Trip to LGS turns sketchy

[lpsharp88]

So I went to a LGS to see about getting some sights installed on my Glock 26. I browse around for a minute then walk up to the counter and ask if they offer an gun smith services (never really had a need before now). They say they don't, so I thank them for their time and start walking towards the door. Before I get to the door, some guy stops me and informs me that he knows a guy who can do all kinds of things, trigger jobs, sight changes, made it seem like he was a certified Glock armorer. He then proceeds to pull out his Glock and show me the 3.5# trigger his friend put in. He mentions that this trigger has some sort of extra safety on it (it looked like a silver button on the side of it), then shows me how it works...BY ATTEMPTING TO PULL THE TRIGGER! Now, as far as I know it, the weapon is loaded. There is a magazine inserted and the trigger has not been pulled rearward, so for all I know, it has a round chambered. This catches me completely off guard, so I quickly take a couple steps back, and he looks at me and says "What's that all about?". I inform him that if he can't figure it out for himself, that maybe he shouldn't be handling firearms, and walk out the door. The only silver lining (if there is any) is that the weapon was pointed at a 45 degree angle (roughly) toward the ground, and not at anyone.
I guess the point to this is that I'm amazed at how irresponsible people can be with something that can cause serious bodily injury or death. I realize that there was a "safety" installed, but it's a mechanical device, and they can and will fail.
I realize that my response to the gentleman really didn't answer his question, or solve much of anything, but I was quite uncomfortable and wanted to get outta there. The management either didn't see it, or didn't really care.
With that being said, what are some other ways that it could have been dealt with?

 

[wgp]

Amen. Was in a local shop last week, walked down an aisle and looked to my left, an employe was showing a 1911 to a customer and wouldn't you know, it was pointed right at my middle. I stared at him and said "Don't point that at me". That seemed to shock him a bit, but hey.

 

[CoRoMo]

He then proceeds to pull out his Glock and...

I would have, at that moment said, "What the heck are you doing!??!", while back peddling far away from said dork.

 

[stumpers]

I'm guessing as a fellow OIF veteran you realize the military is super-crazy-hyper-vigilant about gun safety handling.

While "inspection arms" isn't required for me to feel good about checking out someone's gun, it's really weird not to do it in a similar manner - both for safety and not to unnerve others.

I would've done exactly as you did. You can't fix stupid. I personally don't show off loaded guns.

The one time a gun shop owner wanted to check out my carry gun, I took it off my belt still inside the holster and handed it to the guy and let him unholster and clear the weapon as he wished.

 

[morcey2]

He then proceeds to pull out his Glock and...

I would have, at that moment said, "What the heck are you doing!??! Glocks explode!", while back peddling far away from said dork.

Fixed it for you.

I've been swept/covered by people in gun stores, but never by anyone that decided to pull out their carry gun and do a show-n-tell. I usually just ask them nicely to please not point it at me. Only once was anyone a jerk about it. He was asked to leave the store.

Matt

 

[lpsharp88]

I'm guessing as a fellow OIF veteran you realize the military is super-crazy-hyper-vigilant about gun safety handling.

While "inspection arms" isn't required for me to feel good about checking out someone's gun, it's really weird not to do it in a similar manner - both for safety and not to unnerve others.

I would've done exactly as you did. You can't fix stupid. I personally don't show off loaded guns.

The one time a gun shop owner wanted to check out my carry gun, I took it off my belt still inside the holster and handed it to the guy and let him unholster and clear the weapon as he wished.

It took me all of 3 days to realize how safety conscious the military is when it comes to weapons, saw a couple privates get body slammed (among other things) by some Drill Sergeants for flagging people, that really drove the point home haha. I definitely don't expect inspection arms, but it takes all of 5 seconds to drop the magazine and rack the slide one or two times, not really too much to ask for. The man showed incredible faith in that safety, really unnerved me.

 

[GrOuNd_ZeRo]

Why would you carry a live Glock Hand grenade?!

I think he should atleast have safety checked his firearm and make sure it's unloaded before TOUCHING a trigger.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

*facepalm*

Man, there were a stack of alarm signals there, and you were quite right in your reaction...and honestly I'm thankful the untinkable didn't happen during this.

Personally, I would never conceive of pulling out my firearm in any LGS (outside their range) without the express permission and monitoring of one of the clerks working there. They have the ultimate responsibility for ensuring all weapons handling is conducted in a safe manner and they can't do that if they aren't aware of what others in their store are doing.

The last time I had a need to unholster my pistol in a LGS was so I could test fit a holster I was considering buying. Simply went to the counter, told the guy behind it what I wanted to do, and we coordinated my unholstering and clearing right there. Easy-peasy. Then I was free to test holsters to my heart's content.

This guy should have done the same thing.

 

[TrickyDick]

If i ever show my CCW pistol to someone, fist thing i do is drop the mag, empty the chamber and lock it to the rear, then let them handle it. I just don't like handing people loaded firearms, unless it's absolutely neccessary. but some folks just don't get it.

 

[OptimusPrime]

Why show a CCW to a stranger at all? You were right to disengage.

 

[Tirod]

The point is well made, but the location is the problem. The average LGS isn't a professional situation, it's a public store and any goober can come in the door and demonstrate just how little he knows.

I get the same guys in the auto parts store, talking big about what the car can do, and being reckless when they drive off. We do the same as the OP, make an oblique comment to prevent confronting them directly - because the employee is always wrong. Only a customer can correct another customer, assess your risk.

