Carrying Guns

[3 MEN AND A BOAT]

Years ago we drove to WDW from NJ. My XH is law enforcement and licensed to carry. He brought the gun for the trip since we were driving at night. We stored it in the room safe. Never even thought it could be an issue since we were responsible gun owners.

This is what I have done also, and will continue to do on future trips. I lock it up with other valuables like extra cash and credit cards I don't want to carry with me all day.

 

[Hikergirl]

I'm not sure who you are directing this toward? No one who has responded to this thread has advocated circumventing WDW rules and bringing guns on property. The OP simply stated this was being discussed on another social media forum and wanted clarification on how WDW's policies were being enforced.

Yeah I was confused by that as well.

Last time I was there was in 2016 and only Epcot and only entering and exiting through IG. Every guest had to go through metal detectors. Does that apply to all parks now?
If not I'm going to assume that there are people carrying in the parks.

 

[Krandor]

I have no idea. I don't own a gun, so don't really keep myself up to date on gun storage! I just remembered they really tightened things up two years ago when they first introduced the metal detectors and that was one of the changes they made.

Probably logistics. If you were going to offer handing guns to security you would have to do this outside of the metal detectors otherwise what is the point. I'm not sure there are a lot of good areas outside every metal detector to hold them and when if you came in through one metal detector area and then left via another but your gun is back by the first. The MD just don't give a central area to "store" them so probably best just not to allow it.

Resorts are different since you can use the front desk/lobby area as a single pick up/drop off point.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Yeah I was confused by that as well.

Last time I was there was in 2016 and only Epcot and only entering and exiting through IG. Every guest had to go through metal detectors. Does that apply to all parks now?
If not I'm going to assume that there are people carrying in the parks.

I was last there in August and it still seemed like it was random. One day we went to EP and they didn't make me go through. The next time we went, they were directing everyone through.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

My understanding from all reporting - that is the policy. No weapons can be carried around on property.

Last year at least two people were arrested trying to bring guns into Disney World theme parks.
They were charged with Carrying a Concealed Weapon.
Was stated he was banned from Disney properties, not sure on hers but likely.

And until ALL guests walk through those metal detectors, there very likely are guests in the parks with guns.

In regards to the folks you say are walking around with guns; they risk being arrested, being asked to leave resort and receiving a no trespass from Disney which means they can't come back again ever unless Disney agrees to lift it. Probably not a good chance of that given the charges. Is that really worth carrying your gun around? I don't think so.

I don't believe you would actually be in violation of the law, just WDW rules. As long as you comply with the request to leave, you wouldn't be arrested.

 

[bcla]

Florida state law says gun owners can carry firearms anywhere they are permitted by the law, as long as it's with their legal permit and safety accoutrements. Of course there are exceptions like courthouses... but uh.... that's the 2nd Amendment for you.

The plainsclothes security have guns too, you know... there are probably more guns in the small radius of WDW than your own neighborhood...

Not sure what the issue is?

It doesn't prevent a private business from having its own policy. It may not be illegal per se, but there's nothing keeping Disney from having a blacklist of people who brought or attempted to bring firearms onto their property. And of course the threat of trespassing charges for refusing to leave on request of the management.

And no their security don't have guns. I've never heard of Disney having armed theme park security. Only law enforcement are allowed to carry guns on their property, and they supposedly have a Sheriff's Dept station on property.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I don't believe you would actually be in violation of the law, just WDW rules. As long as you comply with the request to leave, you wouldn't be arrested.

Yes, it seems those who have been arrested when it was discovered they had guns at the parks were arrested on other charges - impersonating a police officer, not having a gun permit, etc.?

 

[fbarker]

I was just reading on a social media group that quite a few people take their guns to Disney. They were saying the policy is that you have to leave it locked up at the front desk of the resort or checked with security at the parks or left in their car. Any experiences as to this policy being strictly enforced? The group had many saying they're not following the policy & are carrying their guns around the resort. TIA!

I am sorry but why do you have to ask if its strictly enforced? It sounds like you may want to try to get around WDW policy or are you just asking to see if others are carrying guns into the parks?

 

[meggiebeth]

I’m really glad to hear that Disney controls this so strongly- I, like people in the majority of countries in the western world fail to really understand why anyone would need a gun at Disney World. It certainly makes me feel safer knowing it’s a gun free zone!

 

[Krandor]

I was last there in August and it still seemed like it was random. One day we went to EP and they didn't make me go through. The next time we went, they were directing everyone through.

Of coruse it seems like everytime I go to the park with my medals after a rundisney race, I'm always selected for the "random screening" especially after Dopey when I had 6 medals with me. I told the security guy "this will take a minute" as I started fishing medals out of all my pockets. lol.

 

[fbarker]

pTime to stop this thread, its going to get out of hand quickly and this is not the place to discuss the pros and cons of gun control

 

[HopperFan]

I don't believe you would actually be in violation of the law, just WDW rules. As long as you comply with the request to leave, you wouldn't be arrested.

Already happened. Arrested, booked, bail .... twice last year for sure.

