Bass Pro Shops against open carry?
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Sam Adams
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I'm in San Antonio. First time I came into the store to shoot at their range, I brought a rifle and 3 handguns. Boy, did it feel like I was raped as I had to open the cases, have the guy lock each weapon, and record all serial numbers. In front of every single person walking into the store.
When I got to the range, I mentioned (politely) my objection to all of this. The guy behind the counter was very friendly and very sympathetic. He said it was for safety (yeah, recording serial numbers makes someone safer - BS!), and that if I came in only with a concealed gun I didn't have to go through that nonsense.
Not going through that nonsense is EXACTLY what I'll be doing - if I go back (and I'm likely to, it is convenient and many friends/acquaintances shoot there), it'll only be with the carry gun. No more pulling down my drawers for the god of "safety."
Sam, are you unaware that shoplifting is a big deal, and that large retailers employ whole staffs to cut down on it?
Are you unaware of what will happen to that store/range FFL if guns go missing?
Do you not realize that the serial numbers also protect you? You can easily show that these are your guns, not guns stolen from the store or other shooters?
Yes, this stuff can feel bad. Don't go if you don't like it. But if you get past your reaction of resentment, I think you will find that they're really not just out to harass you. You are their customer, after all.
Are you unaware of what will happen to that store/range FFL if guns go missing?
Do you not realize that the serial numbers also protect you? You can easily show that these are your guns, not guns stolen from the store or other shooters?
Yes, this stuff can feel bad. Don't go if you don't like it. But if you get past your reaction of resentment, I think you will find that they're really not just out to harass you. You are their customer, after all.
X-Rap
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My question to those who wish to OC in places that post otherwise is what would you think if I wanted to shop those places with fully loaded AR slung.
They are in business and if they permit OC then they have to all OC within the law. This means hanging out of your pocket, around your neck, Tac rigs on your thigh. The list is unending. Same goes for my long gun scenario, and if you don't think someone would put it to the test your fooling yourself.
After reading numerous threads over the years on gun shows and gun shop carry I have concluded that we are our worst enemy.
I am not opposed to OC and wish the sight of a gun didn't freak people out, I also wish that the few irresponsible who's NDs have brought on this scrutiny would never had happened.
They are in business and if they permit OC then they have to all OC within the law. This means hanging out of your pocket, around your neck, Tac rigs on your thigh. The list is unending. Same goes for my long gun scenario, and if you don't think someone would put it to the test your fooling yourself.
After reading numerous threads over the years on gun shows and gun shop carry I have concluded that we are our worst enemy.
I am not opposed to OC and wish the sight of a gun didn't freak people out, I also wish that the few irresponsible who's NDs have brought on this scrutiny would never had happened.
Sam Adams
Member
Armed Bear,
I am, indeed, aware of the fact of shoplifting. If they think that I or any other person stole one of their guns, THEY HAVE THEIR OWN LIST OF SERIAL NUMBERS. They don't need mine.
I DO find it intrusive, and I will never bring any more than a carry piece to their range. They have lost business because of this (and believe me, I think that it would be really fine and dandy to do some load testing at 25 yards in any kind of weather, fairly close to home). My loss and theirs.
Mere locks, or an escort to the 2nd floor range, would be fine for me. NOT serial numbers that they don't need.
I am, indeed, aware of the fact of shoplifting. If they think that I or any other person stole one of their guns, THEY HAVE THEIR OWN LIST OF SERIAL NUMBERS. They don't need mine.
I DO find it intrusive, and I will never bring any more than a carry piece to their range. They have lost business because of this (and believe me, I think that it would be really fine and dandy to do some load testing at 25 yards in any kind of weather, fairly close to home). My loss and theirs.
Mere locks, or an escort to the 2nd floor range, would be fine for me. NOT serial numbers that they don't need.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
That would be AWESOME! YES, that's the kind of acceptance and exposure we need! The whole idea of requiring concealed carry but discouraging open carry just perpetuates the silly, blind, illogical sensibilities of "the masses" for whom guns are out-of-sight/out-of-mind. Concealment is merely active, willful deception of those around you that your gun is not present/doesn't exist.
Further, if I might need a pistol (and we all accept that we might at any time, without warning) then I might need a rifle. If I can be trusted to carry one lethal weapon abroad in society (a pistol) than I can be trusted to carry any other (rifle/shotgun/?). It is simply harder to willfully deceive those around you when you're carrying a full-size gun, rather than the compact version.
Yes, yes, I understand the "politics" of concealed carry and the reasons that we choose not to disturb those grazing around us. I also understand the value of the element of surprise that a concealed gun could afford in a violent encounter. For the moment, I'm setting those points aside for the sake of the longer view. We should all strive for a society where OC raises no eyebrows, whether rifle, pistol, or whatever.
Remember, that used to be the case, we've lost a lot of ground...
