Posted on 12/03/2012 5:07:19 PM PST by marktwain
A handful of local businesses have posted signs banning, or welcoming, firearms since the state's open carry law went into effect Nov. 1. But many, possibly apprehensive to offend customers, have decided to wait and see if open carry becomes an issue first.
Business owners have the right to control the presence of guns on their premises and it appears many are treading carefully since the open carry law went into effect Nov. 1.
Signs banning, or welcoming, legal firearms are not widespread. Business owners face a difficult decision: if they ban firearms, will they alienate pro-gun customers? But if they allow them, will customers become uncomfortable if someone comes in carrying a gun?
(Excerpt) Read more at newsok.com ...
It would alienate me. Pi$$ me off a bit too.
In Oklahoma a sign carries no legal weight other than to display the bias of the business owner. If the business owner discovers that a gun owner is armed, the business owner can ask him to leave the premises. If the gun owner refuses to leave then he is guilty only of trespassing.
Same here in the State of Washington. Except no carry in bars. A “family friendly” type bar with a bar in one area and family friendly eating in another area is okay - if you are in the family area. Although they almost ALWAYS have the “No Firearms” sign out front.
Here in Colorado, you can conceal carry in a bar, and drink while doing it. You just can’t be drunk.
Luckily, I have a bar in my home.
I 100% support the right of private businesses to decide for themselves. That said, I think from a marketing perspective just saying nothing is the best approach. It is getting harder to find to find anyone who doesn’t understand that “in the land of the blind the one-eyed jack is king”.
My employer will not post no carry signs and has actively encouraged all properly trained employees to carry at work.
In my house, neighborhood, local stores, malls, church, and employer carrying is at minimum bot discouraged.
As often as I carry openly, (about a third of the time,) someone notices roughly once every year or two. No one’s ever made a hostile remark. I have a hunch open carry in Oklahoma is going to prove a non-issue.
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