since9
Campaign Veteran
When I started OCing a year and a half ago, the field seemed wide open. Since then, however, several locations in and around town have posted signs prohibiting open carry:
- No Open Carry of Firearms
- No Public Display of Firearms
- No Firearms
I'd been OCing for two months at this one mom and pop store, when out of the blue, the night clerk who's usually there said, 'Next time, could you leave that thing in the car? Ok by you?"
My answer: 'Nope. Next time I'll shop somewhere that respects my Constitutional right to defend myself. Ok by you?'
He just stood there with his jaw dropped, so I added, "When you keep honest, law-abiding citizens from carrying firearms in your store, you know who takes their place?"
He said, "No..."
I smiled and said, "Criminals. That's who. Good luck with that..." On the way out I checked to see if the place was even posted, and it was not, so I'm wondering what was behind their change of heart.
I've been diligently adding these lobotomites to Friend or Foe, but I'm getting perturbed that this seems to be a growing trend. I've written short and sweet letters to each and every one of them, but none have reversed their policy.
Repeat: This seems to be a growing trend. It's almost as if no one would waste money on a sign when no one was carrying, and now that more people are carrying, the signage is increasing. I'm beginning to suspect word is being floated around certain civic groups routinely attended by various business owners, and that's having an effect. If so, how might we preemptively counter this?
Here's my latest letter, this one to the store I visited half an hour ago. Please help me make it better i.e. more likely to get them to change their mind:
- No Open Carry of Firearms
- No Public Display of Firearms
- No Firearms
I'd been OCing for two months at this one mom and pop store, when out of the blue, the night clerk who's usually there said, 'Next time, could you leave that thing in the car? Ok by you?"
My answer: 'Nope. Next time I'll shop somewhere that respects my Constitutional right to defend myself. Ok by you?'
He just stood there with his jaw dropped, so I added, "When you keep honest, law-abiding citizens from carrying firearms in your store, you know who takes their place?"
He said, "No..."
I smiled and said, "Criminals. That's who. Good luck with that..." On the way out I checked to see if the place was even posted, and it was not, so I'm wondering what was behind their change of heart.
I've been diligently adding these lobotomites to Friend or Foe, but I'm getting perturbed that this seems to be a growing trend. I've written short and sweet letters to each and every one of them, but none have reversed their policy.
Repeat: This seems to be a growing trend. It's almost as if no one would waste money on a sign when no one was carrying, and now that more people are carrying, the signage is increasing. I'm beginning to suspect word is being floated around certain civic groups routinely attended by various business owners, and that's having an effect. If so, how might we preemptively counter this?
Here's my latest letter, this one to the store I visited half an hour ago. Please help me make it better i.e. more likely to get them to change their mind:
Dear Store:
I'm writing you with respect to a comment made by your store clerk this evening around 10pm. I've been a regular customer in your store since I moved to the area a little more than 2 months ago, and estimate I spend an average of $140 in your store each month.
I served my country as an officer in the United States Military for over 20 years. One of the requirements of that office is an oath, nearly identical to that taken by the President, members of Congress, and various other high-ranking government officials. It states, in part: "I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same..." This refers to the complete amended text of our Constitution, including all 27 amendments, beginning with our Bill of Rights.
Many of your customers are or were in the military. Colorado Springs is full of active duty, guard, reserves, retirees, and veterans, all of whom have taken the same oath (for officers) or a very similar oath (for enlisted).
I was therefore quite taken aback this evening when your store clerk said, "Hey, bud. Next time, do you think you can leave that thing in the car?" He was referring to my properly-holstered firearm.
Colorado is one of the 43 of our 50 United States where open carry is legal. As an honest, law-abiding citizen, I sometimes carry my firearm concealed commensurate with my permit. However, I usually opt for open carry in accordance with our U.S. and Colorado State Constitutions for the same reason as law enforcement: It deters crime.
A sizable number of honest, law-abiding citizens in Colorado Springs open carry. We are well trained, often current or former law enforcement or military. Dozens of us get together several times a year for meals, to help one another with a project, or for range practice.
Criminals, on the other hand, almost never open carry. Thus, when you see someone open carry a properly-holstered firearm, that individual is far less likely to be a criminal than your average citizen off the street.
I've carried a firearm for more than 22 years, both on duty as well as off. I carried both open and concealed. Only once have I ever encountered a situation which required me to draw my firearm. That situation instantly resolved itself the moment my assailant saw that I was carrying. It resolved itself before I actually drew my firearm! That's the deterrent effect of open carry. Had I been carrying concealed, my assailant would have carried through with his attack. I'd much rather deter such events before they happen! Wouldn't you?
When a store or business prohibits open carry, it denies their customers their Constitutional right of self-defense. Few, if any of those stores or businesses are providing their own security. As for law enforcement, you know what they say: "When seconds count, the police are just minutes away." Criminals know this, and take advantage of it every time they rob a store. Law enforcement officers are not first responders against crime. We are, and by we I mean every citizen, whether they're carry firearms or not.
