Tell Us: Does Promenade Policy Interfere with Conceal and Carry?
Gun owners object to shopping center's "Rule #13," which states "weapons including guns... may be confiscated and given to proper authorities."
A recent thread on the Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association (PAFOA) Discussion Forum has members taking a closer look at the Promenade Shops of Saucon Valley's Code of Conduct.
In a message board thread on the titled "Center Valley Promenade Shops don't allow guns, but is their policy legal?" board member WolfMacabre9 wrote about the policy.
"I understand that it is private property and that they are within their rights to say no firearms, but are they legally able to confiscate my firearm? I don't plan on going there anymore because I don't like to support anti-gun supporters, it just doesn't seem legal to me though that they could confiscate a firearm."
The policy, known on the discussion board as "#13," reads, "Any weapon such as guns, knives, swords, laser pointers, and any other items that can harm the customer wil be confiscated and given to proper authorities."
The discussion thread mirrors a similar discussion about carrying concealed weapons on the Rail Trail in Hellertown and Upper Saucon earlier this summer.
A representative of the Promenade Shops confirmed that the Code of Conduct has been in place since the shopping center opened in 2006. They did not calls for comment.
Several contributors to the discussion thread confirmed that they have visited the Promenade with a concealed weapon and had no issue. A few writers commented on recent killings including the Aurora movie theater shootings and the weekend attack on a Sikh temple that left six dead as well as the shooter.
Some forum members, such as Ten*K, stated that unless they are allowed to bring concealed weapons to the Promenade, they won't be returning.
"The moral of the story: If you don't like the rules the property owner places upon entry - don't go there. Your property right to keep and bear doesn't trump his property right to manage his kingdom."
What do you think of the Promenade's Code of Conduct? How do you feel about the policy to confiscate weapons? Tell us in the comments below.
Scott Diehl
8:03 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
So what does the Prom think they will accomplish with rule #13? Do they really think that they are going to stop anything bad from happening? Doubtful in my opinion. Not arguing their right to make the rule but really you think it does any good? What it does is alienate gun owners. So you think the store owner at the Prom or the clerk that leaves late at night isn’t packing? Of course they are. So ultimately you don’t know who is packing or not. And I don’t think it matters. So this is a stupid rule. I hope the mentally deranged person that malicious intends to harm someone at the Prom, reads this rule first. It is sure to make it a safer place. NOT!!!!!
Robert Stang
8:16 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
I don't think they should be able to confiscate weapons. Maybe give the option to return weapon to car or leave. If its private property you don't want to violate someone else s rights a the same time.
Notbornyesterday
8:55 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Similar to what we told our kids - our house, our rules. Don't like the rule, don't shop there. More parking for the rest of us!
Chandler
9:05 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
How is anyone going to know? I seriously doubt anyone would ever know or even suspect that was legally carrying. Are they going to start searching people?
Resident of Hosensack
9:11 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Are these gun owners flashing their concealed weapons? If u have a permit to carry you should keep your permit with u. You have to show your drivers license if stopped. Just make sure your AK whatever machine gun isnt stiicking out of your purse or jacket. Keep it concealed and it wont be confiscated...or just shop somewhere else!
John Fox
11:56 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
I think this is actually the most logical approach to it. This is private property they have the right to prevent people from bringing gun onto their property. (confiscating is a different story) If they don't know you have it, how will they stop you?
slyfox
11:53 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
I also have a permit to carry but my employer forbids any type of weapons on company property. Funny thing though, right outside my window I see long metal poles, rusty strips of metal, huge wrenches, box knives, corded wire, drills and saws.
John Fox
12:07 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
The irony of that situation is overwhelming isn't it?
Mike Zweifel
4:43 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Another example of the good people not carrying but the ones who want to cause trouble will carry. If everyone carried, the bad people would think twice about causing trouble.
Gary K
5:17 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
So if I am there unarmed as the owner requires and criminal shows up with no intent of following any law and harms myself or my family, am I then able to sue the owner for leaving me defenseless? And if I can't sue them, why are they not providing a reasonable degree of protection in the form of armed security patrols?
Shane
9:40 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
If I could carry a police officer on my hip I would...so....I carry...always. End of story.