Gun Found at AK - Updated Post#25 Guest Found Loaded Gun

[capegirl]

Here come the metal detectors

Yes, I do believe this incident will be the catalyst for increased security.

The following is an excerpt form an article in the Orlando Sentinel:

"Like other people, when I go to Walt Disney World I feel like I'm entering a bubble of safety and I feel secure, but I guess this took me out of my bubble for a moment," said blogger Shelley Caran, who visits the parks several times a week and writes about her experiences at onthegoinmco.com.

Scarlett Titton said she was not surprised by the gun appearance but hopes the theme parks respond with a more robust security protocol.

"I generally believe no one comes to Disney to cause a problem," said Titton, who does research for the Touring Plans travel blog and visits the theme park nearly every day.

I believe most of us feel this way when are on a Disney vacation....we are in a 'protective bubble'. It is also true that people in general do not come to Disney looking for trouble. Nevertheless we have to remember that popular tourist destinations, or events that attract major crowds, do in fact place us at risk. So with that said, we cannot afford to let our guard down. We should not live in fear when we are on vacation, but we do need to be very aware.

 

[AmyB2006]

Yes, I do believe this incident will be the catalyst for increased security.

The following is an excerpt form an article in the Orlando Sentinel:

"Like other people, when I go to Walt Disney World I feel like I'm entering a bubble of safety and I feel secure, but I guess this took me out of my bubble for a moment," said blogger Shelley Caran, who visits the parks several times a week and writes about her experiences at onthegoinmco.com.

I doubt it. Just my opinion though. But your quote is the problem here. People "feel" safe because of certain "security measures". There are guns in Disney every day being carried in by law abiding citizens. Don't think there aren't. This guy was just dumb enough to let it fall out of his pocket and not realize it. All these security measures do is invade my privacy in order to make people "feel" safe.

If Disney prohibits weapons (guns, in this case) on their property, did this gentleman violate the condition of his CPL by knowingly carrying his weapon into an establishment that prohibits them?

No. Disney rule doesn't supercede FL law. No LAW was violated.

If it can be accidentally pulled somehow by a bedsheet, then it is still accident enough that it might as well have fallen and gone off. (Now, I will say that it is quite possible that this pistol was older than the gun act of 1968, so very well could've been a hair trigger as well).

I've been around guns my whole life-grew up in a hunting household, my moms family is made up of police officers. I'm just trying to be realistic here--guns go off plenty when a person does not mean for it to happen. When using a gun, one should treat it as if any little thing could make it discharge, just in case. Mechanical failure does occur.

I don't know if you were present when this happened, but my guess is that Grandma found the gun, picked it up with her finger over the trigger and accidentally shot off two rounds. I would probably put money on the fact that the bed sheet didn't pull it, but I could be wrong also. I will admit that.

With regards to the bold, I agree they go off when unintended. However I disagree with the latter. I'm sorry. Guns do not go off unless the trigger is pulled. It's simple physics. The only mechanical failure that occurs with guns is when you pull the trigger and it misfires and doesn't go off. So no, you shouldn't treat it as any little thing can set it off, because that is not accurate.

Do you have a CCW?

 

[Uncleromulus]

Well-I read all this and for me, it's not about Second Amendment rights or having a permit.

It's a) about being so stupid as to even bring a gun to WDW and b) the fact that if this moron got his gun in, so could anybody carrying without a permit and maybe with intention to cause harm.

 

[AmyB2006]

Well-I read all this and for me, it's not about Second Amendment rights or having a permit.

It's a) about being so stupid as to even bring a gun to WDW and b) the fact that if this moron got his gun in, so could anybody carrying without a permit and maybe with intention to cause harm.

Do you honestly think a person with a CCW permit intends to cause harm to others?

 

[ChipnDale79]

Do you honestly think a person with a CCW permit intends to cause harm to others?

Amy, with all due respect, just because someone has a CCW does not mean they don't have intent to cause harm to others. I truly believe that 99.99% of people who have a CCW do not have any intent to harm anyone, but I would bet there is someone out there with a CCW that does have intent to cause harm to someone.

 

[Uncleromulus]

And its not REALLY about this bird-brain. Or other bird-brains who think they need their gun on AK rides. Its about the fact that there is nothing to prevent anyone from bringing in a gun..and thats not good.

 

[Nixie]

You know what actually scares me the most about this whole thing?!? The fact the guy had an unsecured gun and was going on rides with it in his back pocket. Imagine if it would have fell out his pocket while he was on Everest....

 

[Uncleromulus]

Or anywhere in the park--it falls out and some little kid picks it up. That would be real nice--

 

[jrtoastyman]

No. Disney rule doesn't supercede FL law. No LAW was violated.

This isn't 100% accurate. He may not have violated any criminal law, but his legal right to be on Disney's private property is subject to the rules imposed by Disney as property owner. To the extent that Disney has a legal right to exclude people with weapons from its property, anyone there with weapons is necessarily there in derogation of Disney's legal right to exclude them. Not criminal, but still contrary to the law. Just because something isn't criminal doesn't mean its legal, silly thought that may sound.

