places will even accomidate those who do carry, state law for instance requires lockers at court houses so citizens can secure their firearms in this legally off-limit place, and retrieve them as they leave. Hershey and some other places have little consistency to their security, last time I was there, they were checking bags, but that was it, I walked right by with my concealed M&P, no issue at all, if I saw a metal detector, I would have simply gotten out of line, weighed my desire for effective protection vs entry into the park, and either left, or simply put my pistol in the car, and re-entered. As a practical matter, you need to choose your concealment rig carefully, and if you are going on rides with it, make sure the retension setup is foolproof secure, I use a thumb break IWB with belt loops. If you need to take the gun off or put it on in the park, just bring a backpack(useful for extra clothes, sunscreen, camera stuff), go to the bathroom, put it in or take it out of the pack while in the stall, then you can secure the pack in a locker.

    Lots of buisnesses have BS lawyer inspired "no-weapons" policies, you would have to be the most anal person in the world to check and adhere to every single one, taking your gun off and putting it on constantly during the day. The way I see it a buisness has the right to request many things, that I buy their stuff, that I don't enter with a weapon, that I meet a dress-code, and a number of other things, I do not legally have to abide by their policies, although they can ask me to leave if I am discovered, and I would comply. The question of "why" do you need a firearm at a concert could potentially apply everywhere, the Brady campaign has certainly regurgitated that line enough. Defensive scenarios can and do happen anywhere and to anyone, especially in crowded locations, or more frequently in the large isolated area like parking lots that surround them. The simple solution is to carry everywhere we can, I personally draw the line at carrying everywhere I LEGALLY can, but to each their own. It's depressing that so many from MD's "gun rights" community ask why you need a gun, when most people in free states just say Why not? The best thing I hope for is to have my weapon, and never need it, the worst fear is to need it, and not have it.

    I nominate this post for post of the week. :party29:
     

    Chris0nllyn

    Banned
    BANNED!!!
    Mar 6, 2012
    1,285
    Calvert County
    Hell yeh I can't either. Besides the show I just got my va non res so this trip to pa will be my first experience with carrying!

    I recently got my Utah CCW permit, and I'm not sure if I'm going to carry.

    1, my gun is huge.
    2, I don't have a IWB holster yet.

    Are you getting a hotel up there? I'll be at the Rodeway Inn in Harrisburg. All the rooms around Hershey park are god awful expensive.
     

    Sharpster

    Active Member
    Jul 22, 2010
    393
    York, PA
    I recently got my Utah CCW permit, and I'm not sure if I'm going to carry.

    1, my gun is huge.
    2, I don't have a IWB holster yet.

    Are you getting a hotel up there? I'll be at the Rodeway Inn in Harrisburg. All the rooms around Hershey park are god awful expensive.

    I'm gonna carry as soon as cross state lines. Got myself an iwb. I will be getting a hotel just west of Hersey (forget the area, my girl booked it)
     

    Robert

    Having Fun Yet?
    May 11, 2011
    4,089
    AA County, MD
    WTF, not at the OP, but the responses, he asked a valid question, and should have gotten an honest answer, not a mix of battered gun owner's fears, opinions, and misinformation.

    There is no LAW that criminalizes concealed carry via LTCF except for a couple very specific places, schools are a grey area, weapons are legally prohibited, but the law provides an "affirmative defense " while carrying for a lawful purpouse. Court rooms, Casinos, state and federal buildings, secure areas of Pittsburg INTL airport(ordinance may not be legal per PAUFA) and prisons are legally off limits. For the rest, if it sis private property, the owner can ask you to leave if you are carrying, and charge trespassing if you refuse, but that is about it, "no-weapons" signs or policies hold no legal weight. You should never trust any post or person to tell you what the law is, it's important that you know how to check it, and research it yourself.
    http://www.acslpa.org/html/pa_uniform_firearms_act.html

    The last couple times I have been to the Hershey Park, Zoo, and Chocolate world, even Busch Gardens VA, I was carrying concealed, as I do daily. I'm not sure if the stadium has detectors for every event or not. The culture up here(and in most of America) is different, firearms and carrying them is just an ordinary part of life for millions of PA residents, has been for as long as most can remember. Most places will even accomidate those who do carry, state law for instance requires lockers at court houses so citizens can secure their firearms in this legally off-limit place, and retrieve them as they leave. Hershey and some other places have little consistency to their security, last time I was there, they were checking bags, but that was it, I walked right by with my concealed M&P, no issue at all, if I saw a metal detector, I would have simply gotten out of line, weighed my desire for effective protection vs entry into the park, and either left, or simply put my pistol in the car, and re-entered. As a practical matter, you need to choose your concealment rig carefully, and if you are going on rides with it, make sure the retension setup is foolproof secure, I use a thumb break IWB with belt loops. If you need to take the gun off or put it on in the park, just bring a backpack(useful for extra clothes, sunscreen, camera stuff), go to the bathroom, put it in or take it out of the pack while in the stall, then you can secure the pack in a locker.

