If I owned a retail store...

[gigag04]

...I wouldn't want a bunch of open carry mall ninjas making a scene in there.

Maybe I am in the minority of this but it seems like it would be bad for business. As a pro 2A person, I wouldn't go to an open carry rally, because, I'm always very aware when around armed strangers...and frankly all that hyper awareness gets tiring.

(If this is too close to the Starbucks thread please kill it)

[jmra]

100%

[JustMe]

5000%

[jmain]

I worked at a big box retailer. A few weeks ago, the discussion came up on an emergency conference call regarding open carry rallies.

The initial response was, just call the police. That was the company answer.

I called my direct report to engage regarding the companies stance. I stated that this was the exact response that the "rallies" were looking for and that if we continued with this stance that the company would be subject to future rallies. I was received very well as my report isn't one to know about any of this, but has people above him that call the shots.

The next day there was a second and third conference call...

The tone changed. There was at one point a 1 plus hour response on how management should embrace these individuals; confront them that we understand their rights and support State laws.
Management was to personally help them shop, express that we have no say one way or the other and support them as clients, as long as they conformed to the law and were respectful to other shoppers.

In other words, make it a non issue.

We never had a single protest after the one in Houston that started the issue.

I am not saying I changed a Fortune 50's opinion, but I do think that things can travel quickly up the chain with the correct verbage.

[McKnife]

Last time I checked, gun show sales are still booming... and I see tons of mall ninjas there open carrying handguns and long guns. Respectful crowd, too. Maybe Starbucks should go on the offensive by reserving booths serving their products at gun shows.

[gigag04]

Last time I checked, gun show sales are still booming... and I see tons of mall ninjas there open carrying handguns and long guns. Respectful crowd, too. Maybe Starbucks should go on the offensive by reserving booths serving their products at gun shows.

Not really an apples to apples comparison but I don't go to gun shows either. In my experience, the signal to noise ratio is not very favorable.

[o b juan]

OP

[WinoVeritas]

gigag04 you got my vote. Totally agree. Juvenile in your face antics cause more harm than good IMHO. My house or business, my rules.

[texanjoker]

I might even add a 10% discount to CHL holders if the business could afford it.

[Texsquatch]

I agree with OP 100%, whether I'm in a guns store, big box store, or even a gun show, you MUST be aware of your surroundings. I've been to many gun shows where young guys handle guns like toys, acting out their favorite movie scene. Why the vendor doesn't respectfully ask them to put the gun down, I don't know, but not everyone at a gun show is a responsible person.

What I don't get about this open carry thing is that some proponents of open carry say, "well, people shouldn't be afraid of guns", or "when I was a kid, people had gun racks in their trucks.''

To that, I say - wake up. Our currently reality doesn't allow us to think that a guy walking down the street with a rifle on his shoulder is just a good guy exercising his 2A rights. Or the guy in Wallyworld is just carrying his rifle because he can. How do you know they're not the next one to snap? I'm not about to follow him around and shake his hand and say "good job". I want to be as far away from that person, and rather than confront him, everyone should leave and let the cops verify that he's a good guy.

That's not being anti-2A, that's just being responsible to my family.

[WildBill]

I also agree with Gigag04

[Moby]

I too disagree with rifles being carried to make a 2A point.
I do however wholeheartedly agree with open carry of sidearms.
The problem with idiots carrying AR15's on their backs is it makes responsible gun owners look like nut jobs.
I have no more problem with a citizen carrying openly than I would with a cop carrying openly.
Their each only men/women like everyone else. Open carry IS THE 2A .

Open carry should be allowed nationally. The 2A is pretty clear.
The fools carrying rifles and shotguns at rallies hurt the cause.
As for a business not allowing open carry that's just as paranoid and anti 2A.
Their right...but I would not shop there.
As I look at that behavior in the same light as fools carrying AR15's in a store.
If you cannot trample on someone's civil rights by not serving blacks, Arabs etc then why can we trample on God given rights.
This is what the constitution says...these rights are given by God indicating man cannot take them. Yet that is exactly what happens.
I would not like a rifle totting customer coming into my store. It draws too much attention. Like coming in the store with a bomb vest on.
This is why their are arrested for disorderly conduct.
I would not mind a side arm openly carried at all.
I was recently given a Starbucks gift card from my manager.
I'm giving it away. It's a shame too as I like their product.

[Abraham]

I too agree with Gigag04.

[Texas Dan Mosby]

...I wouldn't want a bunch of open carry mall ninjas making a scene in there.

Maybe I am in the minority of this but it seems like it would be bad for business. As a pro 2A person, I wouldn't go to an open carry rally, because, I'm always very aware when around armed strangers...and frankly all that hyper awareness gets tiring.

(If this is too close to the Starbucks thread please kill it)

So what you're saying is that behavior is secondary to appearance, and that you would support the irrational fears of customers who get scared when they see a gun.

O.K..

How about hoodies? Are you going to target citizens wearing hoodies as well? You know a lot of folks think anyone wearing a hoodie is a thug, and they've probably got a hidden illegal weapon on them anyway, right?

What about the MMA crowd? That shaved headed dude wearing the "affliction" T-shirt is "scary" to a lot of people too.


IMO, behavior is the deciding factor, not appearance. Appearances are easily faked. Behavior, not so much.

But I guess because we're talking about "guns", it's "different" right? It's a "special" case right?

[gregthehand]

You mean you don't want guys like this hanging around your establishment?

What's the worst that could happen? This guy obviously knows how to secure a weapon. 100% safety!




Plus what's the fun of going out if you can't muzzle sweep everyone to the right of you?


These guys are just trying to educate, not look cool and seek attention. That's why this guy wore a camo head wrap. He doesn't want the glory. It's all part of spreading the message.
ub

Supper tactical guy with the bright yellow cast is super tacticool.


This guys sticks his in his pants for extra security.