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Charlotte Marriott City Center proudy celebrates pro-
gun events at the hotel while simultaneously posting
against firearms, subjecting attendees to prosecution.
Photo: Michael Honeycurtt,
http://michaelhoneycutt.us/
Charlotte, NC hotel full of NRA conventioneers posts against firearms while conventioneers are staying there.
Roughly 70,000 gun rights supporters converged on Charlotte, North Carolina last weekend for the NRA's "Celebration of American Values" convention.
Attending one of the world’s largest gun shows and hearing from Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, Newt Gingrich and others, however, some conventioneers didn’t realize they were being rendered inadvertent criminals.
Hundreds of conventioneers stayed at the Charlotte Marriott City Center, where Grass Roots North Carolina also held its “Gala for Gun Rights” on Friday night, hosting a number of national gun rights defenders. GRNC selected the hotel because it did not post against firearms. Inspections of the main entrance were made both the day prior and the day of the event. So imagine the surprise of GRNC supporters who found that signs barring guns printed by computer had been scotch-taped into place on Friday evening during the event.
While that might not seem serious, understand that N.C.G.S. 14-415.11(c) bans firearms where the “person in control” of the premises “conspicuously posts” against firearms. The crime is punishable by a Class 2 misdemeanor, including revocation of concealed handgun permits.
Lest one think this impacted only limited number of conventioneers, understand that at points, nearly everyone in hotel elevators had factory “Glock,” “High Standard,” “Crimson Trace” or NRA badges. Ironically, the hotel had fliers on the front desk instructing people where to check guns before going into the convention center (an issue best left for another time), while not bothering to tell them that merely bringing a gun into the hotel was itself a crime.
But Marriott’s monumental chutzpah is best depicted by the fact that it first took gun owners' money – probably to the tune of more than $100,000 – and then not only sold them out, but subjected them to criminal prosecution.
THE EXCUSES
Having paid a $9,000 bill to a facility which posted during our event, on Monday I called the hotel and got contact information for hotel General Manager, Jim Diehl. My point was that, whatever Marriott’s internal policy, by posting during the convention the hotel:
- Exposed gun owners to criminal prosecution under G.S 14-1415.12(c); and
- Took gun owners’ money and then thumbed its nose at them.
Diehl took exactly the tack one might expect: First, he tried to deny that gun owners would be subject to prosecution, which I quickly dispelled by giving him the statute number. Next, he tried to claim that it had already been posted. (It was not: I inspected the entrance personally.) Then he claimed that previously a side entrance had been posted but not the main entrance, to which I pointed out that such would not be “conspicuously posted” per the statute and would not subject gun owners to prosecution.
But it was Diehl’s final tack which was most interesting: He claimed that his lawyers had advised him that since alcohol is consumed everywhere in the hotel, guns are prohibited by statute, including even the front lobby. Although bearing a grain of truth, Diehl is wrong for three reasons:
- G.S. 14-269.3 bans firearms where alcohol is sold AND consumed, not just consumed;
- Nothing in the statute either requires or authorizes a business to enforce it; and
- Nothing in the statute requires such places to post signs. Doing so actually creates an additional criminal liability under G.S. 14-415.11(c).
So upon a suggestion by legal counsel, I conducted a little test by walking into the lobby and ordering a drink … at the reception desk. I approached a young, female receptionist. Here is how it went:
“Hi. I have kind of an unusual request. Can you bear with me for a minute?”
Bright smile. “Sure.”
“Can I buy a drink from you?”
“Um, pardon me?”
“Is it possible for me to buy an alcoholic beverage from you and consume it in the lobby?”
“Um, sure. You can buy it in Savannah Reds (gesturing to restaurant) or the store (gesturing to Starbucks) and drink it here.”
“No, no. What I mean is can I buy it from you?”
Uncertainty prevails. Male receptionist comes to her rescue. Soft conversation between them. “Actually,” he begins, the only way you can purchase it is at the restaurants.” He gestures to them. “Do you plan to charge it to your room?”