    Lots of buisnesses have BS lawyer inspired "no-weapons" policies, you would have to be the most anal person in the world to check and adhere to every single one, taking your gun off and putting it on constantly during the day. The way I see it a buisness has the right to request many things, that I buy their stuff, that I don't enter with a weapon, that I meet a dress-code, and a number of other things, I do not legally have to abide by their policies, although they can ask me to leave if I am discovered, and I would comply. The question of "why" do you need a firearm at a concert could potentially apply everywhere, the Brady campaign has certainly regurgitated that line enough. Defensive scenarios can and do happen anywhere and to anyone, especially in crowded locations, or more frequently in the large isolated area like parking lots that surround them. The simple solution is to carry everywhere we can, I personally draw the line at carrying everywhere I LEGALLY can, but to each their own. It's depressing that so many from MD's "gun rights" community ask why you need a gun, when most people in free states just say Why not? The best thing I hope for is to have my weapon, and never need it, the worst fear is to need it, and not have it.

    :thumbsup: Agree, very good post. Also helps snap some of us back into reality. :D
     

    aray

    Ultimate Member
    Jun 6, 2010
    5,294
    MD -> KY
    alucard0822 is spot on. My brother works at Walt Disney World in Florida in security and he would give the same advice.

    And yes, as a private property owner WDW does provide lockers for guests to secure their weapons prior to park entry.
     

    smokey

    2A TEACHER
    Jan 31, 2008
    31,412
    I recently got my Utah CCW permit, and I'm not sure if I'm going to carry.

    1, my gun is huge.
    2, I don't have a IWB holster yet.

    Are you getting a hotel up there? I'll be at the Rodeway Inn in Harrisburg. All the rooms around Hershey park are god awful expensive.

    What gun do you have? Basspro recently started carrying desantis cozy partner iwb rigs(alucard's rig). If you need a pretty good holster in a hurry, swing by there on your way up. I know dan has a pretty good variety of holsters there too. Give gunconnection a call or pm to see what they have for you.

    It sucks you didn't have time yet to get your carry rig all set up already. When I started carrying, I gave myself opportunity to carry around my house for a while before going out with my chosen holster/ belt/ gun/ clothes. Things that were comfortable standing in front of a mirror were a pain in the side when I sat down. Other issues came up I didn't think of(like what to do with the gun/holster if I need to take a dump). It was nice being able to kind've work the kinks out in my place before going out for any extended period of time in the world where I'd be stuck with discomfort.

    After getting comfort and concealment, I ran the rig through some dryfire practice with snap caps. I then took the setup to the range to put it to use in a quick defensive pair placed on a target. Some things that aided in concealment, slowed me down bigtime drawing. Once I was confident, I gave IDPA a try with my carry rig to get more practice with it and become further familiar with refinements I needed to make.

    Before I did this, I researched the laws of the places I intended to carry. Once all the above was done, I felt comfortable carrying and handling the responsibility that goes along with carrying. Figure I'd just mention that as food for thought since you seem to be just starting off.


    For this thread, don't worry. You should've seen the responses in my thread when I asked if I could bring a friggin pocket knife on a cruise(for the record, yes you can). Some people on here are just plain idiots and don't/wont get it. There are also others that understand the relationship of freedom and responsibility in our society and will have no problem with responsible citizens empowering themselves.

    If you choose to carry, good luck and hope things work out for you. Remember, most people don't care or even notice if you have a bulge on your beltline. Most probably just assume it's a cell phone holster nowadays.
     

    Ruzo

    Ultimate Member
    Mar 12, 2011
    1,594
    Phoenix, MD.
    I thought there was no such thing as a dumb question.

    Boom Baby!!! Agreed. But on a serious note. I would consider leaving it. Are you planing to drink? Plus the way the gate check points have been, and I only go to sporting events, even if its legal why put up with the hassle of the 20 questions game you'll get? My opinion lock box in the car dude.
     

    Minuteman

    Member
    BANNED!!!
    alucard0822 is spot on. My brother works at Walt Disney World in Florida in security and he would give the same advice.

    And yes, as a private property owner WDW does provide lockers for guests to secure their weapons prior to park entry.

    This!

    And what Smokey said +2.