Otherwise, retail isn't the squad room or racetrack, professionals are rarely hanging around. So professional behavior is frequently lacking.

 

[TrickyDick]

Why show a CCW to a stranger at all?

Not strangers do I show my CCW, just friends and family.

 

[PavePusher]

This is why every gun shop should have a clearing barrel in a safe corner.

And yet, I've never seen a shop with one.

:banghead:

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

From the other side of the counter (Gunsmith's perspective) I have been crossed and muzzled more times than I can count. It seems like anything on my side of the counter is considered safe to point at. Yesterday a guy came in wanting a few things installed on his Glock. He pulled out, I cleared it, and installed the parts. When I was finished he grabbed it and was inspecting something while pointing right at my abdomen. He was less than two feet from me and it was kind of obvious I was standing right in front of him. :banghead: Without saying a word I pushed his hand off to the side. He realized his mistake immediately and was very apologetic. This guy was not a new shooter either.

 

[sota]

first thing I do when I walk into a gun store and inquire about their firearms, before I pick up a firearm offered to me, is ask where the safe directon is. What freaks me out though is how cavalier some of the staff will walk between me and the firearm and the safe direction wall! I know the firearm is empty but it still unnerves the hell out of me.

 

[Potatohead]

A bit off topic, but i had these guys approach me outside of my LGS wanting to sell me all these reloads....just wouldnt let me get away. Saying, "these guys in here dont have crap, i can get you this i can get you that," yada yada...it was just weird

 

[Stress_Test]

A bit off topic, but i had these guys approach me outside of my LGS wanting to sell me all these reloads....just wouldnt let me get away. Saying, "these guys in here dont have crap, i can get you this i can get you that," yada yada...it was just weird

This wouldn't be Larry's by any chance would it?

If so, I bet if you called and said something to the store employees I bet they would put a stop to it. They're pretty good guys.

You know the ammo situation's really gotten nuts when the crack dealers switch to selling ammo on the street instead!

 

[Stress_Test]

The one time a gun shop owner wanted to check out my carry gun, I took it off my belt still inside the holster and handed it to the guy and let him unholster and clear the weapon as he wished.

By the way, I would NOT hand my loaded gun to anyone, no matter who it is. The only exception being at the range, with someone I knew who wanted to shoot it, and even then I put it on the table first and let him pick it up instead of handing direct to him. You're taking a huge risk if you hand a loaded weapon to someone else, because he could have a brain fart and think that you had cleared it already (and numerous other things could go bad as well).

Inside a gun store (or at home, etc) I take the gun out, clear it, then hand it over. And the guy receiving it should also clear it, even if he watched me do it; it's just good practice. Same for me, if the employee gets a gun out of the case and clears it, I still check it again myself. I've never had an employee say anything negative when I do this.

My local store is so crowded all the time it's virtually impossible to avoid sweeping anyone when checking out a gun. I try to avoid it if at all possible but sometimes you have people walking in front of the muzzle. I move the gun away if it happens though. Makes it even more important to be double sure the gun is empty.

 

[herrwalther]

When I was still living in NH I went into the Vermont store where I bought my first of many firearms. I was perusing the bolt action .22s when I glanced over and saw an older than me gentleman in his 30's at the Glock case. Thought nothing of it, seen it a million times before. The next time I see this man he is at the counter paying for a Glock (19?) a few boxes of ammo and a holster. He puts on the holster, loads the magazines, puts magazine in Glock, TWIRLS IT AROUND HIS FINGER, shoves in holster and walks out the door. And that ladies and gentlemen, is the only reason why I do not agree with untrained Constitutional carry.

 

[Fremmer]

Yup. Or untrained speech. Those videos can get people killed, you know. Just a little bit of censorship can save lives, and if we can save even just one life, it's worth loosing some liberty. A little less freedom here, a little less there, and we are safer. Trained and safe.

 

[Impureclient]

TWIRLS IT AROUND HIS FINGER

Robocop?

 

[labhound]

In a crowded gun shop, alot of times there is no place to safely point an empty gun. I've been handed an AR by the salesperson and looked around the store for a clear area so I could shoulder the rifle and look down the sights, only to be told to please point the rifle behind the counter where several salesmen were walking back and forth. Damned if you do and damned if you don't. :banghead:

 

[TrickyDick]

I usually always point up or down, but i love cabelas due to their selection of animals to choose from. lol.

 

[herrwalther]

Robocop?

I imagine he watched that and other "realistic" movies way too many times.

In a crowded gun shop, alot of times there is no place to safely point an empty gun. I've been handed an AR by the salesperson and looked around the store for a clear area so I could shoulder the rifle and look down the sights, only to be told to please point the rifle behind the counter where several salesmen were walking back and forth. Damned if you do and damned if you don't.

I hear you there. I have been aiming down the sights of a weapon and had someone walk into the line of sight in a non crowded store. On scoped weapons I always try to point it out a window to see how clear the scope is at longer range. But in crowded stores I will often point almost straight down or straight up to check sights.

 

[CoRoMo]

And that ladies and gentlemen, is the only reason why I do not agree with untrained Constitutional carry.

Okay, wait. You believe the right of the people to keep and bear arms SHOULD BE infringed... because... one old guy bought a Glock, did something quite ridiculous, but still managed not to hurt anyone?

Your version of liberty is... peculiar.