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Bass Pro Vegas Apparently did not get its own memo.

Zed Snardbody

Regular Member
Joined
May 5, 2009
Messages
60
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
imported post

See thread http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/forum66/28171-1.html

I went into the Vegas Bass Pro Shop today brows their hand guns, I want to surprise my father with something, and saw they still had the old signs still up over a month after the apparent announcement.

The gal at the door told me I'd either have to check my weapon (record the serial number, trigger lock, and a hard case) cover it up, or leave.

I decided to leave.I'm about to go ahead and shoot an email off to them and see what they say.
 

timf343

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Oct 3, 2007
Messages
1,409
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
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I like the way you handled it. Leave and follow up, as opposed to (illegally?) concealing and/or locking it and still patronizing them.

Only thing I might have done differently is to ask for a manager. If the corporate policy is in fact true, this might have been a good opportunity to educate that employee.

Tim
 

Zed Snardbody

Regular Member
Joined
May 5, 2009
Messages
60
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
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To be honest I hadn't considered it at the time.

I was asked to leave or cover up or secure it in their locks, I wasn't comfortable with the last two options so I felt compelled to leave since I technically had been asked to.

Reflecting on it I probably could have asked for a manager without to much trouble, the gal was very nice and didn't seem confrontational.
 

Zed Snardbody

Regular Member
Joined
May 5, 2009
Messages
60
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
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My Email:

On june 6th it was announced that Bass Pro would respect state laws about lawful firearm carry. Nevada, and Las Vegas permit the open carry of firearms.

Today, July 15, I arrived at the Bass Pro Shop in Las Vegas with the intention of purchasing ammunition, browsing your hand gun selection for a gift for my father and just generally exploring your store, as yours is one of maybe 2 or three large sporting good stores in the city.

The woman at the door advised me that I would need to check my firearm, (having my serial number recorded, having a trigger lock placed on it by your employee, and placing it in a bass pro hard case) concealing it, which as I was not in possession of my concealed carry permit would have made my covering my weapon a felony, nor dressed for it since it was 108 degrees today in Las Vegas, or leave. I elected to leave.

I hope that this was simply a misunderstanding and can be rectified. I would very much like to shop at your store but if this is in fact your policy as described above I do not feel comfortable shopping in your establishment.
 

Pace

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2009
Messages
1,140
Location
Las Vegas, NV
imported post

I called up the Las Vegas store, spoke to the manager and told him to call the CORP headquarters immediately. I informed them of the press release and to speak to the people in charge at Bass Pro Shops as they were violating corporate policy.

They said they would do this immediately.

LEt's see if it changes?
 

Merlin

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2008
Messages
487
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
imported post

Definitely keep us up to date. I really like Bass Pro, and the recent OCDO Press Release only made me like them more. Now we just have to get the local store up to speed. I will likely be there this weekend, and will see what happens. If it DOES go the wrong way, I will make it a point to ask for the MOD to discuss it. I will likely have one or both of my boys with me (5 & 6), which tends to help me get looked at in a less threatening light. :D
 

Zed Snardbody

Regular Member
Joined
May 5, 2009
Messages
60
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
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Ok I'm getting throughly annoyed. This is going to be my next email to them if I don't get a response by the end of the day.

I have allowed the 72 hours you requested after my initial inquiry and as a courtesy allowed an additional 72 hours after I was informed my issue was being forwarded.

I have still not received a response after I was asked for my real world information (Full Name, Address, Contact Phone Number) now 8 days after my issue at your Las Vegas Nevada location.

As it appears that you normal customer service channels are ineffective in seeking an outcome I will now have to contact Bass Pro Management directly to determine not only why your Las Vegas Location is apparently not following your company's policy in regard to firearms, but also why Bass Pro's customer service is unable to furnish a timely response or even updates without being hounded to do so.
 

Zed Snardbody

Regular Member
Joined
May 5, 2009
Messages
60
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
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Today I got a personal phone call from the district manager who aologized for the inconvinienec.

He stated that he knows Nevada is an open carry and concealed carry state and I shouldn't encounter a problem again and that if I do I can contact him directly on his mobile.

He also stated that Vegas and quite a few other stores are waiting for new signs to come in to replace the current "Check your stuff" signs in place now.

He did feel the need to remind me that I could only open carry holstered though.
 

Vegassteve

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 15, 2008
Messages
1,763
Location
Las Vegas NV, ,
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Zed Snardbody wrote:
Today I got a personal phone call from the district manager who aologized for the inconvinienec.

He stated that he knows Nevada is an open carry and concealed carry state and I shouldn't encounter a problem again and that if I do I can contact him directly on his mobile.

He also stated that Vegas and quite a few other stores are waiting for new signs to come in to replace the current "Check your stuff" signs in place now.

