Actually in Texas I believe business owners have the right to deny you carrying in their establishments, provided they have the proper signage up.
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Actually in Texas I believe business owners have the right to deny you carrying in their establishments, provided they have the proper signage up.
The sign itself doesn't ban you though. The owner can do something as simple as saying "hey" and pointing at the sign, but the sign itself doesn't count. I imagine it is more a protection to people who carry, because the sign may be in a hard to see place and sometimes people like to immediately call the cops.
I would say you are correct Gelston, the owner has the right to tell you to leave if you are carrying, the sign is what tells you that the owner does not want you to carry. Having said that if you go into an establishment that is clearly marked by signage then it is a violation of the law and it is a Class A misdemeanor, unless it serves alcohol, then it is a third degree felony.
One of you lawdogs clear this up for me?
I can put up a "No Smoking" sign in my quickie mart, and if some mofo comes in and lights up, what is my recourse? Assume my quickie mart is in Oklahoma, which prohibits local governments from regulating smoking at all (according to wiki).
I can put up a "No concealed firearms" sign in my quickie mart, and if some mofo comes in with a concealed firearm and I see it (somehow, but still "concealed"), what is my recourse?
I can put up a "No concealed firearms" sign in my quickie mart, and if some mofo comes in with a holstered firearm in plain view, he's not breaking the law, or my sign - but I don't want no firearms here, what is my recourse?
The answer for all those is tell them to leave, if they refuse, call the police. Trespassing is trespassing.
It is specific to each state/municipality, but Gelston is is right in that, you can always tell anyone to leave, unless they are a gay couple that wants you to bake cake for their wedding, then you have to serve them, but I digress.
Under Federal Law - The Federal Civil Rights Act guarantees all people the right to "full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations of any place of public accommodation, without discrimination or segregation on the ground of race, color, religion, or national origin."
You can add sexual orientation to that now, but smoking and the carrying of weapons does not fall under that.