“No. Here is why I ask,” I respond. “I spoke with your General Manager today, Jim Diehl?” Nodding all around. “And he assures me that for purposes of the North Carolina General Statutes, I can both purchase and consume alcohol in the lobby. But you are the only point of sale in the lobby. Now, you are telling me that the only place I can buy alcohol is in the restaurants. Is that a correct statement?”
“Correct,” she replies.
“In that case,” I say, “this is my card. I would suggest you convey that to Mr. Diehl as soon as possible. There’s a message on the back. And the reason you need to get it to him is that, in terms of his business, his world is about to change.”
To puzzled looks, I bid adieu.
The message on the back of the card says: “I tested your assertion. You failed.”
The fact is that places where alcohol is both sold and consumed include only the demarcated, named restaurants within a hotel.
“MARRIOTT’S ‘BLAME THE RAPE VICTIM’
STRATEGY BACKFIRES”
Ironically, while the Charlotte Marriott just posted an announcement to criminals and maniacs that guests are disarmed, and therefore targets for victimization, at least one franchisee in the chain has a history of blaming the victim when the inevitable occurs.
Writing for BNET, a site for travel industry executives, Barbara Hernandez described, under the title above, how last August executives of the Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa attempted to blame a woman raped in 2006 in its parking garage – in front of her young children – for complicity because, according to the hotel’s lawyers, she “failed to exercise due care for her own safety and the safety of her children and proper use of her senses and facilities.” Eventually, the hotel backed off from the claim.
CONTACT MARRIOTT IMMEDIATELY
- E-mail Charlotte Marriot City Center General Manager Jim Diehl at jim.diehl@marriott.com or fax him at (704) 358-6522 and let him know that until you receive an apology and a notification that postings have been removed, you and everyone you know will be avoiding the hotel.
- Call Marriott Corporate Communications at (301) 380-7770 and leave a message for Kathleen Matthews, Executive Vice President, Global Communications and Public Affairs, letting her know that Marriott will be held accountable for the actions of its hotel in Charlotte, whether or not the hotel is a franchisee.
- Contact Marriott Customer Care at https://www.marriott.com/suggest/suggest.mi or (888) 236-2427 and deliver the same message that you will not use any Marriott until the problem is resolved;
- If you are a Marriott shareholder, contact Investor Relations at: investorrelations@marriott.com and finally;
- Help make this a national issue by spreading it to gun-related networks.
Copyright © F. Paul Valone All rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, scanning, digitizing or any information storage and referral system, without written permission from the publisher. For reprint permission, contact: fpv@fpaulvalone.com
www.GunsPoliticsandFreedom.com
For legislative information, go to:
www.GRNC.org
Comments
I have e-mailed Jimbo, and called Kathy's office (she is apparently traveling out of the country at the moment, but they took a message). Interestingly enough, as soon as I mentioned the Charlotte Gun Rights Examiner, the woman taking the message seemed to know exactly what I was calling about.
I love watching a precise debate, and you won. Well done.
I can't believe they did that. Even if you remove the part about the signs not making sense, it's just a dumb business move.
I know it's a weak comparison, but if my hotel were hosting hundreds of people who were in town for a large gathering of Muslims, I would not wait until they all checked in and THEN tell them they can't wear a burqa in the hotel.
Email sent.
Detailed voice-mail left.
A nice comment for the suggestion box.
And all Marriott brands have been scratched from my lodging options until GRNC gives the all clear.
Would that had been an illegal one-sided "change of contract"?
Would that by accepting money (before posting) Mariott "authorized" the guests to be there?
Does room in hotel in NC goes as "residence" (although temporary)?
I can't believe they did that. Even if you remove the part about the signs not making sense, it's just a dumb business move.
