How to carry yourself when...

PistolPackingMomma said:

I suggest personally asking the gentleman you spoke with to educate the employees of this particular location about their policy and your legal right to be armed. I wouldn't go back until I had documentation that some training/warning/correction had transpired, and indicate politely that an apology from the manager for the insult would be appreciated.

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Polite Posture said:

I was recently asked to not come into a Pizza Hut with my firearm. I had been there the whole time waiting for my pizza (even the manager came to the front saw me and said nothing and then walked back to her office) It wasn't until I came back and asked for paper plates that the cashier told me that next time to not come back because I might make the other customers feel uneasy.

One of the employees saw me and motioned for me to cover my weapon with my shirt. When I came back and encountered their concerns, I told them that asking me to conceal my firearm was basically asking me to break the law since I'm still waiting on my CCW. I was then told that it makes the customers fearful and was told to not come into the store next time with my firearm.

The manager told me that she doesn't want it in her store. I then asked for the number to corporate and was given the district managers # and the franchise owners #. It was the first time I was asked to do so and would like to know what I should do other than how I handled myself in this situation. I want to respect their rights as well as mine, and would like to know if there was anything else I could have done better. (Avoid having to explain myself, my rights and just walk away etc)

I spoke with the District Manager and after conversing with him, he gave me a call back and told me that I will still be allowed into the store and that he didn't know why she handled the situation in that manner (Store manager told me she didn't say anything to me when she saw me because there was a customer in the store and she didn't want to provoke me) This statement made me feel angry inside because I felt like she had just labeled me as a bad person... I would mainly like advice on how to deal with the initial contact because the employees had no problem, it seemed like it was just their manager who did.

I also live in a "safe" neighborhood so I also want your take on encounters with "sheeple" I've seen folks who just freeze and get nervous at just the sight of a non law enforcement officer with a firearm.

Concerned Law Abiding Citizen

P.S. I'd like to become a Law Enforcement Officer/Detective and understanding the mindsets of others would help a lot in my opinion.

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videokrue said:

I encountered the same problem at a CiCi's Pizza in Colorado Springs. I'm in the process of writing a letter to corporate. It's a bit lengthy, as I wanted to warm them up with backstory. I'm not the best writer, but here's what I have so far:

"To Whom It May Concern:

I’ve been eating at CiCi’s pizza for some time now. I grew up near the Des Moines, Iowa area and would often take my little brother out for some family bonding. (Usually store # 694) The food was always amazing, the dining room clean, and the atmosphere friendly. No complaints; especially when I could find those buy one get one free coupons. I recently moved to Colorado Springs as a student. One evening alone, I came across another great buffet discount (via the Key Ring iPhone app) and drove across town for a late dinner.

Now, not to deviate too much, but allow me to give you some relevant backstory. I come from a very conservative, republican, religious, pro-life, pro-gun family. I was raised to place the wellbeing of others before myself and taught to value and defend life. My home -along with the reported 47% of all American homes- is a home that owns firearms. More so, I am almost always carrying a sidearm as both state and federal laws permit.

All this being said, I was open carrying a properly holstered 9mm GLOCK on my side, when I entered your establishment (Store # 813) that evening.

**Note that I’ve been open carrying for a considerable amount of time, in: Walmart, restaurants, state and county parks, churches, cars, Starbucks, thrift stores, at family events, around law enforcement officers, while in my place of work (a diner) after my shift is over… all without even the slightest problem.**

Though, that evening while paying for the buffet and drink I was approached by a red-shirted employee (presumably a manager) whom decided it was in her best interest to give me a piece of her mind.¬ She made comments about CiCi’s Pizza being a ‘Family Restaurant,’ implying that I was ‘anti-family’ by bringing a sidearm there. She mentioned that there were children in the building –note that it was late in the evening and only two tables were actually occupied- as if I had something against children. It was her perspective that the branch owner was anti-gun and wouldn’t allow me in the building while I was open carrying. Ultimately, I was asked to return my sidearm to the car before dinning.

I, in all the graciousness I could muster, politely informed her I would be taking my business elsewhere. She, in a quick decision, changed her mind declaring it would be alright for me to keep my sidearm, if I REALLY needed to; though, “just this once.” I probably made the wrong decision deciding to stay. Though, I had just driven across town, had a great discount, it was late, and I was hungry. I ate in silence that evening, more offended then I’d been in a long time.

