[boredelmo]

Was at academy with a friend who was purchasing a 6in Revolver.

Friend was filling out paperwork when bald overweight white guy dressed as a thug come downs and talks to the clerk.

Clown: Yo', you sell hollowpoints?
Clerk: Yeah
Clown: Damn, cop killers.
Clerk: What?
Clown: Nothin'
Clerk: Mhm.

He then turns to my friend:

Clown: Yo, you got a gun?
Friend: 'bout to
Clown: Damn man i want a Glock fortay so bad, i cant afford it tho.
Friend: Mhm
Clown: You gettin' that!?! (6in stainless revolver)
Friend: Mhm
Clown: I bet now aint nobody goin to f*ck with you huh?

I sense my friend and the clerks annoyance because he was trying to fill out paperwork.

Me: Nobody does now (currently) (my friend is 6'2 190lbs)
Clown: I was just saying
Everyone together: Mhm.

So read all the stereotypes on THR about thugs and guns, but today, almost all of them came true with this one guy. Wow.

Anyone get pestered with ignorance and annoyance from people like this?

[Autolycus]

Thanks for that. I am glad to have read that. :rolleyes:

[boredelmo]

Glad i could brighten your day, lets go salsa dancing with HK P2000's.

[TnShooter83]

They don't really annoy me. As I usually walk off or cut them short
before it gets annoying.

Sounds like you handled it well.

[Don't Tread On Me]

I've seen and heard worse. Been a victim of much of it. I try and forget these experiences.


They do have a bright side. They remind me why I prepare for a SHTF - because when law and order is gone - I have to share a geographical area with people of that mindset.


Think about it.


At least you encountered stupid people during a gun purchase and not on the line of a firing range. That's much worse (Been there, done that).

[Colt]

It's a combination of ignorance and poor social skills. But mostly ignorance.

I recently took someone I considered pretty intelligent to the range for an introduction to shooting. He had never so much as held a real gun before. Though he was obviously (and understandably) nervous, he eventually got over it through repetition and familiarity with the 4 rules. By the time we finished (2 hours) he was comfortable and was even shooting decent groups at about 10 yards with a Ruger .22. We didn't shoot anything but the .22.

He treated me to lunch afterward. Here's a part of the conversation:

Me: The .22 is an entry-level caliber used for training and fun. Most people carry at least a 9mm for protection. Virtually all cops carry a 9 or something more potent.
Him: I could never be a cop. Mainly because I could never shoot someone.
Me: I don't want to be a cop either, but I'm pretty sure I could shoot someone if it came to that.
Him: I guess we're just different.
Me: So you wouldn't shoot someone who was intent on doing harm to you or your family?
Him: Oh, yeah. I would do that. Absolutely. I just don't think I could shoot someone for any other reason. Only if they were going to seriously harm or kill me or someone else could I do it.
Me: What other reason could there be for shooting someone?
Him: Like, I don't want to shoot the guy stealing my car radio, or get myself into a gun fight in downtown Philly.
Me: You can't shoot the guy stealing your car radio. Carrying a gun doesn't give you the right to shoot, or even draw your gun on, someone who is commiting a crime. You can only use deadly force on people who are a direct, lethal threat to you or others.
Him: Oh. I didn't realize it worked that way.

The conversation didn't end there. We talked about things like conflict de-escalation, levels of awareness while carrying, etc, etc... But it shows that people who aren't exposed to responsible gun owners only know what they see on TV or read in the paper. This was a pretty smart guy that had NO idea what CCW was about.

The guy you mention doesn't sound very bright, but my guess is that his problem has more to do with ignorance than stupidity. (With some bad manners tossed in.)

[Gunbabe]

I went into Gander Mountain on Saturday (my husband wouldn't go in this time and he always does) and this big bald obnoxious guy (maybe it was the same one) was already being helped but then walked away so I moved up. I knew that I wanted the Taurus .38 special as I had already looked at it elsewhere. The whole time I was filling out my paperwork he wouldn't leave me alone. I love to talk about my having guns but not when I'm doing that. He said oh well a little lady should start out on a .22. Not to sound b****y but my first thought was do I look like I need help and "little lady" what era is this guy stuck in? I walked right in and knew what I wanted. Then he started going on about how his uncle is a cop in PA....again, did I ask? Why is it every guy that wants to prove something seems to know a cop somewhere. Big deal! I was totally excited about my gun as I have been wanting that one for a while but this guy just about ruined it. The guy behind the counter has helped me several other times so he kinda made faces towards this guy like shut up. Then some guy came out of nowhere and said "oh a girl with a pistol YAY!!" Part of me thought damn right so shut up and move on while the other part was just really embarrased. So I have been there and know what you mean.

[Gunbabe]

At least you encountered stupid people during a gun purchase and not on the line of a firing range. That's much worse (Been there, done that).


Scary thing is that the guy I dealt with would be the kind to tap you on the shoulder as you are all lined up and say hey do you have some ammo I can borrow? Haha!

[35Rem]

Good on you COLT. We (the gun guys, and gals) need to educate people, not shun them.
Gunbabe, if you had told the guy, hey, this ain't my first gun buddy, I've been shooting for X years and I had this gun picked out.
Or maybe something to the effect of the little guns just don't do it for me anymore...

Anyway. Educate People, it's the only way we are going to keep what we got.

[30 cal slob]

you must be a celebrity magnet.

i didn't know that vanilla ice or eminem frequented your 'hood. :p

[Gunbabe]

35Rem...I told him I started with a .22 and I have a 9 mill so he looked shocked and that is when he had to go into the story of his uncle being a cop. And they say women talk. Haha!

[sacp81170a]

When people annoy me like that I just ask the clerk if the store gives a law enforcement discount. Shuts 'em up most of the time... :evil:

If it's not someone dressed like a thug and trying to impress, I'm generally willing to help anyone out who has genuine questions. I love it when I can help someone with accurate information. My biggest problem comes when I'm in a gun shop and I hear a clueless clerk telling someone something that's totally inaccurate, dangerous, or likely to get someone in legal trouble. If it's something really bad, I usually try to intervene gently. I'm pretty well known in the shops around here, so it doesn't happen very often. Still, once in a while...

[supraneurotoxin]

I've caught flak a couple of times buying ammo. usually at wal-mart. twice it was the same fat, bald guy. I was buying the 100 rd value pack of 9mm winchester white box, as I was on my way to assasinate some pop cans. he was just walking by with his shopping cart, saw someone buying ammo, and decided it was time to get up on his liberal soap box.
I should mention that I'm a young man, but I was well dressed in chinos, brown shoes and a blue polo shirt, tucked in. I sell cars for a living, and look nothing like a "thug"

him:"I don't see why anyone would need that many bullets. what are you planning on doing, shooting up somebody's neighborhood?

me: "they don't come in any smaller packs than 50. it's cheaper to buy them this way. and I'm not sure how it's your business."

him, to the clerk:" you guy's shouldn't sell more than ten bullets at a time. there's no reason he needs that many bullets"

me, bag in hand, getting in the last word: "you look like you enjoy french fries. what if every time you went to McDonald's, they only let you have ten french fries? or what if you could only buy 10 dorito's at a time?" then i walked away.

ok, sort of mean, but keep in mind I'd been harrassed by this same gentleman before. since the clerks at wally world aren't exactly gun advocates, they have nothing to say.

[Gunbabe]

I forgot! He also whipped out one of those badges to say he could carry. I don't want one to begin with but I have seen plenty of ppl warn against those. Cop wanna be. I just kinda stopped listening at that point. I'm sorry but this guy probably checks himself out in the mirror and with his gun in one hand and badge in the other. I'm not trying to argue what everyone is saying I'm just shocked at the boldness of ppl sometimes. I share if I want to I don't like someone coming up to me while I'm filling out the papers saying "what are you getting" like how dare I be in his man shop buying something. Haha!