 

[AmyB2006]

This isn't 100% accurate. He may not have violated any criminal law, but his legal right to be on Disney's private property is subject to the rules imposed by Disney as property owner. To the extent that Disney has a legal right to exclude people with weapons from its property, anyone there with weapons is necessarily there in derogation of Disney's legal right to exclude them. Not criminal, but still contrary to the law. Just because something isn't criminal doesn't mean its legal, silly thought that may sound.

I may not have said it in this post, but I've said it all along. Correct, Disney can remove him from the propety, as the property owner they have that right. People are asking, though, if something can be "done" about this. The only thing that can be done, was done. He was kicked off the property.

 

[capegirl]

But your quote is the problem here. People "feel" safe because of certain "security measures". There are guns in Disney every day being carried in by law abiding citizens. Don't think there aren't. This guy was just dumb enough to let it fall out of his pocket and not realize it. All these security measures do is invade my privacy in order to make people "feel" safe.

The average person behaves a little differently on vacation. People go to Disney to leave their cares behind, and have fun. Once they've reached the parks most people are on 'vacation autopilot'. This is what creates the false sense of security, not the routine bag check. People believe that nothing really bad would ever happen in their happy place, and this incident was a wake up call. Most of us understand that the gun left behind by this careless person may have gotten into the wrongs hands, and someone could have been harmed. Sure, we all know that people carry guns, but unless you work for Disney security,or have been cleared by them, you should not have the right to bring a weapon into the parks. Sure, you can blow it off by saying the guy was 'just dumb', and sweep the whole thing under the carpet, but this incident demonstrated there are people out there who do not handle guns responsibly, and put others at risk. If nothing else, I hope that this incident has increased our awareness.

 

[marinejjh]

The fact isn't that the guy had the right to have a gun, it is that obviously WDW security is a joke. why even check people at all, if you aren't going to do it properly. the guy shouldv'e never made it through the front gate. People need to be upset with the parks security. If a little kid had picked this gun up, I am sure disney would do something about it.

 

[jrtoastyman]

I may not have said it in this post, but I've said it all along. Correct, Disney can remove him from the propety, as the property owner they have that right. People are asking, though, if something can be "done" about this. The only thing that can be done, was done. He was kicked off the property.

Fair enough, and in fairness I have not read through the entire thread, but I guess the ultimate point is that when you're on Disney property, Disney's rules do supercede the law. The fact that you may have a legal firearm and a conceal and carry permit doesn't make it OK to bring them with you when Disney as property holder says you can't.

To the extent that he was there in violation of the terms that Disney has set forth for being on their property, I would think they would be within their rights to press charges for trespassing if they so chose. Not legal to bring a firearm on private property when the property owner says you can't, because your legal right to be there is dictated by the terms set by the property owner.

 

[Pseudacris]

I don't know if you were present when this happened, but my guess is that Grandma found the gun, picked it up with her finger over the trigger and accidentally shot off two rounds. I would probably put money on the fact that the bed sheet didn't pull it, but I could be wrong also. I will admit that.

With regards to the bold, I agree they go off when unintended. However I disagree with the latter. I'm sorry. Guns do not go off unless the trigger is pulled. It's simple physics. The only mechanical failure that occurs with guns is when you pull the trigger and it misfires and doesn't go off. So no, you shouldn't treat it as any little thing can set it off, because that is not accurate.

Do you have a CCW?

Aside from the stupid act of my grandfather putting a gun under the mattress and not informing her, my grandmother is not an idiot in regards to firearms. She was quite surprised that it was there at all, and would not pick a pistol up by the trigger. And it was 1 round through 2 walls-from hers, through mine and stuck in the wall that bordered mine and the living.

If a gun misfires, you absolutely must be safe with it, because at that point it can go off at any time because the round is ready to be fired even if it wasn't.

I mentioned the gun act of 1968--and I will concede that handguns should be fine if dropped, but every gun training I've had from family to professionals say to treat the weapon with respect and assume that it is loaded, off safety, and could fire at any time. Safer than sorry.

Any long gun can fire if it is dropped or hit hard enough. I am a member of the NSSF, and this is hammered into anyone and everyone using a rifle or shotgun every day. DO NOT assume your safety will work, DO NOT trust that your gun won't go off with a fall, etc.

I had a concealed carry permit up until 2 years ago when I didn't renew. Not that it's relevant as to whether someone understands the mechanics of a gun or not.

 

[AmyB2006]

Aside from the stupid act of my grandfather putting a gun under the mattress and not informing her, my grandmother is not an idiot in regards to firearms. She was quite surprised that it was there at all, and would not pick a pistol up by the trigger. And it was 1 round through 2 walls-from hers, through mine and stuck in the wall that bordered mine and the living.

