Posted: 5/24/2007 7:11:45 AM EDT
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I'm heading to Busch stadium this weekend and wanted to know what the entrance to the facility is like. Does everyone get a pat down? Are some people wanded? Are there walk-through metal detectors? Are there "No CCW" signs? If so, are they big enough to meet the legal requirements? I won't be carrying anything like a backpack, diaper bag, etc.... Thanks fellas. |
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From this page: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/stl/ballpark/ballpark_guide.jsp#c Firearms/Weapons "Firearms or weapons of any kind are not permitted in Busch Stadium." don't know how it works, I don't have a CCW so I don't look into it much. But i doubt they would look highly upon it. |
Even when its against state law? Not the 30.06 posted sign rule, where you are kicked out of the mall or something minor like that, but against the law? Just curious. |
Actually, I checked packing.org and there according to them there is an exception for those that have CCW permits. Pretty cool if it's the law. Busch stadium is private property. So even if they have signs and they "catch" me with a pistol, the only thing they can do is ask me to leave. If I refuse, then I get a trespassing charge. Same way here in VA. |
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I don't know how much clearer it can be: 571.107. 1. A concealed carry endorsement issued pursuant to sections 571.101 to 571.121 or a concealed carry endorsement or permit issued by another state or political subdivision of another state shall authorize the person in whose name the permit or endorsement is issued to carry concealed firearms on or about his or her person or vehicle throughout the state. No driver's license or nondriver's license containing a concealed carry endorsement issued pursuant to sections 571.101 to 571.121 or a concealed carry endorsement or permit issued by another state or political subdivision of another state shall authorize any person to carry concealed firearms into: (16) Any sports arena or stadium with a seating capacity of five thousand or more. Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises; |
This is what I was talking about with the being asked to leave provision: Date updated: Aug 26, 2005 @ 8:43 pm 571.107 Endorsement does not authorize concealed firearms, where: (1) Any Police, Sheriff, or Highway Patrol Office or Station, (2) Within twenty-five feet of any Polling Place on any Election Day. (3) Any Correctional Facility. (4) Any Courthouse or Building used by a Court. (5) Any Government Meeting including State Legislature. (6) Government Owned Buildings Except Public Housing. (7) Bars. (8) Secured parts of Airports. (9) Prohibited by Federal Law; (10) All Schools (Including Colleges); (11) Child Care Facilities. (12) Casino (13) Amusement Park. (14) Any Church (15) Private Property with 11X14 sign with one inch letters. (16) Arenas and Stadiums seating over 5,000. (17)Publicly accessible Hospitals. Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises; is applicable to Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 above. Carrying of a concealed firearm in a location specified in subdivisions 1) to (17) of subsection 20 of this section by any individual who holds concealed carry endorsement issued pursuant to this section shall not be a criminal act but may subject the person to denial to the premises or removal from the premises. If you refuse to leave after being asked and the police are called, you will be fined $100. Second such offense in 6 months is $200 fine and suspension of permit. Third offense in 12 months is $500 fine and loss of permit for 3 years. Law On No Gun Signs |
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Only went to one game, last year, and there were no pat downs or wanding that I went through or saw. I had a small shoulder bag with binoculars, cigars, cell phone and other stuff someone looked into for a second. At the gate the guy scanned the ticket, I went through the turnstile and that was it. |
Yep, but that WASN'T HIS QUESTION, lol!  I have made a personal desicion to NEVER go unarmed. I will not ever let ANYONE dictate to me when/where I protect myself. I carried everyday at my last job (forbidden), even before MO had CCW. I will chance being asked to leave, or worse case (gasp!) a TICKET, so I can protect myself, and my loved ones. It is a personal choice, and I do not judge anyone who doesn't choose the same as I do. |
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From an LEO who actually works there.... let me gaze into my crystal ball.... oooohhh yes, the answer is coming clear. If you are LEO off duty, no prob carrying into the stadium. If you are CCW and are found to be in possession of a firearm, you will be asked to leave and come back unarmed. If you refuse, you will not be permitted inside the stadium. But, They do not pat down unless they are expecting profile guests, ie president, dignitary, the supreme allied commander. You know, important people. You will be asked to leave the property by one of the ushers, escorted by one of us St. Louis's Finest. If you are polite and obey all commands after Simon Says, simply ask, "May I go through the pass out gate in order to secure my weapon and return to the game?" They will most likely say yes. If you are beligerent and challenge everything that is good including your right to occupy space, breath oxygen, carry a gun where ever you want, your "privelege" to be inside the stadium will be revoked. Bottom line is this, don't bring a gun to the game and don't leave one in your car (I'd hate to see anyone get their car stolen with a gun in there.) If anything happens to you inside the stadium, like your wallet getting pulled or whatever, you'll have a hard enough time trying to catch the dude in the crowd, much less pulling a gun on them. If you are worried about after game extracirriculars, travel in packs. Later. |
