Boston Marathon security and possession of discouraged items

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Mini88

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Heads up to those of you attending the marathon, there will be security checkpoints for spectators entering certain viewing areas. I checked because I will be there Saturday watching my gf run the 5k and was curious about what I may run into as a spectator. I don't expect to have to deal with any of this but it does make me a bit weary.

I wonder if presenting an LTC at such check points would put out the fire, or if they would even make a fuss over a lawful ccw.

yes she's hot.


http://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/event-information/spectator-information.aspx
 
They are very thorough, a NES member carry through their wand search in hopkinton last year. They did the same last year. The stuff about no bags on the route or you can be searched is bs. They can't search your bag without your ok.

It's bs for the sheep to eat up.
 
It says certain items are "discouraged" and to "expect delays", but it doesn't specifically say that they are prohibited. Not sure what that means exactly, just something I've noticed.
 
I figured most of it was talk. Searched 2015 marathon and didn't find anything related so I figured I would share.

03KnockKnock I picked up on the same thing, doesn't seem like there is much threat to lawful possession of anything they list. I'll bring my high capacity backpack permit just in case though.
 
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The only place they can really restrict you frommis the stands and the start and finish lines because they belong to the event. Ther isn't anything they can do Legally along the route. I chatted with my PD, I'm unfortunately in a town on the route. Asked what legal basis they had to search people, bags, ask them to leave, etc. And they said those are suggestions not demands (no backpacks, etc). It really is all bs so the sheep think they are super safe. When nothing happens ie a bombing like every year except 1, the sheep praise the cops and the cops pat themselves on the back. It's a show more than anything.

Here is the thread from last year.

http://www.northeastshooters.com/vb...how-up-naked?p=3885280&viewfull=1#post3885280
 
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You'll have tons of private security there too, doing god knows what. It's all security theater, and they're dragging people from Western MA all the way to Boston for this bullshit.
 
M1911 said:
Sounds like a good day to work from home.
Click to expand...

It really is. I always do, and my wife and I actually heard the two explosions from the top of a hill down on the south shore while we were walking the dog that day two years ago.
 
The solution to potential bombings is to bar lawful carry.
  • Weapons or items of any kind that may be used as weapons, including firearms, knives, mace, etc.
Click to expand...
Looks like the authorities the seized the opportunity.
 
MisterHappy said:
last night on the news, they showed the helicopter that's going to look for nukes.

Whew....I can rest easy, now
Click to expand...

If it was the one that was buzzing low and fast around the city yesterday it was pretty wild. They were going between buildings, swooping around in a loosely defined grid pattern.

- - - Updated - - -

DispositionMatrix said:
The solution to potential bombings is to bar lawful carry.

Looks like the authorities the seized the opportunity.
Click to expand...

Leave your fists, teeth and feet at home.

Land of the free, home of the brave.
 
DispositionMatrix said:
The solution to potential bombings is to bar lawful carry.

Looks like the authorities the seized the opportunity.
Click to expand...

Those are only discouraged items. Unless you're in one of the restricted areas in Hopkinton, or you're a participant in the race, those are just suggestions, not rules. I think it's all more theater to make people feel like something is being done. I was at the finish line last year when they had these exact same rules in place. Going through security, I was in line and was approaching a high end camera (facial recognition maybe?) pointed at the security line, at which point a cop came up to me, pulled me out of line and escorted me through the checkpoint. No questions, no search, no metal detectors, nothing. I know of two other people this happened to. All three of us have our LTC. My theory is that it was a FR camera, and they were pulling specific people out of line who they had good reason to believe wouldn't pose a threat and/or didn't want to scare other people by exposing lawfully concealed firearms.

Also, remember that in Boston, knives over 2 inches long are illegal to carry regardless of the marathon.
 
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Pete85 said:
Those are only discouraged items. Unless you're in one of the restricted areas in Hopkinton, or you're a participant in the race, those are just suggestions, not rules. I think it's all more theater to make people feel like something is being done. I was at the finish line last year when they had these exact same rules in place. Going through security, I was in line and was approaching a high end camera (facial recognition maybe?) pointed at the security line, at which point a cop came up to me, pulled me out of line and escorted me through the checkpoint. No questions, no search, no metal detectors, nothing. I know of two other people this happened to. All three of us have our LTC. My theory is that it was a FR camera, and they were pulling specific people out of line who they had good reason to believe wouldn't pose a threat and/or didn't want to scare other people by exposing lawfully concealed firearms.