[AndyC]

"you look like you enjoy french fries. what if every time you went to McDonald's, they only let you have ten french fries? or what if you could only buy 10 dorito's at a time?"
Love it :D

[sacp81170a]

I forgot! He also whipped out one of those badges to say he could carry.

That explains everything. :rolleyes:

I'm not trying to argue what everyone is saying I'm just shocked at the boldness of ppl sometimes.

Why is it that the most ignorant are the boldest? It takes all kinds, I guess.

[highfive]

sacp81170a I kind of do the same thing, but I just ask if they give military discount and show my ID. Most of the time works fine. i just kind of hate when I encounter people like that. Part of life? I guess

[HippieCrusher]

"you look like you enjoy french fries. what if every time you went to McDonald's, they only let you have ten french fries? or what if you could only buy 10 dorito's at a time?"

Love it! Great come back.

[sacp81170a]

sacp81170a I kind of do the same thing, but I just ask if they give military discount and show my ID. Most of the time works fine.

The reason it works is that these guys probably feel like they're venturing into dangerous territory even being in a gun shop. They get a little thrill and they're uncertain if it's socially acceptable or even legal to be there. If you're in the military or LE they automatically assume that they can't BS you and they shut up. If only they knew how little I actually know... ;)

[highfive]

Quote:

you're in the military or LE they automatically assume that they can't BS you and they shut up. If only they knew how little I actually know..

:D I'm in the same boat, lol :D

[indie]

Dont feel the need to be standoffish just because of how a person is dressed and they lack proper gun education. I think We all had to learn better. Just because of how the person is dressed doesnt mean he is a "gangsta" or criminal. I think the original poster handled it well.

when im not at work, i dress probably as many of you would describe a "thug". I am also 6'6" black guy, with long dredlocks i have been growing for almost 12 years. I've noticed the atmosphere with gun store clerks change from entering a store to once they started speaking to me and and realise they arent dealing with someone ignorant or a criminal. Even at my first trip the range, the range master was kind of short patienced and cold with me and my friend at first, by the time we left for the day he and i were joking around with each other and he was telling me to come back and see him.
My friend with me is a police officer in another state. Both of us i'm sure got the "gangsta" label when we entered the range. We could tell by the looks of all the clerks on the floor of the gun store entrance.

I am a rapper part time, and but i am also graduated from college Summa Cum Laude, and i now have a juris doctorate and i am a young lawyer and responsible gun owner.

While there are alot of ignorant people perpetuating the Gangsta stereotypes, Dont judge a book by its cover. I see the "thug", and "gansta" stereotype throw around very often when describing scenario's, and i just wanted to speak on that minor annoyance.. Not everyone is up to no good just because they dress with a more hip hop style.

Just wanted to kinda make people aware of how prejudices can alter your interaction with people who are just different.

[Gunbabe]

supraneurotoxin - that was an awesome quick thinking response!

sacp81170a - I think it's because they are so big and always right in their OWN world so they try to pass on their "wisdom". I have only one person that I ask anything of. I think he is quite knowledgable and too many opinions get confusing and always lead to disagreements.

[gunsmith]

Why is it that the most ignorant are the boldest? It takes all kinds, I guess.

I read an article that said stupid people often assume they are smart!
Smart people assume there is a lot they do not know.

I had a problem with Reno co workers when I first got here and had to qualify at my old job at Loomis, the locals assumed they could shoot better then me because they grew up around dads hunting rifles, as if accuracy can be gotten by osmosis.
They grew up shooting jugs in the back yard , I was taught accuracy in the Army first with a rifle and later at an indoor range by a good instructor. (pistol)

I had small groups and they got it on paper, all over the paper:neener:

[Onmilo]

Yo', What chu plannin' to do wit dat Glock?:evil:

[silverlance]

as colt mentioned, this was a result of ignorance and limited social skills. from listening to your dialogue i don't think this fellow was trying to be rude, harassing, or even annoying. indeed, i'm convinced that he fancies himself quite a friendly fellow, and that he was trying show that he's into guns too.

the fact that his comments were juvenile and in non-standard english don't change that basic underlying friendliness.

I understand your revulsion (and yours as well gunbabe), but perhaps in the future you might help our cause by making an attempt to educate the other on the difference between the ordinary media swamp skimmer citizen and a THR member?

I work in one of the worst neighborhoods, and poorest, in the country. I get a lot of kids and adults who try to be friendly but approach me in totally the wrong way.

examples are adults who like to share how they "handle" (hit on multiple women) or kids who like to share how they make deals with crooked cops.

most of the time, I try my best to engage them in a discussion about their self-perceived merits, and try to show them that there is a certain value in personal integrity and honor.

the same extends to firearms. if some fat bald guy comes over and wants to compliment your new acquisition by commenting on how many cops it can kill, perhaps you might be able to steer that into a discussion of why cops are so often vilified, and whether such an adversarial and stubborn position can ever hope to alleviate that.

just my 02.

[buck00]

me, bag in hand, getting in the last word: "you look like you enjoy french fries. what if every time you went to McDonald's, they only let you have ten french fries? or what if you could only buy 10 dorito's at a time?" then i walked away.

AWESOME.

With your permission, I'm using this the next time a fat anti gives me a hard time about ammo, if the situation permits.

[Gunbabe]

I know this guy was harmless just a hero in his own world. Kinda sad really. Being that I am female you never know when to continue talking or to just leave the conversation alone because some guys just talk to talk and some think you are somehow asking them out. I wasn't ready to be his range buddy haha. I choose to leave it alone mainly because as my point was I was busy with my important paperwork. I do "argue" for lack of a better word my point and my feelings when I feel they are threatened. This guy was obviously on the same side just a little more open than me I guess.

[Rick O'Shea]

indie,
Your point is very well taken.
It is human nature, as I'm sure you know all too well, to form immediate opinions based on first impressions.
Most decent, fair-minded folks will revise their initial assumptions pretty quickly, and I wouldn't give much regard to the opinions of those who don't.

supraneurotoxin,
I work in a hospital cardiovascular lab; I guarantee you that those fries are as deadly in the long run as that 9mm round.
(New thread: "9mm vs. .45 vs. french fry - which is deadlier?") :p .

[Erebus]

Not everyone is up to no good just because they dress with a more hip hop style. I agree, but unfortunately the most highly publicised members of this style are either on MTV with strings of expletives coming out of their mouths or on COPS kissing the hood of a squad car. It's like what Jeff Foxworthy said about southerners describing what the tornado sounded like on the news.

[indie]

thanks Rick, I agree...I do the same. But I consciously try to give people the benefit of at least seeing what they about before I jump to a conclusion. I just hope that others will too and not just judge on sight.

[CountGlockula]

At a gun show, my friend bought an AR15 lower and was doing the paperwork with an FFL dealer and Mr. MORON fills out his paperwork next to him:

While friend fill out paperwork, I'm standing next to him looking.

FFL: No cheating (humorously).
Friend: Huh?
FFL: I can be a D**k and cancel your paperwork for your friend helping you fill out the form. (I was just looking over his shoulder).
Mr. MORON: C'mon be a d**k!!!
FFL: Um...hmmm.
Mr. MORON: It feels good to be a d**k!!!

He just kept on laughing it off and cursing away on the intellectual discussion of being a jerk makes him feel great about himself.

I know it was a small affair, but the type of persons buying guns, like that in-bred jerk, really scare me. Just want to share my past weekend.

[MattB000]

I was in a Gander Mtn. getting a quote on a gun I wanted to sell. While the clerk was looking up the price, a guy similar to who you described started saying stuff like "You have a gun?! I just bought one today, I think I'm going to buy another." This kid was obviously no good, you could tell by him and his friends. Eventually he figured out I was trying to sell a gun and then I could see the gears spinning in his head.

"You know, if you want to sell that gun.."

