Andrew Rothman
Member
First the short version: They're posted, even after a polite letter.
If you want to let them know what you think of that, you could email co-owner JACKIE BUCK at [email protected], or call
[edit] THEIR CORPORATE OFFICE AT 952-881-3945 [/edit]
[Thanks, ChillyW!]
The long version:
I thought these were almost a thing of the past, but there it was.
I spoke to an owner on the phone, and he said he thought that the law MADE him post the sign.
I explained that it did not, and he asked me to send him a letter.
I did...
...and after two weeks of no response, sent a reminder.
I got the following back:
Well, that's clear.
I replied with this:
If you want to let them know what you think of that, you could email co-owner JACKIE BUCK at [email protected], or call
[edit] THEIR CORPORATE OFFICE AT 952-881-3945 [/edit]
[Thanks, ChillyW!]
The long version:
I thought these were almost a thing of the past, but there it was.
I spoke to an owner on the phone, and he said he thought that the law MADE him post the sign.
I explained that it did not, and he asked me to send him a letter.
I did...
I was disappointed to find a sign up at your Chanhassen showroom, showing that you have decided to forbid law-abiding permit holders from carrying on your premises.
I was there looking at a very nice Arthur W. Brown cabinet to hold my new 50-inch Sony LCD projection TV.
Like me, all 27,000-plus Minnesota permit holders have passed criminal, drug and mental health background checks administered by our county sheriffs.
We have also received certified training, including "instruction in the fundamentals of pistol use; successful completion of an actual shooting qualification exercise; and instruction in the fundamental legal aspects of pistol possession, carry, and use, including self-defense and the restrictions on the use of deadly force" as required by Minnesota law.
You told me on the phone that you believed that you were required by law to post such a sign; you are not.
A business owner in Minnesota may decide to post a sign like yours, but is it really a good idea?
Do you and your co-owners believe that a criminal carrying a gun will be deterred by the sign?
The profile of a typical Minnesota permit holder is this: white, male, suburban, above-average income, self-sufficient and handy.
Doesn't this profile look a lot like your ideal customer?
I would strongly encourage you to re-examine this policy, and to consider make your store welcoming to all customers, including those who choose to provide for their own protection.
One related note: The Carver County Sheriff's Department patrols 357 square miles of the county with a staffing of 22 full-time deputies, 10 part-time deputies, and 7 supervisors.
If, heaven forbid, some criminal intent on violence entered your Chanhassen store, how fast do you think the Sheriff's department could respond?
Carry permit classes are always available; I'll probably be teaching a couple myself in September. Let me know if I can set up a group rate for you and your employees.
Sincerely...
...and after two weeks of no response, sent a reminder.
I got the following back:
Thank you for your email. We have reviewed your information and under the circumstances will continue with our current policy.
Sincerely,
Buck's Unpainted Furniture Owners
Well, that's clear.
I replied with this:
Thank you for your reply. Although you are not gaining anything in safety (criminals really don't mind carrying a gun past your sign), and you are losing a customer, that is definitely your right.
I will be sharing your decision (via email and web site postings) with the thousands of members of the various carry-oriented organizations to which I belong -- sites like The High Road (www.thehighroad.org, with over 12,000 members), www.packing.org, www.twincitiescarry.com, and www.gunfreezones.com.
As part of each of these messages, I will be sure to mention Woody's Unfinished Furniture at 5217 Excelsior Blvd. in St. Louis Park as a viable alternative, as they do NOT have such a sign.
Please don't be too surprised if you see a few more emails like mine.
Best of luck with your policy of trusting criminals more than your customers.
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