I know it's a weak comparison, but if my hotel were hosting hundreds of people who were in town for a large gathering of Muslims, I would not wait until they all checked in and THEN tell them they can't wear a burqa in the hotel.
Email sent.
Detailed voice-mail left.
A nice comment for the suggestion box.
And all Marriott brands have been scratched from my lodging options until GRNC gives the all clear.
Should any lawsuits be filed, it's relevant that he consulted legal council before posting the signs -- it shows bad faith.
Oops. Sorry about that.
I came back and refreshed the page and it reposted that same comment.
Anyway...
E1,
I doubt that any of us attendees were ever on shaky legal ground. After all, the signs were not in place when I went in the front door, so how could I be in violation of any statutes? I wish I'd know about this at the event. It would have been a good question for the Q&A segment.
To me, it's more of a personal insult. It's as though the Marriott is saying "We will slap you in the face, but only after we have your money."
Also, for what it's worth: I travel a good bit and my understanding is that your hotel room is considered your residence as it applies to self defense issues (castle doctrine and the like). That doesn't mean that NC hotels can't post signs, though.
I've stayed in over a hundred hotels in the last couple years all over the southeast and I've never seen a "no firearms" sign on any hotel. And I always look for them.
I am outraged. All Marriott properties are off my travel agendas for future travel. I'll sleep in a tent before I'll cross the threshold of a Marriott. I WILL follow up to the recommended contacts and forward a snail mail to Bill Marriott and mark it "personal and confidential" so that it will only be opened by his confidential assistant or by Marriott himself. I hope you are letting folks at the NRA in Fairfax know about this slight of gun owners and guests in Charlotte. Mr. Diel needs to sent packing (no pun intended) to New York or Maryland where such nonsense is accepted. As an aside, I ran into this hotel nonsense a couple of years ago in Mount Airy, NC at a Hampton Inn. My message to the owners (a franchise) is that I saw NO security in or around their hotel and if they are going to post a no guns sign, then they better provide security. We carried concealed, period. With over 160,000 CCW permitees in NC, hotels better be careful who they insult. They need the business.
Recommend we extend this to include boycott of ALL Marriotts world wide unless and until:
1) A formal, public apology is made,
2) The signs are taken down,
3) Marriott Corporate announces a "Starbucks" policy on firearms, that is, they will be no more restrictive than local law. If local law permits carry openly or concealed, so will the hotel.
Until I see those three things, I'm done with Marriott forever.
What about the hypocritical move of the NRA, not letting carry in the meetings? Are they afraid of law abiding members with firearms?
Text of email sent:
Mr. Diehl,
The quality of one's life is directly related to the choices one makes in life.
I wanted to inform you as a Marriott Rewards Member for many years and a frequent traveler, I am appalled at your actions and your establishment during the NRA convention! You made a grave mistake and are wrong in every conceivable notion regarding your misguided and contemptible actions by exposing gun owners to legal prosecution at your hotel. Why? Who put you up to this? What operatives? You have jeopardized the very lifeblood of your business...your customers. You will feel the full brunt of responsibility and consequences from the choices you made.
I have contacted Marriott Corporate Communications at (301) 380-7770 and left a detailed message for Kathleen Matthews, Executive Vice President, Global Communications and Public Affairs, letting her know that Marriott will be held accountable for the actions of its hotel in Charlotte, whether or not the
Part 2:
the hotel is a franchisee. To be sure, I also contacted Contact Marriott Customer Care at (888) 236-2427 and delivered the same message that I will not use any Marriott until the problem is resolved to the satisfaction of those involved.
Furthermore, until a public apology is made by you verbally, via internet, and in newsprint I will boycott staying at any Marriott and affiliate hotels.
This is NOT going away! The next step in the process is all yours. Step carefully; time is of the essence. National campaign to expose you personally, Charlotte Marriott City Center, and the Marriott brand is already growing strength. This is not a threat...this is not a personal attack...this is just how free market capitalism works. Consumers make choices based on what best fits their needs.
