I bought a little pocket gun the other day. Today I went to Cabelas to look for a pocket holster. None of the holsters listed my gun as compatible. I picked one off the pegboard that looked like it might fit. I bought it to the gun sales counter and handed empty gun (demoed by me) and holster to I guy I've done business with quite a bit over the last couple years. I wanted him to unbag the holster and test the fit. You would have thought I handed him a hot potatoe. He takes my gun about 20 ft. to talk to a mgr.. Guy comes back and says I broke the rules and gun is "unholstered". The only way I can get it back is when I leave the store. Until then it must be locked (lock put on my gun) up and they must walk me out. So I said a few things and then told them lets go now and you've seen me for the last time. I tried to maintain, but I got really pist off. They walked me out. I got my gun. I've spent my last nickle in that high priced dump. There is no unholstered gun sign. Licensed gun holders can carry in store..

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SOS USA

Most larger shops that I've been in will make you check the gun at the front door and mark it in their own special way (zip tie, chamber flag, etc) if you are bringing one in for service, holster fit, trade or to show off. If you are carrying one they will allow you to continue to carry it, but usually warn the customer not to take it out of the holster for any reason.

I can see why this is their policy because a feller pulled one out a couple of years ago at a shop not too far from me for some reason and another feller asked to see it and when he did, he pulled the trigger and since it was a concealed carry piece- if of course went off and (thankfully) just shattered a showcase. I was not present when this happened.

It is instances such as the above why stores have such a stringent policy.

I'd figure it's best to just take the holster to the gun counter and try to find one in their counter like the one you have if possible.

I can see their concern if they had not checked the arm in question at their front door, which I am certain they likely had a sign saying that all arms supposed to be checked, but I have never been in one of their stores- but that's what happens at other places like big fish'n stores. I will agree that every one of these places are high priced!

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Lost it all in a boat accident

You could get away with that at a locally owned gunshop, but I think that should have pretty much been expected a chain like Cabela's or Bass Pro or Academy Sports. Lesson learned.

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- Change it back -

Andy, I'm sure you are right. But there's no signage about checking guns. In fact there are signs that say if you are bringing a gun in to sell or trade it must be checked in. Signs also say licensed gun carriers are welcome. The gun I brought in was a SIG P290 which they didn't have and no one seems to have a holster for. I'm being stupid, but if they'd have given me my gun back and said get out, I would have been happier, and I'm sure they'll be happier not seeing me again.

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SOS USA

?.........

Pursuing this thread is a waste of time. So lets not. I'm sorry. (Patsy Cline in background) What's on TV tonight? Did you know Oprah is leaving? Did you know Mayor Daley is gone? Arnold has been terminated? Kasinski is being DNA tested to see if he's the Tylenol killer?

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SOS USA

Whatever the SOP for displaying a firearm, etc., that was a very uncomfortable experience. If it had been me, I probably wouldn't go back there either. Not with that memory behind me. TACC1

I hate Oprah.

And Arnold has always been a dog...I don't know why anybody would expect anything different from him.

......

+1. I understand you.

JcMack,

Vote with your feet, I say. You may want to send a polite letter to the store manager but that's up to you. I find letter writing to be somewhat therapeutic.

Chris

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/at least she finds me handy.

I'd be bugged too. I suppose it is a tough spot to be in though for the woker bee employee that if there is a policy then it is important for him to follow it for his own jobs sake (you know there have cameras filming everything they do) . It's one of those scenarios where some jackass has ruined it for everyone else and they store has had to implement a no excpetions policy. But it is equally important that if you are going to have a store policy that affects it's patrons and potentially alienates it's customers, like yourself, then you better have it posted clearly as to not create an uncomfortbale position. I would be providing them with some very clear feedback and if they want to regain my trust then there better be some free stuff coming my way. At least, that's how I run the clinic that I am the boss at. If we screw up then we take accountability and do what we can, within reason, to get back their patronage. I am afraid there just isn't a lot of that going on anymore and this is exponetially true in proportion to the size of the store.