He did feel the need to remind me that I could only open carry holstered though.
Thats great. When I had my issue with them months ago I was contacted by the national loss prevention guy and told thee would be no more issues. And also that the mgr at the time was gone as well. Could you please post this guys name and number? Since the loss prevention guy we did have is no gone and his number is no longer valid.
 

Merlin

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2008
Messages
487
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
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I went to Bass Pro Vegas yesterday after the Laurie Bisch meetup at Broadway. I had been planning to go there this weekend anyway, but this whole thing rolled together perfectly.

One of the girls that has worked at broadway for several years has a Dad who works the gun counter at Bass Pro (Danny). This came up because she tried to call him to get him there for the meetup, but he had to go to work.

So I headed down there. The greeter didn't give me any trouble (although I can't be sure she even noticed it). I made a bee-line for the gun counter up the escalator. I browsed for a few minutes, until I spotted Danny, and approached him, introduced myself, and told him I had just come from the Laurie Bisch meetup at his Daughter's work. I figured this would immediately defuse things a bit. Within a few seconds, several of the guys behind the gun counter were eyeing me and each other, pointing and such. I politely advised them that:
Bass Pro’s policy is and “always was” to respect lawful customer gun carry, concealed or open, and that steps the following steps are being taken to ensure this policy is understood by all managers and employees, including production and distribution of training videos as well re-drafting of signage pertaining to guns.

... per Larry Whitely, Director of Communications. I also advised them that someone had spoken to their district manager as recent as that morning and confirmed as such. They all claimed no knowledge of this, but accepted it as fact, and all was cool.

I went ahead and made a purchase I had been considering for a while, a Walther P22 (I want to build a small-caliber silenced platform). I had planned on acquiring it for less, but decided the small price difference between Bass Pro and elsewhere was worth it for what was to come...

SO, at Bass Pro, the procedure with a gun purchase is that the counter guy does all the paperwork, and has it called in for the background check. Once it is all completed, the MOD (in this case Operations Manager Mike) review it all, does final release, and then escorts you out the front door. (Seems kinda silly when I have a Glock 45 on my hip, but no biggie).

So, while walking, I asked OpsMan Mike if he was familiar with the recent policy "clarification" regarding concealed and open carry, and he said he was. I advised him that not one person at the gun counter was familiar with it. He apologized, and said that he himself just got word a few days ago, and they were working on disseminating that information. I also advised him that the reason they got that gun sale was because of this recent policy clarification, and that I wanted to show my appreciation for them respecting my rights, even though it was still a little awkward.

He also brought up that it was an awkward situation for them because of being attached to a casino, and that the casino forbids firearms, as all of them do (his words).

I clarified for him that as private property owners, they can choose their policy, and that I respect their right to choose that. But I have the right to not patronize them, and that was the real issue at hand with Bass Pro. Bass Pro cannot expect to sell firearms to firearms enthusiasts, but not respect rights within the bounds of the local and state laws. It would be hypocritical to say the least.

He agreed, and thanked me for my business. Lastly, I advised him that I would be posting my results back to this forum, and that he should expect to see more of my Open-Carrying brethren in the coming weeks.

Overall, an extremely positive and productive experience! :celebrate
 

Vegassteve

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 15, 2008
Messages
1,763
Location
Las Vegas NV, ,
imported post

Merlin Great Job!!!

I ask once again though if you could give us the district guys name and number so we can have it with us if there are any issues going forward.
 

Merlin

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2008
Messages
487
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
imported post

I don't have the District Guy's contact info. If I did, I would have used it while there. Zed started all this, I just followed his lead.
 

maldog

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2009
Messages
48
Location
Lost Wages :), Nevada, USA
imported post

Merlin wrote:
I went to Bass Pro Vegas yesterday after the Laurie Bisch meetup at Broadway. I had been planning to go there this weekend anyway, but this whole thing rolled together perfectly.

One of the girls that has worked at broadway for several years has a Dad who works the gun counter at Bass Pro (Danny). This came up because she tried to call him to get him there for the meetup, but he had to go to work.

So I headed down there. The greeter didn't give me any trouble (although I can't be sure she even noticed it). I made a bee-line for the gun counter up the escalator. I browsed for a few minutes, until I spotted Danny, and approached him, introduced myself, and told him I had just come from the Laurie Bisch meetup at his Daughter's work. I figured this would immediately defuse things a bit. Within a few seconds, several of the guys behind the gun counter were eyeing me and each other, pointing and such. I politely advised them that:
Bass Pro’s policy is and “always was” to respect lawful customer gun carry, concealed or open, and that steps the following steps are being taken to ensure this policy is understood by all managers and employees, including production and distribution of training videos as well re-drafting of signage pertaining to guns.

