no loaded guns?

[Guest 556or762]

I just have to rant a little bit here on gun stores with signs on the door restricting carry. I went into Shooters on murfreesboro rd. in Nashville today and noticed the sign on the door says...."if you are not a law enforcement officer unload your gun before entering". I have ranted on this before and get mixed reviews but wth! Why is it bad for a business to post no weapons allowed but ok to ask you to unload them? I don't know if anyone has tried but guess what unless you use it like a club an unloaded gun doesn't go very far in a self defense situation. I asked and was told the reason was people had pulled out loaded guns before and pointed them around the room.....YOU CANT FIX STUPID! I hate to have to say it but doesn't that put a gun store, a place that should fully support your gun rights in the same group as washington, if they're dumb enough to do that a sign won't help., I don't care if they see it as a safety precaution, I see it as if someone pulls out a loaded gun and does anything before clearing it in a safe direction they should be pulling the trigger in fear of a real and present threat to their life or life of those around them. Rant over for now. Oh and no Shooters will not get any business from me.

[npgunner]

I just have to rant a little bit here on gun stores with signs on the door restricting carry. I went into Shooters on murfreesboro rd. in Nashville today and noticed the sign on the door says...."if you are not a law enforcement officer unload your gun before entering". I have ranted on this before and get mixed reviews but wth! Why is it bad for a business to post no weapons allowed but ok to ask you to unload them? I don't know if anyone has tried but guess what unless you use it like a club an unloaded gun doesn't go very far in a self defense situation. I asked and was told the reason was people had pulled out loaded guns before and pointed them around the room.....YOU CANT FIX STUPID! I hate to have to say it but doesn't that put a gun store, a place that should fully support your gun rights in the same group as washington, if they're dumb enough to do that a sign won't help., I don't care if they see it as a safety precaution, I see it as if someone pulls out a loaded gun and does anything before clearing it in a safe direction they should be pulling the trigger in fear of a real and present threat to their life or life of those around them. Rant over for now. Oh and no Shooters will not get any business from me.

I tend to agree with your line of logic, but it may have something to do with the liability insurance they keep? Not sure, just a guess ... 

I personally still shop at these places (gun stores with that sign).  Moss Pawn & Jewelry in Atlanta, GA (of YouTube fame) mentioned it in a video that even though they post that sign, they won't hassel you for CC in the store.  Just don't be pointing loaded guns at people that don't need it.  

 

On another topic ... do you shop at places like Bass Pro? While they aren't technically posted, they do expect you to check your firearm at the customer service desk when you walk in.  Also, when you purchase a gun from them, they escort you out of the store and you can't have the gun until you cross the threshold. 

[Guest 556or762]

Nope no bass pro for me for a long long time.

[tartanphantom]

The first few times I carried in Bass Pro Shop, I did like the sign said and went to the service desk to check my firearm. After being told on 3 separate occasions that I was "OK" (without them even looking at my firearm or my permit), I just quit "checking" it. Now I just stroll in the door with it on my hip, and I've never been questioned at all.

[Smith]

The first few times I carried in Bass Pro Shop, I did like the sign said and went to the service desk to check my firearm. After being told on 3 separate occasions that I was "OK" (without them even looking at my firearm or my permit), I just quit "checking" it. Now I just stroll in the door with it on my hip, and I've never been questioned at all.

That sign only applies to people bringing in guns for work, trade, etc. It is not intended for HCP carriers. There are several discussions on this topic already.

The store I work in has no problem with carrying, but we do ask that If you are going to unholster (checking holsters etc.) That you clear it outside before you bring it in. You wouldn't believe how many people have pulled out loaded guns and then asked if we had a holster to fit it. Almost daily. You'd also be surprised how many guns I've cleared with rounds in the chamber and mags that were "not loaded".

All guns are always loaded.;)

[tartanphantom]

The store I work in has no problem with carrying, but we do ask that If you are going to unholster (checking holsters etc.) That you clear it outside before you bring it in. You wouldn't believe how many people have pulled out loaded guns and then asked if we had a holster to fit it. Almost daily. You'd also be surprised how many guns I've cleared with rounds in the chamber and mags that were "not loaded".

All guns are always loaded. ;)

 

I agree with that policy. If I'm looking for a holster or if I intend to unholster my firearm in any way, I always go outside to completely clear it first, or I clear it before entering.

