Gunstore etiquette

3

3kgt2nv

New member
Not sure if this is the correct section for this but here goes.

I have noticed on my many trips to my lgs that people are all to willing to pull their guns from holsters with out a thought in a gun store. When ever I have had to take a loaded firearm out of my holster at a gun store for a part or even trying a new holster I always do the following.

1. ask the store owner for permission so he knows my intention
2. move to a safe area and with the gun pointed in a safe location or if a bullet box is available empty the chamber and place all rounds in my pocket
3. lock the slide/cylinder open to show empty and safe.

after finishing the business I ask if they mind if I reload the firearm or should I wait till i am outside the store. If staying in the store I will once again reload and holster the gun with it always pointed in a safe direction if there is no bullet box available.

Where this just seems like common sense to me so few people have any idea the thoughts that go thru a store owners mind when a customer unannounced pull a gun from a holster that is loaded.

Is it just me or does there need to be some kind of basic awareness about this issue.
 
I never take it out and fool with it inside. If I want to try holsters it gets unloaded outside, I don't even ask. I just do it that way.
 
still the idea of informing the gunstore owner I will have a firearm out vs walking in with it out or still drawing it.
 
The LGS that I frequent has this rule, (I think it works)....If the weapon is to come out of it's holster while in the store, it must enter the store empty and cleared, if a semi-auto, slide back and locked, mag out. They even have a barrel of sand to clear the weapon outside. If a bolt action rifle, bolt open, etc. Obviously in an empty condition, where observation can show at a glance it is empty with no extra actions or handling needed.

This LGS takes a lot of consignments, and also handles gunsmithing, so a lot of weapons come in cleared.

If you are not intending to remove the weapon from it's holster, you do not need to clear it, but it must stay in it's holster, or you will be sent outside to clear it first.
 
The LGS that I frequent has this rule, (I think it works)....If the weapon is to come out of it's holster while in the store, it must enter the store empty and cleared, if a semi-auto, slide back and locked, mag out. They even have a barrel of sand to clear the weapon outside. If a bolt action rifle, bolt open, etc. Obviously in an empty condition, where observation can show at a glance it is empty with no extra actions or handling needed.

This LGS takes a lot of consignments, and also handles gunsmithing, so a lot of weapons come in cleared.

If you are not intending to remove the weapon from it's holster, you do not need to clear it, but it must stay in it's holster, or you will be sent outside to clear it first.
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I agree that this would work but after the last trip to my lgs I was talking to them about this issue and how many times people pull a gun without thinking that they were thinking about putting up a sign about it.

really this is all common sense but so is not shooting yourself but people still do it.
 
I never handle loaded weapon in a gunstore. If it needs to be handled for any reason i unload it before I go into the store. If I had a live cartridge stuck or something I would go in and tell them before taking the firearm into the store.
 
If I bring one in, it is cleared, trigger locked, and cased. I have never unholstered my pistol or revolver in a public place like a LGS. I don't think I've been in a LGS where there weren't at least a couple of guys carrying open. I would not even think about doing anything that might be construed as communicating a threat where their justifiable reaction would be armed response...
 
Carry weapons should not come out of their holster in the store. I think that if you are planning on checking fitment in the store the gun should be cleared and in a case when taken into the shop. A carry gun should only be drawn if it actually need to be used.

Just my $0.02 as it is probably a little more strict then what others think.
 
I dont support people drawing their firearm in a store but if it does need to be done it just seams like the majority of people dont even think of what they are doing.

I have only removed mine one time and it was after asking permission first. for holster fitting i usually will ask to borrow a store gun since i visit this gun store weekly or bi weekly
 
I would not even think about doing anything that might be construed as communicating a threat where their justifiable reaction would be armed response...
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I'm not worried much about anyone pulling a gun out of malice. My biggest fear is a negligent discharge. I've seen 'em.
 
going to a range and looking at bullet holes in the ceiling and walls shows me how careless people can be even when knowing they are going to shoot. now imagine a gun store where there are often several people in a small area.
 
I have had friends on staff at gun stores ask to look at, or to show another friend, the carry gun I had on me. This has happened a few times. However, they know me, I don't sweep people, and they haven't asked when other customers were nearby.

OTOH, I have witnessed customers sweep staff and other customers, and I have seen staff sweep themselves when handing weapons of interest to customers.
 
Having worked in a gun shop we always appreciated it if a customer we didn't know would inform us that he was going to produce a gun before he just whipped it out. In some parts of some cities just whipping out your gun can have you suddenly staring down the barrel of guns held by everyone who works in the store. I would advise that you always inform the counter help that you want to show them a gun and as soon as it comes out lock the slide back or open the cylinder and lay it on the counter. If you hold it in your hand nervous eyes will be upon you. A lot of stores now have signs posted about bringing a loaded gun into their shop because of customers who just didn't think or were really careless with their gunhandling. It would be better if you carry the gun in unloaded and in a case or rug.
 
The reason some shops and gun shows forbid carrying is because of the accidents resulting from morons pulling out loaded guns when they shouldn't be.

Any weapon which is going to be handled on the premises should e unloaded before entering. If you need to take out a loaded weapon then leave the store, unload and return.
 
If you need to handle a gun in any public setting for any reason, unload it at home and bring it in a gun case.

A loaded gun in a proper holster is completely safe, until Bubba yanks it out and starts playing with it.
 
I second that jgcoastie

Regardless of the store's policy, here in NJ unloaded in a case or someone's likely to call the cops.
funny - dad bought his first shotgun in Queens NY as a teen 60 plus years ago and rode home on his bike with it. used to carry it on the subway to hunt in forest park. No problems. Times sure have changed
 
Haven't come across this. Did see a shop w a "keep your hands visible at all times!" sign. Now I do have questions about carrying rifles/shotguns uncased from the car into a store. Legal because its on their property?
 
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