Ohio law allows any private business who chooses to prohibit guns on their property to put up a "no guns allowed" sign. Some do so because they don't like guns, some do it as a courtesy to notify gun owners that they serve alcohol so are off-limits under the Ohio Revised Code, and some do it because they have been mislead.
There are many ways for a business owner to be mislead on the issue of whether or not to ban guns in their business. Some have been told by lawyers or insurance providers that they will have addition liability if there is a shooting, whether accidental or in self-defense. This is simply not true. Section 2923.126(C)(2)(a) of the Ohio Revised Code grants all businesses immunity from any action taken by legal firearm carriers.
Some will counter with the claim that you can still sue anybody for just about anything. Perhaps, but the risk in that case is the same whether you choose to ban or allow guns. Many lawyers will tell you that you also run the risk of liability if you do ban guns and a patron is injured or killed during a criminal attack that he or she would have been able to fend off had you not prohibited them from carrying their firearm.
Sometimes, business owners are mislead by salesmen. An insurance salesman might claim there is additional liability in an attempt to sell a more expensive insurance plan. Some sign making companies have tried to claim the "no guns allowed" signs are required in order to sell those signs.
There have also been instances where anti-gun police officials have sent police officers around to all the businesses in town strongly suggesting they post such signs. This is personal prejudice on their part and might even be an abuse of authority and misuse of public funds to promote their agenda in such a way.
There is no requirement for a private business to post a sign banning guns, nor is there additional liability incurred if they do not. However, there are several things a business owner should take into consideration before making a decision to post such signs.
First, a large percentage of permit holders will not patronize any business that puts them up. While this only applies to 1-2% of the population, is it really a good idea in this economy to limit your customer base? It gets worse when you consider that those 1-2% have friends and family who will support their informal boycott. There are also those who do not have a concealed handgun license, yet support gun rights. You'd be at risk of losing those customers as well. In addition, there are millions of hunters in this country, and many of them might also take offense at such a sign.
Another consideration is that it could make your business more attractive to robbers. Consider this example: there are two convenience stores across the street from each other. One has a "no guns allowed" sign and the other does not. The first business might have an armed customer in it who is capable of killing the robber, the other bans guns ensuring everyone inside is disarmed. If you were a criminal, which target would you select? Obviously, someone bent on robbery isn't going to obey a sign saying they can't bring their gun inside, so who is really being stopped?
Every private business has the right to decide for themselves whether or not to put up a "no guns allowed" sign, but they should carefully consider the possible negative consequences of such an action.
Comments
Sometimes you just need to send a letter to the store headquarters. PetsMart in Macedonia Ohio put up a sign last year in the fall. My Wife and I have our CCWs and carry all the time and only shop at the stores that allow guns. Below is a part of the letter that I sent to their main office. About a month later the sign came down and I resumed shopping there again. Most policy makers for these companies don't have all the facts for CCW licenses.
"In Ohio there are roughly 125,000 (and growing) people that have been issued a license to carry a firearm. These people are law-abiding folks that have had training, FBI background checks and have been fingerprinted. They are the good guys!
I’m not sure how many of these people patronize your stores but I’m sure it’s quite a few. I am informing you that until that sign is removed, I will be taking my $3,600+ per year to your competition. It’s a shame because I like your stores."
John
Westfield South center Mall decided to ban guns on their property after the shooting incident. So did the restaurant at the Tukwila Golf course. I haven't seen any no firearms sign at the mall yet, but I read on the blogs that security detained some shopper who was carrying and called the local PD.
Anytime there are guns around you run the risk of being shot, either by a CCW holder or a criminal.
or a cop--
ALEX !!! There you are again. Back like a bad headache, dropping your dour little comments like t__ds in the oatmeal. Oh, what would we do without you? Have you ever considered applying for a job at the VPC or the AHSA? Wait a minute, I just figured it out. You ALREADY work for them. I guess on their budget they can't get anyone without ---- for a brain.
Alex,
On the off chance you even bother to read stuff posted here:
Any time a knife is around, you risk getting cut. Any time there is a section of pipe around, you risk getting bludgeoned. Any time there is a sharpened #2 pencil around you risk getting stabbed. Any time there is a larger/stronger/younger criminal around, your and your family risk getting robbed/murdered/raped.
Stay home, lock your doors and windows, and wait for your Welfare check to arrive, and do all shopping on-line. And don't take baths with your computer.
I went to a Costco with a friend last week because he said they had great prices on Wide screen TV's. I shopped and found whet I wanted. When I went to the service desk to join I saw a NO FIREARMS SIGN!I informed the management at the Costco in Avon Lake OH that I will not be joining there organization and gave them a card i carry that Says I will honer your wished by taking my business elsewhere. On the back it says. I am proven to not be a felon , I have been through multiple background checks, fingerprinted and taken much training in firearms usage and personal protection. Don't you wish you knew that much about all your customers. They just Shrugged. I also will no longer buy gas at BP stations run by a group called Barney's. if enough of us do this we can make a difference. Even the State of Ohio has taken down their No Firearms signs at rest stops for Pete's sake.
I want to see one of their "no guns allowed here" signs save their life when a criminal walks in and robs them then plants one right between their eyes.
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