Just had a shoplifter in my store.

[V4Vendetta]

This is a prime example of why we need the handgun age limit lowered to 18. I was helping my dad cut some wire for a customer when my mom called out for my dad. He could tell by her voice that something wasn't right. He ran out to her & caught a 20 something kid stealing a $8.00 noise filter. He said he was trying to see if it would work on his truck. Yeah right. And I'm the guy who invented Pepsi. We got the filter back my dad told him not to come in our store again. He had 2 friends inside that I was watching meanwhile in case they were in on it. They said they didn't know anything, so we let them go. Ever since we opened this store I've been training & practicing for these situations. My mom knew what to do because I told her what area to watch for shoplifters. To you all out there, KEEP A SHARP EYE!

 

[Car Knocker]

This is a prime example of why we need the handgun age limit lowered to 18.

And what exactly would you have done if you had a handgun in this situation?

 

[V4Vendetta]

Then I could post a sign on the door saying "This store is protected from thieves & killers by 3 Colt 1911 .45 caliber handguns. You feeling lucky?"

 

[chris in va]

Petty shoplifting has nothing to do with handguns.

Might want to take a few classes on when/how firearms are to be used.

 

[Tomcat1066]

And if you try to draw your weapon on an unarmed shoplifter, then you are then the criminal.

A handgun won't help with your routine shoplifter. An armed robbery, sure, but not a shoplifter.

About the only other thing you could have done legally would be to call the police.

Tom

 

[V4Vendetta]

I wasn't going to shoot him. I figure the sign would scare off 2 bit shoplifters. Armed bandits, I would have shot.

 

[Shipwreck]

If U post that sign, I think U will loose customers. I caught shoplifters on a daily basis for 5 years at a major department store. U can't use a gun when apprehending a shoplifter...

 

[rick_reno]

Maybe he was a Katrina survivor and needed the filter to feed his family.

 

[MAUSER88]

Then I could post a sign on the door saying "This store is protected from thieves & killers by 3 Colt 1911 .45 caliber handguns. You feeling lucky?"

I like your line of thinking!!

 

[hso]

V4,

Chill with all the shoot first feelings. Taking a baseball bat to them is so much more satisfying.

 

[Atticus]

If U post that sign, I think U will loose customers. I caught shoplifters on a daily basis for 5 years at a major department store. U can't use a gun when apprehending a shoplifter...

No...but if you own your own business and the cornered shoplifter pulls a weapon on you, a gun might come in handy.

 

[V4Vendetta]

Alright, I won't post the sign. It's not a Katrina victim. You can't eat a noise filter. Any of you got any tips for dealing with shoplifters?

 

[oh blanky]

You invented Pepsi?

 

[Zundfolge]

Petty shoplifting has nothing to do with handguns.

Bovine Scat.

My cousin was a security guard at a department store until he stopped a shoplifter and was shot to death.


Confronting shop lifters is something I would prefer to do armed thankyouverymuch.

 

[V4Vendetta]

I didn't invent Pepsi. That was sarcasam.

 

[hso]

V4,

He's just being silly back.

Shoplifting is serious business for small businesses, but a little OT for a gun board.

The truth of the matter is that you can't employ a gun in the prevention/apprehension of shoplifters.

You can employ a gun in a self defense role.

You can look to the problems of having to use a gun in the store.

What sort of shop is it?

What's the layout?

Can you lay out the store with an eye towards lanes of fire and cover and conealment?

Can to deny concealment to the BG while keeping your family safe?

 

[fjolnirsson]

Any of you got any tips for dealing with shoplifters?
__________________

Sure.
Those corner mounted mirrors? Get 'em. But be sure to mount them right. And be aware that thieves use them, too. They help with the most inexperienced crooks, though. CCTV systems are cheap now, compared to what they used to be. Makes for good evidence later. And the cameras are a deterrent, again, only with the inexperienced. You can also buy cheap, battery operated imitation cameras to supplement the real ones.
Watch for unseasonal dress. A huge, thick coat in 90 % weather is a dead giveaway of ....something. Could be a thief, could be someone with flu chills, out to buy some essentials. Point is, look for suspicious behavior. If something doesn't look right, it probably isn't.
Good customer service helps. Greet every customer as they enter, looking them in the eye as you do so. Thieves don't like this, as it means you have seen them, and could remeber them later. They don't want to be noticed.
I could get into some of the more elaborate setups I've seen, but those are usually reserved for "big" targets.

 

[Cosmoline]

Petty shoplifting has nothing to do with handguns.

Might want to take a few classes on when/how firearms are to be used.

Confronting a shoplifter has EVERYTHING to do with firearms! What are you supposed to use if they throw down? Harsh language?

Shoplifting is serious business for small businesses, but a little OT for a gun board.

How so? IMHO you are patently insane to confront a criminal in the act of committing a felony without some iron. This attitude that shoplifters are just harmless kids is deeply naive. Many are hardened members of shoplifting rings, into an array of criminal enterprises. You want to bet your life on them coming quietly?

The truth of the matter is that you can't employ a gun in the prevention/apprehension of shoplifters.

Where are you getting that from? You can't KILL them for stealing from you, but you sure better be ready with a firearm if they try to attack you.

 

[V4Vendetta]

We sell stuff like CB radio's, TV's, Tye-Dye's, Leather products, etc.

There is no cover. Just some glass cases & pegboard for concealment. We already greet people as they enter & have camera's.

 

[VirgilCaine]

Then I could post a sign on the door saying "This store is protected from thieves & killers by 3 Colt 1911 .45 caliber handguns. You feeling lucky?"

Then the bad guys will come in and say "We have three 12 gauge shotguns, do YOU feel lucky?"

Like everyone else said, guns aren't the way to deal with shoplifters.

 

[MICHAEL T]

You caught a shoplifter and let him go. Why? To my way of thinking he should have been turned over to police along with his friends. They could sort out and charge. The way you slow the problem down is have them arrested. Word will get out now. Hey! if were caught he will let us go and no police Good luck

 

[Cosmoline]

Then the bad guys will come in and say "We have three 12 gauge shotguns, do YOU feel lucky?"

Like everyone else said, guns aren't the way to deal with shoplifters.

What do you mean, everyone else?

That is the argument of an ANTI, used to argue against any civilian firearm ownership. It's the same old song. If civilians arm, the bad guys will just bring bigger guns. It's not only deeply illogical, it's been proven TOTALLY FALSE in state after state after state after state, including the one I'm in.

IT IS A VERY BAD IDEA TO CONFRONT A SHOPLIFTER WITHOUT A FIREARM FOR PROTECTION. You can do it if you want, but only if you want to join the legions of unarmed minimum wage security guards who got seriously hurt or killed over a pair of pants.

If someone was coming into your home to steal your TV, would you set down your rifle before challenging them? If someone was stealing your car, would you disarm yourself before challenging them?

Do you oppose the many gun store owners who openly pack firearms on the job?

 

[jefnvk]

Pulling a gun on a shoplifter is not right. Having the gun with you (preferably concealed, or at least holsered) when confronting the shoplifter is.

And the age for handgun ownership is 18, at least on the federal level.

 

[Cosmoline]

Nobody is suggesting pointing a firearm at someone for shoplifting, but if you aren't legally able to even HAVE a handgun on you and you can't carry a long gun in the store then just let them take what they want. It's not worth the risk of confronting someone with nothing but your upright morals.

 

[Rezin]

And we have great evidence why the hangun age is NOT 18..............






NEVER let shoplifters go. Call the police. You think this is the first/last thing he'll try to steal?