What to do when you see a "No Guns" Sign

[bogie]

I've noticed that some people have some confusion around this...

Here's what to do.

1) Turn around, and go back to your car.

2) Purchase what you need at a different business.

3) While unarmed, enter the business with the offensive sign, and ask to see the manager. Show the manager the receipt, and explain why you shopped elsewhere.

3a) The manager's eyes will dart to your waistline, and you can then reply "Oh now, I respect your wishes, and I left my gun in the car, but I want to ensure my safety in the event of a holdup or a parking lot mugging or attack. You need to rethink your policies, because the only people who will pay attention to your signs are people like me - people who can prove that they are not criminals. Criminals will ignore your signs, or even possibly target your business or customers -because- of them. Have a great day!"



What NOT to do....

Do NOT measure the sign, decide that it isn't "legal," because it's a quarter-inch too small, and shop there anyway.

Do NOT compare the wording, if any, on the sign, with your state's statute, decide that it isn't "legal," and shop there anyway.

Do NOT "fail to notice" the sign that isn't posted at eye level in the middle of the door, and shop there anyway.

 

[WayneConrad]

Yep. Somewhere in town is a business that isn't run by a bigot. Take your money there.

Is it more expensive? Too far to drive? Doesn't have the brand you want?

Being a friend of liberty has a price. What is the price of liberty to you? 50 cents? A dollar of gas? An off-brand toaster?

Somewhere in town is a businessman who is willing to let you keep your sidearm while you shop. Why give your money to someone who isn't, just because you can get away with it? Why reward cowardice and prejudice? What message do you send to the good man by doing that?

 

[jhco]

it depends on the buisness one of our local hospitals has a no wepons policy but i carry there anyway ive heard some jewlery stores have the same policy and if i wanted to go in there i would still carry however if it were a buisness that i depended on like my bank then i would have to realy consider if it was worth lossing the privledge of being able to use thier services

 

[McCall911]

I could only figure that these "no gun" signs meant that such businesses didn't want any armed robberies, so armed robbers should take their business elsewhere.

Or else.



Surely they can't be so stupid as to advertise the fact that no one on the premises has a gun and that they don't want the business of law-abiding, legally armed people!

But sadly I realize that such people really are that stupid...

 

[Citroen]

Well Stated!!

Excellent post and suggestions. To make this even easier at least one group has somc business card size messages that are available to give to the manager.

I believe that is the Buckeye group in Ohio - but I could be wrong.

Most of my shopping is in Rock Hill, SC and I cannot recall ever seeing such a sign, so I have never ordered any of the cards.

Bogie, you are so very right with the dos and don'ts.

John
Charlotte, NC

 

[todd128]

I do not shop at a place with "the sign" I will just go some where else even if it means driving further

 

[Chipperman]

I have yet to see one of those signs anywhere that I go in MA or NH.

The only "No Guns" sign I've ever seen is in the Post Office.

 

[Texan]

On a recent visit to one of our local sports bars I noticed is now supporting one of the State's 51% signs (51% revenue is derived from the sell of alcohol) right as you walk in the door. Don't know just how long it's been there but just noticed it a couple weeks ago.

The place sells a hell of a lot more food, burgers and such than they do alcohol. I've just basically chosen to ignore it because, in my opinion, it's posted illegally.

o~\o

 

[bogie]

Okay... Wayne, I just lost...

It wasn't a Texan with a .30.06 sign definition... It was a 51% definition...

Personally, I'd give a bar in their situation a break tho, because their local alcohol licensing folks probably told them to put it up.

Now there's a restaurant that some shooting buddies and I used to go to that has -great- omelets... but they posted. So I don't eat there anymore. And I told them why.

4) The owners/managers are NOT psychic. If you don't tell them why you are shopping elsewhere, they don't notice, or they figured you saw one of the help flick a booger into the soup...

 

[The Tourist]

Not only would I refuse to shop there, but I would make sure that all of my friends who own firearms are informed of the policy.

 

[Frog48]

Ignore them, unless they are proper "30.06" and/or "51%" signs.

 

[WayneConrad]

bogie, I lost:

Costco. Switched to Sam's club. Had to make some brand adjustments.

