Do you CCW in the Gun Shop?

[phoglund]

I walked into a local sporting goods store/gun shop just last weekend carrying a Kahr CW9 IWB but with the shirt tucked in showing the grip and back of the slide. The shop has a sign stating no loaded firearms but I decided they meant folks coming in with loaded guns in their hands looking for ammo/accessories/repair and not weapons holstered and carried for personal protection. An employee obviously noticed I was carrying but said nothing.

Around here I think most stores are thinking safety not gun rights. Like it or not, there are a lot of yahoos around that pull out the old boom stick once a year for hunting etc. and know nothing about muzzle control or trigger discipline, not to mention checking the chamber. They just want to keep their walls, employees, and customers free of unnecessary holes.

 

[32 Magnum]

CCW in gunshops

Another couple points:
Our shop is located in the Lehigh Valley of PA, on the Rt 222 Corridor between NJ and Lancaster, PA - which was recognized by the US Justice Dept., several years ago, as needing Federal Grants to the various local and State Police agencies to help supress the crime and drug trafficing along this route. Over half of the gunshops in our area have either been burglarized after hours (our shop was hit about 2.5 years ago, when a truck was backed through the front wall and the handgun cases cleaned out) or robbed during business hours. The most recent robbery happened early this year, when the 70+ year old proprietor of a shop outside of Easton was nearly beaten to death during a daylight robbery, by four assailants. NONE of the robbers or burglars have been apprehended and all the other dealers that I know, are very apprehensive about their safety - most keep several loaded firearms, including shotguns on their person and behind the counter or in the back rooms for personal safety. GUNS equal money to the organized gangs that operate in this area. My home was burglarized 5 years ago, armed home invasion - I wasn't home, but my youngest daughter was and she and two friends were terrorized for 2 hours, thank God none of them were hurt - and 31 hand guns were stolen from me. Depending on the crime level in your area, the dealers and employees in their shops have a right to be cautious - the right of self protection and self PRESERVATION extends to them also.

 

[mewachee]

RONSTAR, why carry at all.

Somebody else will be carrying everywhere you go, hopefully. To begin with, if a thief were going to steal guns from a shop, the first person they would go for would be the clerk. Also, this is the same mentality that says call 911.

"911." "There killing everyone." "Sir, who..." blah, blah, blah. I ask the wife of a friend, who doesn't approve of my wife's CCW, "What would you do if a man was coming through the window?" Her response, "Call 911." Yeah, they will be their as soon as they can.

You are your primary defense. I believe person who realizes that, should also make the decision to protect others, but you can count them to do that.

 

[Janitor]

Yup. I ccw in every type of store.

If they've posted that they don't allow guns, I don't shop there.

 

[machinisttx]

I carry anywhere it's legal to do so.

Disarming when not required to do so makes me scratch my head wondering why....

 

[zoom6zoom]

I OC in all the shops I frequent. On one visit I left it in the car and the owner told me to "go back out and get it!"

One of the shops in Lynchburg has no problem with customers carrying but doesn't let their employees carry. Still shaking my head over that one.

 

[BlindJustice]

Yes, and if they want to see my modd'd 1911 they are asked to please catch the round I'm going to get out of the gun by racking the slide after
removing the loaded mag. It's only the younger hired help who are a bit spooked not the owner as I' usually stop by to buy a box of ammo on a
semi-regular basis to support the small businessman. I wouldn't bring up the subject in a Wally WOrld or other large chain store

R-

 

[RustyShackelford]

Most gun shops...

I've lived and worked in about 3 states and in all 3 I have never seen a shop or range that would allow CC or even open carry of loaded weapons, .

Large signs and warnings are posted all over. I would think a few places were less concerned about safety/insurance issues but most had rules against it...

RS

 

[Matt-J2]

I dunno if it's still there, but the local Gander Mountain had the sign saying more or less; 'no loaded weapons, does not apply to ccw holders.'

I suppose that's just standard door decor for Gander.(see location at left)

 

[CajunBass]

Concealed and open carry. Why wouldn't I?

I've never seen a sign on any gun store I've ever been in that didn't say something along the lines of "CHP holders excepted" on their "no loaded guns" signs if they have anything posted. When open carrying I've never been asked if I have a CHP either. For one, open carry is legal. For two, just about every gun store around knows me on sight.

They just see $$ when I walk in. Maybe not many, but at least a few.

 

[SCKimberFan]

I CC to every gun store I visit in SC. In NC, there are a couple that have a no loaded weapons sign posted - I just don't understand - they want you to buy a gun there, but don't want you to bring it back in when you are shopping. One does allow permit holders to carry - the other makes no exceptions.

No exceptions here either - the one that doesn't allow cc doesn't get any of my $$$.

 

[btg3]

there are a couple that have a no loaded weapons sign posted - I just don't understand - they want you to buy a gun there, but don't want you to bring it back in when you are shopping.

Well if they sold it to you loaded, they might feel differently about it.

 

[GBExpat]

Do you CCW in the Gun Shop?

Of course.