I was in a large chain mom and pop store today looking at a few guns and the worker kept pointing the gun at me when he would pull it out of the case. I counted 9x he did it. 2 other workers came over and didn’t even notice. I’m all for people having a job but dang, get someone who knows something in there. I kept opening the slide handing them back and he had a heck of a time figuring out how to hit the slide release on one of them. Part of me wanted to say something but he was an older gentleman and I just chose to chalk it up.
Gun store handling.
- Thread starter Axis II
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Mizar
Member
When this happens I usually say "Do NOT point it at me!" and push the barrel away. If he continues to do it I simply leave the store.
I dont make a big thing out of it. People driving while looking at their phones are a bigger threat. Is it right... no. I just dont let every litle thing bother me.
Best gun shops are the little ones where you and the owner know each other. I tend to stick to those as they are really important to me. Your average big box store is not going to have really knowledgeable employees when it comes to firearms.
Best gun shops are the little ones where you and the owner know each other. I tend to stick to those as they are really important to me. Your average big box store is not going to have really knowledgeable employees when it comes to firearms.
.38 Special
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- 7,371
I'm with @Mizar. I simply don't put up with it anymore. If I'm being polite I will make a show of moving out of the way while scowling at the offender. Otherwise I will say something like "You planning on shooting me?" or simply "Stop pointing that thing at me". Sometimes that results in an embarrassed apology and life goes on. Quite often, though, I get a defensive "It's not loaded" or "Calm down, jeez". That tells me everything I need to know, and then I find somewhere else to be.
dogtown tom
Member
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gwpercle
Member
Large Chain ... Mom and Pop store ...
Yeah I'm wondering ... what store is this .
Gary
Yeah I'm wondering ... what store is this .
Gary
Mizar
Member
Had my fair share of inadequate gun handling from both sides of the counter and from being a movie armorer for some time - I ditched the polite approach long time ago...
Terry G
Member
A lot of "Mom and Pop" stores sell firearms. Fleet Farm, R.P. 's, ACE hardware to name a few. Their employees may be pulled out of the Dog Food section and put behind the gun counter. One clerk insisted that a CZ 82 shot 9X19 MM. As a CZ fanatic I just couldn't not speak up on that one.
The Night Rider
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Those two things don't go together.
If you didn't correct them the very first time he did it everything after that was on you.
You don't have to be a jerk about it "Excuse me, please don't point that at me I don't like it."
rambo2_981
Member
That’s not something to remain silent about. They’re obviously untrained in safety, and that’s on the store management, although he should know better. Correct him next time.
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
I see it at the gunshow.
All.
The.
Time.
All.
The.
Time.
scott511
Member
dogtown tom
Member
When in a gun store, (no matter what size) and an employee handles firearms in an unsafe manner the problem isn't that employee, but his manager or owner.
Scream "DONT POINT THAT AT ME!" while correct, just means that clerk will think you are a jackass. Its not his fault that store management didn't properly train him. If the store management DID train him? Well tell them the clerk is unsafe.
Simply leaving the store doesn't fix the problem. Think about the next customer, then the one after that, and then the unfortunate soul who may not have even been shopping for guns, but browsing the plumbing section when there is a negligent discharge.
OP.....don't just "chalk it up", take the opportunity to keep that clerk from injuring himself or others. Dead customers don't buy guns. I verified that on Snopes.
Scream "DONT POINT THAT AT ME!" while correct, just means that clerk will think you are a jackass. Its not his fault that store management didn't properly train him. If the store management DID train him? Well tell them the clerk is unsafe.
Simply leaving the store doesn't fix the problem. Think about the next customer, then the one after that, and then the unfortunate soul who may not have even been shopping for guns, but browsing the plumbing section when there is a negligent discharge.
OP.....don't just "chalk it up", take the opportunity to keep that clerk from injuring himself or others. Dead customers don't buy guns. I verified that on Snopes.
GJeffB
Member
Ya know, I have a pretty unsatisfactory answer, that hopefully educates without screaming Theater in a crowded fire.
Most commonly the sales drone pulls out the (usually) handgun and if a revolver, hands it to me, if an auto perhaps racks the slide/bolt, runs it forward with magazine inserted, and hands it off. Possibility 1: Pistol, it's in a safe direction. If so, I happily make a minor "show clear." Slide lock back, pull magazine and show drone it's clear. You know the drill. They usually are a bit abashed. Possibility 2: Revolver, again open the cylinder, show clear, etc. Possibility 3: ANY firearm, NOT pointed safely, regardless of being cleared properly, I kind of gently suggest "Muzzle!" and point to a safe direction. Of course regardless of possibilities, it works in reverse. When I'm done, I properly show clear and hand it back with muzzle in a safe direction. Good for goose, good for gander.
eh, I'm not out to cost a drone their job. And if I can impart a little education, maybe they'll have a few more sales. 1 opportunity to learn is it, though.
