Please review - No Guns Response Letter

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ZeSpectre

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I recently ran into two new local businesses sporting "No Guns" signs.

What follows is the text of the letter I'm composing to those businesses. C'mon folks, rip it up. I typed this on the fly and I'm tired today so I need the proof-reading help this morning :D

-------------------------letter body--------------------------------

As I recently approached your business I noted prominently posted “No Guns Allowed” signs.

While such postings may seem like a good idea, I would like to take this opportunity to point out a few things that you may not have considered when enacting this policy.

First and foremost; this sort of sign is aimed directly at the people you need not be worried about. It is exceedingly unlikely that anyone law-abiding enough to obey your sign would ever have been a problem in the first place. On the other hand, criminals (by definition) are going to ignore laws and regulations and do as they please. It is also quite possible that a criminal might prefer your business since you have announced that it is a "soft target".

The vast majority of the people your signs ban have had background checks and been vetted by the state. They are literally "State Certified Good Guys". It makes no logical sense when a business implements a policy that welcomes any unknown “John Smith” off the street while at the same time denying entry to someone who has passed a thorough background investigation.

Additionally, the portion of the population who are rejected by your policy are at least mildly affluent as demonstrated by their ability to own several hundred, to several thousand, dollars of precision machined equipment and accessories. Perhaps it is not the best financial decision to bar these people and their money from your business.

In closing I once again ask that you please reconsider your policy and remove the “no guns” signs from your place of business because until this policy is changed I, as a law abiding and peaceful citizen, will have to respect your decision and take my business elsewhere.
 
Let's trim it down a bit so they read it and get the message in the least amount of time.

As I recently approached your business I noted prominently posted “No Guns Allowed” signs.

[strike]While such postings may seem like a good idea, I would like to take this opportunity to point out a few things that you may not have considered when enacting this policy.

First and foremost; this sort of sign is aimed directly at the people you need not be worried about. It is exceedingly unlikely that anyone law-abiding enough to obey your sign would ever have been a problem in the first place. On the other hand, criminals (by definition) are going to ignore laws and regulations and do as they please. It is also quite possible that a criminal might prefer your business since you have announced that it is a "soft target".[/strike]

The [strike]vast majority of the [/strike]potential customers your signs ban have had background checks and been vetted by the state to have no history of drug use, domestic violence, or criminal behavior. They are literally "State Certified Good Guys". It makes no [strike]logical [/strike]sense when a business implements a policy that welcomes any unknown “John Smith” off the street while at the same time denying entry to a potential customer who has passed a thorough background investigation.

[strike]Additionally, t[/strike]The portion of [strike]the population[/strike] customerswho are rejected by your policy are at least mildly affluent as demonstrated by their ability to own several hundred, to several thousand, dollars of precision machined equipment and accessories. Perhaps it is not the best financial decision to bar these people and their money from your business.

In closing I once again ask that you please reconsider your policy and remove the “no guns” signs from your place of business because it serves no useful purpose and it excludes potential customers that have proof of a non-violent crime free history[strike]u[/strike]. Until this policy is changed I, as a law abiding and peaceful citizen, will have to respect your decision and take my business [strike]elsewhere[/strike]to your competetors.
Click to expand...
 
How about:

Dear (merchant name),

On (date) I was about to enter your establishment until I saw your "no guns" sign. Instead, I made my purchase at (competitor's name), and I will continue to do so.

(competitor's name) recognizes two important facts which you do not: 1) Concealed handgun permit holders are vetted by Federal and State officials as non-criminals. We obey the law and are no danger to you or your customers. 2) Actual criminals look for signs like yours, preferring to rob establishments that display them.

Have a nice day.
 
That Jared Loughner was vetted proves the obvious: no vetting process is perfect.

The overwhelmingly vast majority of people who pass NICS and whatever state check is required can be counted on to routinely heed "no guns" signs; we are respectful, law-abiding types who pose no danger to anyone. To a merchant with a no guns policy, we are lost sales.
 
Just FYI, this sort of letter always includes a photocopy of receipts from the places where I DID do business to illustrate business lost.

HSO... sheesh I was being a bit...wordy, now wasn't I <grin>.
 
I wouldn't strike the entire first paragraph, But I would move it to the end as a conclusion to the rest of the letter.
As I recently approached your business I noted prominently posted “No Guns Allowed” signs.

While such postings may seem like a good idea, I would like to take this opportunity to point out a few things that you may not have considered when enacting this policy.

The potential customers your signs ban have passed background checks and been vetted by the state to have no history of drug use, domestic violence, or criminal behavior. They are literally "State Certified Good Guys". It makes no sense when a business implements a policy that welcomes any unknown “John Smith” off the street while at the same time denying entry to a potential customer who has passed a thorough background investigation.

The customers who are rejected by your policy are at least mildly affluent as demonstrated by their ability to own several hundred, to several thousand, dollars of precision machined equipment and accessories. Perhaps it is not the best financial decision to bar these people and their money from your business.

This sort of sign is aimed directly at the people you need not be worried about and this policy is poorly thought out. Anyone law-abiding enough to obey your sign would not pose a risk in the first place. On the other hand, criminals (by definition) are going to ignore laws, regulations, and your sign while doing as they please.

So, until this policy is changed I, as a law abiding and peaceful citizen, will have to respect your decision and take my business to your competitors.