I interrupted him in mid sentence with .. "NO! NO F***ING WAY"

He quit bothering me after that. Needless to say, while walking to my car, I was glad I had a gun on me besides the UNLOADED one I went there to sell.

[boredelmo]

Wrong place, wrong time. I think it was pretty important for my friend to be able to concentrate on the paperwork, him being a bit nervous and excited about his first gun. Now i wasn't about to take the other guy aside and educate him to make friends. I was there to help out my friend.

Anyways, i had been there the day before playing with a Cricket .22 to get for my little brother. Some guy does similiar: "Dangggggg thats small, thats a toy right? What's that for? What kind of bullets does it shoot?" etc etc. Since i wasn't in a hurry or anything i took my time to explain what the Cricket is and why i was interested in it.

[supraneurotoxin]

I work in a hospital cardiovascular lab; I guarantee you that those fries are as deadly in the long run as that 9mm round.
(New thread: "9mm vs. .45 vs. french fry - which is deadlier?") .

hmm. that's a thinker rick. although the .45 cal fry is heavier, you can hold more 9mm fries at a time, and since they are light it allows you to "spray fire" them into your mouth at near automatic speeds. what we should do is petition mickey d's to remove them from their menu entirely, after all it's for the children.

[Mikhail Konovalov]

The uneducated harassing the buyer in a gun shop is one thing, but one horrible day, I was harassed by the man behind the counter!

Man Behind Counter - MBC: Howdy, can I help you?
Moi: Yeah... actually, I've been hunting around for a CZ lately.
MBC: Oh you can find those easy nowadays, department's been tradin' 'em in for Glocks. (He didn't specify which department, and I didn't ask.)
Moi: Ah, lucky me. Got any in the store?
MBC: Why you lookin' for a CZ, anyway?
Moi: (Getting suspicious.) I like the grip, cocked and locked carry's a plus...
MBC: Why don't you get a Glock?
(****'s sake, here we go...)
Moi: The grip doesn't work for me, and the trigger's a little spongey for my tastes.
MBC: (Clearly upset.) Well, what else you lookin' for?
Moi: Um, Well, that ninteen-eleven there looks pretty slick.
MBC: (Sighing.) It's okay, son, one day you'll grow up and get a Glock.

Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot. That place must have gotten a sponsorship deal or something. I never set foot in that store again. This is, of course, a truncated version. The actual exchange was fifteen minutes of me telling this guy I didn't want a Glock.

[sacp81170a]

what we should do is petition mickey d's to remove them from their menu entirely, after all it's for the children.

Not to mention those cop-killer donuts that they're selling at Dunkin' Donuts... :D

[AndyC]

MBC: (Sighing.) It's okay, son, one day you'll grow up and get a Glock.

Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot. That place must have gotten a sponsorship deal or something. I never set foot in that store again. This is, of course, a truncated version. The actual exchange was fifteen minutes of me telling this guy I didn't want a Glock.
I am polite by nature, but I become very growly when people try to pull that on me. "I said I wanted to see that 1911 Springfield Armory - friend."

[MechAg94]

thanks Rick, I agree...I do the same. But I consciously try to give people the benefit of at least seeing what they about before I jump to a conclusion. I just hope that others will too and not just judge on sight.
:) I was thinking almost the same thing after reading those initial posts. I judge people by their looks all the time, but I try to make a conscious effort to leave room for them to prove me wrong.

[Dave in PA]

This kind of thread reminds me of when I went to buy my .380. I had checked it out in the store, researched it for reliability, accuracy, etc etc. I went back to the store and said "I want to buy that Bersa .380" The guy behind the counter, not my 'regular' guy said "you don't want that, you want a hammerless 38 special" At which point I spotted my regular counter guy and said to him as he was walking over, "I told you I'd be back for it.," Mr Helpful then excused himself from the transaction.

[One of Many]

Perhaps you should play along with the guy pretending to be the expert. Tell him that you would like him to hold a paper target up in front of himself, while you test the sights; you want to be sure the point of impact agrees with the point of aim, and since he is an expert he will be able to keep from flinching when the gun fires, without moving the target. Tell him that he should put on his safety glasses and ear protection before you shoot, since you don't want him to be injured.

If he refuses, then tell him that since he doesn't want to help you, then he should go away and help someone else. If he agrees, then tell him that he is to stupid too allowed out in public, and to go away before he finds someone willing to pull the trigger while he holds the target.

[Rokyudai]

Just a few days ago, I'm at a chain hunting store making a purchase at the handgun showcase filling out the requisite paperwork to walk out with my new Kimber. So far its just the one clerk serving me and a young well dressed couple. We have a good thing going, I have my paperwork, the young couple are shopping (from what I overheard) for a Lady S&W .357 ...i think. Just then, loud cellphone guy walks to the back where we are and continues his conversation while interjecting between the clerk and the young couple he would like to look at several handguns....and apparently felt the need to report this to the person on the other end whom I believe to be "his woman". 'Duh, where do you think I am? WHERE AM I ALWAYS? At the gun store! I'll be home later" He looks at the biggest ugliest guns that scream "compensating" . The young couple continues to look at other handguns. While still on his cellphone, cellphone guy decides he is going to offer his sage observation and advice. He says to the young man, "Don't get that Lady Smith, get a REAL gun!" Cellphone guy continues his little 'conference call' occasionally pointing out to the couple different "features" of practically every gun they inquire about--he does this "Madden" style as in pointing out the fundamental obvious. Long story short, young couple is looking somewhat intimidated or exasperated, the clerk is looking a bit red because he is trying to conduct at least one sale and is running between me, the couple, and this guy who does'nt have the courtesy to get off his cellphone. Up until now, cellphone guy has tried only twice to look over to my end of "the bar" to see what I might be getting. Fortunately the clerk sent it to the back for packing. I sense this guy is getting closer and I think.."so help me, if you look over my shoulder at my personal info...I will give you something to talk about on your cellphone." I figured if I appeared engrossed (I actually was) he wouldn't have an opportunity to make any armchair QB statements to me. I finally get my Kimber and as it is customary to be escorted to the front of the store by the clerk for checkout, I ask him: "Do you have that guy in here often?" He says, I have never seen that guy here before...so HighRoad community, be on the lookout...he may come to a store near you. I'd post a pic of him but if you can visualize the business end of a horse with a cellphone attached to it...that would suffice.

[Sistema1927]

I don't ever remember some clueless stranger accosting me at:

The supermarket
A car dealership (the salesmen are bad enough)
The drug store
An electronics store
A video store
etc., etc. etc.

BUT, I have experienced this kind of behavior at gun stores. I have my suspicions, but don't know exactly why this is.

[sacp81170a]

BUT, I have experienced this kind of behavior at gun stores. I have my suspicions, but don't know exactly why this is.

I'm not sure, but it may be that guns are so woven into our society and yet we(the gun community) keep hearing negative messages about guns shouted from the rooftops so much that there's a tendency to believe that "fellow gunners" are all our friends and won't mind us giving them "guidance". I'll strike up a conversation in a gun store far more quickly than I will at the grocery store, partly because I'm aware of a somewhat shared interest. I know enough to be polite and let people get on with their business and that maybe if I shut up and listen I might actually learn something. Some folks just aren't that courteous, it appears.

[woof]

I've had people in gun stores tell me what I should buy (uninvited of course). I always smile and say, "Tell you what, if you buy it for me I'll take it. But if I have to pay for it myself I'm getting what "I" want."

[loose cannon]

ahhh the benifits of wonder drugs and helmet laws,,,,,,

[fishingjld]

i think its so funny that everyone assumes once they find out that you have a ccw that you a wild a crazy killer. i think you handled it well colt and probably turned someone into a new gunnie.

[ArfinGreebly]

Sportsman's Warehouse.

Gun Counter.

Dude in his early 20s, talking to his friend, then to counter guy. "Hey, there's a rifle that shoots a bullet that tumbles when it hits. Hey, do you know which rifle has those bullets that tumble?"