Is it customary for your employees to be so bigoted when it comes to political and personal views they don’t support? I cringed to think what would happen had a homosexual couple walked in behind me. Would she harass them too? She never once questioned the legal side of open carry, implying she knew the law supported it. Instead she attacked me personally, questioned my judgment, and ultimately berated my lifestyle choices.

That was about six months ago. More recently, a family member from back in Iowa informed me you were having a Customer Appreciation day. After debating through it in my mind, I came to the conclusion that delicious pizza at an affordable price was worth the risk of bumping into that employee again. So, I put on a pleasant smile, grabbed a friend, and headed off to the local CiCi’s pizza; here in Colorado Springs.

I was halfway through the buffet line when who should approach, but the same employee that had given me so much grief six months prior. The first words out of her mouth were that of recognition, while eyeing my sidearm. “Is the safety on?” she asked, once again prying into my personal life. “Yes,” I lied, knowing full well that a GLOCK’s primary safety is the appendage located between the thumb and middle finger of my right hand. I was polite, made eye contact, and tried not to let my obvious frustration show.

All the same, I decided the conversation was over, ordered an Alfredo based pizza (which tasted amazing, by the way!) and found my seat; hoping she wouldn’t make a scene in the busy restaurant. My friend and I talked weather, politics, and work ethics. (Both of us coming from the food service industry, we have experience interacting with our diner’s ‘guests’ daily.) Honestly, we were socked by your manager’s intrusiveness. We went through the line a couple more times –avoiding her- and departed, having otherwise enjoyed the meal.

I’m left wondering if CiCi’s Pizza is a restaurant to which I should be giving my business. Are there discriminatory policies in place concerning who may dine with you? If not, then why aren’t your employees -specifically management- properly educated in customer interaction? If you plan on showing bias against customers of a specific political party, religion, or sexual orientation, the least you can do is post a sign on the door.


Respectfully,

Andrew
"

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osmanobma said:

i like it except for one thing. Dont equate homosexuality with carrying guns. its just not right. one is detrimental to ones life, the other protects ones life.

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KYGlockster said:

Just a helpful word, but if you truly want to become a detective you need to begin perfecting your writing skills. In the field you wish to enter it is very important that reports are written correctly and professionally, and with proper grammar usage. <snip> /QUOTE]Really? Ya know, he does want to become a cop.....a cop.

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KYGlockster said:

Just a helpful word, but if you truly want to become a detective you need to begin perfecting your writing skills. In the field you wish to enter it is very important that reports are written correctly and professionally, and with proper grammar usage. If you don't want to become a prosecutor's worst nightmare, or become personally involved in a lawsuit, this is one skill that you desperately need to perfect.

Please don't think I am being rude; I am only trying to help. This is one subject that was addressed with extreme importance in certain Criminal Justice classes I have taken, and something that everyone that wants to become a detective should know.

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OC for ME said:

KYGlockster said:

Just a helpful word, but if you truly want to become a detective you need to begin perfecting your writing skills. In the field you wish to enter it is very important that reports are written correctly and professionally, and with proper grammar usage. <snip> /QUOTE]Really? Ya know, he does want to become a cop.....a cop.

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:lol:

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videokrue said:

I encountered the same problem at a CiCi's Pizza in Colorado Springs. I'm in the process of writing a letter to corporate. It's a bit lengthy, as I wanted to warm them up with backstory. I'm not the best writer, but here's what I have so far:

"To Whom It May Concern:

I’ve been eating at CiCi’s pizza for some time now. I grew up near the Des Moines, Iowa area and would often take my little brother out for some family bonding. (Usually store # 694) The food was always amazing, the dining room clean, and the atmosphere friendly. No complaints; especially when I could find those buy one get one free coupons. I recently moved to Colorado Springs as a student. One evening alone, I came across another great buffet discount (via the Key Ring iPhone app) and drove across town for a late dinner.

