Inappropriate exchange with gun store owner while concealed carrying at his store?

[Snuffleupagus]

As others responded, the guy was informing you of his rights as well. Granted his wording appears off but it doesn’t raise any alarms. No need to inform unless you thought perhaps you would be in need of a fitting. Best if no one can tell you are carrying at all times. If you feel you might have a tell in your step the. Simply practice carrying at home when you sit or walk and your body will get used to the change. Bonus a good leather holster will mold to your body while practicing.

 

[40watt]

I would suggest that if you are carrying concealed, keep it concealed.

That conversation should have never started.

Agreed

 

[Architect]

There's already nine pages of comments on this thread so I'm guessing that this may have already been said but, here goes.

I never announce that I'm carrying. Most of the time, my wife doesn't even know if I'm carrying. I believe personal protection is just that "personal". I don't need the hassle of a liberal, or otherwise non-2A store owner telling me they object over something they never should have known about me in the first place. Kind of the same way I don't go around initiating conversation on politics or religious beliefs with store owners who I don't know.

More important is carrying in a gun store. I think it's completely acceptable to carry in a gun store (or anywhere else where it's legal). But if you're going to go in there looking to fit a holster for a particular firearm, that firearm SHOULD NOT be what you are carrying at that time. What was the plan if the vendor did have a holster you were interested in trying out? Unholstering, unloading and dry fitting? Wrong and wrong in my opinion.

I would have secured the unloaded firearm in my vehicle or somewhere on my person, found the holster I was interested in and then gone to the counter and clearly discussed my intention with vendor at the counter and asked how they would like to proceed.

I think announcing you're carrying as you enter any establishment is asking for trouble in too many ways to list.

 

[Bonanza]

I say I felt some kind of way meaning I couldn’t determine if that was a threat or just an in appropriate response. I also told him I was carrying to show him what kind of holster I was looking for. IWB clip on

Ok Karen

 

[LRoberts]

I visited a gun store in La Plata yesterday, I think the name of the store is Gun Monkey. Upon entering the front door I looked for any notifications about carrying a loaded firearm inside the store just to make sure I didn’t freak anybody out or violate any stores policy and I didn’t see any such notification so I entered the store and the store employee asked if he could help me and I told him I was looking for a holster for one of my other handguns I want to carry. He pointed me in the direction of the holsters he had and I then informed him that I was carrying my g26 in an IWB holster and I’m just exercising my new rights. I just received my HGP so I just wanted to inform him so that there’s no misunderstanding or mistakes in judgments occur. The guy replied “Just don’t pull it out unless I’m going to have to exercise my right”. I felt some kind of way about his response so I told him the there’s really no need for this kind of conversation and that I was informing him as a courtesy just in case I missed the sign or something.

Does anyone think this was appropriate or did I miss something?

Sounds like an a$$hole to me! I think he indicated he would call the cops, or maybe use deadly force. F*ck him, buy somewhere else. There are courteous sellers out there that would appreciate your biz.

 

[LRoberts]

There's already nine pages of comments on this thread so I'm guessing that this may have already been said but, here goes.

I never announce that I'm carrying. Most of the time, my wife doesn't even know if I'm carrying. I believe personal protection is just that "personal". I don't need the hassle of a liberal, or otherwise non-2A store owner telling me they object over something they never should have known about me in the first place. Kind of the same way I don't go around initiating conversation on politics or religious beliefs with store owners who I don't know.

More important is carrying in a gun store. I think it's completely acceptable to carry in a gun store (or anywhere else where it's legal). But if you're going to go in there looking to fit a holster for a particular firearm, that firearm SHOULD NOT be what you are carrying at that time. What was the plan if the vendor did have a holster you were interested in trying out? Unholstering, unloading and dry fitting? Wrong and wrong in my opinion.

I would have secured the unloaded firearm in my vehicle or somewhere on my person, found the holster I was interested in and then gone to the counter and clearly discussed my intention with vendor at the counter and asked how they would like to proceed.

I think announcing you're carrying as you enter any establishment is asking for trouble in too many ways to list.

Amen. And a pr*ck like that is in the wrong business.

 

[Alutacon]

I find it easiest to just buy the holster, take it home and see if it fits. If it doesn't return it. A lot less hassle. Just make sure you're aware of the store's return policy.

I wouldn't have said a word to the gun store owner about carrying. Or anybody else for that matter. With that said, had I said something to him, and he responded the way he did to you I would have just taken my business somewhere else. I think the store owner's response was a little more than was necessary.

 

[LRoberts]

What were you expecting him to say? I don't find his comment very different from what I would have said in his shoes.

Bullspit, it was an inappropriate response from someone wanting your business. PERIOD!