Counter guy has wisely never heard of them; finds other things to do with other customers.

Me: "Are you looking for one, or just curious about it?"

Him: "Oh, I was just wondering which one it was."

Discussion ensues about Vietnam era M16s, bullet weights, twist rates, wind effects, bullet stability in flight, what would make a bullet tumble on impact. Didn't get too deep into it, just gently shoved the myth aside and substituted some facts from my meagre knowledge.

Him: "That's really cool. I didn't know that. Thanks!"

Left with his friend.

With a little luck, his education will improve and he'll be a shooter one day.

In any case, he's not as ignorant as he was when he walked in.

[kermit315]

sacp81170a , i am the same way, although i am usually asking questions more than offering advice.

i am like a sponge, love to learn, and if you go to the right places, there is a lot of wisdom to be soaked up.

[Atticus_1354]

Hey indie I think we would get along great. Being 19 I already get some nasty looks at gunstores, but the fact that I dress like a "punk" just makes things worse.

One day I had been hanging out with some friends and had spiked my hair in a mohawk and was dressed pretty raggy. After a while one of my friends wanted me to take him shooting, so we get my .22 and head to the range. When we get there the guy at the counter looked like he didn't want to let us shoot and was really talking down to me. We just ignore him and setup and I proceed to start going over the gun with my friend and teaching him basics. I happen to notice the guy watching us. My friend starts shooting and is all over the place.

So this guy decides it is his job to come up and pick up my rifle while it was on the bench and "teach" us to shoot. I snatched the (unloaded) gun back and tell him that I don't need to be taught and I don't like people grabbing my guns. He makes a snide remark so I proceed to blow out the center of the target and feeling pretty cocky bet the guy $10 he can't do better. I apparently wounded his pride because he took me up on it and I walked out of there $10 richer.

[Feanaro]

Not quite the same thing as your story but what the hey.

I am inside Jojo's Gun and Pawn(I swear, that's the name). It's not in the best part of Birmingham. I am swearing a t-shirt with a music store's name branded all over it. I have a Springfield 1911 in my hands. I am giving it the once over. I see a Homie out of the corner of my eye. The Homies of Jojo's are Mostly Harmless. Homie has his quirks but once you get used to his odd vocalizings and unusual amount of exposed Fruit Looms, Homie is a'ight.

Homie starts to saddle up to me. I figure he will make some comment about the pistol.
"You wan buy a diamond ring, bro?"
I blinked. My eyes go to his face. Down to his hands. Face. Hands.
"No."
"Oh... you don' work here?"
Blink, face, hands, face, hands.
"No."
This was not your average Homie. Either he was pushing a hot rock at anyone he could find or he honestly couldn't tell the difference between the music store dude playing with the merchandise and the Man Behind the Counter.

"you look like you enjoy french fries. what if every time you went to McDonald's, they only let you have ten french fries? or what if you could only buy 10 dorito's at a time?" then i walked away.

ok, sort of mean

Pah. Rude people don't deserve nice answers. "I don't see why anyone needs as much fat as you've got there but I kept that tidbit to myself."

[Monkeybear]

I have two
I am in the store looking at AK47s and the guy behind the counter is telling me to get a Glock, see he has a Glock. So he starts going on about the wonders of polymer and I tell him I actually going to get a HK as my next pistol and I have nothing against polymer, just the Glocks ergonomics. I had to give him the exact same "but it doesn't fit in my hand right and I can't hit the broadside of a barn with one" answer to every comment about why Glocks are the best pistol ever made, all the while I'm thinking *** dose a Glock have to do with an AK47?

I was in a Bass Pro Shop and a gentleman was asking the guy at the counter for a .44magnum firearm. He obviously didn't have much knowledge in firearms but the guy at the counter decided to be a dick about it.

Customer- I want a .44 magnum.
Sales man- We have lots of guns in the store you need to be more specific.
Customer- A .44 magnum.
Sales man- The store is filled with guns and I'm not going to go to the back and start opening boxes and looking at every single one trying to find one thats a .44 magum so tell me what kind of gun you want.
Customer- Do you have any guns in .44 magnum?
Sales man(now yelling)- I told you we have lots of guns now which one do you want?

The sales man was being completely rude and the customer was becoming more and more timid so I jumped in and pointed to the only two .44 magnums on display a Ruger Super Redhawk and Ruger Super Blackhawk and politely said that they were the only two in the case that were chambered for the .44 magnum. The customer started to look at them from behind the glass and as I walked away I heard the sales man say "WHICH ONE! THERE ARE LOTS OF GUNS IN THE CASE". I didn't go back, and haven't been back since.

[Malodorousroadkill]

I have had the luck of seeing an actual criminal attempt to buy guns. It was pretty funny overall.

I'm in the local shop picking up a bore brush for my shotgun when this black guy walks in dripping in gold and marches up the counter and says, "I'z goin' deer huntin' I'z needin' a deer huntin' rifle." The clerk is being to motion towards the lever actions and bolt actions, but the guy points at a sporterized mauser in a scout stock. "Whata bout dat one up there?" Then he sees a mak90 AK clone and immediately points it out, "I want dat one right there." The clerk then tells him that they don't have any of the 5rd magazines he'd need for hunting with it. "Dats ok I get one across town." The guy then wants a pistol and gets the bersa thunder 45. He pulls out a fat fat wallet and pulls his money out. Before the clerk gets the paperwork together, the guy gets a call on his cellphone and during this load conversation says "Tyrone's in intensive care. Its on now." So our clerk says the right thinks during his call to ATF to get the 3 day waiting period while the guy is talking on his cellphone outside. Clerk puts the guns behind counter, and the guy comes back for them. Clerk tells him that there will be a 3 day wait on them. The guy isn't happy but he leaves. 3 days later, this drug dealer from nashville is called to pick up his guns and 2 cops are waiting for him when he foolishly shows up. The gunshop keeps 10% of cash for restocking fee. Turns out he had a fake ID but ended up using his real one by accident too.

[Tharg]

Just wanted to kinda make people aware of how prejudices can alter your interaction with people who are just different.

tired of the whole a book cannot be told by its cover BeeEss. the book is OFTEN read by its cover. I know some go about live trying to look like someones OTHER cover... but that leads to trouble... period.

everyone in life does "profiling" mostly its based on what they grew up with, the things they have seen or not seen etc etc... its a human function that can't be un done... it wont' be un done... we'd have to migrate to a society that all of a sudden was all the same for it to ever happen.

That being said ... if you decide your "look" is going to be something that is considered "gangsta" or "tactical" or hell "white geek" ... then expect to be treated that way.. i know its so NOT politically correct to say that these days... but what else to people have to go on before even the 1st word is said but on what you "look" like... its the hight of stupidity to assume that someone has to interact with you before they make any kind of judgment about you. if you are an African American running around w/ shorts waistbands lower than yer knee's w/ a cock-eyed hat assume they are goin to treat you like that... if yer a white guy w/ black pants and a white shirt w/ taped together glasses expect they are going to treat you like that... i know those are extreme examples... but the point is every one...EVERY ONE makes clear cut timely impressions based on how ANYONE looks... duh...

YOU have the choice on what impression you are going to give. I know that todays society is so un-used to being responsible for their own choices but in the end ... thats what it amounts to. Don't want someone to make automatic judgments about you... don't fall into the stereotypes. They are stereotypes for a reason..... (more dots)

i know the above is concise logical common sense thinking... but that seems to be in the minority these days. (common that is)

J/Tharg!