-jb, shoot me once, shame on you; shoot me twice, shame on me [j/j obviously]
Most commonly the sales drone pulls out the (usually) handgun and if a revolver, hands it to me, if an auto perhaps racks the slide/bolt, runs it forward with magazine inserted, and hands it off. Possibility 1: Pistol, it's in a safe direction. If so, I happily make a minor "show clear." Slide lock back, pull magazine and show drone it's clear. You know the drill. They usually are a bit abashed. Possibility 2: Revolver, again open the cylinder, show clear, etc. Possibility 3: ANY firearm, NOT pointed safely, regardless of being cleared properly, I kind of gently suggest "Muzzle!" and point to a safe direction. Of course regardless of possibilities, it works in reverse. When I'm done, I properly show clear and hand it back with muzzle in a safe direction. Good for goose, good for gander.
eh, I'm not out to cost a drone their job. And if I can impart a little education, maybe they'll have a few more sales. 1 opportunity to learn is it, though.
-jb, shoot me once, shame on you; shoot me twice, shame on me [j/j obviously]
Riomouse911
Member
I have only blown one gasket when being in a gun store and getting flagged by a customer and clerk. This was at the now-closed Turners Outdoorsman in Chino (It reopened in Chino Hills).
Many moons ago I had my then 10-year old daughter with me while I stood back from the gun counter awaiting service. A 20- something clerk was showing another 20-something several guns from the counter cabinet one gun at a time. After getting flagged twice I said to them, “Please don’t point that at me, thanks.” They looked over, the customer with a know-it-all smirk on his face still with the gun pointed along the counter towards me. The counter guy starts dismissing me by saying, “Don’t worry, he’s a deputy.” I got loud and said, “Well I am a sergeant, and if he points that gun at me or my daughter again he will be standing tall in front of his Captain!” The gun was immediately pointed away and their eyes popped open a bit wide.
I then turned on my heel, set down the ammo I intended to buy, walked to the front and told the assistant manager that his clerk was an unsafe clown, and left.
I never went back to that particular store.
Stay safe.
Many moons ago I had my then 10-year old daughter with me while I stood back from the gun counter awaiting service. A 20- something clerk was showing another 20-something several guns from the counter cabinet one gun at a time. After getting flagged twice I said to them, “Please don’t point that at me, thanks.” They looked over, the customer with a know-it-all smirk on his face still with the gun pointed along the counter towards me. The counter guy starts dismissing me by saying, “Don’t worry, he’s a deputy.” I got loud and said, “Well I am a sergeant, and if he points that gun at me or my daughter again he will be standing tall in front of his Captain!” The gun was immediately pointed away and their eyes popped open a bit wide.
I then turned on my heel, set down the ammo I intended to buy, walked to the front and told the assistant manager that his clerk was an unsafe clown, and left.
I never went back to that particular store.
Stay safe.
Did he check to if the gun was clear of ammo before flagging you?
I know it still not right but it's hard to show a gun to someone in a crowded gun store without flagging someone unless to keep it pointed at the floor or roof.
Clearing the gun first is the trick, You always need to clear the gun before handling it.
I know it still not right but it's hard to show a gun to someone in a crowded gun store without flagging someone unless to keep it pointed at the floor or roof.
Clearing the gun first is the trick, You always need to clear the gun before handling it.
No excuse even in a crowded store. A well trained employee and well trained customers have any number of places to point the muzzle other than at a person. Everyone should know the drill. A split second with the muzzle pointed at a human being is a split second too long!
My dad gave me what for when I pointed a toy cap gun at a USAF retired brigadier general when I was 4 years old. None other than General Byron E. Gates. He was our next door neighbor when we first moved from a California USAF base to Illinois. I never forgot that lesson even after all these years. Teach your children well!
My dad gave me what for when I pointed a toy cap gun at a USAF retired brigadier general when I was 4 years old. None other than General Byron E. Gates. He was our next door neighbor when we first moved from a California USAF base to Illinois. I never forgot that lesson even after all these years. Teach your children well!
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tws3b2
Member
Large Chain?.......Mom and Pops? I wish there was one around here. I would love a store like that.
