[First, the necessary disclaimer: if you're carrying concealed, then, damnit, keep it concealed.]
In California it is not against the law, per se, to CCW in places where they post signs stating 'No CCW.' However, in Orange County it is against the Orange County Sheriff Department policy for you to do so (at least at the Pond, Anaheim Stadium, Dodger Stadium and the Staples Center.)
Those venues will contact OCSD if you're somehow 'caught' or found to be CCWing (God forbid.) OCSD will then pull your CCW license.
I believe this is a very bad policy for OCSD to follow. It forces CCW holders to become sheep/victims if they choose to patronize these venues.
And therein is the rub: some say vote with your feet and don't spend your money at these 'No CCW' places.
I tend to agree but it's not that easy in my circumstances. My family frequently receives free tickets to special access areas at a few of these 'No CCW' venues. My wife loves to attend, as does my young son. I'm not about to let them go alone, so I tag along.
If I CCW and am discovered I'll lose my license. I believe that's an unreasonable policy for OCSD to put forth.
True, there aren't yet many places where OCSD takes this line (that we know of) but where will this policy take us? Straight to Virginia Tech, NIU and in Utah at the Trolley Court.
If someone had killed the shooters at Virginia Tech or NIU while holding a CCW, would local law enforcement have pulled their license for CCWing in violation of 'No CCW' signs? If it happened in Orange County perhaps they would have.
That is an untenable policy and irresponsible for such a relatively 'pro-CCW' department. Yes, I'm grateful that OCSD has a generous CCW policy. Yes, I'm grateful my CCW issuance was not hindered by politics as it would have been had I lived in Los Angeles County. I'm very grateful because these are 2 steps forward. But this policy of pulling CCW licenses for CCWing in a 'No CCW' zone is 3 steps back.
It should go without saying, but I'll say it anyway, if I'm CCWing and a private property owner asks me to leave his establishment I must and would leave. If I refuse I will be and should be arrested/charged for trespassing. That's California Penal Code 602, et seq.
If I willingly leave without a fuss and later that owner calls OCSD and complains because he had a sign stating 'No CCW' which he claims I ignored, OCSD in my opinion should politely tell the owner that the sign in question carries no legal weight and does not have the force of law.
OCSD should politely recommend to the owner that he be more careful who he lets into his establishment if he doesn't want certain law-abiding citizens' patronage.
The sign stating 'No CCW' should carry no more weight in the halls of the Orange County Sheriff's Department than a sign stating 'We Reserve the Right to Refuse Service to Anyone.'
Anaheim Pond wands for weapons before the entrance. No problem, leave your piece in the car. They've got Anaheim's finest patrolling the halls so I feel relatively safe.
Anaheim Stadium and Dodger Stadium do not wand for weapons. They post signs stating 'No Weapons.' There are no organized police patrols that I've seen. I don't feel secure, especially down in LA (my bias.)
If I was to CCW at these last 2 venues I wouldn't be 'discovered' unless I suffered very bad luck and had a very accidental exposure or if I was forced to defend myself or my family.
If that occurred I believe OCSD should not penalize the CCW holder by pulling their license.
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