conw said:
From any owners or employees who have worked in this sort of job and OC'd, I am interested in what level of training was required/recommended and whether issues like liability and decision making were covered in talks with mgmt.
While arming bank guards and armored cars may have a similar purpose I get the feeling that (at least sometimes) the lgs/range doesn't provide much beyond the recommendation to carry.
From having worked behind the counter at a range/gun store -
Competency with a firearm to a distance from one end of the store to the other on a man sized target and the ability to deflect/resist a gun grab as being in front of the counter is part of the job on a range.
No formal talks about liability or decision making as it's usually pretty obvious that when guns come out and are being pointed at you that a robbery is taking place; respond appropriately.
Snyper said:
why wouldnt you open carry?
To maintain the element of surprise rather than making yourself on obvious target is one reason.
Another is most will carry concealed when not at work, so why change?
There Is no 'element of surprise'; it's not some thug waiting in the shadows to ambush a pedestrian. Stores are normally 'cased' before an attempt is made (we noticed this happening twice within 6 months where I worked). Anyone who robs a gun store thinking 'hey, maybe they won't have guns' deserves what he gets. Another reason is the same as why WallyWorld has a big monitor at the entry showing who's walking in the store, it demonstrates that there is security and acts as a deterrent.
As for why the employees openly carry loaded weapons and most stores do not allow customers to do so is because we're all a bit skittish about the guy looking for a new holster and who pulls out his pistol to see if it fits the new one without clearing it first (and without clearing with US that he's about to pull a firearm).
And then there's the guy that pulls a pistol out of the pistol rug and points it at my midsection complaining that the hammer is sticking out and won't go down ('cause you had the safety On, thank god, since the gun you just pointed at my belly was loaded.)
Or, the guys who come in carrying their new MAK/AR/Ruger-whatsis with a magazine inserted and the rifle not in a carrying case or slung. Employees are going to spread and hands are going to hover, sorry 'bout dat. You'll be politely asked, Once, to go outside and clear the weapon. You don't get a second chance, you get told to leave and not return.
Personally, I don't mind if you carry your holstered pistol in the store, as long as the action is locked back and there's no magazine in it. I figure that if you're a baddie the extra second or so it might take for you to load will give me a bit of warning to make sure I paid my health and life insurance that month. And if you're one of the 'good guys' with an unloaded and locked open firearm, I certainly hope that you can load and respond appropriately should the matter ever become a serious social situation.