How many times is a gun handed over before a sale is actually made? 100's most of the time. How about the customer asks before he does something like that?I call baloney. If you as a clerk dont want a customer to drop the slide THEN SAY SO BEFORE YOU HAND OVER THE PISTOL. People aren't mind readers and you can't expect them to be. Different shops have different rules as do people. When I go in to potentially buy a gun I try everything. That includes releasing the slide. Why? Because that's how I operate my pistols, and thats how some pistols were designed to operate. I'm not going to plop down a bunch of cash for something as smooth as sandpaper.
What, is the owners supposed to go over all the rules before ever single time?
"Sir, don't point a gun at anyone"
"and no loading guns in the store."
"oh yeah, ask if you want something from behind the counter, I'll get it."
"yes, you will need to pay for the gun with real money."
"please drive on the right side of the road."
"and it's probably a good to brush your teeth ever once in awhile."
Besides, its the gunshops property until its sold. If this guy was serious, then he can ask to drop the slide or not. It's up to the owner to allow it or not.