Saint
Regular Member
imported post
At about 1 PM today a friend of mine and I were coming back from Meridian and decided to stop into the Lee Reed store as my buddy is looking for an engagement ring.
Both of us were wearing jeans and button up shirts with holstered sidearms on strong side. I was carrying a Glock 19 in a Serpa holster and he was wearing an XD 9mm.
As we entered the store we were greeted by a salesman who started to show us some rings that my friend might like. After about 5 mins we were approached by the store's security officer, a man named Mike. He asked us about our sidearms to which we responded that both of us carry for personal protection and as a way to exercise our rights.
After speaking with him for several mins he left to go talk to the manager about us and we continued browsing with the store employee.
A couple mins later the manager (Sarah Read) came out and introduced herself to myself and my friend. She then said that our firearms were 'making people uncomfortable' and that she would like us to remove them from her store.
At this point I began talking to her and expressed that though it is indeed the right of a business to refuse service, I found it dissapointing that paying customers were being turned away simply because we were exercising our rights in a lawful manner. After several mins of back and forth talking with her, it came to the conclusion that Lee Reed's policy (due to Sarah making the decision) is that they will not allow firearms in their store nor will they do business with anyone carrying a firearm.
We then turned and left the building and the security guard escorted us out. He then stopped us after we left the store and started talking to us. He told us that because he had been a cop for 34 years that we didn't need firearms in his store. I told him that if Lee Reed chooses to not do business with gun owners that is their perogative.
At this point, Mike became visibly angry, pointed his finger in my face and said "That is a lie!" My friend and I then responded that it was not a lie as he and Sarah had both now told us that they would not do business with us if we had guns in the store. I then informed him that I was a member on OCDO and that one of our functions is to keep tabs on local businesses and to maintain Do Not Patronize registries.
My friend was prepared to spend over $2,500 on jewelry there and we were turned away. If you plan on not shopping at Lee Read due to their firearm policy, call up the store and let them know of your displeasure. We want them to know how much money they are going to lose.
Lee Read Store: (208) 376-8800
Ask to speak to Sarah Read and tell her that you have been made aware that Lee Read Diamonds does not support or wish for the business of Idaho Gun Owners.
At about 1 PM today a friend of mine and I were coming back from Meridian and decided to stop into the Lee Reed store as my buddy is looking for an engagement ring.
Both of us were wearing jeans and button up shirts with holstered sidearms on strong side. I was carrying a Glock 19 in a Serpa holster and he was wearing an XD 9mm.
As we entered the store we were greeted by a salesman who started to show us some rings that my friend might like. After about 5 mins we were approached by the store's security officer, a man named Mike. He asked us about our sidearms to which we responded that both of us carry for personal protection and as a way to exercise our rights.
After speaking with him for several mins he left to go talk to the manager about us and we continued browsing with the store employee.
A couple mins later the manager (Sarah Read) came out and introduced herself to myself and my friend. She then said that our firearms were 'making people uncomfortable' and that she would like us to remove them from her store.
At this point I began talking to her and expressed that though it is indeed the right of a business to refuse service, I found it dissapointing that paying customers were being turned away simply because we were exercising our rights in a lawful manner. After several mins of back and forth talking with her, it came to the conclusion that Lee Reed's policy (due to Sarah making the decision) is that they will not allow firearms in their store nor will they do business with anyone carrying a firearm.
We then turned and left the building and the security guard escorted us out. He then stopped us after we left the store and started talking to us. He told us that because he had been a cop for 34 years that we didn't need firearms in his store. I told him that if Lee Reed chooses to not do business with gun owners that is their perogative.
At this point, Mike became visibly angry, pointed his finger in my face and said "That is a lie!" My friend and I then responded that it was not a lie as he and Sarah had both now told us that they would not do business with us if we had guns in the store. I then informed him that I was a member on OCDO and that one of our functions is to keep tabs on local businesses and to maintain Do Not Patronize registries.
My friend was prepared to spend over $2,500 on jewelry there and we were turned away. If you plan on not shopping at Lee Read due to their firearm policy, call up the store and let them know of your displeasure. We want them to know how much money they are going to lose.
Lee Read Store: (208) 376-8800
Ask to speak to Sarah Read and tell her that you have been made aware that Lee Read Diamonds does not support or wish for the business of Idaho Gun Owners.
