Bass Pro Shops and checking your gun at the door

[David LaPell]

I had heard this one today, about a concealed weapon's holder who went into Bass Pro Shops and went looking at holsters. When he asked the clerk at the gun counter about fitting a holster to his carry gun, the clerk told him his gun needed to have a lock put on it at the door. The lock would preclude him from doing anything with the gun, and it also made it impossible for him to check the gun with a holster. The clerk told him he would have to buy the holster, check it outside and if it didn't fit, bring the holster back in for a refund. So I emailed Bass Pro Shops about this, and what I was told was the following.

Dear David,

Thank you for contacting basspro.com. Your business is truly appreciated. Most of our stores do ask that you check and have your weapons secured upon entering a store. If you are wishing to know the guidelines for carrying a firearm into one of our stores you will need to contact the store directly. You can find the contact information for our stores from the link below. Please contact us again if you require further assistance.

 

[Magster]

Dose this apply to someone with a legal carry permit at all their stores?

 

[Magster]

Even though he said most stores I wonder if it's all stores. Whichever way it is it's just wrong. They will lose a lot of business and they should. I will not shop at a store that dose not support the legal right to carry.

 

[nawilson]

Dose this apply to someone with a legal carry permit at all their stores?

It really depends on the state law. Here in Georgia it has no effect. Personally, I always wonder about a gun store that doesn't want its customers to carry. Kind of the opposite of drumming up business...

 

[McBear]

It really depends on the state law. Here in Georgia it has no effect. Personally, I always wonder about a gun store that doesn't want its customers to carry. Kind of the opposite of drumming up business...

Many of the LGS that I go to have big signs on the door that disallow loaded firearms in their stores. A couple that have ranges. Loading is done in the range proper.

 

[SAFireman]

Our local Bass Pro Shops allows CHL's to carry.

I think that their objection comes from a patron handling a loaded firearm within the walls of the store. Personally, I would not feel comfortable with anyone 'trying out new holsters' with their carry gun. I really don't want to be around anyone in the store who is loading/unloading their carry piece....."Keep it CONCEALED!"

Probably best for all involved...a safety concern is not them denying anyone their ability to carry legally.

 

[Smith357]

Rules to keep your CCW piece concealed are SOP around here. The gun stores don't care if you carry, just keep it concealed. The last thing they need is everyone whipping out their loaded guns and trying out holsters or whipping it out to show off you personal mods, It's called concealed carry for a reason, keep it in your pants please. If I want a holster from a LGS I will use a gun from under the counter to check fit. If I'm at a gunshow I bring the gun I'm trying to fit in a rug with a tie.

 

[nipster]

It really depends on the state law. Here in Georgia it has no effect. Personally, I always wonder about a gun store that doesn't want its customers to carry. Kind of the opposite of drumming up business...

Here is the deal, depending on state law, those signs "No Concealed weapons" or "No loaded weapons" are usually not legally binding. They are not in my state either (Florida). You could legally carry, loaded or not if you have a CCP. However, know your laws.

HOWEVER, any store can have their own policy, forbidding you to carry, and if you refuse to abide by their policy, they can have you arrested or at least given a formal trespass warning. Remember, trespassing + having a gun (CCP or not) = an ARMED TRESPASS charge in some states (like mine) which is a felony and you lose your gun rights, ccp and possibly guns.

You are also under no legal requirement to disclose, but if asked to leave / unload, remove your concealed weapon, you MUST comply. Or you face arrest, or if you are lucky, just a tresspass warning.

You need to know your state laws.

I also do not see the logic in gun stores discouraging carry, but it's their store... you need to play by their rules. It could end badly.

 

[nipster]

Rules to keep your CCW piece concealed are SOP around here. The gun stores don't care if you carry, just keep it concealed. The last thing they need is everyone whipping out their loaded guns and trying out holsters or whipping it out to show off you personal mods, It's called concealed carry for a reason, keep it in your pants please. If I want a holster from a LGS I will use a gun from under the counter to check fit. If I'm at a gunshow I bring the gun I'm trying to fit in a rug with a tie.

Or ask first if you can use your gun before you go pulling it. It's my experience if you ask them, most of the time they dont have a problem with it.