Best Regards,
Dennis Comment: "What about the hypocritical move of the NRA, not letting carry in the meetings? Are they afraid of law abiding members with firearms?"
Is that the best you got? Political correctness, whether common sense, freedom-loving conservatives like it or not, at times is followed as to not "ruffle the feathers" of the liberal establishment. Understood...or do I need to paint a more colorful picture for you?
Sent them a quick E-mail, told them they are now on the "c" list, and that I will pay more elsewhere, for accommodations. The problem here is the law that allows this situation to exist.
It seems to be a favorite tool that leftists in the state legislatures are fond of crafting. You know, the "sure you have the right but we're going to make it impossible, for you to exercise it". It's all quite reasonable, I'm sure...
Nice work pal
I got a call from a nice woman in response to a voice-mail I left last night. She did say "I apologize if you were offended," but I don't think she understood the problem.
Her first words were something to the effect of "We have to do what is necessary to comply with all local laws and ordinances." I asked if she understood that this has nothing to do with the hotel complying with any law or ordinance, that the hotel was in compliance before the signs were posted, and she said yes.
I asked her what steps she would take to resolve the issue and she said that is "internal information" and she could not share that with me. Then she repeated the line about "we have to do what is necessary to comply with all laws." I said "I thank you for taking the time to call, but I don't see how that is relevant."
I get the feeling the poor woman was given a phrase to use in an attempt to pacify me/us, and that I was just an item she had to check off her list.
Surly, others attending the NRA convention stayed at several other hotels. I would be very curious to know what the hotel policy was where they stayed. I feel NRA needs to share some responsibility for selecting this city.
This was an NRA convention, right? Why is anyone surprised when they're mistreated/maltreated? Isn't that what you've come to expect?
The reason you couldn't carry at the Convention Center is that it is a City-owned building, and you can't carry firearms in any City of Charlotte-owned building.
Had absolutely nothing to do with "hypocrisy" on the part of the NRA.
"The reason you couldn't carry at the Convention Center is that it is a City-owned building, and you can't carry firearms in any City of Charlotte-owned building.
Had absolutely nothing to do with "hypocrisy" on the part of the NRA."
Bullstuff,BJ. The NRA picked the site of their own free will. They chose a site where guns are banned this year. Is there any truth to the rumor I just started that next year they are picking a site where speech is banned?
Would be in keeping with their behavior, now wouldn't it.
Sent an email to Marriott, got back a packaged response stating "It has been the hotel's long-standing policy to not allow firearms by the public on the premises."
I replied that I would be sure to inform my fellow police officers of that poklicy so they can make appropriate travel plans. Heads up email sent to friends and acquaintances who CCW.
I received this email recently...
***PASTE***
Dear Valued Guest,
Thank you for contacting Marriott. We appreciate the opportunity to provide you with information.
We would like to thank Grass Roots North Carolina/Forum for Firearms Education for its business at the Charlotte Marriott City Center hotel. During the group's stay, there was some confusion regarding the hotel's position on the carrying of firearms by the public. It has been the hotel's long-standing policy to not allow firearms by the public on the premises. In accordance with applicable law, this policy is posted in several locations around the hotel. The permanent notice at the hotel's entrance had been removed during a recent renovation and was replaced with temporary signage. This temporary posting was removed for a brief period of time, which may have led to guest uncertainty. We sincerely regret and apologize for any confusion or inconvenience this may have caused.
***To be continued***
***Continued from previous***
Marriott’s policy is to comply with all applicable laws and ordinances. We are a hospitality company that provides public accommodations and space for events and functions. We do this without regard to the lawful purpose or views of any specific group or organization. As always, the safety and security of our guests and associates is a top priority.
Regards,
Marriott Customer Care
I just sent the following inquiry to Marriott via their website, lets see how they reply.
I had stayed at that Marriott in Charlotte during the NRA Annual Meeting and I can legally carry a concealed weapon in North Carolina.