... per Larry Whitely, Director of Communications. I also advised them that someone had spoken to their district manager as recent as that morning and confirmed as such. They all claimed no knowledge of this, but accepted it as fact, and all was cool.

I went ahead and made a purchase I had been considering for a while, a Walther P22 (I want to build a small-caliber silenced platform). I had planned on acquiring it for less, but decided the small price difference between Bass Pro and elsewhere was worth it for what was to come...

SO, at Bass Pro, the procedure with a gun purchase is that the counter guy does all the paperwork, and has it called in for the background check. Once it is all completed, the MOD (in this case Operations Manager Mike) review it all, does final release, and then escorts you out the front door. (Seems kinda silly when I have a Glock 45 on my hip, but no biggie).

So, while walking, I asked OpsMan Mike if he was familiar with the recent policy "clarification" regarding concealed and open carry, and he said he was. I advised him that not one person at the gun counter was familiar with it. He apologized, and said that he himself just got word a few days ago, and they were working on disseminating that information. I also advised him that the reason they got that gun sale was because of this recent policy clarification, and that I wanted to show my appreciation for them respecting my rights, even though it was still a little awkward.

He also brought up that it was an awkward situation for them because of being attached to a casino, and that the casino forbids firearms, as all of them do (his words).

I clarified for him that as private property owners, they can choose their policy, and that I respect their right to choose that. But I have the right to not patronize them, and that was the real issue at hand with Bass Pro. Bass Pro cannot expect to sell firearms to firearms enthusiasts, but not respect rights within the bounds of the local and state laws. It would be hypocritical to say the least.

He agreed, and thanked me for my business. Lastly, I advised him that I would be posting my results back to this forum, and that he should expect to see more of my Open-Carrying brethren in the coming weeks.

Overall, an extremely positive and productive experience! :celebrate
I was just in the same store yesterday 8/8/09. I was not OC but was CC.

I decided to ask a few employees about OC policy and none of them knew anything about the new policy. they said you can CC, but we have not heard about OC.

It seems to me like the store managers are not relaying any info to their store employees???????
 

Lostlittlerobot

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2009
Messages
260
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
imported post

Went into Bass Pro today, 8-25-09 and I was asked to check my gun at the door. They wanted me to hand it over, put a trigger lock and put it in a case. I said I refused to hand them my gun and wondered if there was a way they could get my items and bring them to the front and I'd happily purchase them without walking into the store. They declined that, so I asked to speak with a manager, stating that online I had seen that their co. policy was to allow open carry and that this should have been resolved already.

A manager came over, less than happy to see me, and asked me to check it and I said I didn't want to hand them my gun and I again asked if they'd bring my purchase and I'd pay for it where we were. Then he said he was aware of the policy allowing open carry, but for the safety of the people in the store they have people lock them up. I replied that safety was indeed the reason I didn't want to allow anyone else to possess my gun.

He said he'd walk me over to the merchandise I was purchasing, and that way I could keep my firearm on me. He asked me to verify my ownership, and asked if I had my blue card with me. I happened to have it on me so I got it out and let him look at it. He asked me if the gun was loaded, and I said yes, loaded and chambered, and he said that only unloaded guns were allowed, and then he asked me if I hadidentification on me. I replied less than amiably "yes...I do have ID on me." but I didn't get it out, nor did I unload. This was now while we were walking to the back (hunting area for ammo)

I didn't feel that I should have had to present my blue card, but it got things rolling and we got to the back without much further hassle. He was walking, and didn't stop when I didn't get my ID, and didn't ask for it more than once, so I just ignored the request. It made me feel sorta like a jerk, but it got the job done.

Now he went on to tell me it wasn't the store that had the problem with open carrying, it was the casino they're connected to, so they escort people who open carry and don't want to check their weapons at the door. (which was a line of bull, since he told me to check it and I had to refuse like 3 times before gaining any ground).



Scott
 

Vegassteve

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 15, 2008
Messages
1,763
Location
Las Vegas NV, ,
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OK Scott we have some issues here.

First did you get a name? I am going to call corp again and contact the OC.org folks who took care of this. This store has been told many times and have complied before.

Second you should have never showed your blue card. It was none of his biz. If he didnt want you there you should have left. Otherwise all you have done is made him money and done nothing for our cause.

I do not understand why people continue to buy things from stores that do not want us in them. If you need overpriced ammo that bad I will just give you some.



Third the casino has ZERO to do with this. If casino security wants to keep OC out then thats fine but the entrance to the casino is seperate from bass Pro.
 

HankT

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Joined
Feb 20, 2007
Messages
6,215
Location
Invisible Mode
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Vegassteve wrote:
Third the casino has ZERO to do with this. If casino security wants to keep OC out then thats fine but the entrance to the casino is seperate from bass Pro.

Do the casinos generally prohibit OC in Las Vegas?

Or do they allow it?
 
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