Also, remember that in Boston, knives over 2 inches long are illegal to carry regardless of the marathon.
Click to expand...


That would be cool if true, but I have a hard time buying it. Not your story, I believe that, just your theory on why they pulled you out of line. Admittedly, I can't come up with an alternative possible reason though.
 
My mother and I volunteer at the starting line. This year they changed our check in location to a school. It also states that we cannot posses any weapons...considering not even volunteering this year.
 
new guy said:
If it was the one that was buzzing low and fast around the city yesterday it was pretty wild. They were going between buildings, swooping around in a loosely defined grid pattern.
.
Click to expand...

I saw what looked like three OH-58D Kiowa helicopters over the city yesterday, flying in formation.
 
Pete85 said:
Those are only discouraged items. Unless you're in one of the restricted areas in Hopkinton, or you're a participant in the race, those are just suggestions, not rules. I think it's all more theater to make people feel like something is being done. I was at the finish line last year when they had these exact same rules in place. Going through security, I was in line and was approaching a high end camera (facial recognition maybe?) pointed at the security line, at which point a cop came up to me, pulled me out of line and escorted me through the checkpoint. No questions, no search, no metal detectors, nothing. I know of two other people this happened to. All three of us have our LTC. My theory is that it was a FR camera, and they were pulling specific people out of line who they had good reason to believe wouldn't pose a threat and/or didn't want to scare other people by exposing lawfully concealed firearms.

Also, remember that in Boston, knives over 2 inches long are illegal to carry regardless of the marathon.
Click to expand...

What was the conversation when the cop came up and pulled you out of line?

It would be extremely disheartening if your theory is true. Not sure I can give them enough credit to pull that off though.
 
Mini88 said:
Heads up to those of you attending the marathon, there will be security checkpoints for spectators entering certain viewing areas. I checked because I will be there Saturday watching my gf run the 5k and was curious about what I may run into as a spectator. I don't expect to have to deal with any of this but it does make me a bit weary.

I wonder if presenting an LTC at such check points would put out the fire, or if they would even make a fuss over a lawful ccw.

yes she's hot.


http://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/event-information/spectator-information.aspx
Click to expand...

Instead of presenting your LTC, why dont you just wear your sash.[banghead]
2503d1377666165-drop-gun-i-said-drop-bam-bam-bam-p_080000833_1.jpg
 
I live on Beacon Street, the inbound side where the runners pass by my front door.
During the marathon there are typically several LEOs and National Guard troops on my corner.
While going inside for some refreshment two years ago, I saw the bombing on the TV.
I went outside and told a LEO about it and he hadn't yet heard about it.
Do you think I could sit on my front steps with a rifle on Monday or would it be out of the question to host an open carry party in my front yard?
 
Aaron[MA];4448186 said:
What was the conversation when the cop came up and pulled you out of line?

It would be extremely disheartening if your theory is true. Not sure I can give them enough credit to pull that off though.
Click to expand...

The cop walked up to me and said "Would you please step out of line." (I've heard this at the airport a few times before, so it didn't seem strange.) followed by "Please walk on through. Keep moving."
 
Its really very simple.

1) They can only force a search if they have reasonable articulable suspicion.
2) They can make complying with a search a condition of entry into certain spaces. These are typically at the start and finish. Along the route, its not a big deal. At the start and finish, if they are searching bags as a condition of entry into a certain area, you are free to turn around and not enter.
 
Harvey Paul said:
When I heard, saw, and felt it pass overhead over Beacon Street I had no idea what was going on. It was very close and made many slow passes.
It was not a military helicopter but was not a small one either.
Click to expand...

It was one of those NSA Bell 412s I think.
 
Harvey Paul said:
I live on Beacon Street, the inbound side where the runners pass by my front door.
During the marathon there are typically several LEOs and National Guard troops on my corner.
While going inside for some refreshment two years ago, I saw the bombing on the TV.
I went outside and told a LEO about it and he hadn't yet heard about it.
Do you think I could sit on my front steps with a rifle on Monday or would it be out of the question to host an open carry party in my front yard?
Click to expand...

Get a SWAT baseball hat and perch yourself on the roof.
 

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