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 ...
I usta shop Costco regularly and NEVER saw the three feet by four feet signs required by South Caolina's SECTION 23-31-235. Sign requirements.
(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, any requirement of or allowance for the posting of signs prohibiting the carrying of a concealable weapon upon any premises shall only be satisfied by a sign expressing the prohibition in both written language interdict and universal sign language.
(B) All signs must be posted at each entrance into a building where a concealable weapon permit holder is prohibited from carrying a concealable weapon and must be:
(1) clearly visible from outside the building;
(2) eight inches wide by twelve inches tall in size;
(3) contain the words "NO CONCEALABLE WEAPONS ALLOWED" in black one-inch tall uppercase type at the bottom of the sign and centered between the lateral edges of the sign;
(4) contain a black silhouette of a handgun inside a circle seven inches in diameter with a diagonal line that runs from the lower left to the upper right at a forty-five degree angle from the horizontal;
(5) a diameter of a circle; and
(6) placed not less than forty inches and not more than sixty inches from the bottom of the building's entrance door.
(C) If the premises where concealable weapons are prohibited does not have doors, then the signs contained in subsection (A) must be:
(1) thirty-six inches wide by forty-eight inches tall in size;
(2) contain the words "NO CONCEALABLE WEAPONS ALLOWED" in black three- inch tall uppercase type at the bottom of the sign and centered between the lateral edges of the sign;
(3) contain a black silhouette of a handgun inside a circle thirty-four inches in diameter with a diagonal line that is two inches wide and runs from the lower left to the upper right at a forty-five degree angle from the horizontal and must be a diameter of a circle whose circumference is two inches wide;
(4) placed not less than forty inches and not more than ninety-six inches above the ground;
(5) posted in sufficient quantities to be clearly visible from any point of entry onto the premises.
Why don't you explain why you put a seatbelt on when you get in your car?
Minnesota's law doesn't have a sign requirement. You can carry into the store unless a sign is posted saying otherwise or unless the store staff ask you to leave.
Well, I suppose so, but statistically the chances of that are so small it seems ridiculous to me.
It is entirely within Costco's rights to ban guns, or smoking, or any other activity within their stores. Customers can choose to patronize them or not in response to their policy.
It sounds as if this individual has made his choice, as is his right.
I put on a seatbelt on because otherwise the car dings at me while I drive.
Now, ask Air Force Brat that. It was their question to begin with.
My point, if it's corporate policy then SC's stores are behind the times. I think they pander too vigorously to be legal.
Good people should be armed where they will with wits and guns.
Where do you think one should be carried?
LOL.Now, THAT'S funny.
UHHHH, so that they have it if they need it. We that carry do so with the hope that the gun is never needed but that if it is, we don't want to say, "Oh crap, my gun is in my car. Please mister bad guy, I call time out so that I can go up to my car and retrieve my gun. I never thought that a robber/killer would come into a store where it is clearly posted that no guns are allowed." Does that help answer your question?
I think the greeter said something to the effect, "Is that a pistol in your pants or are you just happy to be at Costco..."
Not really, Costco is there to make money selling products. If they don't have customers, they don't make any money. Besides, Sam's Club is cheaper.
Why don't you explain why you put a seatbelt on when you get in your car?
The major driver of this attitude with most large corporations is often some east coast lawyer who is afraid that they will be subject to a lawsuit if they fail to take a public stand that prohibits firearms.
What is needed is first a law from "shall issue" states that clearly places the liability on the store if they ban firearms and a person was attacked at the store, could have protected themselves with their firearm.
Until such a law is passed and tested by the courts, establishing clear liability on the company's part, we will continue to see this kind of reaction.
Why would anyone feel the need to carry anywhere?
I carry at all times up to and including at church. This is what a practical person does. Because if I need a gun I will need it "RIGHT NOW!"
Hmm. Costco's customer base - "Mr. Gun Toter" = one less Costco customer in Costco's customer base.
No, I do believe your math is faulty. The loss is indeed Costco's.
The math gets worse for Costco. This thread will almost certainly result in the loss of more customers and make other potential customers to decide Costco just isn't the slice of left wing mercantalism they're looking for.
Just curious......do you have a fire exstinquisher or smoke detector in your home? Even thought statistically the chancees of a fire are so small.
Wow. Just wow. Please think before you post next time.
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