I understand your decision, and I agree with you totally on protecting yourself and your family. However if a private business posts no CCW, I don't do it anyway. I find it disrespectful to the business owner. I don't agree with his/her thinking, but I should respect another person's wishes about their private property and what takes place there, just as I would expect someone to respect my wishes in my own home. If they have posted no CCW, it's an easy decision for me. I either leave it in the car, or I take my business somewhere else. |
I find it disrespectful another person telling me my life or the life of my family isn't worth protecting. Like you, I would happily take my business elsewhere. Someone tells me my life isn't worth much, I am not crazy about giving them money... Cavalry99, please don't take my posts as disrespect, or my trying to "call you out". I respect your opinion, and am glad you are one of the good guys. I simply was raised to protect me and mine, at any cost. As Kujoe stated, if found, you will be asked to leave. Seems like a risk I am willing to take; possibly save my life, versus being asked to leave. YMMV. |
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Like Kujoe, I am a uniformed SLPD officer who works at the Stadium. I've worked off-duty for the Cardinals for 23 years. During that time, the only person ever shot by a weapon was an off-duty officer who dropped his pistol while taking a dump in the men's room. I am fully in favor of the concealed carry law in Missouri but I agree with some of the posters that you should obey the law and the wishes of a private property owner - The Cardinals. If you believe you have the right to protect yourself and family 24/7 to the extent that you must violate the laws of the people, then maybe you should stay home with your family and avoid the risk of a Cardinal baseball game. I would estimate that I've worked over 800 games and have responded to all kinds of disturbances, fights, drunks, and other incidents. There has never been an incident where a victim needed a concealed weapon. The stadium is a very safe place and there's no need for people to bring weapons into the facility. Not only is it clearly prohibited by law, but also the property owners expressly restrict them on site. |
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I am fine with anyone who wishes to follow the letter of the law. The "only time a shot was fired" story is not comforting. I don't want to be your "this guy should have had a gun so he wouldn't have been shot in the face" story. It only takes one time, and I sure don't want to be it. It may be a "very safe place", but I personally know of 2 stabbings (one near fatal) in the parking area at the Stadium. Let's not forget my cousin, who was attacked with a pipe after a Chief's game, at his car, in KC. Shit happens to good people too. Unless the plainclothes, off-duty guys are gonna personally walk me from my car and to my seat, then back again, I am responsible for my own safety. Again, it is MY PERSONAL OPINION. No flak for anyone who chooses otherwise. Oh, and I'm glad there is a good AR15 Presence there! You guys have a hard job to do, and I applaud you for it. Keep safe. Okay, I'm done with the hijack! Anyone is welcome to PM me with comments questions. |
There are competing harms at work here. The harm of breaking the Missouri concealed carry statute vs. the harm of not being able to protect my family and me from a violent attack. You're the expert on Busch Stadium so I defer to you. On the other hand, I'm not aware of any special crime-free zones in downtown STL so I completely understand why people would choose to be armed in that environment, irrespective of any statute. For me, I would take your advice and just stay home. |
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Well, I'm back. This thread took on a life of it's own while I was gone. I like to see discussions like this. It's gets other people thinking, even if you don't agree with them. For the record. There were no pat downs or wands. If you were carrying a purse, diaper bag, camera bag, etc.....they will take a quick peek. I had a great time and the family is thinking of making it a yearly event. |
DING DING DING DING!! We have a WINNER!  Even the courts have stated several times that the popo has no responsibility for your individual protection, just "society as a whole".Make your life choices accordingly. |
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Just ask yourself what is bigger, the odds or the stakes? Glad you had a good time at the game. To the officer that posted above stating that it was a very safe place and there was no need to bring weapons, I say this, respectfully: That is your qualified opinion, and only that. As a peace officer, you know that bad people do crazy shit pretty much everywhere, with little regard to time of day, location, etc.. Ward Parkway mall was shot up recently in the middle of a beautiful sunday afternoon. NEVER GO UN-ARMED. As a man, a husband, a father, it is your duty to protect yourself and your loved ones. |