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?

 

[feralmerril]

Out west, got your message, sent you a p.m. The owner told me his version before his trial. All I know for sure is he went to jail (dont know how long) heard they got sued, lost the store and got a divorice. His story didnt keep him out of jail. I knew his nephew, maybe I can locate him when I go back on a visit and get the skinny. FM

 

[feralmerril]

I dug this story up that I probley posted here before maybe 6 months ago on another thread. Hopefully you havent seen it before, but it is about this subject albeit around 85 years ago.

Back around 1920 my mothers family ran a large country general store with another family, also in wisconsin. All lived above the store. A man through gravel at the upstairs windows trying to get attention for gas in the middle of the night. In those days it wasnt unusual.
Grandpa got up to pump them some gas. It was two robbers, grandpa remembered them earlier when they must have cased the store. They threw down on him and walked him into the store to open the safe. Grandpas partner, heine priess and his wife gussie heard the commotion and heine started down the stairs with a pistol in his hand. Gussie followed heine down the stairs, so was above him. One of the robbers yelled to heine ta "stick em up!" Heine raised his hands with the gun, and gussie grabbed heine,s gun out of his raised hand, stepped down and started to beat the crook over his head with the gun! The other robber shot her through the arm! Didnt kill her, I met her and heine when I was a kid. They pulled the job and got away. The next day or two later the sheriff in the neighboring county had heinie and grandpa come over to identify a body. Later the same night the pair broke into another store and the next morning a body was found at the door.
This happened at auroaville wisconsin, and I belive the other store was at horicon wisconsin, about 40 miles away. Also they were dressed in army overcoats, so I kind of surmise they were soliders returning from world war one. Seems I heard that.
Years went by and both familys moved to anaheim california and opened another store. ( think about 7 years later.) Grandpa and heine were downtown LA on business on a street car. They reconised the other robber! They had him arrested and he copped out to not only robbing them but to killing his partner that night and many crimes since.
He said they hit that other store and accidently shot his partner while climbing through the transom over the door!
As I was told, I dont think the robber did all that much time as so much time had passed etc. I know I read a old clipping my mother kept on it and I think I might have it in storage. Mom said she was about 6 years old when it happened and she was born in 1914. This all happened at auroaville wisconsin. The other store was at horicon wisconsin, about 40 miles away. Seems I was told they might have been soliders returning from world war one, as mom said they both were wearing army overcoats. I was raised in another store grandpa built after that one burned. (My mom ran the newer store at auroaville durring world war two.)

 

[oldman45]

Old news.

The Southland Corp owns Circle K and is one of the largest supporters of the anit gun movement in the US.

Every Circle K has a small sign (may not be legal in some areas) saying what is not legal in their window near the door.

I do not trade with Circle K or any of their other stores owned by Southland Corp.

 

[blujax01]

....

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 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?

Totally agree. And to those who carry in spite of "no Guns Allowed" signs, you're making life difficult for those of us who uphold the laws requiring CCW holders to heed these signs. Mark my words, the Anti's are looking for any opportunity to take away our CCW privileges and you're spoon-feeding them reasons with your stubbornness. At least give up your CCW license. That way when you are arrested, the headlines won't read:
"Gun Nuts Ignore Concealed Carry Laws - Pack Heat Wherever They Please!"

 

[oldman45]

Totally agree. And to those who carry in spite of "no Guns Allowed" signs, you're making life difficult for those of us who uphold the laws requiring CCW holders to heed these signs. Mark my words, the Anti's are looking for any opportunity to take away our CCW privileges and you're spoon-feeding them reasons with your stubbornness. At least give up your CCW license. That way when you are arrested, the headlines won't read:
"Gun Nuts Ignore Concealed Carry Laws - Pack Heat Wherever They Please!"

I agree. Do not break the law by doing something wrong. Shop elsewhere.

 

[daveh75]

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.

I am from the Dallas area and my wife is from the Houston area...don't go unarmed in either area , of course I work in the Nation's Capital....had to do some work in one of the buildings up there and the particular agency I was working with told me I couldn't carry inside the building, but they didn't want me to run around DC without it....so I came back when they could escort me....makes you wonder doesn't it....

 

[daveh75]

I agree. Do not break the law by doing something wrong. Shop elsewhere.

I can see the validity of both points of view: if you carry where it is prohibited and have to use deadly force to protect life...then you are alive but end up either in jail/prison and subject to a civil law suit and your actions give fuel to the anti-gun crowd; on the other hand if you continue to do business with an organization that prohibits lawful carry and then are faced with a life and death situation....well you can fill in the gaps....both are good points and I won't claim to give advice either way, for me it is a simple solution: 1) avoid those establishments that don't allow CC, 2) become and remain proficient at other forms of self-defense that aren't posted as being prohibited....yeah I know someone is going to laugh at my "kung-fu grip"....but hey I can sleep at night

 

[Lost Lake]

This Heine story has me wondering... We live not far from Horicon, WI and frequent an OLD general store in Minnesota Junction, WI called Heine's. Minnesota Junction consists of maybe three houses and the old general store which is situated right on the railroad tracks. The store used to serve railway men providing everything from booze to ladies. They still have an amazing mirror that serves as a doorway leading upstairs where the ladies were. The mirror is very old, engraved with the image of a sexy gal scantily clothed, giving you an idea what you will find behind the mirror.
The elderly owners now serve some very popular pizza and love to talk about the history of the store. I'm going to ask them about the story of Gussie and see if there is a relation.

 

[feralmerril]

Wow! This was back around 1920! Wonder if there is anyway of finding records on it? Somewhere I might have a newspaper clipping passed down from my mother, but if I recall right it was right after my grandparents got hit and before the sheriff or police had my grandpa and heine come look at their body. Auroahville is about 6 miles north of berlin on highway 49. Years back I also had a aunt and uncle work in his fathers store in horicon. Think they ran a IGA or something and also made their own brand of pop, "Wisemans". That was back in the 50s. I used to bow hunt on the horicon marsh around 1955. Quite a place for goose hunting too!
Just for the fun of it, here is a picture of grandpa and me haveing a smoke together back in 1944 or 1945. His name was john bruhn. "JD"

 

[hatt]

I haven't seen any signs around central FL Circle Ks, but I don't look that hard either. An easy fix. Just give places who want your business the business. I'll have to check this out. I've had to use Circle K recently because my local independent station no longer sells fuel while they move to a new location.