WaGuns.org

Hello,
I want to reaffirm the Key Arena Experience since the last post was in 2011.
I googled information on whether the Key would allow legally concealed pistols and I didn't find much.
This was the only site that really had good information.

I found some more information on the KeyArena Web site.
https://www.keyarena.com/arena-information/a-to-z-guide
"Weapons Prohibited:
Guests, including law enforcement personnel not present in an official capacity, are prohibited from bringing weapons into the arena. KeyArena does provide weapon lockers. See any KeyArena Admissions staff member to check your weapon. Weapons include, but are not limited to, the following: firearms, explosives, stun guns, handcuffs, brass knuckles, sticks, clubs, batons, martial arts instruments, pepper spray, tear gas, knives, etc. Guests found in possession of the above-mentioned items will be asked to remove the item from the arena or dispose of it. Guests who refuse to comply will be ejected from the arena and may be subject to arrest."

I went to the Key for a TSO concert, I highly recommend it. I told the staff that was doing the bag searches that I needed to use a weapons locker and they contacted the onsite Seattle PD. Once I passed the ticket taker the SPD officer asked to see my CPL and escorted me to the Security Control room. He was very nice and explained the process, it was non-confrontational. Once at the room, I read and filled out a basic hold harmless form and contact information. I picked a small locker to put my pistol in, there are about 25 lockers, locked it and took the key with me. After the concert, I returned to the office, unescorted, recovered my pistol and took the paperwork that I filled out. We did have to exit into the staging parking lot next to the security office, they didn't want me returning to the arena armed.

The best I could tell there were 2 other people using the lockers when I was there. It was a simple process and I didn't have an issue with it because my concerns are for my families safety when traveling to and from the arena. I wish more places would do this like SafeCo and Century Link.

The security search is for bags/containers looking for professional cameras and binoculars, no pat downs. It would be easy to sneak it in. By state law, they can't prevent you from carrying concealed in the arena since its a public facility. The venue, by the contract you sign when buying the tickets, doesn't want you to carry and you can be kicked out if you are caught with a weapon, although I call it a tool. This is a good alternative compared to leaving it in your vehicle or at home which is not an option. POGO

Thanks for the updated report, Todd!!

And welcome to WaGuns!!

Thanks for the write up, it's very helpful. I'm not thrilled with the request to examine your CPL but the entire process is at least a step in the right direction. The indemnification is also ridiculous, of course. Insurance and legalese has to get their digs in somewhere, I guess.

Could this possibly be the best first post of anyone on this site?

Welcome, ToddWillburn!

Yes great writeup. while many of us would rather just carry in he building and be left alone, at least Key Arena has provided an option other than leaving it in your car and being unarmed walking to and from or having car broken into...

mislabeled wrote:Thanks for the write up, it's very helpful. I'm not thrilled with the request to examine your CPL but the entire process is at least a step in the right direction. The indemnification is also ridiculous, of course. Insurance and legalese has to get their digs in somewhere, I guess.

I thought that at 1st too, but when thought about it, it makes sense. In this situation you just told the staff and thus the officer you have a concealed weapon (since it is not visible), that requires a permit in WA so he will of course want to see it. Interesting the had an officer escort the person, why not just a member of security staff?

I am curious what if any guard was posted in the locker area?

I wonder what would happen if you were OC'ing and didn't bring your permit?

Massivedesign wrote:I wonder what would happen if you were OC'ing and didn't bring your permit?

I would not think they would ask for permit if you were OC? My read of OP and the officer asking was because he had no visible firearm..?

So, I am headed to the Key tomorrow to go see Chris Stapleton. I plan on using the lockers...

Well, that was pretty damn simple. Went last night to the Key for Chris Stapleton. Had with me, my XDs 9mm, an extra mag, and my pocket knife. At the bag search, there were NO scanners, no wands nothing. I could have easily just carried in, but wanted to take one for the team. Walked up to the bag search guy and told him I had a firearm I needed to secure. His eyes got wide and he was a little taken back. I glanced over his shoulder at an SPD officer who looked at me, at my WaGuns Hoodie and said; "Need to store your pistol?", I said up and away we went. He did ask for my "CCW", which I provided, and I asked the question about Open Carry, and people who don't have CPL's or ID. He rolled his eyes and said, that it's luckily never happened, but he said it would depend on a lot of circumstances... I didn't want to dig further as he seemed slightly annoyed at the question. As we were walking, he did mention that the lockers are there for people to use, but are NOT required to be there, and that we are all pretty lucky that the Key has these things.

We walked to section 120, where there is this little door that goes to a hallway. At the end is this small security room with a Security guard in it. With the SPD officer, we walked in and he was very upfront regarding the procedure. I got to pick a locker, open it, put my gun, mag and knife (could have kept the knife hidden, part of the test) inside and lock it. The key stayed with me. The officer and I had a small chit chat about how cool the XDs is, bonus points. He then took me over to this 3-ring binder where he filled out that I was in locker 18, his name and time. Then I filled out a contact sheet that he made VERY CLEAR that they do not copy, nor reference unless somebody leaves their gun unclaimed and than when I come pick up the gun I take the sheet with me. The sheet also had the usual verbiage of "key arena, not responsible... no spare keys... loose your key you have to come back during business hours... blah blah.." The whole process took less than 5 minutes from first contact.

After the show, I walked back to the security room by myself and the guard recognized me and opened the door. From there I re-holstered and we chatted for a bit about how cool these were for people. He agreed, we chatted and laughed about the political anti-gunn'ness of Seattle for a moment. He also let me know that the Seattle Opera Hall / McCaw hall also had lockers for patrons. I left through the arena, no secret back door or anything.

So, in reality, I could have kept it concealed, easily. But I am glad that there is an easy solution in place at the Key for those who choose to carry and stow (not in a vehicle).

Thanks for the update Dan.

Too bad to hear SPD is still virulently anti-OC.

Thanks for the update!

Did he really ask for your "CCW"? If so-

This may seem trivial, but there is a difference. It's like mag, and clip. Some state have CCW because it covers other "weapons". In WA it's CPL because it only covers pistols.

It's definitely a step in a positive direction, and good to know that other venues are also thinking more progressively about their patrons who may arrive armed.

The "lucky" remark could have been construed as a little condescending but I sort of doubt that was the cop's intention when he said it.

Alpine wrote:Too bad to hear SPD is still virulently anti-OC.

I don't know if I would go that far.... I think he knew where I was headed with the question (probing) and didn't feel like getting into it with me... Which I understand as his job that day was to babysit 20,000 drunk cowboys and cowgirls.

golddigger14s wrote:Did he really ask for your "CCW"? If so-

YUP! Actually used the CCW phrase.

mislabeled wrote:The "lucky" remark could have been construed as a little condescending but I sort of doubt that was the cop's intention when he said it.

Yhea, condescending wasn't his tone at all. I made a comment that it would nice to have these at Clink and Safeco and he smiled and agreed enthusiastically.

It is disturbing that an officer who enforces state and city law doesnt understand the uniqueness of WA's CPL compared with other states' CCWs.

Also, its too bad that exercising or asking about exercising a civil right (OCing) is considered an onerous task or "getting into it." We've had OCers drawn down on by SPD in public parks, which is a threat of force/death for merely using their rights.

Not trYing to stir up anything or give you grief and I appreciate you taking one for the team. I remember how much the cops at Federal Way courthouse gave me a hard time for using their pistol checkin, so I know firsthand how that can be.