Lance Thomas!
Interesting to read how he progressed from one pistol on a shelf to multiple pistols around his shop, to a holstered hi-cap pistol. Sig?
The time it took him to reach the conclusion of carrying? Lucky he did not end up dead, yes? His biggest victory, get the hell out of his shop on a main street!
He ended up mail sending his goods, I believe.
My Son one time called me at 10 AM? Can I go to a Jewelry Store, on the main road, close to the Florida Mall, in Orlando?
The gist of the panic, all his armed Security Officers were working posts, none free. Dad not so much. Why this situation came about, this store had a Hood directly behind its locations, rear parking lot. Each evening, when the shop closed, hood rats were congregating sat on hoods of their vehicles, or on the tailgates of pick up trucks. And sprouting filthy words at the young attractive young Lady Salespersons as they went to their cars.
The top salesperson said, "No armed Guard tomorrow, we are not coming to work!" So I get the call, (we, my Son and I had a waiver, Shotgun for when we did vehicle escorts) I thought this sounds like shotgun waiver territory?
Did not want to worry my Son? So I never asked permission!
So my ex Sheriffs black shotgun, with the word Security on each side of the one-piece stock, purchased for $87.00 from B&H. Encased in a gun case.
Into the Managers Office, behind the door.
Dressed all in black, the uniform of the day, SECURITY in big letters on the back. Glock 19, two magazines.
We had a powwow, prior to leaving.
"I will leave first, walk to the full depth of the parking lot. Staff will leave next, enter vehicles, lock doors start engines" I will walk back to meet Manager, he locking up, escort him to his vehicle, when he leaves, you all follow him to the lights. Closest first. I go home.
Sure enough, the audience arrived, store doors locked, expensive stuff on carts, in a big vault. Night lights on.
I left, pumped shotgun! High port, marched across the parking lot! Stood at port arms, facing store! Sounded like the start of Le Mans! Engines starting, tires squealing, gone!
And they never came back. I had an audience of one, one night, Highway Patrol Vehicle, doing his reports? In the parking lot. Did my little act? He never looked up! Once. My Son never got a phone call, not one.
The gig lasted 6 months. Still got that old shotgun, sits in my safe. Six rounds of double O Buckshot. Never used it since.