Circle K is "Unsafe Zone"

[Fountain]

July 26, 2011

Today I stopped at the Circle K at the intersection of Interstate 10 and SR 281, just west of Pensacola, Florida.

I noticed a “No Guns” sign in the window. I dutifully disarmed myself, and went in to ask about the sign. I asked the assistant manager if this was local or corporate policy.

I was told that it was corporate policy and was, “for our protection”. I told myself that it was not “protection”, but a “target-rich” environment.

I told the assistant manager that her sign told me that I was not welcome in the store, and would not do business there anymore (or until the sign was removed). I did tell her I would contact the corporate office in Phoenix, Arizona, and let them know that I was no-longer a Circle K customer.

Fountain E. Conner

 

[jlanecole]

"Strange things are afoot at the Circle-K." - Ted "Theodore" Logan

Sorry, I couldn't resist...

 

[The Last Standing Knight]

Unless you are OC, then why tell them you have one in the first place? While many of you on this forum might disagree with me, I carry everywhere except certain places (courthouses, etc)...to me, as long as I'm not playing Matt Dillon, it is no one's biz if I got my sidearm or not. To each his own and I'm not suggesting yea or nay on this, but in my book and in this day and age, I've only got one life and I intend on going home at the end of the day.

Convience stores are "convienent" for the crooks...in my neck of the woods they get robbed so often (often by the same knuckleheads) the clerks are almost on a first name basis with the robbers. Telling Circle K's corporate office is fine, but will do little to correct this matter. Some people/companies are just anti-gun and always will be. Sad, but true.

I ain't saying who, but most mom&pop convience stores around here have ARMED clerks.

 

[jlanecole]

I'm curious; does the 'No Guns' sign legally prevent you from carrying in Florida?

Texas has very specific requirements for enforceable signage, I was just wondering.

 

[Retired LTC USAR]

I have three of them I inspect 2X a year, and have not noticed any signs here in KY. I'll have to pay closer attention when I go in one.

 

[photoman]

This from handgunlaw.us ....

”No Firearm” signs in Florida have no force of law unless they are posted on property that is specifically mentioned in State Law as being off limits to those with a Permit/License to Carry.

 

[The Big D]

What? Don't wanna live where you live if that's the current state of affairs in your 'hood. Wow.

...
I ain't saying who, but most mom&pop convience stores around here have ARMED clerks.

 

[feralmerril]

About 17 years ago in california I knew the owner of a circle K down the street. He shot a guy he thought was armed but wasnt. (didnt kill him) He claimed he thought the guy was robbing him and had pointed a gun at him through his pocket. No witness`s. He went to jail, bankrupt and his wife divoriced him.

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

In Oklahoma a private property/business owner has the right to detemine whether or not a CCW is welcome in their place of business. If they post a sign saying guns are not welcome by whatever means they so choose... ya gotta honor their right. I think it's kinda like saying "Thieves are Welcome Here".

 

[The Last Standing Knight]

What? Don't wanna live where you live if that's the current state of affairs in your 'hood. Wow.

I'm quite sure there are parts of your area that are the same...it's no different than anywhere else (unless you live in Detriot). My hood is pretty rough...but not as rough as some areas of the city. Houston has its warzones, too.

 

[OIF2]

A previous poster had the right idea...concealed, low profile, ignore the signs. Worst case scenario you'll be asked to leave. Probably not a good idea to do that in a Post Office, though.
Bob

 

[27145]

Before LEOSA being a NYC cop, it was illegal for me to go into neighboring NJ with a gun. I did it anyway, I thought I might get arrested after I defend myself, but at least I won't be at the morgue. I have pulled over cops from all around the country, once they told me they were a cop, I sent them on their way. I never asked if they were carrying, because I didn't want to know.

I do have to hand it to you for making a stand against a foolish policy though. Unfortunately they probably looked at you like a grumpy gun nut. If good people are not allowed guns, only the bad guys will have them.

On the other hand I can understand the store policy of no guns allowed. Should they get robbed, they can tell the perp; "I am not giving you money out of the cash register, no guns are allowed, can't you read the sign?"

 

[toocool]

I wonder how recent that is? I was in Phoenix two or three years ago and there were no signs at the Circle K's there...I carried with no problems, but then again, no one but I knew...

 

[27145]

A previous poster had the right idea...concealed, low profile, ignore the signs. Worst case scenario you'll be asked to leave. Probably not a good idea to do that in a Post Office, though.
Bob

Or a massage parlor.

 

[photoman]

On the other hand I can understand the store policy of no guns allowed. Should they get robbed, they can tell the perp; "I am not giving you money out of the cash register, no guns are allowed, can't you read the sign?"

‪Gun Free Zones - 1/2 Hour News Hour‬‏ - YouTube

 

[Out West]

About 17 years ago in california I knew the owner of a circle K down the street. He shot a guy he thought was armed but wasnt. (didnt kill him) He claimed he thought the guy was robbing him and had pointed a gun at him through his pocket. No witness`s. He went to jail, bankrupt and his wife divoriced him.

Feral, I know I'm derailing this post, but this story is "some stuff"! Did you know this fellow well enough to say whether or not you believed his story? Was he bankrupted by a civil suit by the victim? We always talk about our guns as defensive weapons and this story is about the worst thing I can imagine happening to a legal CCW.

Out
West

 

[27145]

Feral, I know I'm derailing this post, but this story is "some stuff"! Did you know this fellow well enough to say whether or not you believed his story? Was he bankrupted by a civil suit by the victim? We always talk about our guns as defensive weapons and this story is about the worst thing I can imagine happening to a legal CCW.

Out
West

I will tell you Feral is the man, he has stories for everything. Now I look on the History Channel to see if I can spot him shaking hands with JFK. He is like the Dos Equis commercials, "The most interesting man alive".

I wont get into that case there are so many facets to it. You never know what statements the shooter made to the police etc. So it would just be speculation.

 

[OIF2]

A little thread drift, but maybe not. I worked Los Angeles for over 20 years. LA is very anti-gun, but a pretty good place to be if you actually USE one. I investigated several shootings where the store owner shot the bad guy without any repercussions afterwords. One gentleman, a jeweler on Melrose (Hollywood), shot 6 robbers in 4 different robberies. I think he killed 4. He got his guns back (he carried 2 in the store, with a couple of others stashed in strategic locations) and wasn't screwed with by the DA. Feralmerril's story, though...Hmm...no gun, no wits, not good. That would be a tough one to investigate.
Bob

 

[Stu1205]

I'm curious; does the 'No Guns' sign legally prevent you from carrying in Florida?

Texas has very specific requirements for enforceable signage, I was just wondering.

Unless you are in an area prohibited by Florida law from carrying a firearm there, ignoring the sign is not against the law. However, if the owner of the store sees or knows that you have a gun, and asks you to leave, you must. Otherwise you can be charged with criminal tresspass.

 

[27145]

NYC is the same as LA, the riding DA usually relies on the PD to decide what course of action to take. Any death would result in a grand jury being convened.

I will say this, I would use my firearm to save my life or the life of another, I wouldn't use it to protect property. If I was a clerk in a store and was getting robbed, even with my ccw, I would hand over the cash and even throw in a few lotto tickets. I would only use force if I thought it would prevent an innocent person from dying. I never understood news stories where they had video of unarmed cashiers fighting a perp over a gun. For what? Your minimal wage job and your life?

If I was in a Bank that was being robbed and I thought they would just take the money and run and not hurt anyone, I wouldn't even bother to clear leather. Who cares about property?