Angry at Sprouts!

[snakeyez78]

I saw that Facebook was mentioned, but no one mentioned twitter... their twitter is @sproutsfm be sure to include the #CHL

Sad to say goodbye to @sproutsfm as they have decided that #texasCHL holders are not a important enough customer base to retain #30.06 #CHL

[Dragonfighter]

My post on their Facebook:

Dear Sprouts Stock Holders and Investors,
Andrew Jahawar - Chairman of the Board, has made the decision to drive away the most checked, verified and demonstrably upstanding class of citizen by posting their stores against CHL. The word is spreading and thousands have already sworn to never spend money in your stores again as have their families and friends they are connected to. It might be time to unload your ownership before the financial impact is felt.

[Wes]

This is very disappointing to hear, we were excited for them to open but now will never shop there. So ridiculous, I hope they change their mind. Beings it's a corporate policy I bet it never will.

[sjfcontrol]

How can it be a company-wide policy for a nation-wide company to post a sign that only has meaning in Texas?

More of a rhetorical question, just seemed kinda odd.

[nitrogen]

I had a friend go check out a Sprouts in AZ, and they have gunbuster signs there (which are legal and have the force of law behind them.)

I'm guessing it's a corporate decision to ban ccw from all stores, and they've done their homework.

[aaangel]

i went to the cedar hill location this morning. POSTED! turned right back around.

[jmra]

i went to the cedar hill location this morning. POSTED! turned right back around.
[ Image ]

Thanks. Saved the wife a trip.

[fishman]

I'm not familiar with sprouts, but I just won't go in a place that post a 30.06 sign.

[jmra]

Several more comments posted on Sprouts FB page.

[Estand]

I posted my disapproval as well.
There are several other posts as others have mentioned. And another right after mine, keep it up!
It would be nice to think they might have a "oh that was a bad idea" statement spread via their business connections to others, rather than the gradual increase in 30.06 postings I continue to to be notified about.

I have not got to check out the round rock location to see in person.

[rwilso]

Just added my comment to the Sprouts FB page. We need to have a Carry Anywhere law. In the political climate we live in a CHL could become worthless.

[SQLGeek]

I was surprised not only at the number of FB posts but also that there were no negative responses to any of them. The fact the company did not reply is not a surprise. I hope some of you get responses to your letters.

I don't have a location near me so I can't say I'm no longer shopping there but I will make sure I don't go there as long as they are posted.

[nitrogen]

I finally got my answer. Disappointed.

Good morning [Nitrogen]no
, Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts about our decision to prohibit firearms in our stores. Please understand that we recognize and respect our customers’ rights under the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, a right that prohibits the government (but not private retailers) from infringing on citizens’ right to bear arms. 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. That's why, after careful and thoughtful analysis, we have decided to prohibit our customers and our team members from bringing firearms onto our store premises. While this decision may disappoint some of our valued customers, such as yourself, we stand by our decision and have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from our communities about it.

We hope that you will continue to be a part of the Sprouts family notwithstanding our decision on this issue. We value your patronage and hope to see you again soon.
Sincerely,

Stephanie
Sprouts Farmers Market
Customer Relations Specialist

Here;s what I wrote back.

Dear Stephanie,

I must say I'm disappointed to hear this. I will absolutely NOT be returning to your stores until this policy is recinded.

I'd like to ask: What makes Sprouts Corporate think that this policy makes their customers safer? Does Sprouts Corporate think that a proven, lawful segment of the community is somehow a danger to your other customers?

I realize that "common sense" might dictate that this decision is best for safety, but in many cases, such as this one, what you might attribute to "common sense" is actually not so much.

When I say, "Proven, lawful segment of the community" I have some stats to back that up. This url for the state of Texas, for instance:

http://www.dps.texas.gov/rsd/chl/reports/convrates.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

shows how few CHL holders vs the rest of the population commit violent crimes.

I realize that you are passing on the information of your superiors, but I STILL urge you to take this information to them to reconsider. What your policy, in effect, states is that I am not trusted as an adult. Do you realize that your customers are in far more danger in the parking lot, while driving, than they are in danger from a legally carried handgun by a CHL holder inside your store? People are far more likely to be hurt or killed in a vehicle than they are likely to be hurt or killed from a handgun.

Some other things to realize. The rules are far different in AZ, where you are headquartered, than they are here in Texas. AZ law allows ANYONE to carry concealed or openly with absolutely NO training. I can completely understand why Sprouts Corporate might be scared by such a thing. In the state of Texas, though, it is ALREADY a FELONY to carry if you are NOT LICENSED inside a store that sells alcohol (as your stores here do.)

I realize also, to someone not accustomed to "regular folks" carrying firearms, that such a thing can sound scary on the face. The state of Texas passed the conceal-carry law in 1996, and law enforcement was scared to DEATH. Glenn White, president of the Dallas Police Association, shared this view. “I lobbied against the law in 1993 and 1995 because I thought it would lead to wholesale armed conflict. That hasn't happened,” White told the Dallas Morning News. “All the horror stories I thought would come to pass didn't happen. No bogeyman. I think it's worked out well, and that says good things about the citizens who have permits. I'm a convert.”

I am very serious about attempting to work with your corporate folks to try and explain our side of things.

I realize that my statement about AZ and their laws will probably draw some ire from folks on here, but I actually DO feel that it's a good balance to allow people to carry concealed with some oversight from the govt. I do agree that it's an infringement of the 2nd amendment, but I think the benifits should outweigh the infringement. Hopefully, if things worked right, it'd allow retailers and others to feel a bit safer allowing concealed carry.

[Jaguar]

Good luck Mr. Quixote.

Sounds like they made up their mind are are counting to three.

[nitrogen]

Good luck Mr. Quixote.

Sounds like they made up their mind are are counting to three.

I am used to tilting at windmills. I pretty much do it professionally in my engineering job.

Her job is just to tell me what has already been decided. My hope is, if enough of us keep prodding, it'll turn into a big enough issue that they might actually look into it. Forever an optimist.

I've gotten single stores to remove "no firearms" signs before, but never had any luck with a corporate decision like this.

If I lose, it just means I need to plan my shopping more carefully, as I pass by a Central Market on my way home from the office.
It also means i'll need to see if I can find better meat products locally. Target's is crap, and last time i tried walmarts, it was also crap. Anyone try Aldi's?