The Houston Zoo used to ban guns inside the premises, but now the facility has been forced to allow firearms.
The Houston Zoo is privately owned, but sits on public property, and a gun rights lawyer pointed out that this meant the company doesn’t have the right to ban guns. Now, the “No Guns” sign has been taken down, and zoo-goers have mixed feelings about it.
“Why would you want to bring a gun to the zoo?” asked Damian Manuel. “I mean, that’s kind of crazy.”
Many have been shaken up by the removal of the “No Guns” sign and some are now threatening to stop visiting the zoo.
“I probably won’t be coming here anymore, but probably bad for them,” said Anna Runge.
Some patrons felt the “No Guns” was the only line of defense for keeping out deranged gunmen and worry the lack of restriction equates to open season.
“You just never know these days,” said Felicia Manuel. “I’d feel safer going somewhere where it’s restricted, but what can you do?”
But not everyone was opposed to the change. Chrissy Richey thinks if you’re a licensed concealed carrier, you should be able to carry where you want, including the zoo.
“If you have the right to carry, you should be able to carry,” said Richey. “That’ my opinion. Everyone should be safe. If you think carrying a gun makes you safe.”
The Houston Zoo released an official statement, which reads in part, “Effective immediately, the Houston Zoo will not ask anyone who is lawfully permitted to carry a concealed legal handgun to stow their weapon in their vehicle while visiting the zoon. We do recognize that this has the potential to confuse or concern our guests and members and we want to emphasize that this will not alter our number-one priority, which is the safety of our guests, employees, and animals.”
(This article was a submission from freelance writer Brent Rogers)
Nothing in the Constitution about caring a gun to the zoo. I read the Second and I can not find it! Same with other places that ban guns. These people who post these signs are either ignorant of the Constitutional rights ,can not read or are stupid Democrats.
Typical stupidity….hey if we pass some law and hang a sign…those bad guys are sure to obey. …right? Right?
Criminals would not heed a sign that says “No Guns”, so they will take their weapon into any establishment. What do people fear from a law abiding citizen who carries a firearm?
Correct me if I am wrong, but isn’t there a difference between have a CCW and carrying a concealed weapon without a permit different? In the the state of Nevada, carrying a concealed firearm when you have a CCW means “technically” you are not carrying a firearm as long as you don’t have it visible or accedentally brandish it. More simple, you are not technically carrying because you have a legal permit. Here, in a situation like being pulled over because of a traffic violation, we do not even have to tell the officer there is a firearm on my person or in vehicle… -if they ask, only would have to legally respond to inform of them of CCW and present it if they want to see it… Even though once they run your personal info, CCW permit details would/should come up… But that is here.
People always ask why you would want to carry a gun at the Zoo or any other location. They ask don’t you feel safe going there? The answer has been provided to us time and again “And now they are dead”.
Did the parents of the Sandy Hook School children, The Teachers and administrators feel safe going to the school that day. They probably did or did not even give it a second thought. “And now they are dead”.
The the movie goers in Colorado feel safe going to the movies that day. They probably did not give it a second thought. “And now they are dead”.
Did the members of the South Carolina church feel safe that day going to church. If you don’t feel safe at a church were can you feel safe. “And now they are dead”.
The truth is law abiding citizens cannot predict where some nut will show up and open fire on the crowd. The most likely place is somewhere that guns are not allowed. Your protection can only be ensured by you. No one else will be there in time. You have to be prepared or one day you may be included in the saying “And now they are dead”
If you don’t like it, STAY HOME! Stay away from all the places that allow people to exercise their 2nd Amend rights to ensure their safety. Stay locked in side your home in fear of law abiding citizens who are usually much closer to help in a time of need than the police(they can’t be everywhere)….in fact why don’t you move to Mexico, where they love to take peoples rights away……and you can feel all safe thanks to your local drug lord or gang chapter and away from those wicked law abiding US citizens who legally carry firearms. Wait… What’s that?!…..crime is worse in Mexico than it is here in the US?!…..Noooooo! Say it Ain’t so!!! Who would have ever thought.
I mean I can see why people not in the gun community/culture could be off put by this, but really every time you see a video of a chimp or tiger mauling someone to death doesn’t a good 10mm seem like a great way to save a life? I love love love animals, but no animal other than my dog is worth a human life.
Zoos are not safe places. There are riots at the one in Kansas City.
They happen regularly, as far as national average for riots at zoos go.