imported post
its too funny that i found this thread today. last night me and a friend were open carrying in a costco, a new one in our area. here in nv it is legal to open carry almost anywhere and i do everyday. mostly due to the fact that i cant get my ccw for 4 more months (im 20). as we sat down to eat 2 "managers" came over to us and started giving us quite a hard time. Here is the e-mail I sent in last night when we left:
Please make sure this reaches upper management. This matter needs to be resolved.
I am writing to inform you I was taken to a local store, #646 tonight with a friend. I was told your stores had great prices on almost anything and as a small business owner I thought I should take a look and determine if I should start my own membership.
We went into the store and took a look at quite a few things; I was impressed by your prices. We decided to get a quick bite to eat before continuing shopping so we got hot dogs at your snack bar. As we were going to sit down 2 "managers" approached us asking about us carrying weapons. We both open carry handguns, which in the state of Nevada is COMPLETELY legal. He informed us that he would like us to leave because it makes him uncomfortable. We VERY politely informed him of the legality of carrying a firearm and that we intended no harm to anyone. We asked if we had missed a sign on the front of the building when entering the store that prohibits firearms (which are not posted on your store). He said no, so we proceeded to ask if we were breaking a store policy, and again informed that we were not. He said "It makes him and his customers uncomfortable". He then asked for our Costco card, and my friend gave it to him, he then said he would be back later. So we ate and then went to the customer service counter to ask for the card back. We were then informed that he was revoking my friend’s membership and asked to leave. We informed him that what he was doing is harassment and illegal. It also infringes on any American's second amendment rights. He responded in a very rude way, "well if I'm harassing you then so be it, it’s my store". We asked for his name, which he laughed about and gave us, His name, is Phil Owens. He did what he could to make us look like bad people and his attitude during the entire conversation was far from acceptable. As a small business owner I know the value of a good employee and how terrible it is for a company to have a "rouge" employee that takes it upon him/herself to make up and apply rules, regulations, policies etc. that do not exist. It is very embarrassing to have these employees make a scene in the middle of the store trying to degrade us for doing nothing wrong. I am a very law abiding citizen and I take it VERY offensively when a situation such as this occurs. It is harassment and I will do everything I need to do to not allow it.
In closing I ask that I be contacted tomorrow, I would like Mr. Phil Owens to delt with accordingly. His actions are unacceptable and make Costco look VERY bad. A person like that will take a new store downhill very fast. I think we are both due an apology in person from Phil Owens. I would also like my friend’s membership card returned promptly. If the harassment does not stop from this individual I will have to take legal action. Thank you for your time and PLEASE contact me at xxx-xxx-xxxx