Man with a a loaded gun arrested at Disneyland

[wilkeliza]

The threat of something like this has always scared me. I was looking up Disney security last year and came across a gun owner forum where a bunch of people were talking about wanting to carry their guns into the parks, and asking about security. A couple guys said they regularly carry in guns to the park strapped to their leg, and no one ever checks for them. Made it sound super easy.

I think security should be beefed up big time. However it'll probably take something tragic to happen before they make the changes necessary to ensure guns stay out of Disneyland.

Just know that while some have slipped through, the plain clothed officers do a phenomenal job. Working pretty closely with security I got to hear many of the stories of stuff they had taken off of people. Know that CMs are watching everyone and have codes to call so no one around them but other CMs know what is going on. I think it speaks more to the arrogance of gun owners who want to conceal carry at a theme park and less about the ability of the security at Disney. Just remember anyone can write something online and claim they easily did it but that doesn't make it true.

 

[Comicbookmommy]

Just know that while some have slipped through, the plain clothed officers do a phenomenal job. Working pretty closely with security I got to hear many of the stories of stuff they had taken off of people. Know that CMs are watching everyone and have codes to call so no one around them but other CMs know what is going on. I think it speaks more to the arrogance of gun owners who want to conceal carry at a theme park and less about the ability of the security at Disney. Just remember anyone can write something online and claim they easily did it but that doesn't make it true.

Thank you that does help, I really do hope they are extremely on top of this kind of stuff.

I don't want to start of a debate here of any kind ( as I know this kind of thing easily turns into one), but just in my opinion I wish there were stricter gun laws. Australia enforced strong laws in this area almost a decade ago and have had ZERO mass shootings since. I wish America was the same.

 

[jeanico2000]

I find it a bit difficult to comprehend how this can be taken lightly in light of what's been happening around the world lately, aimed at killing tourists. In "Disney security we trust" is so out of touch with the real dangers of a gun toting fanatic getting into the parks that it boggles the mind to read things like "while some have slipped through, the plain clothed officers do a phenomenal job". It only takes one to slip through... OMG, I don't even want to think of what could have happened here. Metal detectors are what should be put in place, to aid all those undeniably hard working security folks, because no-one has x-ray vision and, like some of the previous posters said, you can strap a weapon to your leg or carry it in your cargo pant pocket. Plus if someone should start shooting in Disneyland during the parade or fireworks, not only will people die by bullet, but you will have many more innocent victims that will get trampled underfoot because the crow levels are insane in the park around that time and, frankly, panicking people don't think. This is a very scary bit of news to me.

 

[wilkeliza]

I find it a bit difficult to comprehend how this can be taken lightly in light of what's been happening around the world lately, aimed at killing tourists. In "Disney security we trust" is so out of touch with the real dangers of a gun toting fanatic getting into the parks that it boggles the mind to read things like "while some have slipped through, the plain clothed officers do a phenomenal job". It only takes one to slip through... OMG, I don't even want to think of what could have happened here. Metal detectors are what should be put in place, to aid all those undeniably hard working security folks, because no-one has x-ray vision and, like some of the previous posters said, you can strap a weapon to your leg or carry it in your cargo pant pocket. Plus if someone should start shooting in Disneyland during the parade or fireworks, not only will people die by bullet, but you will have many more innocent victims that will get trampled underfoot because the crow levels are insane in the park around that time and, frankly, panicking people don't think. This is a very scary bit of news to me.

I'm not saying I trust Disney security 100% but I was trying to help someone who was clearly upset and worried realize that this isn't an everyday occurrence at the Disney parks.

Plus lets remember it was stopped before anything happened. No amount of security in the world is going to stop everything. Remember a guy made it all the way into the White House with a weapon and they have the most security anywhere. I just try to focus on the big picture and pray every day that something doesn't happen at Disney.

 

[BostonJP]

I find it a bit difficult to comprehend how this can be taken lightly in light of what's been happening around the world lately, aimed at killing tourists. In "Disney security we trust" is so out of touch with the real dangers of a gun toting fanatic getting into the parks that it boggles the mind to read things like "while some have slipped through, the plain clothed officers do a phenomenal job". It only takes one to slip through... OMG, I don't even want to think of what could have happened here. Metal detectors are what should be put in place, to aid all those undeniably hard working security folks, because no-one has x-ray vision and, like some of the previous posters said, you can strap a weapon to your leg or carry it in your cargo pant pocket. Plus if someone should start shooting in Disneyland during the parade or fireworks, not only will people die by bullet, but you will have many more innocent victims that will get trampled underfoot because the crow levels are insane in the park around that time and, frankly, panicking people don't think. This is a very scary bit of news to me.

