Interesting comment at the local gun store today

[kb58]

I sometimes give people advice if they ask for it, but I am careful to stay within my role as a guest in someone else's business.

Yup. Think of being in someone's home and offering advice to another guest at the dinner table about the meal that the host is serving.

 

[nofishbob]

Think of being in someone's home and offering advice to another guest at the dinner table about the meal that the host is serving.

Since we are talking about a business, not a home, wouldn't a better analogy be two patrons in a restaurant discussing the menu?

The gun shop is not a home, you are not a guest there.

The gun shop is a business, you are a customer there.

Bob

 

[Bushpilot]

When I give advice like that, I just want someone to be informed. I've had some managers ask if I want to work there, and I tell them, No. I prefer being a Physician.

How would you like the gun shop owner walking into your office and giving medical advice to your patients?

 

[jj1962hemi]

I'm with the OP, assuming the atmosphere in the store warranted it. Maybe it didn't, given him getting shut down. I always try to be friendly to other patrons in any gun store. Especially with a newbie, I think we're all on trial when they're in a gun store. I'd add that, in my gun-unfriendly area, two of the four stores I frequent are run by crotchety guys who are difficult to approach and take some time to "crack." I've put up with this for years, due to lack of alternatives.


The OP was hardly being a weekend warrior blowhard, which is what we we all find annoying.

I get Sam's point, but when I'm in a store, as I frequently am, where my presence seems to be an inconvenience to the person behind the counter, I'm more concerned with people like the lady in question being comfortable than I am with the owner being even more irritable than he typically is.

I know that many of you come from areas where gun ownership is more common, where you can stroll in to an LGS and grab a cup of coffee and have a conversation (the kinds of stores I'd rather have in my neighborhood, but don't), I'm probably more jealous than disagreeable.

 

[tomrkba]

How would you like the gun shop owner walking into your office and giving medical advice to your patients?

There is a HUGE difference between a doctor and a gun shop owner/clerk in terms of expertise in their fields. The lowest level of entry for a a gun shop is retail sales and knowledge is not at expert level (such people don't do retail gun sales with very rare exceptions). I have heard too much poor advice come out of the mouths of gun store owners, managers and clerks. Worse, I have seen most of them modify the information to facilitate the sale of a certain gun. I place them at the level of used car salesmen until proven otherwise. I have become convinced that much of the "gun mythology" is perpetuated by these people since most gun owners do not attend quality training courses.

So, yes, intervene early if possible. If not, do so outside the store after the sale. I keep brochures from quality training organizations in my vehicle for this reason. Failure to do so means a lost chance at getting them proper training, and possibly, one fewer gun owner in the near future.

 

[Bushpilot]

There is a HUGE difference between a doctor and a gun shop owner/clerk in terms of expertise in their fields. The lowest level of entry for a a gun shop is retail sales and knowledge is not at expert level (such people don't do retail gun sales with very rare exceptions). I have heard too much poor advice come out of the mouths of gun store owners, managers and clerks.

This issue isn't about how much knowledge each possesses in their respective fields. The issue is whether or not it is appropriate to interfere. Being a doctor does not automatically make one an expert on guns or any other topic outside their field.

 

[PTMCCAIN]

Gun stores can be fun experiences, or ridiculous. We have a great indoor shooting range with an attached store that is to die for, it's always fun to strike up conversations with customers and staff over various firearms.

But then again, it can also be the theater of the absurd in some shops.

 

[CDR_Glock]

This issue isn't about how much knowledge each possesses in their respective fields. The issue is whether or not it is appropriate to interfere. Being a doctor does not automatically make one an expert on guns or any other topic outside their field.

True, sir. However, I have been educated in many subjects of our lifestyle enough to render an opinion worthy of listening.

This is the only store where this comment of being "liable" for an opinion made by a fellow customer. From where does this "jurisdiction" or liability end for him? Outside of his earshot? In the parking lot? What if I had texted her or written an follow up referral by email? The boundaries of his claim end within the store or extend to a parking lot? He has no control over the 1st amendment as we all share in the second amendment.

Anyways, I'll just grin and move on. Thanks.

 

[Bushpilot]

Deleted...

 

[Captain Brown Beard]

I'm going to have to agree with what some of the other posters said about dollar signs. It would appear that the counter guy was more interested in up-selling something "better", because after all, can you put a price on your life?

Unless it's a guy I know, I tend to view gun store guys much as I would a used car salesman. At the end of the day their goal is to make money, not spending 30 minutes convincing you that the $300 revolver will be just as good in your purse as the $1000 Sig.