Music Midtown unveils eclectic lineup for 25th anniversary festival (Atlanta: 2014, lease)

[europe2atlanta]

Originally Posted by Smocaine

The cancellation is bizarre all-around.


1: Realistically, if someone wanted to shoot up Music Midtown, they would always be able to regardless of legal technicalities.



2: I'm pro-2A, but is it really not reasonable for events like this to prohibit guns? There is a very obvious difference between a permanent, unenforceable ban on generally having a gun anywhere in public and a ban on having a gun in a specific area during a specific time.

On your second point, this is a culmination of an effort by a group called GA2A that sued the Atlanta Botanical Garden to allow for guns in the park. They lost since ABG is a private entity leasing public land. However, the opinion of Georgia's Supreme Court and recent new gun laws strongly indicate that if someone sued the organizers of a large festival happening on public land trying to forbid guns in the festival, they would win. While GA2A didn't "explicitly" threaten to sue, it's been pretty clear that any attempt to limit guns in major public festivals would lead to a lawsuit.

The legal counsel of Music Midtown probably made the organization well aware of this fact. Coupled with artists requiring the organization to limit guns in the festival due to insurance and security costs, this likely led to the cancelation.

More info here: https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-new...GUQLEIIORAZDU/

Now, why would someone openly advocate for guns in festivals with tens of thousands of drunk people? Your guess is as good as mine. Some people have a gun idolatry problem it seems. Nevertheless, the decision from Music Midtown is likely economic-driven.

It's just unfortunate since I know several people whose businesses were counting on the festival season to boost profits.

[Datdudebrah]

Originally Posted by Smocaine

The cancellation is bizarre all-around.


1: Realistically, if someone wanted to shoot up Music Midtown, they would always be able to regardless of legal technicalities.



2: I'm pro-2A, but is it really not reasonable for events like this to prohibit guns? There is a very obvious difference between a permanent, unenforceable ban on generally having a gun anywhere in public and a ban on having a gun in a specific area during a specific time.

I imagine the issue is more about drunk people with guns getting into fights and deciding to pull them out, not a deranged person deciding they want to shoot up the event. Along with insuring an event that allows guns and alcohol & the requests from the performing artists to not allow guns into the event.

I agree with point 2, the gold dome needs to figure this one out. Its a mess & has the potential to bring some even bigger ripple effects if not addressed.

[MattCW]

Originally Posted by Smocaine

*SNIP*

2: I'm pro-2A, but is it really not reasonable for events like this to prohibit guns? There is a very obvious difference between a permanent, unenforceable ban on generally having a gun anywhere in public and a ban on having a gun in a specific area during a specific time.

Because it's not just about the event itself. What about the walk back to your car? Back down the beltline? Back to and on MARTA? A firearm prohibition at the gate for festivalgoers is effectively a denial of 2nd amdnement rights beyond the gates too. I'd love to finally see some legislatures start crafting civil liability laws that basically state "where it can be reasonably inferred that an individual altered their behavior explicitly to participate or enter onto the premises, the responsible parties of such event or property shall be liable for any injury or damage that occurs as a result of such behavior modification." In other words, ride MARTA to the falcons game so you never brought your firearm, and you get robbed on the train ride back? The falcons and nfl are liable. I'd also like to see them craft laws that don't hold places liable for actions of others that couldn't be predicted. In other words, some nut shoots up the local mall and you get hit? Mall isn't responsible for your medical bills.

[europe2atlanta]

Originally Posted by MattCW

Because it's not just about the event itself. What about the walk back to your car? Back down the beltline? Back to and on MARTA? A firearm prohibition at the gate for festivalgoers is effectively a denial of 2nd amdnement rights beyond the gates too. I'd love to finally see some legislatures start crafting civil liability laws that basically state "where it can be reasonably inferred that an individual altered their behavior explicitly to participate or enter onto the premises, the responsible parties of such event or property shall be liable for any injury or damage that occurs as a result of such behavior modification." In other words, ride MARTA to the falcons game so you never brought your firearm, and you get robbed on the train ride back? The falcons and nfl are liable. I'd also like to see them craft laws that don't hold places liable for actions of others that couldn't be predicted. In other words, some nut shoots up the local mall and you get hit? Mall isn't responsible for your medical bills.

As I mentioned in my other post, some people in this state have a gun idolatry problem coupled with some sort of bizarre form of agoraphobia. If you are too afraid to walk the beltline without a gun or to walk from Peidmont Park to your car without a gun, then maybe just don't go to the festival that doesn't allow guns? Note that literally thousands of people do this every day without any issue.