    NoGunBusinessCard.jpg
     

    Chris0nllyn

    Banned
    BANNED!!!
    Mar 6, 2012
    1,285
    Calvert County
    What gun do you have? Basspro recently started carrying desantis cozy partner iwb rigs(alucard's rig). If you need a pretty good holster in a hurry, swing by there on your way up. I know dan has a pretty good variety of holsters there too. Give gunconnection a call or pm to see what they have for you.

    It sucks you didn't have time yet to get your carry rig all set up already. When I started carrying, I gave myself opportunity to carry around my house for a while before going out with my chosen holster/ belt/ gun/ clothes. Things that were comfortable standing in front of a mirror were a pain in the side when I sat down. Other issues came up I didn't think of(like what to do with the gun/holster if I need to take a dump). It was nice being able to kind've work the kinks out in my place before going out for any extended period of time in the world where I'd be stuck with discomfort.

    After getting comfort and concealment, I ran the rig through some dryfire practice with snap caps. I then took the setup to the range to put it to use in a quick defensive pair placed on a target. Some things that aided in concealment, slowed me down bigtime drawing. Once I was confident, I gave IDPA a try with my carry rig to get more practice with it and become further familiar with refinements I needed to make.

    Before I did this, I researched the laws of the places I intended to carry. Once all the above was done, I felt comfortable carrying and handling the responsibility that goes along with carrying. Figure I'd just mention that as food for thought since you seem to be just starting off.


    For this thread, don't worry. You should've seen the responses in my thread when I asked if I could bring a friggin pocket knife on a cruise(for the record, yes you can). Some people on here are just plain idiots and don't/wont get it. There are also others that understand the relationship of freedom and responsibility in our society and will have no problem with responsible citizens empowering themselves.

    If you choose to carry, good luck and hope things work out for you. Remember, most people don't care or even notice if you have a bulge on your beltline. Most probably just assume it's a cell phone holster nowadays.

    Well, first off, I only have my brick aka Hi-Point C9. I don't plan on making that my CC gun, so I don't really want to buy a holster for it. Eventually, I want to get either the S&W M&P Shield, or the XDs as my carry gun.

    Thanks for the advice, and I plan on doing all of what you stated as far as getting acclimated with the holster, the weapon, and different draw scenarios.

    Too much training is never a bad thing right? :D

    I may bring my gun, with the OWB holster I ahve for it already, and just leave it in the car, and keep in the hotel room with us.

    Boom Baby!!! Agreed. But on a serious note. I would consider leaving it. Are you planing to drink? Plus the way the gate check points have been, and I only go to sporting events, even if its legal why put up with the hassle of the 20 questions game you'll get? My opinion lock box in the car dude.

    I will most definately be drinking, and that's my tentative plan as of now.
     

    xd40c

    Business Owner-Gun Toter
    Sep 20, 2007
    2,067
    East Earl, PA
    From Hershey Parks FAQ
    What items are restricted at Hersheypark?
    For your safety, ALL hand-carried items, including backpacks and belt bags, are subject to search. Metal detection equipment may be used. Weapons of any type, laser pointers, radios and/or sound emitting, electronic devices, and skate shoes (Heely's) are not permitted. Locker storage is available at the outside picnic areas and guests are encouraged to keep nonessential items in their vehicles. Other than one sealed water bottle per person, Hersheypark does not permit food or drink to be brought into the Park. Guests with special dietary needs can review our food and beverage information.

    As Alucard stated, not much they can do other than ask you to leave. If you refuse, then you could face a trespassing charge (Of course if your willing to take it this far, you'll probably want to give the cops a ration when they show....leading to who knows what). For myself, I usually abide by these restrictions.
     

    xd40c

    Business Owner-Gun Toter
    Sep 20, 2007
    2,067
    East Earl, PA
    Just a neat little fact about Milton Hershey:

    When he passed, the Milton Hershey School was given controlling interest of the Hershey Chocolate Co. (I'm not sure what the true name of the company was). This school orginally catered to orphans (specifically white orphans), but now I believe it has expanded to other disadvantage youth as well. If you've ever been by the place, it is immaculate. Over the course of these many years the trust fund has grown to the point where now, the school can not spend all of the income it receives from the trust fund (rumored to be six billion +). And the shcool also owns the the ammusment park and many of the surrounding hotels.
     

    teratos

    My hair is amazing
    MDS Supporter
    Patriot Picket
    Jan 22, 2009
    59,775
    Bel Air
    We ask people to respect our Second Amendment rights. Should we not, in turn, respect their rights to set their rules on their property? If their rules are "no weapons", then those rules should be followed. You would expect the same of people coming on to your own property. If you disagree that strongly, do no patronize the park. I think the "I'll carry anyway" attitude is a poor one, and reflects poorly on the gun community. :sad20:
     

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