Thursday morning I called Chad Callahan, Marriott's Corporate VP of Loss Prevention, regarding Marriott’s firearms policy, to inquire if it had changed. He confirmed that their policy had not changed, and Marriott's policy was to follow the laws of the jurisdiction in which the hotel is located. I had also spoke with Chad regarding the lack of safes in every guest room.
I asked Chad for a copy of the firearms policy to give to the hotel’s general manager when I got there, since I was hearing conflicting information from the hotel’s staff when I called regarding the availability of in-room safes.
Chad told me he could not provide me the policy in writing but he would be calling the property to remind them of the policy.
(continued)
(continued from previous)
I am a Lifetime Platinum Elite with Marriott. The reason Marriott has earned almost all of my hotel business over the years is because of their firearms policy.
This hotel is a corporate owned; Host Marriott, corporate run, Marriott International location. What has happened is someone at this hotel, who is a corporate employee of Marriott, took it upon themselves to post signs in direct violation of Marriott’s corporate policies.
Please help me understand how the general manager, of a corporate owned and operated Marriott is not familiar with corporate policies. Especially since Jim Deihl is also the regional executive the oversees the other Mariott properties in the region.
Thanks you for taking the time to reply to my inquiry.
I don't see why anyone stays at any Marriott anyway. They're too damn expensive and all you get is snobbish treatment, just like what happened here in this thread. This is a learning experience for the NRA. If they are going to endorse a city or a hotel, they should get something in writing first to insure that gun owners will not receive discriminatory treatment and that the hotel will not post "no guns" bills after the fact, with a hefty amount of specified liquidated damages in the contract should the hotel renig on its promises.
(Continued from previous)
The hotel’s staff members were well aware that I was going to have a firearm with me. In fact they upgradeded me to of their 12 suites, since only the suites have in-room with safes.
I checked in on Friday around noon, and there were no signs posted. When I returned from the NRA event at the TWC Arena the signs were posted.
Here is my dilemma, there is now a sign stating no weapons, and my pistol is up in my room in the safe.
I went to the front desk and asked for the general manager, and was told he was gone for the weekend. I then asked for the manager on duty.
I spoke with Taylor, the manager on duty, and informed him that the posting of the sign is in direct violation of Marriott’s corporate policy regarding firearms. I told him that I had reconfirmed that policy with Chad Callahan the previous day, before heading down to the NRA annual meeting.
(Continued)
(continued from previous)
The manager on duty told me he was going to call the general manager and corporate and look in to it.
The signs were still posted on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, in direct violation of Marriott’s corporate firearms policy.
I am a Lifetime Platinum Elite with Marriott. The reason Marriott has earned almost all of my hotel business over the years is because of their firearms policy.
This hotel is a corporate owned; Host Marriott, corporate run, Marriott International location. What has happened is someone at this hotel, who is a corporate employee of Marriott, took it upon themselves to post signs in direct violation of Marriott’s corporate policies.
Please help me understand how the general manager, of a corporate owned and operated Marriott is not familiar with corporate policies. Especially since Jim Deihl is also the regional executive the oversees the other Mariott properties in the region.
Thanks you for taking the time to reply to my
Great article! Thanks for standing up for gun owners. I will boycott Marriots until this is resolved.
I will support the boycott 100%.
Adios Marriott.
Dear Sir,
I will in all future visits to your fair city avoid your facility due to your policy of banning firearms that are legally carried concealed by law abiding citizens. The signs banning lawful concealed carry were posted after the final inspection of your facility and unjustly so. This is in my view very devious and extremely provoking to place paying guests in harms way and essentially causing them to be unwilling criminals.
thank you
Dale Clark
All the statute in question says is that the rights of the property owner supercede that of the gun owner when issued a proper permit to carry a concealed weapon. Could Marriott have handled the situation better or been more clear? Absolutely. But let's be reasonable here people. If you owned a business, you would want to know if someone entering the premises was carrying a concealed weapon.
