Places That Restrict Concealed Carry

Places and Properties that don't allow Concealed Carry Firearms

While each state has the ability to extend or loosen their parameters for where a person may or may not carry a concealed firearm (or what class of people are authorized to do so) - there are three major conceal carry restrictions that apply nearly unanimously across the board.

The Second Amendment in the Bill of Rights very clearly states that, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

That's pretty idealistic. However, in practice, the Second Amendment is restricted when it comes to these three types of property - in addition to federal and some state buildings and facilities.

While each state has the ability to extend or loosen their parameters for where a person may or may not carry a concealed firearm (or what class of people are authorized to do so) - there are three major conceal carry restrictions that apply nearly unanimously across the board.

Concealed Carrying on Private Property

Almost any person or entity has the right to buy, own, and administer land in the United States. And that person or entity may then declare that unauthorized persons may not bring firearms or weapons onto that property.

Does that also extend to lessees?

Yes. In many cases it does. However, many states require that the landowner or lessee post a sign in open purview of all visitors to this restriction. So, for instance, if a convenience shop owner wishes no one to carry a concealed firearm into his shop, he must post a sign that is clearly visible alerting his patrons and employees of this.

What about "Peaceable Journey"?

Peaceable journey refers to the large and lengthy list of state and federal laws referring to the . These laws are EXTREMELY arduous and complicated as each state seems to have its own take on what constitutes peaceable journey. Efforts to set down federal guidelines can be found in the Firearm Owners Protection Act. While attorneys ultimately will be the ones to hash out the lines in an actual court case, it's just as well to assume that transportation of a concealed firearm onto or across the property of someone who has clearly posted the opposite will end poorly.

Municipal Mass Transit Prohibits Concealed Carry

Each municipal or private transport system has the ability to enact rules against carrying firearms.

Is this constitutional?

No, not really. However - as of yet - no one has managed to overturn it. This is because most municipal transit systems - such as MARTA in Atlanta and MBTA in Boston - are a weird hybrid private/public organization that can selectively argue private property laws when it sees fit. As long as its posted, it's advised to not. That's unfortunate because obviously criminals don't read signs all that well.

Gun Free Educational Institutions

This is a total spectrum issue. While the vast majority of states restrict in some way the ability to carry a concealed firearm onto a campus, some states are waking up to the fact that concealed carriers aren't the risk they have to worry about. Recent legislative action like that of Utah and Oregon have allowed concealed carry of firearms onto elementary and secondary school campuses. And organizations like the Students For Concealed Carry are looking to extend this to college and university campuses.

Worthy of note, privately run college campuses and universities still have the ability to regulate whether or not they will allow concealed carry on campus due to private property laws. Public universities, however, are waking up to the possibility of allowing concealed carry on campus.

List of restricted premises for concealed carry

Here is a quick run down of restricted premises for concealed carry. Keep in mind that these places vary from state to state with the exception of the ones we mentioned above:

  • Federal government facilities
  • State government facilities
  • Venues for political events
  • Educational institutions
  • Public interscholastic and/or professional sporting events
  • Amusement parks, fairs, parades and/or carnivals
  • Businesses that sell alcohol
  • Hospitals
  • Churches
  • Municipal mass transit vehicles or facilities
  • Sterile areas of airports
  • Aboard aircraft or ships
  • Private property
  • Any public place, while under the influence of alcohol or drugs

About The Author

James England (@sir_jim_england) is the contributing editor for Alien Gear Holsters. He is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and private defense contracting in Afghanistan.

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