Cash America Pawn in Texas: 30.06 signs up

[jaytex1969]

I stopped at a CA pawnshop in San Marcos, TX last weekend to look at rifles and was surprised to see the infamous "30.06" sign on the front door. I called the shop from their front step and explained why I would not be purchasing the lever rifle I could see through the window.

When I got back to Austin, I hit my favorite CA pawn and found the same sign. This is a location where I know the counter help by name. They said it went into effect about 4 months ago.

I'll be contacting corporate and invite my fellow Texans to join me:

Public Relations / Media
1600 West 7th Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
Phone: (800) 223-8738
Fax: (817) 570-1645
Email: [email protected]

 

[jaytex1969]

My little bit for today, via email:


Dear Sir or Ma'am,


I have enjoyed a fine customer relationship with Cash America Pawn for almost ten years.

I recently was disappointed to find that CAP has decided to post signage to prevent legally armed citizens from shopping at your stores.

Those signs only keep responsible, law abiding citizens from entering. The "bad guys" are going to enter armed regardless of any signage you post.

Is it your wish to only allow criminals to enter armed into a store where the criminal is now assured that they are the only armed persons?

A common saying in the armed citizen community is that, "When seconds count, the police are only minutes away."

Until you restore my right to protect myself while patronizing your shop, I will be forced to shop at National Pawn, Mustang Pawn or any of the others in this area who respect my rights.

If you should conduct some simple research, you will find that the legally armed community has a crime rate exponentially lower than the population at large. You should be courting this segment which is proven trustworthy and frequently buys larger ticket items from you.

I will miss you. Please let me know if this policy should change.


Thanks.

-Jay Xxxxx
Austin, TX

 

[dodo bird]

You did the right thing. I will not go in there as well.

 

[dallascj]

Thanks for the info. I used to drop into a CA in Mesquite regularly. Emphasis now on the 'used to' part. Please follow up if you get a response from them.

 

[AWorthyOpponent]

I go there while in Texas on business regularly. Guess I'll have to change what I do in my down time.

 

[bubbiesdad]

We have a shop in town with a no guns sign. Don't go there anyway as the robberies there are performed by the people behind the counter.

 

[doc.lonestar]

I agree with you 100% - I also do not shop where I can not carry.

Pawn shops have a hard go of it though with robberies and angry clients - but then again - I am not a fan of being naked in public because the only people now carrying weapons into the location are criminals.

 

[AWorthyOpponent]

I just got an interesting reply to the email that I sent:

Mr. "AWorthyOpponent",

I’m sorry you feel that way, but sometimes decisions have to be made to safeguard our employees. This issue started after a few CHL holders came in some shops and told members of our staff they were carrying, two of them showed their handguns. I am also a licensed carrier, and you and I both know that these actions could have resulted in those customers losing their license. Also, many times over the years, I have had customers come in to pawn weapons only to find out these were loaded. One customer had his go off, wounding another customer. That is why all of our shops have a “no loaded firearms” on the front door. Regarding the CHL signs, if you read the State statute, you will find the signs we have posted are not enforceable, they are not the right size nor is the information printed in Spanish. This was intentional. If a CHL carrier enters our shop with a concealed weapon, we should never know it. We would hate to lose your business, but I sincerely hope this explanation helps. Please call me if you have any questions.


Randy D. Turner
Firearms/OFAC/Pawn Compliance
Cash America International
817-335-1100
817-333-1914 fax
[email protected]

 

[bubbiesdad]

I just got an interesting reply to the email that I sent:

Mr. "AWorthyOpponent",

I’m sorry you feel that way, but sometimes decisions have to be made to safeguard our employees. This issue started after a few CHL holders came in some shops and told members of our staff they were carrying, two of them showed their handguns. I am also a licensed carrier, and you and I both know that these actions could have resulted in those customers losing their license. Also, many times over the years, I have had customers come in to pawn weapons only to find out these were loaded. One customer had his go off, wounding another customer. That is why all of our shops have a “no loaded firearms” on the front door. Regarding the CHL signs, if you read the State statute, you will find the signs we have posted are not enforceable, they are not the right size nor is the information printed in Spanish. This was intentional. If a CHL carrier enters our shop with a concealed weapon, we should never know it. We would hate to lose your business, but I sincerely hope this explanation helps. Please call me if you have any questions.


Randy D. Turner
Firearms/OFAC/Pawn Compliance
Cash America International
817-335-1100
817-333-1914 fax
[email protected]

__________________


Sounds like their signage is meant to placate the sheeple.

 

[colt1911fan]

hilarious I've never heard of anyone doing this

 

[daorhgih]

E-mail is a wonderful thing!

Thanks for passing along the " bluff-sign".

 

[Shadow 7D]

See thats what I thought,
I was rather sure that 30.06 signs were only for places selling alcohol and gaining more than 50% of revenue from alcohol.

 

[GEM]

Seen that sort of thing before. A business posted a noncompliant sign. However, I demanded to see the manager and made a speech. He said, wink and nod - he knew the sign was not compliant.

