Carry at Indiana State Fair?

[Fastmover]

With the recent reported events in WI and the Indiana State Fair right around the corner, I'm wondering if the recent law changes in Indiana will now permit legally carried firearms at the State Fair.

In previous years it has been a big no no, but what about now?
Has anything changed?

 

[Scutter01]

Still a no-no.

 

[finity]

Still a no-no.

Yup.

The new law prevents LOCAL governments from enacting firearm restrictions (with a few specific exceptions). It says nothing about state restrictions. The carry prohibition at the state fair is a state restriction.

 

[Fastmover]

Well guess I will resist the wife in wanting to go to the State Fair for yet another year.
Not like my midsection would miss the fried twinkies and other heart clogging monstrosities the vendors come up with.

 

[Principal Skinr]

What's the penalty? Ejection, or is it a crime?

 

[Scutter01]

What's the penalty? Ejection, or is it a crime?

It's a State Fair administrative rule, not a state statute (the authority is delegated to the State Fair). There are no criminal penalties, although you will be required to forfeit your firearm. Furthermore, you are allowed to stow it in your vehicle prior to entering the gates, even if you park on the fairgrounds.

80 IAC 4-4-4
Deadly weapons prohibited
Authority: IC 15-13-2-9
Affected: IC 15-13-2; IC 15-13-7

Sec. 4. (a) This rule does not apply to a federal, state, or local law enforcement officer or to a person who has been employed
or authorized by the state fair commission to provide security protection and services during the annual state fair.
(b) No person in possession of a deadly weapon shall be permitted onto or be permitted to remain on the fairgrounds during
the annual state fair.
(c) Any deadly weapon found in the possession of a person while on the fairgrounds during the annual state fair is subject to
immediate confiscation by law enforcement officers or other persons authorized by the executive director of the state fair commission.
(d) Any person properly licensed to carry a firearm must secure the firearm in a locked compartment of his or her vehicle, and
it shall not be visible to passersby. (State Fair Commission; 80 IAC 4-4-4; filed Jul 7, 2003, 3:15 p.m.: 26 IR 3538; readopted filed
Oct 4, 2007, 10:29 a.m.: 20071024-IR-080070451RFA)

 

[Denny347]

I don't think is is an arrestable offense. I think it is an administrative rule. They will eject you...maybe take the pistol.

 

[Scutter01]

FYI: I just added the IAC's for State Fair and Casino carry to the INGO FAQ for convenience.

 

[CTC B4Z]

State cover, but what about Lake County fair? Sorry I havent had a chance o take a fine tooth comb through the new laws

 

[Scutter01]

State cover, but what about Lake County fair? Sorry I havent had a chance o take a fine tooth comb through the new laws

County fairs are good to go as of July 1, barring unusual circumstances (such as being held on school property).

 

[ryknoll3]

County fairs are good to go as of July 1, barring unusual circumstances (such as being held on school property).

Sorta....

Depends on who puts on the fair. Most fairgrounds are public property, and are therefore fair game for carry. However, if a private organization leases the fairgrounds for the fair, they have the ability under the law to prohibit firearms. The penalty would entail being asked to leave, and if you refused, you could be hit with trespassing, but it's not the same as the State Fair.

 

[Scutter01]

Sorta....

Depends on who puts on the fair. Most fairgrounds are public property, and are therefore fair game for carry. However, if a private organization leases the fairgrounds for the fair, they have the ability under the law to prohibit firearms. The penalty would entail being asked to leave, and if you refused, you could be hit with trespassing, but it's not the same as the State Fair.

Exactly. In that case, it's merely a "private property" rule. No forfeiture and no criminal charges.

 

[g00n24]

It's a State Fair administrative rule, not a state statute (the authority is delegated to the State Fair). There are no criminal penalties, although you will be required to forfeit your firearm. Furthermore, you are allowed to stow it in your vehicle prior to entering the gates, even if you park on the fairgrounds.

80 IAC 4-4-4
Deadly weapons prohibited
Authority: IC 15-13-2-9
Affected: IC 15-13-2; IC 15-13-7

Sec. 4. (a) This rule does not apply to a federal, state, or local law enforcement officer or to a person who has been employed
or authorized by the state fair commission to provide security protection and services during the annual state fair.
(b) No person in possession of a deadly weapon shall be permitted onto or be permitted to remain on the fairgrounds during
the annual state fair.
(c) Any deadly weapon found in the possession of a person while on the fairgrounds during the annual state fair is subject to
immediate confiscation by law enforcement officers or other persons authorized by the executive director of the state fair commission.
(d) Any person properly licensed to carry a firearm must secure the firearm in a locked compartment of his or her vehicle, and
it shall not be visible to passersby. (State Fair Commission; 80 IAC 4-4-4; filed Jul 7, 2003, 3:15 p.m.: 26 IR 3538; readopted filed
Oct 4, 2007, 10:29 a.m.: 20071024-IR-080070451RFA)

Is this to mean a permanent confiscation or will they just be hanging on to your deadly weapon until you leave the fairgrounds?