[chaim]

Tharg, the problem with judging people for looking "gangsta" is that you are going to be wrong almost all of the time. What most suburban white adults and rural folks consider to be "gangsta" is not just how "thugs" dress but also the vast majority of inner city black teens and even many (in some areas most) white and black suburban middle class kids. Heck, I work in a rural high school and about half the kids dress in a way most adults would consider "gangsta" or "thuggish". Remember back when you were a teen and how annoyed you were at being judged for not dressing like an adult (which few teens do anyway). Remember as well that most of the good kids dressed in ways that had adults looking at them strangely as well, and you'll realize that about as many people dressed as "thugs" are actually criminal as are the number of people dressed as rednecks or even dressed "normally".

[Atticus_1354]

^Exactly what I was trying to say. Glad not everyone just accepts stereotypes.

tired of the whole a book cannot be told by its cover BeeEss. the book is OFTEN read by its cover. I know some go about live trying to look like someones OTHER cover... but that leads to trouble... period.

I'm not saying that you are wrong. It's just that the problem is that a lot of people are ignorant of what that cover really means. I agree that it is one of those things that is not easily changed, but there is no excuse for ignorance. People will also see a vague similarity in two peoples "covers" and put them in the same group.

I'm a 19 year old male. I get a lot of **** just because of that even though I try and be fairly responsible. I have had people tell me that the driving age should be 20 something because of all the wrecks they see in the paper. I had someone refuse to ride in the car if I was driving because they thought I would wreck. The truth is I have a perfect driving record so far and have only been pulled over once. Don't forget about the minority of any group that doesn't make the headlines. This minority can often be a rather large percent of the group.

[Houston Tom]

YOu van not judge a book by its cover that is true but it is one indication about a person, just liek personal hygne. GIW we dress says something about us it is how we market ourselves to the world, good or bad right or wrong the first thing you notice about a person is how they dress, the next is how they speak. YOU should not base your entire judgement of a person on just how they dress just like you should not make any decission based on only partial information if you can help it. How ever basic marketing rules apply, If the cover of a book looks really boring to you then chances are you will not buy it or read the back cover to see what it is about.

[Monkeybear]

You can get a good first impression of a book by its cover, but only if you are well informed of the subject matter. It takes a bit if inner city street savvy to tell the difference between the thugs, the ones that play the part and the ones that just buy their clothes from the same place.

[Spider Pig]

6'2 and 190 don't scare any true gansta.

[Houston Tom]

monkey, YOu are right the more educated or exposed you are to any subject the better or more accurate your judgment, but still the truth is regardless of how much experience one has on a subject you still have a first impression based on how a person looks. Weithr they are or want to be a ganster they choose to present that look, that is how they want to be viewed. Now they have lots of reasons for why they want to be seen that way, made they are trying to impress some people made the girls think it's hot or whatever the reason but at the same time ther people have different views of how that looks.

I have to wear a suit to work everyday, it is part of presenting a professional image,it is one part of the image just like speaking properly etc. I f a person knows alot about suites then they may recognize the quality and that may give them a little more insight. Buy my general target market think ok here is a proefssional, while others may see me and think he is a old stuff shirt un cool blah blah blah.

You pick who you want to send a message too and then dress according to the message you want to send.

[Monkeybear]

Houston - You make a good point. For a lot of kids "its just the style". They don't dress like gangsters, they just buy their clothes at the mall.

[chaim]

Weithr they are or want to be a ganster they choose to present that look

You see a lot about people choosing to "dress like a gangster" and showing what they aspire to or somesuch on this site...

Actually, most kids (HS and college kids often dress this way) aren't trying to look like gangsters. What many adults see as gangster, is hip hop. The kids dressing like this usually are trying to look hip hop, not gangster. There is a big difference, whether we (us older folks) see it or not.

[Monkeybear]

Think back about 10-20 years and try to remember the big rock scene. They weren't trying to look homeless, it was "grunge". :p

[chaim]

Think back about 10-20 years and try to remember the big rock scene. They weren't trying to look homeless, it was "grunge".

I had some friends who resembled that remark...Actually so did I, but I was into the look a few years before the grunge scene. By the time it hit, I was looking pretty presentable.

[Kilgor]

Why do you have to point out that he was white? You stereotyping whites??? :eek::neener:

[Alexfubar]

PJO'Rourke : " Pull up your pants , turn your hat around , and get a job. "

A selected fashion/"look" is a statement. Everyone is aware of this. it is a deliberate choice.

If there is a difference between Hiphop , Gangsta , or L.A. County Jail I don't care. A person who dresses like this is telling "Square America" that they are street smart , hipper than thou , familiar with drugs , gang , crime and potentially violent.

Cowboy boots , jeans , a long underwear shirt with a T shirt over it , and a well worn ball cap : tells the world that you are competant with tools , a 4 wheeler , manual labor , deer hunting.

Lime green chino's , a Polo collared shirt , with a pastel sweater's sleeves tied over your shoulders tells the world you golf and your wife dresses you.

Can you fill in the blanks as to which guns these people will be percieved to own : ?

1. Stolen or unlicensed Glock
2. Overunder 2000 dollar shotgun
3. Winchester 30-06.

If one is unaware of the statements you make to society when he puts on his clothes each morning I suggest restarting the kindergarten socialization process ...

[spocahp anar]

I can honestly say that I have never been repulsed by any other gun owners or have I ever been exposed to gun snobbery while at a range or shop.

Once the wife and I were at the public range when 2 guys showed up in camo and face paint to shoot their guns. Don't really know what that was about and we kinda got a chuckle out of it.

Gun owners I have met have been pretty friendly.

[target1911]

EVERY ONE makes clear cut timely impressions based on how ANYONE looks... duh...

Very well said.....and it is the FIRST thing we do while applying good Situational Awareness is it not.......You do a quik profile of the ppl around you and you focus on the ppl you think could be trouble. Everyone will be watched but the ones that catch your eye as questionable will be watched much closer.

Here is a test....
Pay attention to how you watch ppl as you go throughout your day. Who do you keep your eyes on the most. I will bet you $10 you dont look twice at the lawyer sitting 3 tables down and you probly didnt even notice when he walked in the door. But the 20yo with saggy pants, shirt 3 sizes to big and sideways hat gets your attention....
I will not say I dont do this to, because I do. I just cant believe that anyone on this forum is saying not to stereotype/profile because its not poltically correct. Everyone with any kind of Situational Awareness does it.

Its not just how they look but also body language/personality too.

If i see someone that is dressed like a street punk, I will be much more leary of him than if he was well dressed.

GRANTED....Innocent ppl get profiled all the time and YES, many for the wrong reasons.

[Eyesac]

Idiots are everywhere... That's the only explaination.

[Hoppy590]

wow this thread is ripe in hypocritical statements and almost flat out racism and profiling.

that aside just cause some one DRESSES some way. doesnt mean crap. judge on actions, words, and attitude.

the last 3 days iv been into gun shops wearing

White Collard shirt, black dress pants, black dress belt, clean shaven

levis Jeans, work boots, white hanes T shirt, brown Dickies jacket, worn Schlitz Beer hat. stubble.

stained jeans, worn Chuck Taylors, ska Band t Shirt, partial beard, and a red wine hangover that could kill a horse.

each of those "persona's" are just how i needed to dress for the day.

the dress shirt and pants, clean shaven is my acual ocupational get up.

the levis jeans, boots, and T is my day off, work on the car/go to the range/ down some trees cloths

the Chuck taylor, ska band combo, is my social wear.

just like you dont hunt with a glock, or enter a skeet shoot with a goose gun. dress and even grooming or general looks dont change what i may or may not know about guns. and more then not thats more than the shop workers.
The

[GRB]

They pester you because you let them pester you. Be a little more assertive and tell them to shove off, if they do not then tell the store clerk the sale is not about to be complete if the annoying one does not leave you alone. Works every time.

[Gene Beasley]

The phrase "You're breathing my air," done in a Clint Eastwood voice, keeps rolling around my head as I read this thread.

[.cheese.]

I SWEAR TO G-D YOU GUYS!

