hugh jarmis
Centurion
imported post
Went to The Shooters Shop in West Allis last night. I was dismayed to see they had a marker board right at the door saying "We support open carry but for safety reasons please keep all guns unloaded and cased, not in a holster" (I might be paraphrasing a bit, but that was the jist of it.
"We support open-carry?" REALLY
I don't think they do? They support open carry just "not here"?
Why? What makes them special? Gander Mountain lets people OC? They sell guns?
If I'm missing something here someone let me know. I can't think of a good reason why they should be so hypocritical. (and I say that objectively, if I'm missing something, I'm open to suggestions)
I've purchased 4 guns from The Shooters Shop in the last couple years not to mention TONS of range time (I go frequently and always take 1 or 2 friends/girlfriend, etc with me.)
I estimate that I've spent around $5,000 in The Shooters Shop since 2005. I cannot patronize a place that doesn't support my rights.
I'll be writing a letter shortly. I'll share the text of it here.
Text of letter:
Went to The Shooters Shop in West Allis last night. I was dismayed to see they had a marker board right at the door saying "We support open carry but for safety reasons please keep all guns unloaded and cased, not in a holster" (I might be paraphrasing a bit, but that was the jist of it.
"We support open-carry?" REALLY
I don't think they do? They support open carry just "not here"?
Why? What makes them special? Gander Mountain lets people OC? They sell guns?
If I'm missing something here someone let me know. I can't think of a good reason why they should be so hypocritical. (and I say that objectively, if I'm missing something, I'm open to suggestions)
I've purchased 4 guns from The Shooters Shop in the last couple years not to mention TONS of range time (I go frequently and always take 1 or 2 friends/girlfriend, etc with me.)
I estimate that I've spent around $5,000 in The Shooters Shop since 2005. I cannot patronize a place that doesn't support my rights.
I'll be writing a letter shortly. I'll share the text of it here.
Text of letter:
The Shooters Shop
2465 S. 84[suP]th[/suP] Street
West Allis, WI 53227
Management/Ownership,
I have been a customer exclusively of The Shooters Shop for many years. I have preferred to patronize your establishment because I was always impressed with the level of customer service and professionalism of your staff. My experiences at other Milwaukee area gun dealers/ranges was never as positive as my experiences with your store.
I was distressed to come to your establishment on Friday May 22 to see a marker board at the entrance indicating that you support open carry, but don’t allow it in your store?
Of all the places I would have expected to understand and live above the gun myths, thereby respecting our right to self-defense and to bear arms, a retail gun dealer should be one of them.
It seems superfluous for me to have to document the lack of logic and efficaciousness of that policy to a firearms dealer, but truly, if anyone intended ill intent in your store, they would conceal a weapon upon entrance and carry on with their nefarious intent. Truly the only people who will be affected by your policy are those who would never pose any kind of threat to your staff.
I am aware that people freely exercise their right to open carry at Gander Mountain, which also sells firearms.
I believe gun dealers keep records of firearm purchases and I would encourage you to review mine. I purchased a S&W 500 Magnum in Dec. of 2004. I purchased a Smith and Wesson 637 Airweight, Bushmaster AR-15, and Mossberg 500 this past year.
In addition I visit your range 6 – 10 times a year and I never come alone. I estimate that I’ve spent in the neighborhood of $5,000 at The Shooters Shop since my first purchase in Dec. 2004. I’m sure your staff would recognize me, and verify the frequency with which I use the range. I’m the bodybuilder that comes in frequently (usually in an NRA shirt) and a friend/friends along.
I sincerely appreciate the professionalism and service of your staff over the years however, as a matter of principle, I will not be able to patronize your store until the open carry policy were to change. I understand you operate your business as you see appropriate. As a matter of principle, I live my life the same way.
Best Regards
(name and address redacted)