The thing to keep in mind is that Disney management knows that their parks are possible targets for violence or terrorism. There are many highly specialized employees at corporate and ground level whose jobs are to watch for and mitigate threats.

Meanwhile, your local shopping mall is protected by Loss Prevention associates and a few minimum wage security guys on Segways.

We live in a pretty scary culture where concerns like yours aren't unfounded. I work in criminal justice and speak frequently about issues of violence like workplace shootings, and my job wouldn't exist if it weren't for the reality within your concerns. But please do not let one armed idiot sully your view of the organization when in reality, you're probably safer there than at the local shopping mall.

 

[disneychrista]

This is the problem with "bag searches" anyone can still carry anything they want on their body. They do need metal detectors to really weed out these things. I have read several stories on the DIS or other message boards about someone who found they had a pocket knife in their pocket or purse that was missed by security.

 

[T0rrent]

Metal detectors are not full proof. They are better than the body scanners at airports, but when it comes down to it, there is no such thing as 100% security. It is very easy to get things past a metal detector. No matter where you go, unless they do full body cavity searches before you enter, there is always a chance of someone sneaking something in. It's one thing to be alert and aware of your surroundings, it's another to be paranoid about what if's that will most likely never happen.

 

[jeanico2000]

Metal detectors are not full proof. They are better than the body scanners at airports, but when it comes down to it, there is no such thing as 100% security. It is very easy to get things past a metal detector. No matter where you go, unless they do full body cavity searches before you enter, there is always a chance of someone sneaking something in. It's one thing to be alert and aware of your surroundings, it's another to be paranoid about what if's that will most likely never happen.

In all due respect, metal detectors are much more efficient that a cursory bag search at the gate, even if they are not fool proof. No one is paranoid, until the unthinkable happens... and then it's too late

 

[Tinkerbell19672]

Thank you that does help, I really do hope they are extremely on top of this kind of stuff.

I don't want to start of a debate here of any kind ( as I know this kind of thing easily turns into one), but just in my opinion I wish there were stricter gun laws. Australia enforced strong laws in this area almost a decade ago and have had ZERO mass shootings since. I wish America was the same.

I agree!

 

[Geemo]

We like that Disney has plain clothes officers through out the DLR area. We have seen them in action on one trip. They know their stuff. Who knew the guy in shorts, Hawaiian shirt, ball cap and sunglasses was Disney Security! We didn't until the uniformed officers showed up to take over.

I feel safer on a trip to Disney (once I'm there) than I do anywhere else.

Geemo

 

[Comicbookmommy]

Are the security guards allowed to do something in the event of an armed gunman? Meaning do they have means to take action, or do they call the police and wait for them to handle the situation?

 

[wilkeliza]

Are the security guards allowed to do something in the event of an armed gunman? Meaning do they have means to take action, or do they call the police and wait for them to handle the situation?

Since it is private property they are allowed take action and detain but they have to call the police to meet them for further assistance. In WDW police take no time at all as they are sitting in cruisers all over property and in DLR it is even faster. Disney security doesn't have much though to stop anyone besides physical force.

 

[mousehockey37]

We like that Disney has plain clothes officers through out the DLR area. We have seen them in action on one trip. They know their stuff. Who knew the guy in shorts, Hawaiian shirt, ball cap and sunglasses was Disney Security! We didn't until the uniformed officers showed up to take over.

I feel safer on a trip to Disney (once I'm there) than I do anywhere else.

Geemo

It's the same in WDW. I had the unfortunate but reassuring interaction where I went through the bag check with my camera bag and was cleared. Not 2 steps from the table, I kid you not, 2 steps I was stopped by a gentleman in plain clothes asking what was under my shirt on my hip. It was my cell phone in its belt clip and I showed the officer, as well as when questioned what the square shaped thing in my cargo shorts was, I replied and showed him my wallet.

Talk about a wave of panic and somewhat embarrassment, but I didn't have anything to hide and didn't make a scene out of it. It was weird and I know why I was stopped, but it definitely caught me off guard.