ONE OF THESE DAYS I'M SENDING ALL OF YOU BILLS FOR THE:

- monitors I've ruined spitting coffee on, or shooting it out of my nose
- keyboards that I've done the same too

and most importantly

- underwear and pants I've pissed myself in from laughing too damn hard! (yes, there is a point at which you laugh so hard that your bladder says, "Wha?! WHat?!!! HUH!!!!? Oh CRAP! I'm missing the party!!!!!!"

!!!!! :cuss::cuss::cuss::cuss::cuss:

[crankshop1000]

You'd think that some marketing genius might think that it was a good idea to have a semi-private area available to complete paperwork and just generally get away from the crowd while inspecting weapons for sale. That being absent,sometimes you need to get rude and say "unless this is my lucky day and you are buying me a gun,take a hike".

[theken206]

"Cowboy boots , jeans , a long underwear shirt with a T shirt over it , and a well worn ball cap : tells the world that you are competant with tools , a 4 wheeler , manual labor , deer hunting."

or smoking/cooking large amounts of crystal meth and beating your wife in your trailer home whilst pounding back schlits and chewin on some skoal. see how that whole sterotyping thing works both ways there bud??

[revjen45]

In another life I was a patch flying biker (still ride, don't fly a patch) and remember with amusement the old lady in the Mercedes who hit the door locks as I passed her car on the way into the Kwickee-Mart. I had hair down to my shoulders, an ear ring, wearing my "originals" (levis you never wash- mine contained so much grease that water would bead up on them), and a sleeveless leather vest with a skull on it. I also had a job and went to school and to this day have never been in trouble with the law. I work at Boeing, which does not hire people with any serious criminal records, and at least half of the young people dress in the hip-hop/gangsta style. I think you can learn a lot more about people by listening to them for a bit than looking at them. Oh, and yeah I did enjoy wigging out the squares back in the days before riding a Harley was respectable and there was no such thing as Rubbies (Rich Urban Bikers)- now I'm just a fat old White guy hoping to make it to retirement without getting caught in the aerospace layoff cycle first.

[evan price]

I was in a shop looking at buying a bolt-action rifle. There was a crowd of guys that I would say were some sort of construction laborers who were looking at some very expensive pistols. I was waiting on my paperwork callin.

One of the guys asked for a specific high-end pistol. He was shown the pistol, and really liked it. He commented that he had been wanting one for a long time now and had saved up the money to buy it.

Problem was he was working a job here, but lived in another state.

He said the pistol was $700 cheaper here; his local gunshop had the exact same pistol marked for $2000 and they wanted $1300 for it here.

The clerk who was helping him said, "Too bad, I can't sell you a pistol because you don't live in this state." and put the gun away.

The guy said, "wow that sucks. The price is great." And the guys kept looking.

The clerk said, "Yeah, Iwould love to sell you the gun but there is no way you can buy a pistol in another state."

Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut.

I chimed in. "Well, you *can* buy a pistol from out of state. The only thing is that you have to take posession of it from an FFL dealer in your home state."

The clerk kinda turns away from me and ignores me, but the guy hears and asks me, how?

I said, "Well, you need to buy the gun here but you can't take posession of it. You need to find a FFL licensed dealer in your state to receive it and log it through their books. You would need to pay this dealer here the shipping, probably FedEx next day, to get it to your dealer. You pay your dealer what they are charging for an FFL transfer. All legal."

The clerk says, "Well, that's a lot of work, and by the time you pay the extra fees and stuff he won't save any money."

I said, "He says it's $700 cheaper. FedEx is what, $50? Plus what, $30 FFL fee on his end? Sounds to me like he saves over $600 doing it this way. I've bought guns through the Internet this way."

The guy is interested now and asks if he can do that.

The clerk tells me, "You can't buy guns on the internet."

I said, "Ever heard of Gunbroker.com? Gunsamerica.com?"

The clerk says, "Well, it may be legal, but I don't want to do it. And we charge a $150 FFL transfer fee on something we keep in stock, so I don't know where you can find a $30 transfer. Most gun stores won't do it."

The guy leaves, kind of disappointed.

I decided I didn't need a Mosin after all...at least not from that store.

[rugerfreak]

Filling out out paperwork---the bottom gets filled out first---the important stuff doesn't get filled out till I'm alone and no one is near--with the exception of a store employee---drivers licence is always covered or put back in my pocket immediately.

If our wannabe gansta comes around---I just humor them till they leave---then continue with the form.

As a PT cashier at Walmart(no longer there--helped with the child support at the time) for 3 years---usually in the cigarette aisle---they were usually buying alcohol with their smokes too--always at night---I can spot your various types a mile away---believe me---even the little variations between hip hop and gansta. My profiling was spot on---it had to be.

I was always friendly and courtious---but I knew what their deal was---long before they ever got to the register--not just talkin gasta's---but the little old lady--the trucker sleeping in the parking lot---the family man---to the trailer trash hoe----I could/can spot trouble coming a mile away.

[boredelmo]

I don't think my remarks on the guy were too stereotypical. I stated what he dressed like and the term "thug" fit appropriately. It might not be the most PC thing to say but "a guy that doesn't wear clothes anywhere near his size with oversized jewelry and a bandanna to cover his bald head for sun protection" just seemed too long.

The point is, i don't think too much of people who say cop killers with a smirk on their faces.

You can't judge a book by its cover, but in general if they aren't the same as their cover, its more of an exception.

Now lets reverse, would you think Mr. business suit clean cut guy is generally a law abiding business man? I'd say you folks would agree, and thats also stereotyping...

Striving to be more PC and cutting down on stereotypes is something i do, but the truth is, i dont have time to sit down and have a deep conversation about morals with everyone i see. So I must do a bit of stereotyping.

P.S. hopefully we can stop about stereotypes and talk about intrusive and annoying people :p

[SoCalShooter]

I am only interested honstly in what type of revolver your friend got. :)~

[antsi]

------quote-------
"I don't see why anyone would need that many bullets. what are you planning on doing, shooting up somebody's neighborhood?
-------------------

I tend to reply to these things like this:

"If you really believe that gun owners are mentally unstable, and liable to go on a murderous rampage any time we encounter the slightest annoyance, isn't it kind of stupid for you to be standing there annoying me?"

[Gunbabe]

That is a beautiful response and makes such a point haha. I love it!

[Brad Johnson]

"If you really believe that gun owners are mentally unstable, and liable to go on a murderous rampage any time we encounter the slightest annoyance, isn't it kind of stupid for you to be standing there annoying me?"

GAAAAHHHH!!! HA! HA! HA! HA! ...snort... WAAHH!! HA! HA! HA! HA!

One of my personal favorites happened a couple years ago. Went to a local outdoor range and was shooting when a bunch of "gangsta" types pulled up in the next lane. They weren't being too obnoxious and seemed to be practicing safe shooting, so I let it be and kept shooting. Right next to them a guy pulled up that I recognized. When he got out of the truck I caught the look on his face and new it was going to be good. By the way, did I mention this guy has a .50 he likes to pull out on occasion?

As he set up the kids between us were going absolutely bonkers, making all kinds of stupid remarks, asking a ton of dumb*** questions, and generally being irritating. As the guy hunkered down for the first shot these kids all crowded up next to him, snuggling up to the bench ... and the muzzle brake. At the touch of the trigger do rags flew, curses rang out, and I noticed that one of them had even lost a press-on "gold" tooth cover.

I laughed. They left.

Brad

[Rokyudai]

Brad,

Outstanding...

[ReadyontheRight]

I had a non-worker hanging out at the counter tell me:

"Don't you be buyin' no ugly gun."

It was lighthearted, but I could not imagine saying such a thing to someone buying a gun.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/98/Winchester_1897.jpg/300px-Winchester_1897.jpg

I didn't care since I know it ain't ugly. Just potentially a little painful on the thumb.:)

[Gunbabe]

Guess he didn't work on commission. I have seen some not so pretty guns but they usually have a real nice history.