If it bothers you so much just walk out. I've asked if a gun has been checked to make sure it's unloaded. And, I've asked to hold a gun just so I could check. And I've been in stores where there were so many people looking at guns that it was practically impossible not to have one pointed at somebody. No need to get excited. Just Be cool and ask. No one is going to attack you for asking. And asking would probably be a good way to get the guy to get in the habit of checking. Or you could just stop going to Large Chain....Mom and Pop stores.
If it bothers you so much just walk out. I've asked if a gun has been checked to make sure it's unloaded. And, I've asked to hold a gun just so I could check. And I've been in stores where there were so many people looking at guns that it was practically impossible not to have one pointed at somebody. No need to get excited. Just Be cool and ask. No one is going to attack you for asking. And asking would probably be a good way to get the guy to get in the habit of checking. Or you could just stop going to Large Chain....Mom and Pop stores.
TomJ
Contributing Member
Every so often we see a video of an AD in a store. If the people in the store are fortunate the gun isn't pointed at anyone when the AD occurs. In addition to just not wanting a gun pointed at me that's a reason I'd politely point out to the employee that they need to watch where they're pointing a gun.
Speedo66
Member
Happens all too often, especially at gun shows. I make a point of moving out of the way if it looks like it's going to point at me. I'll also say "I know you think it's unloaded, but I'd appreciate it if you didn't point it at me." That will often invoke a look, I really don't care.
Way too many "unloaded" guns have gone off at gun shows. When a gun is handed to me, I expect the person to remove the magazine, rack back the slide, and look in the chamber first. I don't care if he just did the same with the same gun 5 minutes ago, it's just the right thing to do each time.
Way too many "unloaded" guns have gone off at gun shows. When a gun is handed to me, I expect the person to remove the magazine, rack back the slide, and look in the chamber first. I don't care if he just did the same with the same gun 5 minutes ago, it's just the right thing to do each time.
Smaug
Member
It's easy to over-react here. Sometimes, it's impossible NOT to sweep someone.
The rule "Never point the gun at something you don't intend to destroy" is not possible to be followed all the time. For example, the guns at my LGS are pointed down and toward the customer in the case. Every gun in the shop. When it is taken off the rest, it is at that moment pointed at my legs. The clerk points it downward and confirms it's clear, then hands it to me, with it pointed sideways or toward himself. If it's sideways, he just swept half the store.
Another example: when I go to clean a revolver, I have to look right down the barrel to see if it's clean. (action open, though) On a SA revolver without interchangeable cylinder? I haven't thought of how to do that yet.
Ditto for "treat every gun as if it is loaded" It is often impossible, or I could never dry fire practice or clean a gun or check function with snap caps.
Muzzle discipline is important, but there's a reason it's just one of four cardinal rules.
In the gun shop environment, I'm more concerned about "finger off trigger" rule. I always point it somewhere "safe" to dry fire, and always check clear myself before doing it, but what's behind that wall or ceiling? It's hard to know.
The rule "Never point the gun at something you don't intend to destroy" is not possible to be followed all the time. For example, the guns at my LGS are pointed down and toward the customer in the case. Every gun in the shop. When it is taken off the rest, it is at that moment pointed at my legs. The clerk points it downward and confirms it's clear, then hands it to me, with it pointed sideways or toward himself. If it's sideways, he just swept half the store.
Another example: when I go to clean a revolver, I have to look right down the barrel to see if it's clean. (action open, though) On a SA revolver without interchangeable cylinder? I haven't thought of how to do that yet.
Ditto for "treat every gun as if it is loaded" It is often impossible, or I could never dry fire practice or clean a gun or check function with snap caps.
Muzzle discipline is important, but there's a reason it's just one of four cardinal rules.
In the gun shop environment, I'm more concerned about "finger off trigger" rule. I always point it somewhere "safe" to dry fire, and always check clear myself before doing it, but what's behind that wall or ceiling? It's hard to know.
gwpercle
Member
You missed it ... first sentence ... " I was in a large chain mom and pop store ... do you know of any large chain mom and pop stores ...
Keep your eyes open and read the handwriting on the wall .
Gary
JeeperCreeper
Member
You can always call the store it go back and talk to a manager of the lodge section. What's done is done, but you can try to fix it without being a "Karen".
"Hey, I don't want to be that guy, but I was in here a few days ago and one of the sales guys flagged me nine times. I didn't want to say anything and don't want anyone in trouble, but this should really be fixed with some basic training"
"Hey, I don't want to be that guy, but I was in here a few days ago and one of the sales guys flagged me nine times. I didn't want to say anything and don't want anyone in trouble, but this should really be fixed with some basic training"
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