TexasCHLforum.com

Well, I received the form letter from Stephanie (the exact same on that quite a few people have already posted - so I'll spare you all that).

Being the ornery person that I am, I decided that I needed to send her a response:

Stephanie,

Thank you for replying with your form letter.

I have seen this exact response a dozen times on the TexasCHLforum.com site.

One thing that I feel like I should question, in your response you said "That right, however, must be balanced with our need as a retailer to provide a safe and comfortable environment for our customers and team members." Please explain to me how taking away defensive weapons provides a safe environment? I did not see any armed guards or off duty law enforcement. As far as I could tell, after placing the 30.06 sign in your store window banning LEGAL concealed carry of a firearm, the only people in your store with a gun would be people who intend to break the law. If a person with criminal intent targeted a store to rob, I think that he would go into a place of business that he knew has banned concealed carry. After all, they don't want to take a chance of being shot!

So, all things considered, your claim of making a "safe" environment is disingenuous. I will still NOT be coming into your store, not only to exercise my right to chose with whom I do business, but also to protect myself from possible harm from people who are not threatened by a paper sign in a window.

I was out Saturday with my wife running errands and one was to stop into Sprouts on Hwy. 6 in Houston (Copperfield). In the past, they didn't have a 30.06 sign so I have not had a problem with that store. Well, as I said - in the past. Since we were there and only needed a couple of things, I went back to the car, secured my pistol, took a deep breath and went in.

I carry cards that I give to business that post 30.06 signs (similar to what others here carry - "we go through background checks, we have no misdemeanors, we have not been diagnosed with psychological illnesses...") and looked for a Manager to hand one to. I didn't see one, so when I got to the register I dropped one in their Comments box. I also intend to send a letter to them similar to the one nitrogen posted on 12/12/2013.

I am not one to boycott a business; I feel that they have their right to post a sign showing that they prefer to deny people who carry a weapon access to their store, and I have the right to take my business and money elsewhere. There are PLENTY of very good grocery stores in Houston that DO allow concealed carry (HEB is our favorite). If Sprouts prefers to be vulnerable to somebody with a gun coming in to rob or shoot the place up, that is their choice. I just won't be there if it happens.