To say that the members were "subject to criminal prosecution" is a reach, as any prosecution would center on Marriott pressing charges on the matter. And even if Marriott did choose to undertake that public relations nightmare, if this article is accurate, an affirmative defense based on the posting of a "conspicuous" sign would probably render the issue moot anyway.
I don't like Marriott's spinning of the issue as much as anyone, but poor corporate communication is not uncommon, and certainly not a reason to turn this into a "2nd Amendment" Alamo. Let cooler heads prevail.
Bryan,
We are the people who refuse to buy so much as a cup of coffee at any convenient store with a "no guns" sign. You would have us ignore THIS?
And I disagree on another point: My business does not have a storefront, but if it did, I would not want to know which of my clients were carrying a firearm. That's sort-of the point with concealed carry. The message to criminals is just that... "You never know if your intended victim will be armed."
This is not a "2A Alamo," it's just another boycott of a business with an ignorant policy, like many that have come before. This one just has an additional "insult to injury" element, since they conducted business with and accepted lots of money from gun-rights supporters under misleading conditions.
This is an easy boycott. There are plenty of other hotels to choose from. Now if it were TACO BELL, I would have a horrifying personal struggle on my hands :-)
My apologies. I failed to recognize how stringent these protest standards are. I can appreciate having the conviction to fight for what you believe in.
I would also like to stress that Marriott handled this situation very poorly. I'd be more sympathetic if they had just out right declared "No guns on premises". Some would protest, but its their right to prohibit guns, just as it's your right to carry where permissible (and protest).
My only issue is with the characterization of the article. The headline "Marriott exposes NRA to criminal prosecution" is disingenuous at best. Poorly defined corporate policy (and perhaps some ol' fashioned Texas two-steppin) led everyone to this position. Boycott Marriott for not allowing guns on premise; boycott for taking money and chaning policy. But please don't frame this as a boycott of Marriott rooted in their desire to persecute those exercising their 2nd Amendment rights. The world needs more activists and less martyrs.
Way to Go Marriott. I lend my support to them. I will continue to stay there.
As the father of a young shooting homicide victim, I support Marriott's position fully. As we learned in the North Carolina nursing home massacre, the only difference between a "law-abiding gun owner" and a mass murderer is merely pulling the trigger.
Don't trust guns. Don't trust belligerent gun owners. Don't trust the NRA, although I hear they don't allow carrying guns in their own offices in northern Virginia. Maybe they don't trust gun owners either.
As a Lifetime Marriott Platinum Elite member and a frequent guest in your overseas and domestic hotels, I'm appalled at the conduct of the management of the Charlotte Marriot City Center. This is in regard to the postings that occurred during the NRA convention. To think that Marriott would first take conventioneers moneys KNOWING that they were at an NRA convention and then post the hotel off-limits to fireams, thus advising the criminal element of the unprotected pickings to be had therein is beyond the pale.
Were I to be treated in such a manner as my compatriots, I can assure you that my business for both company and personal travels would be directed elsewhere.
Please take the neccessary measures to ensure that this travesty and breach of trust never occurs again.
Thank you,
The NRA has come under fire for holding it's convention at locations that prohibit carry by licensed individuals. While I respect the opinion of those who object to this venue, and I wasn't happy to not have my Kimber with me on the convention floor, the problem is that the number of places that can host a 70,000+ convention are extremely limited. Throw in the desire to have the event in different parts of the country so that as many members as possible can attend a convention at some point, and you further complicate the challenge of finding a convention center that can handle the event. Perhaps the attendance of 70,000 (some independent sources estimated as many as 85,000) gun owners and firearms industry representatives with a corresponding 45% decrease in crime for the week will prompt local officials to reconsider the policy. It certainly will give Grass Roots North Carolina some major ammunition (pun intended) to fight any future restrictions on the 2nd Amendment.
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