I've been to several gun shops who sport the "No Loaded Guns" signs on the door. Most have told me some form of "That doesn't apply to you, only to the people who can't help but unholster their loaded gun inside. It's just an insurance thing." I wholeheartedly disagree with the sign and feel it could be better worded to convey the true intent. However, this is not the gist of my question.
I was pleased to see a new gun shop in my town today. I didn't have time to stop, but I did drive by the front to teak a quick peek in the window as I went past. I was immediately struck by three things that made me reconsider shopping there when I next have free time:
1) It didn't appear to be an actual shop. I saw a bunch of guys sitting around a folding table. This made me think that it was the "gun club hangout" type of shop, where the storefront is just an excuse to have a social club. I admit that this may not be a fair assessment given my extremely brief glimpse.
2) It had a "No Loaded Guns" sign in the window. This immediately turned me off to shopping there, for reasons related above and in other threads.
3) There was no safe place to unload.
Here is my question for gun shop owners:
If your store wears such a sign, why would you not provide a safe place to unload? Even a simple sand barrel? If the sign is for "insurance purposes", then couldn't the case be made that you are liable for any accidental discharge on your property when requiring people to handle loaded guns before entering the store? Even if it's not a legal liability for you, do you not feel an obligation to provide a safe place to unload? Surely the minimal cost of a simple sand barrel far outweighs any negative press you would receive should a potential customer accidentally shoot himself or someone else when unloading at your doorstep?
I'd rather keep my loaded pistol safely in its holster when I shop in your store. I promise that it's not going to jump out of its holster all on its own and start blasting away. The minute you force me to clear kydex, you are creating an unsafe environment and that's an environment I choose not to patronize. I will reserve my wallet for the stores who respect that.
I was pleased to see a new gun shop in my town today. I didn't have time to stop, but I did drive by the front to teak a quick peek in the window as I went past. I was immediately struck by three things that made me reconsider shopping there when I next have free time:
1) It didn't appear to be an actual shop. I saw a bunch of guys sitting around a folding table. This made me think that it was the "gun club hangout" type of shop, where the storefront is just an excuse to have a social club. I admit that this may not be a fair assessment given my extremely brief glimpse.
2) It had a "No Loaded Guns" sign in the window. This immediately turned me off to shopping there, for reasons related above and in other threads.
3) There was no safe place to unload.
Here is my question for gun shop owners:
If your store wears such a sign, why would you not provide a safe place to unload? Even a simple sand barrel? If the sign is for "insurance purposes", then couldn't the case be made that you are liable for any accidental discharge on your property when requiring people to handle loaded guns before entering the store? Even if it's not a legal liability for you, do you not feel an obligation to provide a safe place to unload? Surely the minimal cost of a simple sand barrel far outweighs any negative press you would receive should a potential customer accidentally shoot himself or someone else when unloading at your doorstep?
I'd rather keep my loaded pistol safely in its holster when I shop in your store. I promise that it's not going to jump out of its holster all on its own and start blasting away. The minute you force me to clear kydex, you are creating an unsafe environment and that's an environment I choose not to patronize. I will reserve my wallet for the stores who respect that.