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 ...
Ummm...because they let the general public in there?
I have shopped Costco a couple times and haven’t noticed a “No Weapons Allowed” sign posted at the entrance.
It appears just lately that one should even carry a concealed weapon if one is visiting an Amish schoolhouse.
He should have asked if Costco was frisking all customers, or had installed metal detectors, so that those carrying guns into the store illegally could be caught. That would really assure their customers and give them peace of mind.
"They are a responsibility, a pain in the butt to carry, expensive and definitly not PC."
That's great...but your right to carry ends at my property line. The basis of our civilization is private property rights.
That's also great. Just remember that if I park my car in your public lot, Your property ends where the bottom of my tires start. But that's ok. I won't be shopping at your store.
By federal statute...
"If Costco doesn't want guns in their stores it's their business."
They used to say the same thing about blacks. I don't think stores have the right to curtail our civil rights, which carrying a gun is.
It's their right to ban guns in their stores, and it's my right not to shop there. :-)
There's no way to know for sure, but I suspect he made that part up just to keep from looking like he left with his tail between his legs after being told he couldn't enter the store with his gun.
Quote: "It was cool outside, so I was wearing a heavy flannel shirt over my polo shirt and shoulder holster. I was carrying my usual Para-Ordnance P-14, with a stainless finish. As we came in I flashed the membership card to the greeter, and paused to take off my flannel shirt."
Claiming to have told them to return all his stuff is more macho sounding than claiming to have been obedient to the door checker.
Which Costco location do you use, hsm3?
Butter 4 lbs for 6 bucks! Can't beat that. They do pretty good on tires too.
I support gun rights and have a CCW myself. Costco is a private business. I support the right of any private business to run their business the way they see fit. I don't see a problem here.
Forget that. This is an obvious situation justifying civil disobedience. Unless they have burly guards armed with metal detectors, they cant stop you. Do what you want. Carry as you wish. It's CONCEALED after all. It's none of their business what you legally have on your person out of sight. If they ask to search, ask them for a warrant. That provision is all fine and dandy, but they have to know you are carrying before they can do anything...and SUSPECTING that your are carrying ain't enough.
Can't speak for Costcos because I do not shop at one, however, I can tell you that assaults in the parking lots of Walmarts, K-Marts, Sams Clubs, and many malls are quite common. Often, one of the most dangerous times is when you are getting back to your car. A group of thugs pulling up and assaulting/robbing someone as they are about to enter their car is a common tactic.
Although it was probably the last thing the author intended, the above is a cut and dried case against open carry. Concealed Carry is most certainly the better way to go for many reasons.
Among them:
When citizens carry concealed, no one knows who is carrying and who is not. This is good for honest people and bad for criminals.
When carrying concealed, no one is intimidated by scary man with tattoos and a gun.
When carrying concealed, clerks at Costco......
Do you also support the right of citizens to complain to businesses about their practices?
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