Bass Pro Shops and checking your gun at the door

[Gunhacker]

At first read, I was chagrined by the BP policy ... until I realized how many times I've been muzzle swept by sundry generic morons, weekend warriors, mall ninjas, and clueless gun carrying buffoons at LGS, ranges, etc. The policy is a good one that protects patrons from some jackwagon putting a hole through them courtesy of mishandling his/her CCW.

And in addition to the above, I for one as a gun owner and CCW permit holder, do not want the negative publicity that would come with an AD seriously injuring or killing an innocent bystander, swaying the court of public opinion against CCW or 2nd Amendment rights.

State "shall issue" CCW permit laws as prevalent as what they have become today, was the result of hard earned pro-gun legislation battles and fragile public opinion swinging in our direction. I don't need some careless idiot making the national news proving the opposing correct.

When you go to a public range, do you have any problems abiding by the range safety rules that limits what you can and can not do or how and when you can handle your weapon while you are there, or even think twice about it?

So what's the diff with abiding by the safety rules of other establishments while you are there? And come on folks... if BPS was really anti 2nd Amendment rights, would they even be selling firearms or sponsoring shooting sport events... remember "Top Shot" on the History channel?

 

[Switch]

Interesting discussion here. My thought on going to a range is that the gun I'm going to shoot at the range will be unloaded when I enter the facility. The gun I carry concealed will stay both loaded and concealed.

I had to chuckle this last Sunday, I went to a gun show right after church so was in suit and tie. I stopped by the officer at the door and showed him my Ret. Leo ID and without really even checking it thoroughly, he told me to "go right on in, Sir". As I turned to leave, I heard a woman ask, "who is that?" and the officer replied, "I don't know but he must be someone big." I attributed that to the way I was dressed as everyone else in the gun show was in levis, shorts, or extremely casual dress. Maybe he thought I was ATF or FBI... Had to chuckle to myself.

 

[GaryS]

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

It matters not that it's a private company, not the government doing it. It's the principle involved. I've never seen a sign like that at the local BP, but then again I've never considered drawing a weapon to check holster fit inside a store.

If they had such a sign, I'd have to give serious consideration to not shopping there. If I'm competent enough to carry a concealed firearm on the street, then I'm competent enough to carry one in a store.

 

[wharvey]

As others have mentioned, it depends on the state. I've not seen and no gun signs at any Bass Pro I've been to but it is kind of stupid to unconceal it in public if you don't have to use it. Unnecessary handling will eventually lead to a negligent discharge.

 

[mbliss57]

Gander M here has the same policy. I don't buy from them.
SO does Top Gun which does a lot of on line sales..I don't go there either.

 

[MarkDozier]

i was in Bass Pro Shop in TX once. They almost threw me out becuase I wasn't carrying at the time

 

[Old TexMex]

i was in Bass Pro Shop in TX once. They almost threw me out becuase I wasn't carrying at the time

And I used to drink in a joint in San Antonio where they checked you for a gun and if you didn't have one, the doorman would lend you one of his. Very polite crowd.
But seriously, the difference between unalienable rights and inalienable rights are profound. Dictionaries are really interesting and enlightening things. I lived in Australia when the "buy back" scheme happened. They have no "Bill of Rights"that might restrict government of the day setting all sorts of standards regarding speech, property and weapons.

 

[Dikinalaska]

Interesting to read through this thread. Here in AK you don't need a permit to cc. So we all know that means far too many people that have no idea what they're doing slap a gun in their belt and call it good. The big name store I go to doesn't mind about cc, but they do check the weapons at the door. No lock though, just a red flag wrapped around it. I don't really see the point because witty you were going to do something all ammo and mags are out in tho open, but oh well. I would prefer a "no carry" policy there though because every time I'm there, without fail, there's someone looking at a gun and points or sweeps it across someone. On more than one occasion I've looked and noticed the individual in question was carrying.