From the mass shooting in Las Vegas to the recent standoff in Cortland, there's a big question being asked: What can hotels do to protect their guests?

Legal experts who spoke with Spectrum News say hotels are considered private entities, and therefore, they have the right to ban guns. However, enforcing that right may present a challenge.

Hotels cannot legally search guests. If there is some suspicion of a guest or an item, it should be reported to police. Only law enforcement has the right to conduct a reasonable search. 

"There's always a balancing act in the law, especially when you're dealing with an entity like an hotel. They have to balance diligence, keeping their eyes open and watching what's going on around them with being reasonable in protecting their guests' safety. If they cross the line in being reasonable, then they're looking at the potential of liability," said Gerald Raymond, Tully Rinckey PLLC managing partner.

Lawyers say this goes for the use of metal detectors as well. If a hotel uses a metal detector and detects a gun, law enforcement must conduct the search. 

In the meantime, experts say one of the most efficient ways to protect safety is if you see something, to say something.