Edited May 14, 2013 by tartanphantom

[kckndrgn]

On another topic ... do you shop at places like Bass Pro? While they aren't technically posted, they do expect you to check your firearm at the customer service desk when you walk in.  Also, when you purchase a gun from them, they escort you out of the store and you can't have the gun until you cross the threshold. 

 

Really, Just bought a rifle from there on Saturday.  After paying for it at the gun counter, I walked it up, all by myself, to the customer service counter where they removed the trigger lock, then it was out the door.

 

The only time BPS expects you to "check your weapon" at CS is when you are bringing it in for work, at least that's the way it is at the Memphis store.

[npgunner]

Really, Just bought a rifle from there on Saturday.  After paying for it at the gun counter, I walked it up, all by myself, to the customer service counter where they removed the trigger lock, then it was out the door.

 

The only time BPS expects you to "check your weapon" at CS is when you are bringing it in for work, at least that's the way it is at the Memphis store.

Hmm, that's interesting ... I'm sure the signs at the Memphis and Nashville ones are the same, but I thought it said to check all guns (I don't pay that much attention to it, not do I comply).  

 

My BPro gun purchasing experiences happened a few years ago, and it was a handgun.  The guy carried it out to the door for me.  Maybe it was because he removed the lock at the gun counter.  Who knows, either way, it doesn't rattle any sensitivities on my part and I'm happy to let him carry it to the door for me assuming he doesn't make a run for it when we get out there! 

[10-Ring]

Yup, suppose this is to keep idiots from coming in and trying out holsters and stuff with loaded guns.  I can say that anytime I've been holster shopping I unloaded the gun before I entered the store voluntarily.  I also usually ask the salesclerk if I can try the holster out with my unloaded gun.  It only takes one careless person to cause stupid signs to be posted.

[Dolomite_supafly]

It is their shop and they can make whatever rules they want. They could even make a rule that anyone entering has to wear a pink tutu. You either comply or do not enter. As long as the rule doesn't violate the law there is nothing anyone can do about it.

 

Now personally I see it as more dangerous to have people unload their guns before entering. I NEVER remove my gun from the holster unless there is a reason to and unloading is not a reason.

[mikegideon]

I have no problem with that rule. Nothing worse than an ND in a gun store, especially if somebody gets shot. I asked the "why" question at Specialty Arms years ago. That rule was made out of necessity... idiots trying out holsters with loaded guns, and an ND or two. If you own a gun store, you may not be able to afford your new insurance premiums when somebody gets shot. If idiots were rare, it would be one thing. Unfortunately, they're common as mud.

[Cruel Hand Luke]

It is pretty simple....you either follow the rule or not. 

 

If you ARE there to try out a holster or to sell your gun or to get work done on your gun  then unloading it before you go in makes an awful lot of sense.

 

Keep in mind that there is not an "IQ test" to buy a gun and there are a lot of people with frankly SCARY gun handling habits out there. Do YOU want to be the guy behind the counter when Bubba who has "been around guns all his life" hauls out his 1911 with finger on the trigger pointed at you asking if you have a holster for his gun?

 

 

The rules like that are there for the safety of the employees when people bring guns into the shops. I have heard of several instances where people fired supposedly "unloaded" guns into the floor or into the shelf pulling it out of a holster or out of a gun case to show it to the salesman behind the counter. I have also heard of instances where the SALESPEOPLE fired supposedly unloaded guns into the floor while clearing them.....just because you own a gun or work in a gun store does not necessarily mean you know how to safely handle a gun. 

 

As to the folks who are not coming in to buy a holster ? Just leave it  holstered and covered and don't worry about it. Unless they are going to pat you down then don't worry about it. In fact if they never SEE it then whether it is loaded or not will not be an issue now will it? 

Edited May 15, 2013 by Cruel Hand Luke

[Krull]

I hate dealing with gunslingers in kingsport -- been treated rude there on several occasion but I do admire thier police clearly posted on the door that they honor the second and concel carry is welcome --

 

Mahonneys in JC not so honorable unless they have changed their policy -- no loaded weapons period.