[springmom]

I'm actually a fairly shy person. I don't go running the other direction if somebody tries to talk to me, but it is rare for me to start a conversation, particularly with a stranger. Plus I'm a middle aged woman, "playing", as Gunbabe said, in a man's toy store, so to speak.

That said, conversations with strangers at the range, or at the gun counter, happen more often than anywhere else. Maybe it's because we're all there because we like the same stuff, and while there are probably more things that would divide us (if we knew each other well enough) than would unite us, this thing of owning guns, shooting guns, liking to browse the gun shelves...IDK, it brings out a willingness to chat.

Some of these folks are just blowhards and, like Gunbabe said, are heroes in their own little worlds. I've seen all kinds of folks come in when I was browsing Carter's or Gander Mountain, and I see it in other folks too. It's just the sort of place that LOTS of retail places used to be...where people would just chat, shoot the breeze, whatever.

Bottom line: it's not pestering. They're trying to be friendly and while they may BE pests (especially if you're filling out paperwork :eek:) there's no harm in it. My highly overinflated $.02

Springmom

[paintballdude902]

im sorry but when i read glock fortay i had to post this

http://youtube.com/watch?v=pj4yUpR1PB0

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a121/paintballdude902/Negligent_Discharge-01-sm.jpg

[XLMiguel]

Hmmm, remember the old toothpaste ad line: "You don't get a second chance to make a first impression"?

Yeah, I profile based on my experience and judgment. Often, I can tell the difference between a real thug and a wannabe, but not always, so I watch and listen, but until I have enough input, I'm keeping an eye on 'em.

I often chat with other folks browsing in a gun shop, but I make it a point to stay out of converstaions between sales person and customer unless the sales person is just flat out lying, and I expect the same form others. JMO.

[mikeb3185]

i apologize in advance as this is off topic but does anyone remember what the thread was with the "pictures" as shown in paintballdude's post, to create your own?

[JoseM]

I read an article that said stupid people often assume they are smart!
Smart people assume there is a lot they do not know.


Heh..my dad told me once (in the middle of his divorce with my stepmom), "Son, you can marry a smart woman that knows she's smart...you can marry a dumb woman that knows she's dumb...but DON'T marry a dumb woman that thinks she's smart".

I told him about this quote a little while ago and he just laughed. He didn't remember saying it but thought it had some merit;)

[jkingrph]

supraneurotoxin,
I work in a hospital cardiovascular lab; I guarantee you that those fries are as deadly in the long run as that 9mm round.
(New thread: "9mm vs. .45 vs. french fry - which is deadlier?") .


I suspect the french fries have killed more than the 9mm or .45. Now just how do we go about registering those deadly french fries and getting them out of the hands of the public??

[kurtmax]

I suspect the french fries have killed more than the 9mm or .45. Now just how do we go about registering those deadly french fries and getting them out of the hands of the public??

That's actually not too funny, as it's not very far-fetched. I'm sure in the next few years we will see areas banning McDonalds and 'evil' food and such.

[AndyC]

i apologize in advance as this is off topic but does anyone remember what the thread was with the "pictures" as shown in paintballdude's post, to create your own?
I don't know the thread itself, but a site where you can create your own is here (http://flagrantdisregard.com/flickr/motivator.php)

[mikeb3185]

thanks andy

[countryrebel]

I went into a local store one time wanting a 9mm.All the clerk could do is tell me how much better the 40 was and asked how come I did not want one of them instead,I said because I already own two 40s.

And do not even get me started on the guys who think you need ultra magnums to hunt with.

[cnorman18]

I remember back in the 60s, when I and my friends wore multi-patched bell bottoms, tie-dyed T-shirts, love beads and granny glasses, B.F. Goodrich sandals, and hair down to our shoulders--how terribly unfair we thought it was that people assumed we were all dope-smoking acidhead draft dodgers that never bathed and spent every night getting high and banging hippie chicks.

I also remember what hypocrites we were, because we dressed that way specifically to "freak out the straights" by making them think exactly that.

I know I'm turning into my father, but I can't help wondering how many who affect "gangsta" fashion delight in "freaking out the straights" today--putting forth an intentionally intimidating and antisocial image, coupled with a hostile, arrogant (but fashionable) "attitude", and loving every second of the fear and suspicion they inspire--while moaning about how unfair it is for others to judge them on how they look.

We hippie wannabes did it. No shame in it; being obnoxious and rebellious and pi@@ing off adults is in a kid's job description now just as it was then.

But as I recall, we thought that anyone over 30 who tried to look like us was weird and a little pathetic... THAT seems to have changed.

Oh, well. Now I'm just an old fart like my father was. What do I know?

[cwmcgu2]

Well I guess I'll share a story, except in this one I'm "that guy." After staying up all night studying for an exam I decide to go to a few gun stores after the test since I wasn't tired...

I wasn't tired because I had drank enough Red Bulls to make any other person's heart explode. Needless to say I was a bit jittery. I'm pretty peppy on a normal basis, so with this much caffiene in my system I probably seemed a little strung out.

I was in the mood to check out AKs and the local store stocked a variety. Being about as hyper as a 5 year old with ADHD who just ate a 5 pound bag of sugar, I was in a talkative mood. So I find the clerk I regularly deal with and start furiously blabbering away with questions and conversations regarding the AKs they had in stock. Two uniformed police officers are in the store...

...Oh I forgot to mention, its been only about a week after Virginia Tech and I'm proudly wearing my university t-shirt. I notice the cops eyeing me from across the store. Then they move a little closer, closer, closer, till they are standing next to me and the clerk, pretending [poorly] to look at some pistols in the display case. I give them both a polite nod to let them know that I knew they were evesdropping and returned to my conversation with the clerk. They hovered around until I lost interest in the AKs and began a new set of inqueries into some Uberti Single Action Cattlemans.

After the caffiene wore off and a nap I realized what the cops were so concerned about. They saw a super hyper college student looking at AKs about a week after Virginia Tech. :banghead: I felt kinda dumb.

[mustanger98]

I went down the first page of this and haven't read the rest yet, but before I forget...

boredelmo, I shop a little place where I can lean on the counter and visit. Like just today, I was there and an older gentleman came in looking for some .223 loaded with the heaviest bullets they load because of his rifle's 1:7 twist rate. Well, we got to talking about this and that to do with .223's and deer hunting and before you know it, we're talking about military small arms. Turns out this gentleman is an old US Marine and Vietnam Vet with a liking for some of the same rifles... M1 Garand, M1 Carbine, M-14... the rest of us like. In general, I'm an interested bystander, but I don't dress/talk/act like a thug so folks don't treat me like one. I haven't had to deal with the guy you dealt with either... that's a pretty different kind of scenario for me. And the shop owner figures if it's my gun or his, it's loaded.

Editted to add: The wierdest people I've ever seen in this one shop I was in today... it's been a while, but there was this one idiot who's black t-shirt read, in white letters, "FBI"(top line) and "Female Body Inspector"(bottom line).

[GlowinPontiac]

i apologize in advance as this is off topic but does anyone remember what the thread was with the "pictures" as shown in paintballdude's post, to create your own?

make your own here: http://diy.despair.com/motivator.php

[Nil]

My gun store story from today that doesn't quite fit here but it also doesn't warrant its own thread:

I just moved to Minneapolis and decided to visit a local store I've heard good things about. I was shopping for a CC piece and wanted to see what they had in stock.

Now I will admit that this place had very good prices on their merchandise but everything else was terrible. There were 3 employees, two of whom were BSing with a group of apparent regulars and the other one was busying about doing various things. While I kneeled down to check out a Springfield 1911 a bit closer, I looked up to see one of the employees wiping down a large caliber Taurus revolver with his finger on the trigger and the muzzle pointed directly at my forehead. I shrugged it off as he stopped very soon after that but when I kneeled down again at a different counter, he decided once again to level the revolvers at my head. This time he also had one in the other hand and was apparently comparing the two's sight pictures with my forehead as the target.

