why is every gun store employee armed?

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MIgunguy

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This may be a stupid question, but I'm serious here, if anyone has any insight...

EVERY gun store and even indoor range I've been to, almost every employee seems to be armed (usually open carry but not always). Are they THAT much of a target for theft, or is there another reason? Is it that they know that if a group comes in for a "strong arm" theft, if the thieves know they're armed, then they're gonna come in guns blazing and they (the employees) want to be as ready as possible?

Thanks.
 
Because gun stores are the one place where anyone can walk in the door with a gun in their hands and nobody questions their intentions.
 
No#1- They are simply exercising their right to be armed.

No#2- Being openly armed pretty much negates the possibility that they will be robbed.

No#3 - They are simply exercising their right to be armed.
 
I think robberies are a part of it, but not the only reason. Most salesman like to give their own opinion, and wearing ones personal preference gives a little bit more emphasis.

Also, its a place where guns are the norm. You can wear one and not get any strange looks and feel comfortable doing it. Its a nice place to show off your "toys" too.
I look at it kind of like the lady at the jewelry store sporting $40,000 on her hand. Its a form of advertising and its almost to be expected due to the nature of the business.
 
They usually get dibs and discounts on items that come in, so they get first pick of some really nice stuff. It's also a crime deterrent. Anyone who walks in there realizes EVERYONE is armed.
 
...do you think it might also be some "advertising" for the products they sell?

yes, that did cross my mind of course

dibs and discounts, the expected norm, negtating the possibility in the first place... thank you! that makes more sense now...
 
This is an honest question? Banks employ armed security because they are high profile targets with large amounts of currency, and nobody bats an eye. Gun shops employ armed employees - because they are a high profile target with large amounts of valuable and dangerous weaponry. Is this really so counterintuitive?
 
probably because of the same reasons people in knife store always seem to have a knife......or why people that work at watch stores always have a nice watch on......

mainly because:
1) they can
2) it interest them
3) why not


now do gun store robberies happen.....yes......but im willing to bet it doesnt happen often.....so i really doubt they are doing it as a form of theft deterrent.
 
This is an honest question? Banks employ armed security because they are high profile targets with large amounts of currency, and nobody bats an eye. Gun shops employ armed employees - because they are a high profile target with large amounts of valuable and dangerous weaponry. Is this really so counterintuitive?
Click to expand...

This. Same reason why many Pawn Shop employees carry, openly or concealed.
 
Ahhhh, they sell guns. What better way to start a conversation about whatever you are selling than to have one on you.
 
Actually in that jewelry store, with the lady with 40K on her fingers, I take note of the kinda concealed and the plain ol open carry by every body behind the counter.

They also had the sheriff come in and shoo every body out when they closed, And they had the double door, with mag locks that you could only open one, then wait, then open the other AFTER you were buzzed in, and cameras EVERYWHERE.

At a gunshop, Why, because they can, and every time you ask what they are carrying, well they reach behind the counter and pull one out, saying, "I got mine at the SHOT show, but we got this in yesterday." Funny thing was, I watched him sell two LCP's that way 30 or 40 over list, only one they got, in the span of 15 minutes, but then I only buy stuff I KNOW the price of from them, and they do have a WIDE selection of ammo, surplus mags, both at good prices.
 
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I personally think it is a little hokey but I understand why they do it.

I actually judge the sales personel based on what they are carrying. If someone has a Glock, I think to myself, "meh". If someone is carrying any weapon out of production then you might see me raise an eyebrow. Long story short, I am going to try to get the guy who shares my tastes in guns to buy a gun from.
 
probably because of the same reasons people in knife store always seem to have a knife......or why people that work at watch stores always have a nice watch on......

mainly because:
1) they can
2) it interest them
3) why not
Click to expand...

Pretty much this. My wife works at a high-end pen shop. On any given day she's toting 2-3 pens clipped to her clothing, with another 10+ stashed in a pen roll in her purse. Of course she doesn't need to tote around close to 2k worth of pens on a daily basis, but she's a writing geek, and enjoys having lots of variety in her hobby. Going virtually any length of time without something to write with is inconcieveable to her. The same with gun shop employees.
 
Actually, you should survey a few of them. Tell them you are doing so in order to make a post on the internet, regarding why they open carry. Go see what they respond, and then tell us. :)

Geno
 
Do you expect a company that makes video surveillance equipment not to have a camera on the property? A sprinkler company to have their store burn down because they didn't have safety measures? A Sprint employee to only have a landline?
 
Interesting thread. Interesting sidenote to this; on tonight's episoide of CRIMINAL MINDS, a CBS crime drama, a woman disturbed by the death of her 6 year old son flips out on the anniversary and walks into a gunstore where all the clerks are armed wanting to buy a .38SP, for which she already has ammunition. The clerk shows her a gun and becomes distracted, leaving a gun he was showing her on the counter in front of her. She covertly loads it (of course, being a TV show, no one either notes there's a gun left out in the open, or, her loading it) and successfully kills four people (three of whom were armed) around her.
 
Kid in a candy store, same principle with a little added 'theft deterrence' thrown in to sweeten the pot.
 
I know here in Texas they do because it is pretty much the only place besides their home where they're allowed to open carry. And I would do it too :)

Exercise your rights when you get them!
 
When I worked in a gun shop I carried either an EAA Witness or, near the end of my time there, my first CZ, a CZ 75 Compact, while wearing EAA shirts or CZ shirts, to advertise what I liked that was available in our selection.
 
I don't think I'm adding anything new to the discussion but:

A) Because they can be (and, hopefully, a gun enthusiasts to be working there) and

B) Guns are highly valuable, portable sort of wealth with a high direct value in criminal enterprises. While "Oxyconting Factory" might be a more popular dream target for serious criminals, an armed robbery of a gun store would easily set someone up for more/better crimes later as well as providing lots of portable wealth that could be sold on down the line to generate funds.
 
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