[Smocaine]

Originally Posted by MattCW

Because it's not just about the event itself. What about the walk back to your car? Back down the beltline? Back to and on MARTA? A firearm prohibition at the gate for festivalgoers is effectively a denial of 2nd amdnement rights beyond the gates too. I'd love to finally see some legislatures start crafting civil liability laws that basically state "where it can be reasonably inferred that an individual altered their behavior explicitly to participate or enter onto the premises, the responsible parties of such event or property shall be liable for any injury or damage that occurs as a result of such behavior modification." In other words, ride MARTA to the falcons game so you never brought your firearm, and you get robbed on the train ride back? The falcons and nfl are liable. I'd also like to see them craft laws that don't hold places liable for actions of others that couldn't be predicted. In other words, some nut shoots up the local mall and you get hit? Mall isn't responsible for your medical bills.

Again, I am as libertarian as they come, but this is just...insane. A temporary ban on guns in the park is not a blanket ban on guns everywhere. For example, you could theoretically have a friend stand outside the park and hold your gun while you're inside for you to pick up once you leave, so you had your full 2A rights all the way to the park and then immediately once you leave.


The right to own weapons is a crucial human right, but I do not understand the hardcore gun activists who take it to this much of an extreme. It's like they think the entire country is an active combat zone at all times, but it's just not that dramatic. There is such a huge leap from 'people need to be able to own firearms' and 'the drunk guy next to you at the Falcons game should be allowed to have a loaded M-16 in his lap', and I don't know how people make it.


Clearly something got screwed up in the legal system here and they need to iron out the wrinkles. But to advocate against something like Music Midtown banning guns is absolutely unhinged.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by Smocaine

For example, you could theoretically have a friend stand outside the park and hold your gun while you're inside for you to pick up once you leave, so you had your full 2A rights all the way to the park and then immediately once you leave.

Hadn't thought about, but that's actually a great point. If you've had to park some distance away, maybe the friend could cover you while you're heading back to the car.

Of course you'd still be a sitting duck while in the park.

If the police would release the stats on people getting attacked while going to and from these events, it might open more people's eyes to the risk.

[MichiganderTexan]

Originally Posted by europe2atlanta

On your second point, this is a culmination of an effort by a group called GA2A that sued the Atlanta Botanical Garden to allow for guns in the park. They lost since ABG is a private entity leasing public land. However, the opinion of Georgia's Supreme Court and recent new gun laws strongly indicate that if someone sued the organizers of a large festival happening on public land trying to forbid guns in the festival, they would win. While GA2A didn't "explicitly" threaten to sue, it's been pretty clear that any attempt to limit guns in major public festivals would lead to a lawsuit.

The legal counsel of Music Midtown probably made the organization well aware of this fact. Coupled with artists requiring the organization to limit guns in the festival due to insurance and security costs, this likely led to the cancelation.

More info here: https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-new...GUQLEIIORAZDU/

Now, why would someone openly advocate for guns in festivals with tens of thousands of drunk people? Your guess is as good as mine. Some people have a gun idolatry problem it seems. Nevertheless, the decision from Music Midtown is likely economic-driven.

It's just unfortunate since I know several people whose businesses were counting on the festival season to boost profits.

Atlanta is becoming less and less attractive, and overpriced super suburban metro area with terrible transportation option and caught in the middle of a battle between the super far left and far right.

[Smocaine]

Originally Posted by MichiganderTexan

Atlanta is becoming less and less attractive, and overpriced super suburban metro area with terrible transportation option and caught in the middle of a battle between the super far left and right.

I do agree with this. It seems like Georgia had the best of both worlds for a while- a red state with economics-focused Republicans who were pragmatic on social issues and Democrats that could be productive (HOPE scholarship, a rapidly-developing urban center, etc) without going too far left or over-the-top on fringey issues. The state's politics are definitely a mess right now, way too much of a Bible-thumping religious right vs. wackjob leftists thing going on.

[bethereds82]

Originally Posted by MichiganderTexan

Atlanta is becoming less and less attractive, and overpriced super suburban metro area with terrible transportation option and caught in the middle of a battle between the super far left and right.

I kind of feel like every other fast growing sun belt city could qualify for the statement. Dallas, Phoenix, etc.

Such a shame that this event is being canceled. I’m not against guns per say, but I agree that our gun laws need reform. Just like many who have commented, I really don’t understand the people who feel entitled to carry their guns everyone (including a park) just in case a nightmarish self defense situation presents itself.

Some laws don’t make sense. I hope change is coming.

[testess]

This is a massive L for the city. Isn't Music Midtown like the biggest festival in Atlanta. First MLB All Star game now this. And I'm sure this is gonna effect other events.