If a gun misfires, you absolutely must be safe with it, because at that point it can go off at any time because the round is ready to be fired even if it wasn't.

I mentioned the gun act of 1968--and I will concede that handguns should be fine if dropped, but every gun training I've had from family to professionals say to treat the weapon with respect and assume that it is loaded, off safety, and could fire at any time. Safer than sorry.

Any long gun can fire if it is dropped or hit hard enough. I am a member of the NSSF, and this is hammered into anyone and everyone using a rifle or shotgun every day. DO NOT assume your safety will work, DO NOT trust that your gun won't go off with a fall, etc.

I had a concealed carry permit up until 2 years ago when I didn't renew. Not that it's relevant as to whether someone understands the mechanics of a gun or not.

Sorry you took that the wrong way. I wasn't insinuating that it had anything to do with you understanding, just curious. And again, not insinuating that Grandma is an idiot, but a lot of people IF they haven't had training, they don't know how to handle a gun, and I can see where accidental shootings occur easier. And with regards to this discussion, I am strictly speaking of handguns, I admit I don't know too much about rifles and shotguns, although it's been explained to me that rifles work the same way, mechanically. I'm actually going to the range this week to shoot some rifles and learn more about them. Can't wait! Agreed with the bolded.

 

[GillianP1301]

What I find most disturbing about all of that people don't seem to have an issue with others carrying around loaded concealed weapons, but start to get a bit nervous about it when they land on Disney Property? Why isn't anyone outraged that it's okay to just walk around with a loaded gun?

As long as I live, I will never understand the American mentality of gun ownership rights.

And as much as I find the bag checks a pain in the butt and I've even thought they are overkill and ineffective at times, I don't think metal detetors are a completely bad idea. They seem to be common place at many other tourist attractions.

 

[Pseudacris]

Sorry you took that the wrong way. I wasn't insinuating that it had anything to do with you understanding, just curious. And again, not insinuating that Grandma is an idiot, but a lot of people IF they haven't had training, they don't know how to handle a gun, and I can see where accidental shootings occur easier. And with regards to this discussion, I am strictly speaking of handguns, I admit I don't know too much about rifles and shotguns, although it's been explained to me that rifles work the same way, mechanically. I'm actually going to the range this week to shoot some rifles and learn more about them. Can't wait! Agreed with the bolded.

They do, but there isn't the transfer bar type system to make them "fall proof". So many options in regards to trigger mechanisms, usually depending on your preferences for hunting (single stage not as precise, two stage is more work).

I am a long gun girl (farm kid, bird hunter), so most of my gut instincts go along with that. I think we basically agree on the basics, I just get all twitchy when people make gun statements because they inevitably forget about the rifles! And people think they're safer!!

 

[ponyboy]

I mentioned the gun act of 1968--and I will concede that handguns should be fine if dropped, but every gun training I've had from family to professionals say to treat the weapon with respect and assume that it is loaded, off safety, and could fire at any time. Safer than sorry.

Any long gun can fire if it is dropped or hit hard enough. I am a member of the NSSF, and this is hammered into anyone and everyone using a rifle or shotgun every day. DO NOT assume your safety will work, DO NOT trust that your gun won't go off with a fall, etc.

That's not really true in regards to long guns. Most long guns are just as likely to fire when dropped as handguns are, though the chance of a firearm actually firing just from being dropped is miniscule. Most accidents occur when a firearm is falling and someone tries to catch it and they get their finger on the trigger. It's a million times safer to let a gun fall than to attempt to catch it. Same thing goes with knives and soldering irons

That said, most modern firearms both handguns and long guns are pretty much drop proof and will not fire from being dropped, ran over, banged around, etc.

 

[ponyboy]

What I find most disturbing about all of that people don't seem to have an issue with others carrying around loaded concealed weapons, but start to get a bit nervous about it when they land on Disney Property? Why isn't anyone outraged that it's okay to just walk around with a loaded gun?

Whatever you do don't ever come down to Texas. You'd flip out if you saw what goes on down here and what people are carrying around.

On that note, the last time I was at Disney I bumped in to an aquaintance who is a machine gun dealer that also works at DW. It's a small world afterall!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

What I find most disturbing about all of that people don't seem to have an issue with others carrying around loaded concealed weapons, but start to get a bit nervous about it when they land on Disney Property? Why isn't anyone outraged that it's okay to just walk around with a loaded gun?

As long as I live, I will never understand the American mentality of gun ownership rights.

And as much as I find the bag checks a pain in the butt and I've even thought they are overkill and ineffective at times, I don't think metal detetors are a completely bad idea. They seem to be common place at many other tourist attractions.

People absolutely did flip out when the concealed carry movement first began. "the streets will be rivers of blood" wasn't just a cry from a few, but the masses. Over time, it just didn't prove true, so it's like anything else that sounds dangerous. Shock and horror at first, then indifference when the horro doesn't materialize.