A few months later, the noncompliant sign was gone, replaced by one that said no weapons unless you were a CHL.

 

[joeq]

See thats what I thought,
I was rather sure that 30.06 signs were only for places selling alcohol and gaining more than 50% of revenue from alcohol.

Bars will have a 51% sign. It is if they make over 50% of sales on alcohol and you can drink it there. A liquor store is legal to carry in because they don't serve alcohol. I see 30.06 signs all the time that aren't the right size and are miss worded. I walk right on in with those.

 

[Cop Bob]

It more common than you think... It is often done with handicap parking signs on private property... keeps the occupancy, building and licensing inspectors happy... but non enforceable... The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requires so many handicap spaces per square feet, or # employees... regardless of type of business...

CA was pretty darn smart actually... I like it...

 

[dprice3844444]

Dear sir,



We had signs like you mention posted for over 25 years and it didn’t make a difference. Many housewives that their husbands told to take their firearm and pawn it had no idea if it was loaded or not. I have had many occasions where shells would be jammed in a rifle that the slightest bump could result in a serious, if not fatal, injury. If you looked at my first response, you will see that I am also a CHL holder but cannot carry in our shops. I agree with that decision. Sorry you disagree, but we will stand by our business decision. You are welcome to call me to discuss.



Respectfully,



Randy D. Turner

Firearms/OFAC/Pawn Compliance

Cash America International

817-335-1100

817-333-1914 fax

[email protected]









From: Dprice3844444 [mailtoprice3844444]
Sent: Friday, July 01, 2011 11:41 AM
To: Turner, Randy
Subject: mr turner



maybe if you change the signs example;



customers bringing loaded firearms for pawn are prohibited.please unload them before entering.concealed carry by law enforcement and ccw holders only permitted.

 

[jaytex1969]

The signs I saw were the proper size and verbage for 30.06 signs, BUT I do not recall seeing them in Spanish as well.

Technically, I suppose they are noncompliant, but as I read and understand English and because that portion is correctly done, I would feel as though I were on shaky ground entering while armed.

Would the average LE officer agree with me, for instance, if I were carrying there and ended up needing to defend my life??

Your thoughts....


-Jay

 

[UpTheIrons]

The signs I saw were the proper size and verbage for 30.06 signs, BUT I do not recall seeing them in Spanish as well.

Technically, I suppose they are noncompliant, but as I read and understand English and because that portion is correctly done, I would feel as though I were on shaky ground entering while armed.

It matters not what you feel, nor that the sign is "technically" noncompliant. It is a non-compliant sign. Period. Legally, the posted sign MUST be in English and Spanish, have contrasting letters at least 1 inch in height, and be posted conspicuously.

If the sign does not meet all 3 criteria, it is a non-compliant sign and is unenforceable. If you had to defend your life in said establishment, I think the least of your worries is whether or not the sign is compliant.

Also, I saw this discussion on our Texas CHL forum, and haven't been to the local CA since, so I haven't been able to verify if the sign there is compliant or not. May have to slide on by and see.

 

[Cop Bob]

I can't speak for the "Average" LE officer... Did that job for 30 years and still never found one that I could call average.... most were exceptional...a few well, we all see the news from time to time, some get through..

However, my demeanor on scenes like that would be very business like in the beginning... You would be detained.. no question... once the facts started to come out, and the physical evidence started to match up to the statements, and witnesses weren't labeling you as a rabid killer out for justice, or trying to "Kill a Commie for Christ" Then things would loosen up a bit... still business, but with a smile... None of us were ever overcome with grief when bad guys met a just end.. Lord knows the courts won't do it...

The sign would be noted in the report and the DA would be consulted with... and wether charges are filed has a lot to do with, how the officer presents the evidence to the DA, More than likely, these cases are referred to a Grand Jury,.. The Shooting, not the Weapons case.. Two different deals.. Your concern would be BOTH the homicide, and the weapons charge..

Not to worry, the dead guy leads to the greater charge, so that is the primary object of the investigation. The weapons case is not the primary focus... but it's elements with be detailed in the original homicide/shooting report... (please note that ANY death in Texas that is not by natural causes is considered a Homicide, yes even suicides are a form of homicide)

If you KNOW the sign not to be legal signage... make DARN SURE you mention that to every officer that interviews you, that you know the sign does not contain the correct verbiage to meet the CCW statutes... Don't use the phrase "THE SIGNS NOT LEGAL" all it will do is make them think your a wacko... just tell them that the sign does not have the right wording... He will either put it in his report if he likes you.. or be able to recall it under oath at your 1st motion hearing.. If you are charged with a weapons charge... I really don't think that you would be, not in Texas..Not at this point in history... Not under those circumstances...

If they saw you with the weapon in the store, no robbers or bad guys, they would probably just ask you to leave.. If they called the Cops, you would definitely have to point out the verbiage BEFORE they hauled you off to jail... Believe me, not all officers are hip to specific signage requirements in every law.. But trust me, if you mention it to them before they call the DA to file charges, they will look it up... If the DA hears it,, no charges... they don't want to take anything they can't hands down, slam dunk win, or dispose of on a plea...