Those aforementioned regulars were camping in front of a substantial portion of the gun cases, blocking them completely from view. They made no attempt to move when they saw that I was looking at the various pistols and the group, including the employees they were conversing with, seemed somewhat disdainful that I was actually looking for a gun instead of gabbing it up.

Ah well, I just felt the need to rant. I'm off again tomorrow to search for a more hospitable store.

[mustanger98]

springmom, This is just me being me, but I think you just nailed it. My three local dealers are a lot like the shop you described... lean on the counter, look at guns, maybe buy one, and visit while you're at it. I think what you said about the guns being a uniting factor is about right... it somehow brings out the neighbor in a good many of us who wouldn't otherwise be so neighborly.

[bthest86]

After the caffiene wore off and a nap I realized what the cops were so concerned about. They saw a super hyper college student looking at AKs about a week after Virginia Tech. I felt kinda dumb.

Why would you feel dumb about that? You did nothing wrong or anything to warrant suspicion. I'd hate to have cops looking over my shoulder at gun stores because I'm a college aged kid eying black toys but I wouldn't feel guilty or bad about it.

[doberman]

My gun store story from today that doesn't quite fit here but it also doesn't warrant its own thread:

I just moved to Minneapolis and decided to visit a local store I've heard good things about. I was shopping for a CC piece and wanted to see what they had in stock.

Now I will admit that this place had very good prices on their merchandise but everything else was terrible. There were 3 employees, two of whom were BSing with a group of apparent regulars and the other one was busying about doing various things. While I kneeled down to check out a Springfield 1911 a bit closer, I looked up to see one of the employees wiping down a large caliber Taurus revolver with his finger on the trigger and the muzzle pointed directly at my forehead. I shrugged it off as he stopped very soon after that but when I kneeled down again at a different counter, he decided once again to level the revolvers at my head. This time he also had one in the other hand and was apparently comparing the two's sight pictures with my forehead as the target.

Those aforementioned regulars were camping in front of a substantial portion of the gun cases, blocking them completely from view. They made no attempt to move when they saw that I was looking at the various pistols and the group, including the employees they were conversing with, seemed somewhat disdainful that I was actually looking for a gun instead of gabbing it up.

Ah well, I just felt the need to rant. I'm off again tomorrow to search for a more hospitable store.



Hmm. I curious to know what shop you were at? Doesn't sound like any shops I frequent in the area. Just like anywhere, some are better than others. I've dealt with about all of them in the area over the last decade, most know me by first name basis. Maybe I can help lead you in the right direction. PM me.

Would like to help.

:)

[baranjhn]

Way back when my father and I were out near a lake, that had some birds swimming in it. I said "Dad, what are those birds?" He said "Well, they're ducks of course." I said "why do you think they are ducks?" his reply "Well, if it looks like a duck, sounds like a duck, and acts like a duck....it's probably a duck."

That's a valuable life lesson I learned that day, and it applies to people. Sometimes, it's erroneous, but better safe than sorry. Just to give an example: If you were driving in downtown Detroit (or east L.A., or some other god-forsaken place) at 10pm and were lost, would you stop and ask for directions from a group of gentlemen (any race) who were dressed "thugish"?

[The Wiry Irishman]

One of the first times I was at the Indy 1500 I saw a table with a few Desert Eagles on it. I started handling one because I think they're silly and I wanted to know just how heavy they really were. The kid behind the counter comes up to me and asks me if I like it. He seriously looked to be about 15. I said, "Nah, Its kind of a brick, isn't it?" His ingenious reply:

"It'll sure make somebody do what you want if you put it to their head, though"

I just put the gun back down and melted away into the crowd.

[Oregon Street]

Because I would have had some snappy comebacks for this situation, but all's well that ends well...

I go to the ammo counter to get a bunch of different cals.
100 box of 45, 100 box of 40, 100 box of .38, 200 value pak of .223, 2 boxes of 550 .22, and 100 of 7.62x39.

The employee is a nice guy who usually is there to help me. But there's a "customer" there, fat slobby guy dishelved look, etc.

Slob (noticing all the ammo I'm buying): You mad at your wife?
Me: ignore slob
Slob: How many guns you got?
Me: ignore slob
Employee: man, I wish I had time to go out and shoot as much as you do, I love shooting.
Me: yeah, but now that it's been raining I have to start going to the indoor range.
Slob: You should go over to the Forest Service office and shoot them guys.
(apparently he was just there and they didn't have a map he wanted)
Me: ignore slob
Slob: (noticing my open carry 1911) You got a gun! What is that? Lemme see that.
Me: Sir, you're making it very hard for me to ignore you. I'm not showing you my pistol and please stop talking to me.
Slob: (to employee) I don't trust no one that needs that many bullets. He shouldn't have a gun in here anyway.

I walk away, purchase my stuff, and see this guy outside asking people for spare change. I called the cops and told them a bum asked me to kill some people at the Forest Service office and he's outside the Wal Mart. The cops were there before I even hung up with dispatch. I give my statement, they question slob -- WHO HAD STOLEN MERCH. STUFFED IN HIS NASTY SWEATPANTS!

[buy guns]

I walk away, purchase my stuff, and see this guy outside asking people for spare change. I called the cops and told them a bum asked me to kill some people at the Forest Service office and he's outside the Wal Mart. The cops were there before I even hung up with dispatch. I give my statement, they question slob -- WHO HAD STOLEN MERCH. STUFFED IN HIS NASTY SWEATPANTS!

Hahahaha that's great!

[wheelgunslinger]

WHO HAD STOLEN MERCH. STUFFED IN HIS NASTY SWEATPANTS!

eeyew!

Usually, the only problem I ever have in gun stores is with "super gunnies".

[Oregon Street]

who would have thought a bum could smell like victory :D

on another occasion recently, I took my girlfriend to the Sportsman's Warehouse in Coeur d'Alene so she could check out BUG's.

we were looking at a Beretta and I asked if a .380 is good for personal defense. "F*** yeah" he says.

Now, this kid doesn't know me, doesn't know my girlfriend and to drop the f-bomb in front of us wasn't cool - and I tell him as much. He says sorry and she asks to see a Glock. He says, "I can't hit sh*t with blocks". I spoke to his manager before I left.

[DavidLee]

hrm, typically I'm the let it be type of person.. and I never could understand (and usually get offended myself) when people want to find words offenseive (if your eyes and ears offend you, rip'em out). But that is a place of business and a professional stand needs to be taken.. I wouldn't have done that, but the man did need an attitude adjustment. It's good you were polite about it.

I never had any real bad experiences buying guns and ammo.. I did have one guy at wallmart though that refused, to sell me ammo. Refused, called guns stupid. "I'd like some 7.62x39's"

him: Uh no I won't sell you ammo, I hate guns I think their stupid.. I don't know what they are, I'm not touching it.
My eyes of course turning red, I look to the man stanidng next to him for ammo. I diddn't say anything about it though.. I should have. I figured his opinion is his own, but he shouldn't be in sporting goods with that opinion lol

[Oregon Street]

oh, i curse like a druken sailor - but not with a customer about to spend $600

[birdv]

I stopped in Arlington Gun Supply to buy some ammo. When a thug walked in asking if they have sawed off shotguns or if they have to saw it at home.

[mustanger98]

When a thug walked in asking if they have sawed off shotguns or if they have to saw it at home.

There's an interesting question [/sarcasm]... ummm, no, he'd have to saw it at home and, depending on how short he wanted it, hope the cops didn't hear him ask because you just know he's not gonna jump through the hoops for the Class 3 AOW tax stamp. What they'll most likely have in the store will be a 20" SxS coach gun which isn't sawed off, but rather just shorter to begin with while still not being near as short as he probably had in mind. I don't care whether I'm a customer or counter help, I'd say that kind bears watching.