Charged with "carrying a concealed weapon".

 

[LYSE]

Already happened. Arrested, booked, bail .... twice last year for sure.

Charged with "carrying a concealed weapon".

You can't be charged with that if you have a valid permit..in the posted case hers was an expired Alabama permit.

There is another charge for carrying in a specifically prohibited area...disney is not one.

 

[Krandor]

Already happened. Arrested, booked, bail .... twice last year for sure.

Charged with "carrying a concealed weapon".

They had an expired permit so were not currently authorized to carry a concealed weapon anywhere. Would have gotten in trouble just the same if a cop had pulled them over for a busted taillight. Had nothing to do with Disney.

 

[Duffjk]

Florida statutes also prohibit carrying in to a portion of a business that is set aside for the sale and on premises consumption of alcohol where such portion is for such purpose. That is a paraphrase of the legalese. This would be most of world showcase and a good bit of Ak and DHS. The argument. Could be made for a good bit of 3 of the 4 parks.

 

[bcla]

Already happened. Arrested, booked, bail .... twice last year for sure.

Charged with "carrying a concealed weapon".

Those cases were without a valid CCW permit. However, you start running into the possibility that someone is can be arrested for trespassing when on someone's property in violation of well posted rules. It would be typical to give such a person a chance to leave, but it's not necessarily required depending on the state's particular law. Here's an example of how this works from the Seattle City Attorney:

https://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/CityAttorney/Forms/TrespassFAQ-English.pdf
Individuals who receive notice of the conditions of entry, either by a sign, writing or orally by someone with the authority to control the conditions of entry, and then subsequently violate those conditions of entry may be arrested for criminal trespass. Typically, however, violators are first warned that they have violated the conditions of entry or that their privilege to be on the property has been revoked, and they are given a chance to leave before being arrested. If they continue to violate the conditions of entry or refuse to leave when asked, they may be arrested for criminal trespass.​

 

[Marchand63]

If you are in law enforcement you can fly while armed & be permitted to carrier in any state. You have to provide proper notice

 

[HopperFan]

You can't be charged with that if you have a valid permit..in the posted case hers was an expired Alabama permit.

There is another charge for carrying in a specifically prohibited area...disney is not one.

They had an expired permit so were not currently authorized to carry a concealed weapon anywhere. Would have gotten in trouble just the same if a cop had pulled them over for a busted taillight. Had nothing to do with Disney.

Those cases were without a valid CCW permit. However, you start running into the possibility that someone is can be arrested for trespassing when on someone's property in violation of well posted rules. It would be typical to give such a person a chance to leave, but it's not necessarily required depending on the state's particular law. Here's an example of how this works from the Seattle City Attorney:

https://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/CityAttorney/Forms/TrespassFAQ-English.pdf
Individuals who receive notice of the conditions of entry, either by a sign, writing or orally by someone with the authority to control the conditions of entry, and then subsequently violate those conditions of entry may be arrested for criminal trespass. Typically, however, violators are first warned that they have violated the conditions of entry or that their privilege to be on the property has been revoked, and they are given a chance to leave before being arrested. If they continue to violate the conditions of entry or refuse to leave when asked, they may be arrested for criminal trespass.​

My response there was to folks on the OP's discussion page talking about walking around a resort with guns. It did not state that they were all permitted. So yes, some of them might be arrested, just like the two last year and the guy the year before ....

Even if permitted, if they don't comply they risk being kicked off private property, losing money, banned from Disney (which Disney takes very seriously) since it's a hard rule ... just not worth it.

I also read an article (says Disney confirmed) from Jan 2016 stating that Disney no longer offers you to "check" your weapon, so folks might want to come prepared to have a safe way to store it in their vehicle, or have to leave.

 

[bcla]

My response there was to folks on the OP's discussion page talking about walking around a resort with guns. It did not state that they were all permitted. So yes, some of them might be arrested, just like the two last year and the guy the year before .....

Those specific arrests were for not having valid permits. I think there was another case where a former cop (who was fired) presented his old credentials while he carried his gun. Valid credentials would have served as his permit to carry in any state, but apparently he never surrendered them and used them fraudulently. I think he was arrested for carrying without a permit as well as impersonating a police officer.

 

[HopperFan]

Those specific arrests were for not having valid permits. I think there was another case where a former cop (who was fired) presented his old credentials while he carried his gun. Valid credentials would have served as his permit to carry in any state, but apparently he never surrendered them and used them fraudulently. I think he was arrested for carrying without a permit as well as impersonating a police officer.

AGAIN, I was responding to OP - who was talking about a group of people on a message board stating they carry guns around the resorts even though it's against rules. I was stating they could be arrested ........... because we have NO knowledge if they are carrying legally. AND by breaking Disney rules there will likely be other consequences.

And the real point is private property, Disney says no ... what's so hard about abiding by the rules. Disney is optional in life, if folks don't like the rules, don't go.

NOTE: We have multiple guns in our home, DH has a carry permit. We would NEVER bring guns to Disney World.