Now, not to deviate too much, but allow me to give you some relevant backstory. I come from a very conservative, republican, religious, pro-life, pro-gun family. I was raised to place the wellbeing of others before myself and taught to value and defend life. My home -along with the reported 47% of all American homes- is a home that owns firearms. More so, I am almost always carrying a sidearm as both state and federal laws permit.

All this being said, I was open carrying a properly holstered 9mm GLOCK on my side, when I entered your establishment (Store # 813) that evening.

**Note that I’ve been open carrying for a considerable amount of time, in: Walmart, restaurants, state and county parks, churches, cars, Starbucks, thrift stores, at family events, around law enforcement officers, while in my place of work (a diner) after my shift is over… all without even the slightest problem.**

Though, that evening while paying for the buffet and drink I was approached by a red-shirted employee (presumably a manager) whom decided it was in her best interest to give me a piece of her mind.¬ She made comments about CiCi’s Pizza being a ‘Family Restaurant,’ implying that I was ‘anti-family’ by bringing a sidearm there. She mentioned that there were children in the building –note that it was late in the evening and only two tables were actually occupied- as if I had something against children. It was her perspective that the branch owner was anti-gun and wouldn’t allow me in the building while I was open carrying. Ultimately, I was asked to return my sidearm to the car before dinning.

I, in all the graciousness I could muster, politely informed her I would be taking my business elsewhere. She, in a quick decision, changed her mind declaring it would be alright for me to keep my sidearm, if I REALLY needed to; though, “just this once.” I probably made the wrong decision deciding to stay. Though, I had just driven across town, had a great discount, it was late, and I was hungry. I ate in silence that evening, more offended then I’d been in a long time.

Is it customary for your employees to be so bigoted when it comes to political and personal views they don’t support? I cringed to think what would happen had a homosexual couple walked in behind me. Would she harass them too? She never once questioned the legal side of open carry, implying she knew the law supported it. Instead she attacked me personally, questioned my judgment, and ultimately berated my lifestyle choices.

That was about six months ago. More recently, a family member from back in Iowa informed me you were having a Customer Appreciation day. After debating through it in my mind, I came to the conclusion that delicious pizza at an affordable price was worth the risk of bumping into that employee again. So, I put on a pleasant smile, grabbed a friend, and headed off to the local CiCi’s pizza; here in Colorado Springs.

I was halfway through the buffet line when who should approach, but the same employee that had given me so much grief six months prior. The first words out of her mouth were that of recognition, while eyeing my sidearm. “Is the safety on?” she asked, once again prying into my personal life. “Yes,” I lied, knowing full well that a GLOCK’s primary safety is the appendage located between the thumb and middle finger of my right hand. I was polite, made eye contact, and tried not to let my obvious frustration show.

All the same, I decided the conversation was over, ordered an Alfredo based pizza (which tasted amazing, by the way!) and found my seat; hoping she wouldn’t make a scene in the busy restaurant. My friend and I talked weather, politics, and work ethics. (Both of us coming from the food service industry, we have experience interacting with our diner’s ‘guests’ daily.) Honestly, we were socked by your manager’s intrusiveness. We went through the line a couple more times –avoiding her- and departed, having otherwise enjoyed the meal.

I’m left wondering if CiCi’s Pizza is a restaurant to which I should be giving my business. Are there discriminatory policies in place concerning who may dine with you? If not, then why aren’t your employees -specifically management- properly educated in customer interaction? If you plan on showing bias against customers of a specific political party, religion, or sexual orientation, the least you can do is post a sign on the door.


Respectfully,

Andrew
"

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Polite Posture said:

What annoyed me the most about this manager is that she waited, til I left, to tell her young (probably 16-20 yr old) cashier to confront me about my sidearm the next time I came in, instead of doing it herself on the spot. I was there for a good 10-20 minutes waiting for the pizza.

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slowfiveoh said:

Substantiate this drivel immediately.

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videokrue said:

I encountered the same problem at a CiCi's Pizza in Colorado Springs.
.........................
I’m left wondering if CiCi’s Pizza is a restaurant to which I should be giving my business. Are there discriminatory policies in place concerning who may dine with you? If not, then why aren’t your employees -specifically management- properly educated in customer interaction? If you plan on showing bias against customers of a specific political party, religion, or sexual orientation, the least you can do is post a sign on the door.


Respectfully,

Andrew
"

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