Posted on 10/22/2006 5:25:01 AM PDT by sig226
Costco Bans Guns Fellow newslinks editor Bruce Kraft learned the hard way about Costco's gun ban. Below is his story.
Mark A. Taff
. . . We arrived at the registers, and got rung out. I paid, and as we are getting ready to head out, Brian came up and said that "for the comfort and safety" of their employees and guests, he asked that I leave my gun outside.
I said "No problem, sorry if I caused any fuss." I then asked if this was the policy of the Eden Prairie store, or a company-wide policy. He said it was company policy. I asked if I could get some sort of written statement or copy of the policy, because there were 35,000 permit holders in the state of Minnesota alone who were going to want to know about it.
Oh, and since they didn't want me in their store could they please return my groceries. Brian said "Oh, no, your perfectly welcome to shop here, we just" at which point I cut him off saying "You just asked me to leave, so obviously I am *not* welcome here, and neither is my money." (I have played out scenarios like this in my mind for several years, it was gratifying that he kept giving me all the right straight lines).
(snip)
Bruce continues:
"BTW, their letter is misleading, I never raised the issue of civil rights, because I firmly believe that companies have every right to ban whomever they please, I just think it is not fair for them to hide the fact."
You can read a pdf of the letter Costco sent to Bruce.
Call Costco at 1-800-774-2678 and give them your feedback on their gun ban policy.
(Excerpt) Read more at keepandbeararms.com ...
Why get your back up about this? This isn't the government violating the 2nd ammendment. Costco is a private enterprise with the right to establish policies for what happens in their own stores. Or do private property rights not apply to big, Northeastern stores run by liberals?
Two points:
- It is always good to fight the anti-gun mentality.
- Costco wishes to have its cake and eat it too by not publicizing the gun ban.
And just as Costco has the right to not allow guns, so does this person have the right to withdraw their business, publicize Costco's policies and encourage others to boycott Costco.
The nature of my occupation makes that a moot issue...
Bull the guy makes out that:
1. Costco asked him to leave they did not.
2. The guy seems to enjoy the fact that the clerk was intimadated.
3. He points out that he did not make this a rights issue, I call bull on that.
Let me think.
Bully
Moans about his civil rights couldn't give a crap about the rights of others
No respect for private enterprise
Thinks he's the center of the universe and that only his opinion matters
Sounds like a liberal to me.
You've obvioiusly never been around the store in Van Nuys/North Hollywood, CA, have you? ;o)
Wrong. He said they did not want him to come back with his gun.
2. The guy seems to enjoy the fact that the clerk was intimadated.
Seems. That's a liberal kind of word.
3. He points out that he did not make this a rights issue, I call bull on that.
Where did he say he had a right to carry a gun on Costco property?
Let me think.
That must be quite an effort on your part.
Bully
I thought you said you were going to start thinking.
Moans about his civil rights couldn't give a crap about the rights of others
Still waiting.
No respect for private enterprise
Ah, I see you are thinking of ways to make claims about this guy that are not backed by the evidence.
Thinks he's the center of the universe and that only his opinion matters
And now I see you have given up that modest amount of thought and are just pulling nonsense out of your arse.
Sounds like a liberal to me.
Sounds like projection on your part.
See post #140 and get back to us.
Boycotts work.
Not in all states. In GA and some other states a store or business can only ask you to leave the premises or remove your gun. If you refuse to leave you can be charged with trespassing, but not for violating the conditions of your CC permit. That doesn't apply to establishments in GA which serve alcohol, those places are strictly off limits to concealed weapons no matter how the owner or manager feels about it.
Yep. Never show it to anyone unless you are pulling the trigger...
Costco bans guns
LOL nice try Dirtboy but you fail to answer any of my points. The guy got all turned on when he "scared" the clerk. He brags about the size of his chest and that he's an oh so scary type of guy.
If he was carrying a concealed weapon then why was it noticed. The guy sounds like a stereotypical ass.
As to his rights he whines that he never made it an issue, Evil Costco did ROTFLMAO I still call bull.
For the same reasons I carry it everywhere else...
You need to read AND think before posting.
The man readily acknowledged each fact that you point out, including the right of Costco (or any other private busineess) to prohibit the carrying of firearms on their property.
It's not clear to me what your complaint is about.
That's interesting, My SAM'S Club has some of the BEST and LARGEST steaks and chopped sirloin (pre-formed) burgers I have ever seen or tasted. For extremely reasonable prices.
I CCW into SAM'S all the time. I haven't seen any signage that forbids it but I don't look very hard either. Here in Floida, a business policy does not have the force of law until it's violated twice in the same incident or day. Meaning that if you carry concealed onto premises where a business prefers you not...and you are detected...you may be asked to leave. IF you return...still armed and are AGAIN detected, you may be arrested for "Trespass After Warning," a misdemeanor.
As the holidays approach and we have not yet been attacked again and I think of all the fat juicy sheep wandering the malls....and then I think of my wife (no sheep but vulnerable) shopping along with the rest of the grazing flock.....believe you me....I'm armed everywhere, including church. No more "mouse guns" either. Serious caliber's for serious times.
That's understandable. When I find a good deal, I tend to spend a lot more than if I don't have a bargin.
Think of coming upon a gas station selling gas for $1.25 per galllon. How much would you buy?
It's private property.
Don't you enforce certain standards when others enter your own property?
My complaint is that the guy encourages people to boycott COSTCO for some percieved insult and or violation they commited against him.
COSTCO does none of these thing IMHO and the guy comes off as an ass.
And no he doesn't acknowledge the fact that scaring a clerk who is only trying to do his friggin job is not funny.
He also doesn't explain how a supposedly concealed weapon made other shoppers uncomfortable (doesn't sound too concealed to me)
He also doesn't admit that they did NOT ask him to leave they asked his gun to. He pitifully attempts to make it about him when it's really about him flashing a friggin concealed weapon in a store.
What he does admit is:
(I have played out scenarios like this in my mind for several years, it was gratifying that he kept giving me all the right straight lines).
Why do I get the vision of Travis Bickle standing in front of a mirror mumbling over and over again "Are you talking to me" when I read this hmmm
It's private property that is also commercial property.
Costco has every right to ban guns on their property.
And people have the right to tell Costco that they will not give them business if they ban guns on their property. And also to encourage others to boycott Costco over this issue.
Your position is more like that of the Dixie Chicks - who want to exercise their rights but still demand that patrons subsidize them if the patrons disagree with their stated positions.
The only financial figure I care about it this: I save about one third on the price of drug items, paper goods, meats, soft drinks, and the like over what I would pay at the supermarket.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.