 

[Florida Guy]

I shoot at BP almost every week.
They put a lock on each gun at the door which is removed by the range officer upstairs at the range. They also re-install the lock when you are finished shooting which is removed by the guy at the front door.
There is a sign on front of building stating no loaded firearms allowed.
I really don't like their policy, but am used to it at this point.

 

[Magster]

I shoot at BP almost every week.
They put a lock on each gun at the door which is removed by the range officer upstairs at the range. They also re-install the lock when you are finished shooting which is removed by the guy at the front door.
There is a sign on front of building stating no loaded firearms allowed.
I really don't like their policy, but am used to it at this point.

And this is the problem. The gradual erosion of our rights with us getting used to each step.

 

[Pote]

time to take that business elsewhere. I think its bull. there are plenty of other outdoor shops that allow you to take in your guns. I mean really? they make money off of the man who has guns, yet they want him to relinquish his 2nd A rights at the door? uh, no. Just like any other store with that policy, I don't shop there anymore.

 

[Silversmok3]

The reason they have this policy is pragmatism in the "Age of Litigation".

Let us assume a business like Bass Pro suffers a spree shooter who begins a rampage with a firearm. In the aftermath,the victims' families would be all but running to Schiester & McSchiester for a civil damages lawsuit against Bass Pro for "permitting armed guests". The premise being that because BPS permitted armed customers, they contributed to the decision of some crazed maniac to go on a rampage.

Thus the "disarm at the door" signs.

Most large retail stores have "no gun" signs for that reason. If there is a place to boycott it is the tort lawyers of America.

 

[Magster]

In my eyes
,the store owners with these signs at the door, are putting store policy ahead of the US Constitution. I believe nothing comes before OUR Constitution.

 

[nipster]

The reason they have this policy is pragmatism in the "Age of Litigation".

I agree. It does not "make it right", but that is their excuse.

Let us assume a business like Bass Pro suffers a spree shooter who begins a rampage with a firearm. In the aftermath,the victims' families would be all but running to Schiester & McSchiester for a civil damages lawsuit against Bass Pro for "permitting armed guests". The premise being that because BPS permitted armed customers, they contributed to the decision of some crazed maniac to go on a rampage.

A really lousy excuse. How about we all never leave the house because maybe someone will come out of nowhere and kill us. Lawyers exist just for stuff like this, ambulance chasers.

Most large retail stores have "no gun" signs for that reason. If there is a place to boycott it is the tort lawyers of America.

I rarely ever see signs like that. Pretty much the only places I see them are gun shops, pawn shops and place like that. I never see them in retail stores. I dont have a bass pro shops near me, so I cant say I ever saw their sign. I dont remember if they had it or not at the only one I have been to near Atlanta.

 

[nipster]

In my eyes
,the store owners with these signs at the door, are putting store policy ahead of the US Constitution. I believe nothing comes before OUR Constitution.

I am not going to defend stores that have these silly policies, but let me clarify one thing.

The US Constitution does not stop companies from stopping you from doing anything.

The bill of rights to constitution starts with "congress shall make no laws..."

Not "bass pro shops shall make no laws..."

The constitution stops our government from doing things, not individuals or companies. That's why you have no first amendment right to say what you want at work.

Food for thought anyway.

 

[bp231986]

AT my LGS/Range they have a sign that reads " WE encourage LEGAL carry"

 

[McBear]

And this is the problem. The gradual erosion of our rights with us getting used to each step.

I have found, in having this discussion over the past few years is in the use of "OUR". As in "The gradual erosion of our rights". That differs greatly if you are talking about a gun owner and his 2nd Amendment rights or a small businessman and his free market, free enterprise rights. In this instance neither side wants a "gradual erosion of rights"...and both have valid arguments.

 

[Poodle Soup]

You have the right to carry a gun and shop where ever you want. Business owners have the right to deny anyone service. Is it a dumb choice? I think so. I personally just ignore the signs saying no guns allowed because there not going to see mine unless I have to use it.

 

[NE450No2]

I really do not think it is a good thing to take out a loaded gun in a store and be trying it in holsters.

If I was going to do that I would take the gun to the store unloaded.

I would have another gun as my CHL for that day.

Also I will NEVER shop, or eat, in any business that is against legal concealed carry.

Before I moved, the bank I did business with had a sign that stated to the effect that, "Many of our Customers are Legally carrying Concealed Weapons in accordince with State Law.

They has another sign that stated Legally Concealed Handguns Welcome Here.