heresolong
Regular Member
imported post
Went to Hardware Sales in Bellingham to pick up some bolts for my trailer. As I was being rung up the fellow behind the register (not the cashier) asks if I am LEO. I said no. Asked if I could cover up my pistol. I said no. He looked totally surprised and asked why and if I didn't have a CPL. I said that I had a CPL but preferred to open carry. I also pointed out that it was legal. He said that he knew but that it was private property. I told him that I wouldn't shop there any more. His reply was "Your choice" at which point I suggested that it wasn't my choice, it was their choice.
After finishing paying for my purchase, during which time he was on the phone with someone, he turned and told me that the owner was OK with open carry.
I thanked him for checking and left.
I really appreciated his checking his opinion with ownership rather than just chucking out a regular paying customer on his own predjudices. He also asked why I open carried and I told him that I felt safer. He answered with some silliness about ex-federal and ex-LEOs working security at the store and having to worry more about me since I had a gun. I suppose I could have countered with the fact that it is the ones trying to hide their guns that are the problem but I needed to leave.
Also wondering about the whole "Are you LEO?" opening to the conversation. If open carry makes customers nervous what possible difference could it make if I was an off duty cop? How would customers know that anyway?
So, Hardware Sales is officially on the shop-there list.
Went to Hardware Sales in Bellingham to pick up some bolts for my trailer. As I was being rung up the fellow behind the register (not the cashier) asks if I am LEO. I said no. Asked if I could cover up my pistol. I said no. He looked totally surprised and asked why and if I didn't have a CPL. I said that I had a CPL but preferred to open carry. I also pointed out that it was legal. He said that he knew but that it was private property. I told him that I wouldn't shop there any more. His reply was "Your choice" at which point I suggested that it wasn't my choice, it was their choice.
After finishing paying for my purchase, during which time he was on the phone with someone, he turned and told me that the owner was OK with open carry.
I thanked him for checking and left.
I really appreciated his checking his opinion with ownership rather than just chucking out a regular paying customer on his own predjudices. He also asked why I open carried and I told him that I felt safer. He answered with some silliness about ex-federal and ex-LEOs working security at the store and having to worry more about me since I had a gun. I suppose I could have countered with the fact that it is the ones trying to hide their guns that are the problem but I needed to leave.
Also wondering about the whole "Are you LEO?" opening to the conversation. If open carry makes customers nervous what possible difference could it make if I was an off duty cop? How would customers know that anyway?
So, Hardware Sales is officially on the shop-there list.