 

[88GT]

It's a State Fair administrative rule, not a state statute (the authority is delegated to the State Fair). There are no criminal penalties, although you will be required to forfeit your firearm. Furthermore, you are allowed to stow it in your vehicle prior to entering the gates, even if you park on the fairgrounds.

80 IAC 4-4-4
Deadly weapons prohibited
Authority: IC 15-13-2-9
Affected: IC 15-13-2; IC 15-13-7

Sec. 4. (a) This rule does not apply to a federal, state, or local law enforcement officer or to a person who has been employed
or authorized by the state fair commission to provide security protection and services during the annual state fair.
(b) No person in possession of a deadly weapon shall be permitted onto or be permitted to remain on the fairgrounds during
the annual state fair.
(c) Any deadly weapon found in the possession of a person while on the fairgrounds during the annual state fair is subject to
immediate confiscation by law enforcement officers or other persons authorized by the executive director of the state fair commission.
(d) Any person properly licensed to carry a firearm must secure the firearm in a locked compartment of his or her vehicle, and
it shall not be visible to passersby. (State Fair Commission; 80 IAC 4-4-4; filed Jul 7, 2003, 3:15 p.m.: 26 IR 3538; readopted filed
Oct 4, 2007, 10:29 a.m.: 20071024-IR-080070451RFA)

It goes without saying that it's not the act of carrying that gets one in trouble but the act of getting caught. YMMV.

With regards to the specific language of the above-referenced section of IAC, why is it that knives are never treated equally under the "deadly weapons" language in these statutes? I'm sure Indiana has a statutory definition for deadly weapon too, right?. Are knives just not on the list?

 

[nate1865]

I wonder if the band competitions would be considered a school event, thus making it a criminal offense during those times.

 

[PistolBob]

It's a State Fair administrative rule, not a state statute (the authority is delegated to the State Fair). There are no criminal penalties, although you will be required to forfeit your firearm. Furthermore, you are allowed to stow it in your vehicle prior to entering the gates, even if you park on the fairgrounds.

80 IAC 4-4-4
Deadly weapons prohibited
Authority: IC 15-13-2-9
Affected: IC 15-13-2; IC 15-13-7

Sec. 4. (a) This rule does not apply to a federal, state, or local law enforcement officer or to a person who has been employed
or authorized by the state fair commission to provide security protection and services during the annual state fair.
(b) No person in possession of a deadly weapon shall be permitted onto or be permitted to remain on the fairgrounds during
the annual state fair.
(c) Any deadly weapon found in the possession of a person while on the fairgrounds during the annual state fair is subject to
immediate confiscation by law enforcement officers or other persons authorized by the executive director of the state fair commission.
(d) Any person properly licensed to carry a firearm must secure the firearm in a locked compartment of his or her vehicle, and
it shall not be visible to passersby. (State Fair Commission; 80 IAC 4-4-4; filed Jul 7, 2003, 3:15 p.m.: 26 IR 3538; readopted filed
Oct 4, 2007, 10:29 a.m.: 20071024-IR-080070451RFA)

This almost doesn't say anything about firearms, just deadly weapons. Does this mean my wife has to leave her credit cards in the car? She knows 12 ways to kill a man with one.

I also would like to add there is no deadlier weapon at the State Fair than the food midway.

 

[henktermaat]

This, ladies and gentleman, is a good reason to carry a inexpensive gun.

 

[Scutter01]

This almost doesn't say anything about firearms, just deadly weapons. Does this mean my wife has to leave her credit cards in the car? She knows 12 ways to kill a man with one.

I also would like to add there is no deadlier weapon at the State Fair than the food midway.

If you want to play semantics with the cops when they approach you, then I say go for it.

 

[Josh Ward]

The state fair "might" be one of the few places I CC.

The only way I'm gonna get caught is "if" I need it....and that point, I'm ready to leave anyway....

I like to support the 4H program, I grew up particapting, and when my kids are old enough, they will be as well. Unfortunatly much of the state fair has become a hot bed for gangs and hood rats.....

 

[2ADMNLOVER]

Unfortunatly much of the state fair has become a hot bed for gangs and hood rats.....

This ^^ .

Not gonna spend one dime going to the state fair .

Last time I was there (a few years ago) there were 4 "group" fights within 2 hours .

Unless the fair gets moved out of the ghetto I'll never go back .