 

[Timmaaayyyy]

I visited a gun store in La Plata yesterday, I think the name of the store is Gun Monkey. Upon entering the front door I looked for any notifications about carrying a loaded firearm inside the store just to make sure I didn’t freak anybody out or violate any stores policy and I didn’t see any such notification so I entered the store and the store employee asked if he could help me and I told him I was looking for a holster for one of my other handguns I want to carry. He pointed me in the direction of the holsters he had and I then informed him that I was carrying my g26 in an IWB holster and I’m just exercising my new rights. I just received my HGP so I just wanted to inform him so that there’s no misunderstanding or mistakes in judgments occur. The guy replied “Just don’t pull it out unless I’m going to have to exercise my right”. I felt some kind of way about his response so I told him the there’s really no need for this kind of conversation and that I was informing him as a courtesy just in case I missed the sign or something.

Does anyone think this was appropriate or did I miss something?

As you can see by every other reply …. NEVER talk about it ,
But also I’ve had that exact exchange w a police officer and when he said it I laughed , I think it’s an awesome response

 

[LRoberts]

I find it easiest to just buy the holster, take it home and see if it fits. If it doesn't return it. A lot less hassle. Just make sure you're aware of the store's return policy.

I wouldn't have said a word to the gun store owner about carrying. Or anybody else for that matter. With that said, had I said something to him, and he responded the way he did to you I would have just taken my business somewhere else. I think the store owner's response was a little more than was necessary.

Amen, brother shooter.

 

[welder516]

Whenever i enter a room i make a proclamation that i am in now in a 2A sanctuary safe space . When i leave a room i am often ask to leave.
But that is another story for another day.

 

[LRoberts]

He's a good renter, apparently.


I'm going to go with the majority. Nothing wrong with shop employee's remarks, but something very off about yours.

Do you think every person carrying makes that comment? I assure you, they don't. When you did, it made it appear there was something off about you. He probably 'felt a certain way' about your intentions after your awkward remark.

Sounds a lot like "grandstanding", but the storeowner's response was still stupid.

 

[LRoberts]

This. There is no need to tell anyone, keep it to yourself.
I see no need to tell them you’re carrying just because you’re shopping for a holster.
Pretty simple to just say “do you have any IWB holsters for a Glock/Sig/Smith & Wesson” (or whatever gun it needs to fit. Everything else is irrelevant.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Hecktor Peabody]

Telling people that you're carrying concealed defeats the whole purpose and meaning of carrying concealed.

Just a thought

 

[LRoberts]

Awesome - now that’s funny right there!

 

[LRoberts]

You just wanted him to know? Really? Defeats the purpose of conceal carry don't you think? You have a permit for that ...it's nobody elses business except your own. If I were the store employee I would probably got my hand slapped for telling you "nobody gives a shat, I'm carrying too."

Why is it some people when they conceal carry, they just have to let everyone else know they are carrying. I truly don't understand.

Boasting.

 

[ras_oscar]

Like the OP I am new to daily concealed carry and probably overthinking the issues. I have been quite surprised how, in the short amount of time I have exercised the right in MD, it has become natural. And also pleasantly boring. What I worry about most is the Karens that may think they see something. I have come now to understand that it is unlikely most passersbys that are not in the firearms community are looking for the signs. LEO are more likely to notice, but care less. A couple of observations:

1. The GS employees I encountered often are grumpy. Not sure why.
2. I have NOT been to a GS since I began carrying. However, I have on previous trips seen 3 different posted policies: a.)no loaded guns allowed except uniformed police officers b.) Clear all firearms at the door with an employee unless you are concealed carrying c.) no policy posted

In the case of a.) i would probably turn around and come back on a day I was not armed. For b.) and c.) i would make sure i was concealed and go do my business. If during the business interaction it was necessary to show my firearm I would say something like: I have it here now, are you OK if I unholster and clear it? That tells them what they need to know and allows them to anticipate and control the upcoming interaction. Once I get the nod I would draw and clear my weapon, lay the mag and chamber round on the counter and show clear.

 

[outrider58]

A navy seal and a conceal carrier walk into a bar together...
How do you know one's a seal and the other, a concealed carrier?
They'll both tell you.

 

[theojt]

I did not pull it out or even showed him the gun, I just informed him because I wanted him know just in case it wasn’t in the stores policy and so I could show him if it was ok what I was looking for. I think the guy saying just don’t pull it out or I’ll have to exercise my right was way too much when all he had to say was don’t pull it out. That would have been completely understandable but I just wanted to know what other’s thoughts on this was because it certainly felt threatening and kid of rude to me but thanks to all that chimed in.

MD does not even require notification to a police officer (if you're pulled over). You have no obligation "to inform" anybody. In most states, you can even walk into a store that has "no guns permitted" with your concealed firearm. It only becomes an issue if the store personnel either sees or becomes aware that you are carrying and then they will ask you to leave. If you do leave, no foul, if you argue or stay, you will be charged with criminal trespass and possibly other crimes.

As mentioned above, work on those Ninja skills

 

[Clizardi]

I would have responded to the store employee “ha ha ha that’s funny!”