Savers, the best thrift store ever. There's no real substitute. Everywhere else is much lower quality.

Yeah, taking action hurts. But inaction, in the long run, hurts more. I told 'em both why they weren't getting my money anymore.

 

[bogie]

Grant, do you know what "ignoring" them unless they're "legal" does?

It allows them to exist unopposed. It allows them to even proliferate - BubbaMart sees that Sidestreet Grocers put up a sign, so they think that they should do it too.

DO NOT ENTER. DO NOT SPEND MONEY THERE. DO NOT ENCOURAGE, EVEN THROUGH INACTION.

Because inaction is deadly.

Just make sure that the owner/manager KNOWS that you are spending your money elsewhere because of their policy.

Wayne, I told you it'd be a Texan - do I get points for that?

 

[romma]

I think in CT the only place I have seen anything like a "no guns" sign was at the Mohegan Sun Casino..

"No Weapons Of Any Kind Allowed"

 

[tmajors]

Ignore them. They aren't legally binding in Idaho....except on schools and federal property.

 

[bogie]

Okay - that's one from Texas, and one from Idaho...

T, they ARE binding, in that they are insulting, and downright dangerous.

Shop elsewhere, and tell the people in the place why. Otherwise, you are just encouraging bigotry against all of us.

 

[rbernie]

I'm just wondering how many folk are gonna keep posting 'ignore them' and completely and utterly miss the point of the thread.

Sometimes, it's really amusing to see how many folk don't actually read past the title of a thread befoire responding.

 

[eric.cartman]

In Florida?
I just smile, smirk, and walk in anyways

 

[hobgob]

thanks Bogie! If you saw my thread yesterday, then you know that advice was much needed. write your reps and join the nra!

 

[Sans Authoritas]

I like the Miami Hard Rock cafe sign: In very big, very official letters, a brass sign says "No Drugs Or Nuclear Weapons Allowed." Works for me.

-Sans Authoritas

 

[bogie]

Okay - we've got Texas, Idaho and Florida folks who

DO NOT GET IT.

 

[Tequila Mockingbird]

I would certainly assume that if someone goes to the trouble of posting a "no guns" sign, he's already considered the consequences of armed folks going somewhere else to do their shopping, so I'm not sure what good it does to go back and tell him that you took your business elsewhere. You think he's going to change his mind and take the sign down because he lost your business? It's a free country, and he's entitled to declare his place of business off limits to armed customers if he chooses to do so. Just because you believe you should be able to carry anywhere you want to doesn't mean everyone else has to go along with your wishes. That's not what freedom is all about...

 

[The Tourist]

If I'm allowed to preach for one moment, let me state that there will always be people opposing anything and everything you do.

I never got beat up in high school, in fact, no one ever tried. I carried a switchblade, and I was clearly crazy enough to use it.

There will always be consequences. I could have been arrested, or even challenged by some idiot who convinced himself that being angry was a better decision than being cut. I chose to live as I wanted.

But that's a choice only you can make. Additionally, you can always find an excuse to turn and avoid trouble. If you always make the easy turn to avoid trouble you'll find yourself making more "lefts" than a Nascar driver.

At my high school you got an additional three detentions for every one not served. My high school vice-principal was only too happy to notify me that I was then the clear record holder with over 285 days of unserved penalties. He also informed me that the only way I could fulfil my sentence was to repeat my senior year--a topic actually discussed by the graduating committee.

He told me in a calm, cold whisper that he was glad I was going so he never had to look at my face ever again.

Knowing at that moment that I would, in fact, graduate, I responded that he could then look at my ass, on my Harley, going to college. I actually think he wanted to smack me.

It did teach me one thing. Your allegiance is to no one if you cannot boldly defend the thoughts of your own heart. If a little sign disuades you from your enumerated rights, perhaps you should leave the gun in the car and do as you are told. You wouldn't want anyone mad at you, would you?

 

[Tequila Mockingbird]

If a little sign disuades you from your enumerated rights, perhaps you should leave the gun in the car and do as you are told.

Only problem is, you don't have a right to carry on someone else's property...

 

[John828]

I saw in another thread that county/rural signs were getting shot. Maybe some country folk need to come in to the city and "take care" of these here signs.