I do not take lightly the sanctity of my Constitutional rights. I and millions of others like me have fought for them since before our country began 235 years ago. In fact, they're why we became a country in the first place. Hundreds of thousands of Americans have died to secure these rights.
Closer to home... Are you aware of what happens with businesses and communities that prohibit the deterrent effect of open carry? Crime goes up. Criminals view gun-free zones as targets of opportunity. When a criminal enters a store where firearms are prohibited, they know no honest, law-abiding citizens carrying firearms are nearby, so they feel much freer to rob such stores than those where they observe honest, law-abiding citizens routinely conducting business.
I hope you do not errantly believe I will take the advice of your store clerk and simply leave my firearm in my vehicle. Our city had nearly three dozen murders, 200 armed robberies in the last 12 months. Many of those robberies occurred in liquor stores! I will not allow myself or my family to be put in harm's by such ignorant practices as denying our right to keep and bear arms. If my firearm is not welcome in your store, then neither am I, nor are the $140 I've spent in your store each month. I've additionally taken the liberty of grading your store's anti-firearms policy in an online database that graphically depicts all such business. Those of us who love our country and the freedoms for which she stands review the database and steer clear of businesses which do not support those freedoms.
If you feel the store clerk's request was in error, or you would simply like more information about how you as a store owner can help decrease crime in our area, please let me know by e-mailing me at abcdefg@hijk.com. I would be glad to discuss the matter with you further.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
I'm writing you with respect to a comment made by your store clerk this evening around 10pm. I've been a regular customer in your store since I moved to the area a little more than 2 months ago, and estimate I spend an average of $140 in your store each month.
I served my country as an officer in the United States Military for over 20 years. One of the requirements of that office is an oath, nearly identical to that taken by the President, members of Congress, and various other high-ranking government officials. It states, in part: "I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same..." This refers to the complete amended text of our Constitution, including all 27 amendments, beginning with our Bill of Rights.
Many of your customers are or were in the military. Colorado Springs is full of active duty, guard, reserves, retirees, and veterans, all of whom have taken the same oath (for officers) or a very similar oath (for enlisted).
I was therefore quite taken aback this evening when your store clerk said, "Hey, bud. Next time, do you think you can leave that thing in the car?" He was referring to my properly-holstered firearm.
Colorado is one of the 43 of our 50 United States where open carry is legal. As an honest, law-abiding citizen, I sometimes carry my firearm concealed commensurate with my permit. However, I usually opt for open carry in accordance with our U.S. and Colorado State Constitutions for the same reason as law enforcement: It deters crime.
A sizable number of honest, law-abiding citizens in Colorado Springs open carry. We are well trained, often current or former law enforcement or military. Dozens of us get together several times a year for meals, to help one another with a project, or for range practice.
Criminals, on the other hand, almost never open carry. Thus, when you see someone open carry a properly-holstered firearm, that individual is far less likely to be a criminal than your average citizen off the street.
I've carried a firearm for more than 22 years, both on duty as well as off. I carried both open and concealed. Only once have I ever encountered a situation which required me to draw my firearm. That situation instantly resolved itself the moment my assailant saw that I was carrying. It resolved itself before I actually drew my firearm! That's the deterrent effect of open carry. Had I been carrying concealed, my assailant would have carried through with his attack. I'd much rather deter such events before they happen! Wouldn't you?
When a store or business prohibits open carry, it denies their customers their Constitutional right of self-defense. Few, if any of those stores or businesses are providing their own security. As for law enforcement, you know what they say: "When seconds count, the police are just minutes away." Criminals know this, and take advantage of it every time they rob a store. Law enforcement officers are not first responders against crime. We are, and by we I mean every citizen, whether they're carry firearms or not.
I do not take lightly the sanctity of my Constitutional rights. I and millions of others like me have fought for them since before our country began 235 years ago. In fact, they're why we became a country in the first place. Hundreds of thousands of Americans have died to secure these rights.
Closer to home... Are you aware of what happens with businesses and communities that prohibit the deterrent effect of open carry? Crime goes up. Criminals view gun-free zones as targets of opportunity. When a criminal enters a store where firearms are prohibited, they know no honest, law-abiding citizens carrying firearms are nearby, so they feel much freer to rob such stores than those where they observe honest, law-abiding citizens routinely conducting business.
I hope you do not errantly believe I will take the advice of your store clerk and simply leave my firearm in my vehicle. Our city had nearly three dozen murders, 200 armed robberies in the last 12 months. Many of those robberies occurred in liquor stores! I will not allow myself or my family to be put in harm's by such ignorant practices as denying our right to keep and bear arms. If my firearm is not welcome in your store, then neither am I, nor are the $140 I've spent in your store each month. I've additionally taken the liberty of grading your store's anti-firearms policy in an online database that graphically depicts all such business. Those of us who love our country and the freedoms for which she stands review the database and steer clear of businesses which do not support those freedoms.
If you feel the store clerk's request was in error, or you would simply like more information about how you as a store owner can help decrease crime in our area, please let me know by e-mailing me at abcdefg@hijk.com. I would be glad to discuss the matter with you further.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Last edited:
(OK, copywriter here, so there might be one or two more 