In closing, it is important that you are aware you have announced your business as a "soft target" to criminals, making it less safe for the general public. You have also publicly stated a policy offensive to those who have invested time and money to go through the entire process of becoming certified.​

I'm fighting a bug, and my brains a little fuzzy, so I hope what I wrote makes sense.
 
ZeSpectre,

I have the same problem so I write, edit once and then hand off to someone else to comment before finalizing anything "official".:cool:
 
I like hso's changes - businesses suffer from TLDR too (Too Long - Didn't Read). Keeping your message concise improves the chances that someone will see it.

Also, I'd take out of the wording of "State Certified Good Guys". For one it reinforces the black and white "good guy"/"bad guy" mantra that is common but naive in our hobby, but also because it's not an appropriate tone for a professional letter. "Good guys" is something 8 year olds cheer for on a western. It's not professional speak to a business.

Other than that, it sounds pretty good, and gets the message across.
 
Mebbe instead of just letting 'em know you are not going to frequent their business, toss in family and like-minded CHP holders?

If they persist, be sure to contact VCDL so they can put them on their Gun Owner Unfriendly list .

Don't know exactly how you'd do so, but it would be nice if the businesses knew there was such a list and they stand to be on it?
This would let them know that it's more than just your business they would be losing.

BTW-I see the link to the NRA Natinal Orgazinizations with Anti-gun Policies is now here.
 
How about you trim that down even more;

As I recently approached your business I noted prominently posted “No Guns Allowed” signs.

While such postings may seem like a good idea, I would like to take this opportunity to point out a few things that you may not have considered when enacting this policy.

The potential customers your signs ban have passed background checks and been vetted by the state to have no history of drug use, domestic violence, or criminal behavior. They are literally "State Certified Good Guys". It makes no sense when a business implements a policy that welcomes any unknown “John Smith” off the street while at the same time denying entry to a potential customer who has passed a thorough background investigation.

*******The customers who are rejected by your policy are at least mildly affluent as demonstrated by their ability to own several hundred, to several thousand, dollars of precision machined equipment and accessories. Perhaps it is not the best financial decision to bar these people and their money from your business.*********

This sort of sign is aimed directly at the people you need not be worried about and this policy is poorly thought out. Anyone law-abiding enough to obey your sign would not pose a risk in the first place. On the other hand, criminals (by definition) are going to ignore laws, regulations, and your sign while doing as they please.

So, until this policy is changed I, as a law abiding and peaceful citizen, will have to respect your decision and take my business to your competitors.

In closing, it is important that you are aware you have announced your business as a "soft target" to criminals, making it less safe for the general public. You have also publicly stated a policy offensive to those who have invested time and money to go through the entire process of becoming certified.

I happen to own a couple of thousand dollars' worth of that "precision machined equipment and accessories" -- yet I am anything but "mildly affluent". In fact, I am not anywhere close to being affluent. Hell, I ain't even as high as the so-called "middle class".
You do NOT have to be even "mildly affluent" to have guns.
 
Black Duck Charlie said:
I happen to own a couple of thousand dollars' worth of that "precision machined equipment and accessories" -- yet I am anything but "mildly affluent". In fact, I am not anywhere close to being affluent. Hell, I ain't even as high as the so-called "middle class".
You do NOT have to be even "mildly affluent" to have guns.
Click to expand...
If you ask me, having too many precision machined pieces of equipment and accessories is often cause for not being mildly affluent. Myself included.
 
Beatledog7 writes:

That Jared Loughner was vetted proves the obvious: no vetting process is perfect.
Click to expand...

Loughner is an exception to what is typically a rule. It's doubtful he would have chosen not to carry out his attack had he suddenly spotted a "no guns" sign posted at the venue.
 
I'd keep it simple. Tell him you support businesses that abide by the US Consitution, such as X & Y. Your No Firearms sign says otherwise, so you, your family, your friends, and all other supporters of the 2nd Amendment will not be doing business w/ you until the signs are gone.
 
You might add that they neither have the authority or the ability to enforce this (at least in my state), and many ccw holders will likely just ignore the sign anyway.
 
blaisenguns said:
You might add that they neither have the authority or the ability to enforce this (at least in my state)
Click to expand...
In many states, they do, including in Arizona.

...and many ccw holders will likely just ignore the sign anyway.
Click to expand...
It would be foolish (at best) to include this, since it would only contradict the entire point of the letter; which is that CCW holders are, by and large, law-abiding-citizens.
 
Dear (merchant name),

On (date) I was about to enter your establishment until I saw your "no guns" sign. Instead, I made my purchase at (competitor's name), and I will continue to do so.

(competitor's name) recognizes two important facts which you do not: 1) Concealed handgun permit holders are vetted by Federal and State officials as non-criminals. We obey the law and are no danger to you or your customers. 2) Actual criminals look for signs like yours, preferring to rob establishments that display them.

Have a nice day.
Click to expand...

I like this one. Short, simple and I like #2. This plus photocopied receipt seems like a win template to me.
 
Fist off, the people that post such signs are Liberal Facists! All the lefties in this country know that people who have permits to carry ARE law abiding people. If they weren't they wouldn't have bothered to get a permit in the first place. The signs they post like "no firearms allowed" is there way of saying, "I do not want your business!" So, the way I look at, unless you have too, don't give it to them, and let everyone you know who carries or supperts our right to bare arms, about this business. Hopefully, they will avoid them.
 
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