Bass Pro Shops is anti-gun

Bass Pro Shops in MI is anti-gun

So I had heard from a guy how Bass Pro Shops in Auburn Hills, MI has a nice shooting range inside. For those of you not familiar with the area, it's attached to a huge mall called Great Lakes Crossing. Yes, that's right, there's a shooting range inside a mall. My wife has family in that area, and we had been wanting to go shooting, but we needed a babysitter. Problem solved, so we went to Bass Pro Shops (BPS)...

The first time, I had called and asked what the range hours and fees were. The guy told me if I come between X and Y hours, we can shoot. So we showed up there with my range bag, and they said, "What time is your appointment?" We were like, ***? The guy on the phone didn't mention anything about having to make an appointment. The normal ranges by my house don't require this. Of course, they're booked up all day, so we can't shoot. So, disappointed, we pick up the baby and go back home.

Then, we decided to try for round two a few weeks later. We got the same relatives to babysit, brought my range bag, and went to BPS. Now, the range is on the 2nd floor of this very large BPS store that's attached to the mall. I walk in the same way I did a few weeks prior, range bag over my shoulder, through the turnstyle gates at the entrance. There's a guy standing there with a BPS shirt on (there was last time, too). I looked at him both times I went, he looked at me, he looked at my range bag, and said nothing. So, I figured he was one of the greeter types (like at WalMart) or a deterrant against shoplifting (like at Best Buy), and we proceeded to the range area.

I get up there, and give my name, stating that I had a reservation at X time. The guy then pats the counter as though he wants me to get out my gun and show it to him. Now, keep in mind we're inside a mall with tons of people around, so I was a little taken aback by this range guy asking me to whip out a gun. I usually never open my case except when I'm inside the range area or inside my own house. So I ask him if he wants me to get my gun out b/c I was confused & it seemed unsafe. Here's where the fun starts....

He then gets a horrified look on his face and starts freaking out. He says, "Wait a minute! You didn't get stopped by check-in?" I said, "No. I shoot all the time, and I've never had to do that before. I walked right by the guy at the entry and he looked right at my range bag and said nothing." Then he freaks out asking me if I came in the mall entrance or the parking lot entrance. I explained to him that I'm familiar with gun safety and that of course I came in through the parking lot entrance.

Then he calls security in a frantic voice telling them that he needs them up here right now! Now, at this point I was going to leave, but my wife wanted to shoot, and we hadn't gone together in a while (plus we already had the sitter for the 2nd time). So the jackass has them escort my wife and me back through the store with my gun in the range bag to the check in area with the turnstyles. So, I go back there, and the guy tells me to empty out my range bag, and he starts rummaging through it messing everything up. Then he starts taking inventory and telling me that this is no big deal... it's just so that I don't steal anything.

First, he takes out my gun in the middle of the entry way with people walking inches by through the turnstyles as he's muzzle flashing everyone in the store! Then he puts a trigger lock on my gun (not gently, I might add). He screws up all my mags, which I have sorted b/c I like some better than others. Then he tries to force my CZ pistol case (small) closed onto the gun with a gigantic trigger lock on it. I tell him to stop. So he gets out a huge 4-gun case and puts my gun in there. Then he puts a tether around the case handle so I can't open it. Then he puts a tether around my range bag! Then he escorts us back upstairs to the range area.

Now jackass #1 is back again and still treating me like I'm a criminal about to rob the place. Then he holds up this huge consent form like you typically sign when you rent a gun. So we figure, OK, fine, and start reading it. We get down to the item that says we have to give him our driver's licenses, and we realize my wife doesn't have hers b/c we've never needed it at our normal ranges unless we're renting a gun. Niether of us likes the idea of this guy keeping tabs on who we are and what times we were there. So we figured it must be for age verification, and we ask. He freaks out on us again and acts like we're about to hold the place up again.

So I tell him his anti-gun violations of my privacy and treating me like I'm a criminal are not appreciated and that he'll never get our business again. I explain to him that my normal range doesn't make me jump through hoops, violate my privacy, and treat me like a criminal for exercising my 2nd Amendment RKBA. I explain that it's ridiculous that he works at a shooting range and acts like I'm a criminal for bringing in a gun.

So we went back down to the door guy, who unlocked all the crap he put on, and finally we got our gun back and left. He tries to play Mr. Niceguy and say that he doesn't agree with the policies, and that it's just a brief search of our stuff.. no big deal. He told me that I could have my range privileges revoked for the day if I didn't comply. I told him that he can revoke my range privileges permanently for all I care b/c I'll never go back there again. I told him that while he may concede to small violations of our rights simply b/c they're not larger violations of our rights, I don't agree to ANY violations of my rights, and I will never shop somewhere that treats me as a criminal until proven otherwise (searching and doing inventory on my bag before and after, putting a lock on MY gun that was in a closed case in a closed range bag). Not to mention muzzle flashing everyone in the store and totally disorganizing my range bag.

What do you guys think of all this? Would you shoot here?

I agree that I chose to (attempt to) shoot there, and the only reason I didn't walk out immediately was b/c I wanted my wife to be able to shoot. But, I think the whole notion of calling security b/c I might shoot someone is ridiculous. If I got past the door guy with an entire range bag TWICE, I could get past him with anything. Hell, if I really wanted to commit a crime in there, I'd just go through the mall entrance.

But, if I were going to commit a crime, why would I bring in my range bag with my gun in a closed case and make an appointment with my name? Moreover, why would I opt to commit a violent crime at a shooting range (where multiple people are armed)? Why should they assume that I've been shoplifiting until I prove otherwise? They have security cameras already.

I think the very notion that the possession of an unlocked gun makes you a "potential criminal" instead of a law abiding citizen is by its very nature ANTI-GUN. We're no longer customers or citizens, we're potential criminals. What happened to innocent until proven guilty? At this place, it was vice versa. Now, I realize that they're attached to a mall--but why not then make a SEPARATE ENTRANCE for the range? Or why jump through all the hoops to get a range approved IN A MALL if you're going to treat people like criminals when they walk in the door??? I'd much rather go to a freestanding range any day, but this was just out of convenience. Obviously, I won't make that mistake again.

YMMV, and maybe you'd be ok with these transgressions, but baby steps add up to a lot at the end of the day.

Oh, and you can bet they'll be getting a letter from me....