Scott-
• I guess I will buy online from now on instead of Shade Tree. Too bad for them because I spend good money there. It’s not because of you, it’s because I don’t shop where the signs are either. It is very strange because they cater to the people you said and it’s rare us folks don’t like our guns. I mean, if I rode up to a place on my bike and saw the sign, I am not going back to the bike and putting it in a side pack and leave it unattended. I am going to hop on the bike and shop elsewhere and tell everyone at the next bike night the deal.


• What is your store policy? I can’t find anything in CC Handbook that says you can’t carry in a place that sells firearms, which makes sense because some places sell other things along with firearms. I know of a dealer that will not let you enter with a loaded gun. Just curious because I don’t know.


• One other thing. Recently I was in a store where a worker was scared when she saw I had a concealed pistol. I reached for something on a shelf and she saw it. She turned WHITE as a ghost. I was pretty sure I knew what the issue was so I asked. She asked me if I was going to rob them? I said no, explained I have my permit and showed her the permit. She asked if I was an off duty cop and I said no. She didn’t realize you could carry a concealed firearm. The employee had a long chat with me and even said that she might look into getting one for herself because she is at the store late and they have no security. I directed her online and to a friend of mine that gives the classes. It sure seems like if you take the time to explain to someone your reasons and they think about the benefits to them, well hell, they become a supporter too.

Thanks
John

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John:  Thanks for writing.  Let's look at your three comments in order.

1.  I don't know what Shade Tree is thinking.  By placing a "No-Gun" sign, they are endangering their employees by saying to any criminal that there will NOT be any resistance within...  This has been proven over and over again - LOOK AT THE FACTS...  These nut cases who are going to shoot a place up go to GUN FREE ZONES.  Look at the mall shootings, look at the school shootings - THESE PLACES ALL HAVE 'NO-GUN' SIGNS!  THEY ARE POSTED ALL OVER:  NO GUNS ALLOWED.  Come on, only the dumbest most ignorant uneducated bastard would be stupid enough to believe for a second THAT A CRIMINAL IS GOING TO READ A SIGN AND DISARM!   What has this country come to?  PEOPLE ARE STUPID SHEEP.  ABSOLUTELY BRAIN DEAD.  INTELLIGENCE IS BEING BRED OUT OF THE HUMAN RACE LIKE INTELLIGENCE WAS BRED OUT OF CATTLE.  Criminals, by definition, BREAK THE LAW.  Criminals LOOK for unarmed people to rob.  You don't hear of someone coming into a cop shop or a gun store or a firing range and start shooting people do you?  Case closed.  "No Gun" signs endanger employees AND customers in any given posted venue.  Period.  Shade Tree is losing TONS of business because of that sign.  I've heard my customers talk about it before, but never believed it until I drove over the other day and say it myself.  As I said, I sold over 50 guns to one of the family members...  I guess they can have guns, but their customers can NOT.  That speaks volumes to me about their philosophy and their business.  Yes, I too will order from the internet or Dennis Kirk.   www.denniskirk.com.   Or shop locally at Geauga Power Sports in Burton.   THEY DO NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST GUN OWNERS.   

2.  I WELCOME and encourage my customers to carry their handguns concealed in my store.  I LOVE IT because they have my back!   If someone tries to rob me, I would have five customers with guns out and in their face to disarm them.  ALL of my workers carry fully loaded handguns and KNOW how to use them.  In addition, we have other "surprises" in the store as well for those who might threaten us.  There's an old saying:  "An armed society is a polite society."  John, in my store, EVERYONE IS QUITE POLITE AND RESPECTFUL.  Wonder why?  The only sign I have in the front of my store is a photo of the national embarrassment Messiah with a caption that reads:  "Gun Salesman of the Year". 

3.  Remember that when wearing a gun concealed, it must STAY CONCEALED for just the reason you give.  The sight of a firearm can spook some sheep.  The liberal media has somehow equated firearms with drugs and violence.  You and I know that's not the truth.  GUNS PREVENT VIOLENCE.  You did the right thing in showing your license and talking with the management.  You educated them which was great!  Good job!  I'm amazed at how anti-intellectual the average person is - this gal didn't even KNOW about concealed carry...  Oh my...  It's been in the headline for ten years now in Ohio...  What ARE these teachers teaching in high school government?  GLOBAL WHINING or what?  They need to address the REAL issues of the day.  I used to start my classes out every day talking about CURRENT ISSUES and HEADLINES.  The kids loved it and learned something.  See two posts ago where a man in Kroger's is fighting them because his kid pulled up his shirt and exposed his gun.  Very interesting.  Generally you want to keep your gun covered and not say anything.  I NEVER let the general public know I'm carrying a firearm.  The element of surprise to criminals is then YOURS and YOURS exclusively!  Nothing surprises a criminal like a "victim" who produces a gun and takes control of the situation!