SaltH2OHokie
Regular Member
imported post
I was in Roanoke today and stopped by the newly opened Gander Mountain which has a big sign prohibiting loaded weapons EXCEPT for permit holders. I walked in and explained that I was a permit holder, but that I was open carrying today. The lady referred me to customer service who said that "for customer safety" I would have to conceal or unload.
I left.
Went back down the road to Sportsman's Warehouse where the policy expressly says "long guns must be unloaded and locked open, handguns must be unloaded IF THEY ARE TO BE UNHOLSTERED." I didn't plan to unholster, so I figured I was fine, but...again, walked in, went to customer service where I was told the exact same thing: "Conceal it or unload it." I actually was mad at this point and asked "why" in a less than pleased tone and got "for everyone's safety" in response.
I flipped my shirt over my gun and asked how that was safer. The guy at customer service just laughed and shrugged.
I left.
Went to Valley View Mall where it's at least posted clearly that they don't want ANY guns.
All and all frustrating day since both policies in front of both "shooting" stores
clearly exempted me by way of either holding a permit or the fact that I didn't intend to unholster.
I was looking for a specific pair of sunglasses, too. $200...oh well, it was cloudy, so there was no urgent need for shades today :banghead:
I was in Roanoke today and stopped by the newly opened Gander Mountain which has a big sign prohibiting loaded weapons EXCEPT for permit holders. I walked in and explained that I was a permit holder, but that I was open carrying today. The lady referred me to customer service who said that "for customer safety" I would have to conceal or unload.
I left.
Went back down the road to Sportsman's Warehouse where the policy expressly says "long guns must be unloaded and locked open, handguns must be unloaded IF THEY ARE TO BE UNHOLSTERED." I didn't plan to unholster, so I figured I was fine, but...again, walked in, went to customer service where I was told the exact same thing: "Conceal it or unload it." I actually was mad at this point and asked "why" in a less than pleased tone and got "for everyone's safety" in response.
I flipped my shirt over my gun and asked how that was safer. The guy at customer service just laughed and shrugged.
I left.
Went to Valley View Mall where it's at least posted clearly that they don't want ANY guns.
All and all frustrating day since both policies in front of both "shooting" stores
clearly exempted me by way of either holding a permit or the fact that I didn't intend to unholster.
I was looking for a specific pair of sunglasses, too. $200...oh well, it was cloudy, so there was no urgent need for shades today :banghead: