Carry in Private Clubs?

[dflanigan]

Hello all,

This is my first post - but I look forward to spending more time here.

A quick question, if I may. I am a member at a local health club which has a sign that they "Prohibit Firearms". This notice is posted at the doors, but is not in the 30.06 format required for public places. Since this is a member only facility do the same rules that apply to a public location apply here? There was nothing in my member ship contract about firearms, the posting at the door is the only mention I can find.

So, bottom line, can I carry (with my CHL of course) is such a location?

Also, don't worry - I don't actually go to the gym armed - usually. I do not like the idea of leaving my handgun in a gym locker when I work out. I tend to leave it locked in the car. This is more a matter of curiosity.

Thanks, in advance, for any help or advice.

David
http://www.flanigan.net/firearms/

[BigDan]

I believe that legally you can't get into trouble for carrying unless you see the 51% sign (not going to be present at a fitness club, but it would be a fun theme) or the 30.06 sign.

However, in the eyes of the club, you may be violating your membership agreement if anywhere in the contract it mentions weapons on the premises. If it is mentioned, you could lose your membership for carrying inside.

=-]

[DoubleActionCHL]

On my second visit to LA Fitness, my truck was broken into and several items stolen. I have a small gun safe cabled to the rear seat support; they clipped it easily and stole the safe. Good thing it was empty. A couple of weeks later, my wife re-entered the ladies locker room to find many of the locks cut off an on the floor. Management seemed unconcerned.

I bought a fanny pack to wear when I work out. I'm not leaving it in my truck, and not leaving it in the locker. Knowing the crime that seems to take place around there, I'm darn sure not going unarmed. If they think I'm carrying, they can cancel my contract; I'll happily go elsewhere. The language in the contract does not conform to 30.06, so short of verbal notice, there is no fear of criminal trespassing by a license holder.

[BigDan]

they clipped it easily and stole the safe...my wife re-entered the ladies locker room to find many of the locks cut off an on the floor. Management seemed unconcerned.

Scary thoughts indeed!! =-o

I may have to reconsider how I do things at the gym. That's one of the few places I don't carry, but leave it "locked up". Your solution works well. I don't care how I look when I'm working out anyway. Plus, I hate having one of those dumb arm bands for my ipod. That's reason enough right there!! =-D

I've been working with a friend of mine to make a better safe for my gun in my Expedition. I basically just wanted it keyed for now and make it so that when the door opens, there's springs at the back and a drawer-type mechanism to bring the tray forward. This way, I don't have to pull the safe into my lap, it's bolted to the frame, etc. I may have to get back to work on this...

[NcongruNt]

they clipped it easily and stole the safe...my wife re-entered the ladies locker room to find many of the locks cut off an on the floor. Management seemed unconcerned.

Scary thoughts indeed!! =-o

I may have to reconsider how I do things at the gym. That's one of the few places I don't carry, but leave it "locked up". Your solution works well. I don't care how I look when I'm working out anyway. Plus, I hate having one of those dumb arm bands for my ipod. That's reason enough right there!! =-D

I've been working with a friend of mine to make a better safe for my gun in my Expedition. I basically just wanted it keyed for now and make it so that when the door opens, there's springs at the back and a drawer-type mechanism to bring the tray forward. This way, I don't have to pull the safe into my lap, it's bolted to the frame, etc. I may have to get back to work on this...

I have a GunVault in my van under the seat that's bolted in place. I'm not sure how much room is under the seats of an Expedition, but you may consider having something permanently affixed to the seat frame or the floor pan. For me, the seat has a rigid sheet metal frame underneath the seat that's securely bolted to the floor, and the seat is bolted to the frame. The GunVault comes with a template to make a mounting plate and is pre-drilled for it, so I took a sheet of 20ga. steel and made a plate that fits the shape of the top of the seat frame. I drilled holes in the sheet metal to match the seat bolts, bolted the safe to the sheet and then sandwiched the sheet (with the safe attached) between the seat and the frame below. The sheet metal is situated that it's not accesible with cutters, the seat bolts aren't easily accessible with wrenches or sockets (it took me quite a while with a ratchet, extensions and a couple of universal joint adapters to get the seat bolted back, far too much work and time for a smash & grab), used round head bolts with the nuts facing inside for the safe mounting. This makes it a very difficult ordeal short of power tools to get the safe or its contents. Here's what it looks like (sorry about the dirtiness of the car )




If you can't fit a safe there, you may consider mounting it directly to the floor in the back. You can generally find a good spot that's out of the way in the back of large vehicles that has an unobstructed place to drill holes and attach bolts through and below.

[Venus Pax]

On my second visit to LA Fitness, my truck was broken into and several items stolen. I have a small gun safe cabled to the rear seat support; they clipped it easily and stole the safe. Good thing it was empty. A couple of weeks later, my wife re-entered the ladies locker room to find many of the locks cut off an on the floor. Management seemed unconcerned.

Is there another gym that might better appreciate your monthly dues?

[DoubleActionCHL]

Is there another gym that might better appreciate your monthly dues?

Not close to my house, but I'm looking.

[bdickens]

NcongruNt: man, you need to clean out the car. Looks like a good setup, though.

[Captain Matt]

Nice setup but you're supposed to use a cover garment not cover garbage.