Thread: Working gallows

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I have a gallows (Is that the right word for singular?) made out of 2X3s with a noose hanging from it that I've used to decorate for a couple of previous Halloweens. It's too late this year, but, for next year, I'm thinking of building a working gallows with a dropping door in the floor and a body with a hinged neck that would snap sideways when the door is dropped as the TOTers walk by. I have been told by some that this might not be a good idea. Would this, in anybody's opinion, be in poor taste.

Personally I am not bothered by it at all, but society as a whole today have become much less accepting of nooses and gallows. You are likely inviting trouble. Chances are that somebody will complain, and eventually the local officials will show up at your door and ask you to take it down or face charges. It's just how things are today. If I were you, I'd seriously consider spending your talent and energy on something different that isn't going to risk a public backlash. Just my opinion.

first i dont think it is something for young tots to see , and yes you might have issues with some people too in the community , it would be ashame if you put so much effort into building that to have someone ask to take it down.

now if this was a pirate set up and your person on the gallow is a pirate it will be more acceptable from everyone and for younguer children as well......or if your creating a scene like a medivale scene with 2 cloaked man beside your gallow etc this would also maybe less of an issue ...sometimes it just needs to be a little more tastefully done to be accepted when it come to props like this ......just my opinion

My 2 cents.
I aggree with the previous post. Not something for the younglins. Well, it depends on the what other props youre building around it too. If its to gory, then it may be too much!, but if the other props help in dressing it down, then you should be fine.
I don't think its bad taste at all, but there are some people outthere will definetly have issues with it.

If you have used it to "decorate" in previous years, meaning that you put it up before Halloween and nobody complained, you'll probably be fine. I didn't put my animated hangman up until the day before Halloween, but nobody complained. I got a lot of compliments on it actually.

I think no matter what you do you run the risk of "offending" someone. I try to keep the gore to a minimum and I think even though they are scared, it has always been well received by the kids, esp. the smaller ones.

I wouldn't have a working gallows if there will be young tots around, but it would be really cool if you had a party where you could do whatever you want. I agree there's always someone who would more than likely complain. But of course if it's on your property you can do whatever the hell you want You just might not have any young trick or treaters the next year.

Their are a couple of people around here who have put up just the noose in their display this year and last and it has drawn attention from the community and local neighbors. The thing about this year is the guy just hadn't even finished decorating. He stopped for the day because he ran out of light.

As far as t-o-t go most of them don't even know what they are or used for so they will just see it has a Halloween prop. The ones old enough to know it shouldn't bother them anyways. I just know i wouldn't risk it with those that are politically correct these days.

I would agree with the posts above. For young ToT's it might be too much and your house could be avoided next year. In my area we have a great amount of young children and with 2 young ToT's myself I try to keep it more like the Disney's Haunted Mansion and less like a Freddy/Jason bloodbath. I think a gallows would be great though if you incorporated into a room inside your house for an adult Halloween party.

My fine state passed legislation yesterday making it illegal to publicly display a noose. It is now considered a hate crime here. Political correctness run amok, as there is no differentiation between a simple halloween display and a truly disgusting display of racist intent by some people. I have zero tolerance for any type of racism, but I fear a long term haunter's staple has been taken away.
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medical marijuana patient

I don't know if there is any law against it in Nevada, but I was advised by a police officer to NOT hang a noose in our Halloween Tree. I'm guessing a gallows would be short-lived (pardon the pun).