 

[GatorChris]

This is the problem with "bag searches" anyone can still carry anything they want on their body. They do need metal detectors to really weed out these things. I have read several stories on the DIS or other message boards about someone who found they had a pocket knife in their pocket or purse that was missed by security.

I've never believed the bag searches were for guns. I believe they're more for bomb security. That's what I'd expect to be carried in a bag - not a gun. Gun owners and people with concealed carry permits carry them on their person usually. And I'm willing to bet that Disney is secretly OK with that. The greatest deterrent of gun violence has always been that someone else has a bigger gun to nail you with. That said, people have become pretty crazy these days to where I'm not sure that the "War Games - mutually assured destruction" deterrent exists for these nut jobs. Their mission or delusion, whichever it is (maybe both), may be to die trying. For that, there is no real security. We can add security, put people in more lines, and the crazies will just find another way around it. The only thing that saves me and you is if everyone else loves life like we do.

 

[wilkeliza]

I've never believed the bag searches were for guns. I believe they're more for bomb security. That's what I'd expect to be carried in a bag - not a gun. Gun owners and people with concealed carry permits carry them on their person usually. And I'm willing to bet that Disney is secretly OK with that. The greatest deterrent of gun violence has always been that someone else has a bigger gun to nail you with. That said, people have become pretty crazy these days to where I'm not sure that the "War Games - mutually assured destruction" deterrent exists for these nut jobs. Their mission or delusion, whichever it is (maybe both), may be to die trying. For that, there is no real security. We can add security, put people in more lines, and the crazies will just find another way around it. The only thing that saves me and you is if everyone else loves life like we do.

Disney is not okay with people carrying in the parks. If they didn't care there wouldn't be a policy written out banning guns including concealed ones.

 

[BostonJP]

Take 30,000 young children and 30,000 grownups, throw them in a fenced in area with long waits and overpriced fast food, and raise the temperature to 100 degrees. Not sure anybody would be ok with adding handguns to that scenario.

 

[VandVsmama]

Here is a 30-page thread full of tales of Disney undercover security doing their job. Disneyland is one of the safest places around, in my opinion. There is no need for metal detectors...they KNOW when a person is concealing a weapon just based on how they stand, how they walk, and how they carry themselves. Many are retired military and retired law enforcement.

And when you go through bag check, there's not just looking at what's in your bag. While you're in line, security is watching you, watching your behavior, your demeanor, etc. They are paying attention to body language...just like the tales my college professor used to tell us about going through airport security in Tel Aviv.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/bad-boys-bad-boys-undercover-security.2465936/

 

[whoever]

Bad things can happen any time, anywhere. All the screenings in the world aren't going to stop it.

 

[Plaid Princess]

Bag check is a joke. The system needs a total revamp but then it's going to take much longer to get in and people will complain about that. It would also give off the danger vibe which would cancel out the "this is magical place, nothing bad will happen here vibe." I suspect the latter is why they don't do it.

Bag check is just like TSA... a pointless "visible" layer of security in place as a deterrent. They're never going to catch everything. What it does to is slow all the park guests down and contain them for a few seconds so that the Undercover security can eyeball them and look for any weirdos. And they are very good at what they do.

I don't agree that this was "covered up". What good comes from some hack 'news' person sensationalizing this story? And a successful conclusion was reached--the guy was stopped.?

My thoughts exactly. They don't report every time they take a gun off someone, because that is a non-event (which is several times a day, as people who conceal carry must lock their guns up with security before entering the park).

My own personal opinion is that security at Disney parks is better than at your average American airport. Disney employees have a lot of situational awareness. Way more than your average TSA agent at a US airport.

It's pretty amazing, if you know who the plainclothes officers are, to watch them work. Most of them are current or former police or military. They are very highly trained, and very good at their jobs. I work in Aviation, and I'll say right now that Disney security is far better than most airports.

This is the problem with "bag searches" anyone can still carry anything they want on their body. They do need metal detectors to really weed out these things. I have read several stories on the DIS or other message boards about someone who found they had a pocket knife in their pocket or purse that was missed by security.

I've walked through metal detectors with pocket knives and mace personally... they don't do anything that the existing security isn't going to stop.

 

[whoever]

Here's how things should work. Bad guy comes in... good guys step up and end the problem.

http://www.breitbart.com/national-s...n-terrorist-and-beat-him-unconscious-with-it/