-Sam
P.S. -- And, no, I don't OC very often at all, FWIW.
PumpAction
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X-Rap,
I've seen stores that have posted signs such as "All Weapons must be Holstered". I think Bass Pro could allow OC with the same stipulation and not turn away customers.
I've seen stores that have posted signs such as "All Weapons must be Holstered". I think Bass Pro could allow OC with the same stipulation and not turn away customers.
X-Rap
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Sam I hope you understand that I to would love to see gun racks in golf carts but at that point of saturation we will more than likely see some degradation of public safety. I guess thats what brings me to the view at this time to just appreciate CC.
The time we speak of will maybe come or else the sheeple will demand more security from the gov. either way I don't think it will stay the same in these troubled times.
The time we speak of will maybe come or else the sheeple will demand more security from the gov. either way I don't think it will stay the same in these troubled times.
To me it's a lot simpler.
Large stores that sell lots of guns to a crowd of people, and shooting ranges, need to keep loaded guns and unloaded guns separated -- so that nobody gets shot!
I belong to a little club here in Idaho with a range. The club has been around for over 80 years. Members are rabidly pro-gun, and Idaho is very much an open carry state -- our state Constitution prohibits any restriction on carrying firearms on public property, except if they're concealed.
It has been proven legal to OC in the downtown public library here in the capital, and the library cannot make a rule against it: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=360170
OC as well as CCW is 100% legal in bars -- not restaurants that serve booze, I mean bars (though it often may not be the best idea, of course).
But... At the shooting range, firearms may not be uncased except in a designated area or on the line. They may not be loaded except on the line.
This is not because we're anti-gun at the range.
Large stores that sell lots of guns to a crowd of people, and shooting ranges, need to keep loaded guns and unloaded guns separated -- so that nobody gets shot!
I belong to a little club here in Idaho with a range. The club has been around for over 80 years. Members are rabidly pro-gun, and Idaho is very much an open carry state -- our state Constitution prohibits any restriction on carrying firearms on public property, except if they're concealed.
It has been proven legal to OC in the downtown public library here in the capital, and the library cannot make a rule against it: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=360170
OC as well as CCW is 100% legal in bars -- not restaurants that serve booze, I mean bars (though it often may not be the best idea, of course).
But... At the shooting range, firearms may not be uncased except in a designated area or on the line. They may not be loaded except on the line.
This is not because we're anti-gun at the range.
My brother and I will respect Bass Pro Shops' policy
. . .but their current policy is not clear. There are no signs posted at the door, and from the manager's original reply to my brother, it would seem likely that they don't prohibit OC.
In Virginia OC is pretty common. On any given day you will likely see someone with a pistol holstered while you're in town, and it's the only way my brother can carry at this time. So considering that state law allows permitless OC, and taking into account that it's popular here, and also considering that Bass Pro Shops carries a fairly large amount of politically correct firearms, one would assume that they wouldn't prohibit OC.
Either way it isn't a great idea to have a patron handle a loaded weapon in the store - certainly not in the name of "safety" - then have a clueless employee who is outright ignorant of state law flag the patron with his or her own weapon. That is disturbing.
That is what we're trying to address.
. . .but their current policy is not clear. There are no signs posted at the door, and from the manager's original reply to my brother, it would seem likely that they don't prohibit OC.
In Virginia OC is pretty common. On any given day you will likely see someone with a pistol holstered while you're in town, and it's the only way my brother can carry at this time. So considering that state law allows permitless OC, and taking into account that it's popular here, and also considering that Bass Pro Shops carries a fairly large amount of politically correct firearms, one would assume that they wouldn't prohibit OC.
Either way it isn't a great idea to have a patron handle a loaded weapon in the store - certainly not in the name of "safety" - then have a clueless employee who is outright ignorant of state law flag the patron with his or her own weapon. That is disturbing.
That is what we're trying to address.
Clipper
Member
Do some of you not read, or are you just starved for entertainment? The OP has already stated that corporate has promised to educate that staff that OC is no problem, and I have said I OC there myself. Why the continuing hysteria?
BTW, I OC at the gunshop/range all the time...
BTW, I OC at the gunshop/range all the time...
ProShooter
Member
I know that I'm late to the game on this thread, but I just saw it.
BP's corporate policy is that they follow the laws of the state. I teach classes at that BP in Ashland. As long as its lawfully carried, either with a CHP or OC, they are fine with it.
Sometimes they have some "older folks" greeting customers and they may not be up on the correct info. I even got stopped one time and corrected them. No need to boycott the store, they are good with lawfully carried handguns.
BP's corporate policy is that they follow the laws of the state. I teach classes at that BP in Ashland. As long as its lawfully carried, either with a CHP or OC, they are fine with it.
Sometimes they have some "older folks" greeting customers and they may not be up on the correct info. I even got stopped one time and corrected them. No need to boycott the store, they are good with lawfully carried handguns.
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