[glock55]

just got off the phone with the lady at shooters gun shop in Nashville. I asked her about the sign on the door regarding no loaded firearms except for law enforcement. she advised that the sign is on the door and wanted to know why I was asking. I advised her of this thread and she offered this explanation for the sign. she said in that area they get a lot of younger customers and customers of foreign birth who come in and want to show each other their guns. they do this trying to convince each other on the best gun to purchase. apparently been some ND in the past due to this practice. they posted this sign to prevent this group from bringing loaded firearms into the store. I did not question her regarding other options for this group but several come to mind.

 

I told her I work in that area and stop in every Thursday after work to browse their inventory but would not do so in the future do to this sign. she advised me that concealed carry was welcome in their store as long as it remained concealed carry as opposed to what this group of people were doing. I asked her specifically if I was in the store concealed carry and they spotted me would I get harassed. her answer was absolutely not. they are just trying to stop a problem they were having from a specific group of customers. I have found the staff a shooters to be helpful and friendly every time I have been in there. their prices seem to be among the best in Nashville. I am going by there tomorrow when I get off work and will talk to them again about this face to face just so there is no misunderstanding. I just hate to see a gun shop get a bad reputation due to a misunderstanding.

[Randall53]

Maybe a sign that said:

 

"Concealed Carry with Valid HCP is OK. However,

Keep it in the holster unless needed for EMERGENCY."

 

Would work better?

[Cruel Hand Luke]

I told her I work in that area and stop in every Thursday after work to browse their inventory but would not do so in the future do to this sign. she advised me that concealed carry was welcome in their store as long as it remained concealed carry as opposed to what this group of people were doing.

 

As I said before.....concealed guns don't make people nervous. THe reason concealed guns don't make people nervous is because no one sees them.....it is the people waving them around that makes people nervous.

 

If the sign does not say "pursuant to TCA 39-17........guns are prohibited" or something to that effect prohibiting possession at all then it does not really matter and again, no one is gonna know whether your gun is loaded or not if they don't even know you have a gun ......

 

Some people (like the ones she mentioned) just have not figured out that a gun shop is not a GUN RANGE...... and that they don't need to be pulling their gun out for show and tell. Loaded guns need to stay in holsters unless you are using it to defend yourself. Loaded guns do not go off in holsters....they go off in people's hands.  Everyone remember when the guy at the gun show in Atlanta pulled out his LOADED pistol to show a customer and his son how the gun fit in one of the holsters he was selling? The kid was shot and killed.....http://savannahnow.com/stories/082302/LOCgunshow.shtml

 

 

 

If they NEED to bring it into the shop for repair or holster fit, etc then it NEEDS to be empty for the safety of all the people in the store. Few things make me as nervous as an unknown guy in a gun store hauling out his pistol for show and tell. If you are going to bring it in for show and tell then unloading it beforehand is the smart thing to do.

 

But if you are just there to shop and  are not needing to hand it over to the employees there to get work done on it then just keep it in the freakin' holster and keep it covered and no one will say anything because they do not KNOW you even have it. 

 

I have never been harassed because of carrying a gun. And I TRULY carry 365 days a year and have for almost 20 years. Why have I never been harassed? Because nobody that does not need to know ever knows I'm armed. If I were just going in there to shop with my pistol concealed then I can either choose to unload  (which is HIGHLY unlikely), choose to ignore it (far more likely) or I would simply choose to not enter.  Pretty simple. 

Edited May 15, 2013 by Cruel Hand Luke

[RED333]

As I said before.....concealed guns don't make people nervous. THe reason concealed guns don't make people nervous is because no one sees them.....it is the people waving them around that makes people nervous.

This make all of us worry, do care where it is.

Thus the point of the sign.

[bubbiesdad]

That sign only applies to people bringing in guns for work, trade, etc. It is not intended for HCP carriers. There are several discussions on this topic already.

The store I work in has no problem with carrying, but we do ask that If you are going to unholster (checking holsters etc.) That you clear it outside before you bring it in. You wouldn't believe how many people have pulled out loaded guns and then asked if we had a holster to fit it. Almost daily. You'd also be surprised how many guns I've cleared with rounds in the chamber and mags that were "not loaded".

All guns are always loaded. ;)

 

 

I agree with that policy. If I'm looking for a holster or if I intend to unholster my firearm in any way, I always go outside to completely clear it first, or I clear it before entering.

If I am shopping for a holster, I carry a different gun that day and the gun in search of a holster is unloaded when it leaves the house.