Discussion: How to carry a rifle in a Gun Shop

[GeneralCarver]

I would like to hear this community's thoughts on this situation. It was something I recently witnessed..

Situation:
You are in a gun shop. The shop has a range to shoot at, people come and go to shoot.

Person walks in, dressed normal/clean. Carrying a camo backpack over one shoulder and an AR15 in his other arm. This demeanor is calm, he comes in and walks around the shop. You notice he is holding the AR15 in his strong hand. He is holding the rifle by the pistol grip. There is a magazine in the mag well. The rifle is pointed down at the ground.

I won't go into what happened next in the shop. Maybe I'll post that later. I just would like to hear people's reaction/thoughts about this. If you were shop owners what would you do? How would you feel as a customer in a store if someone did this? Do you see anything wrong with what he did? How much concern would you have?

 

[AJBB87]

If they're holding theirs low ready, I'm holding mine low ready.

 

[Outlaw]

If they're holding theirs low ready, I'm holding mine low ready.

This. It should be slung over the shoulder or held in a parade stance with no magazine. If I was the store owner or employee my SA would be high and I would be ready for the worst.

 

[Bigtanker]

I'd walk to the back area of Midwest by the little hallway and just wait at ready too see what happened. That's if I couldn't get out of the door. Once everything settled down and the person was deemed no threat, I'd have a little conversation with them, if the shop owner/counter guy didn't first.


What did happen if you don't mind.

 

[sloughfoot]

A rifle with a magazine in the well is considered loaded. Anybody who has spent more than 30 seconds on a NRA High power range knows that.

Ditto for a handgun. I doubt anyone would be too happy with some idiot walking around with a loaded firearm in their hand.

Beyond that, I don't enjoy speculative questions. What happened?

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

This could be good...

 

[Expat]

As long as he kept it pointing straight down, I guess I would stand there staring at him, shaking my head and muttering dumbass.

 

[Leo]

Applied ballistics requires loose arms in the store to be in a case or a holster. It a person does not have a case, they will loan you one.

 

[Rocket]

Quietly get every employes attention and confront. May be "honest/dumb" mistake. Or worse. In this day and age we cannot sit back and hope for the best. At least the person needed a strong lesson in propper safety. Wouldn't need to be a total jerk but I would want eyes on the guy. Lots of them.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Sling it, Snuffy. You make me nervous.

As holsters are to pistols, slings are to long guns.

 

[ModernGunner]

'Man walks into place of business, armed with a loaded rifle, in hand and at the ready. How would you respond?'

That's the actual question.

'Clean cut / normal'... like Ted Bundy?

 

[ViperJock]

I like to start by yelling, "everybody down!" Then I know it will be safe to handle a gun in the shop.

 

[philbert001]

Sling it, Snuffy. You make me nervous.

As holsters are to pistols, slings are to long guns.

This.

And I'd STILL have the magazine out and the bolt locked open. It may not be illegal to walk in with a loaded rifle in hand, but I'm not trying to get shot over mistaken intentions!

 

[ArcadiaGP]

Use an AR-15 Hip Holster.

 

[JeremiahJohnson]

I've never been to a range - gun store attached or not - that did not have posted range rules. Among them (the rules) invariably is some version of "action open and weapon unloaded - no magazines - behind the line which includes the store". I'm assuming since this store has a range, they have something of the kind? If not, why not?

If we're talking about a breech of range rules, that's to be brought to the attention of the RSO. If I don't know who that is, I tell them. It can be an honest mistake if it's a newbie. Be polite. Be kind. But be firm.

 

[JetGirl]

Anybody on this forum who's visited my place of employment while I'm working will attest to the fact that if you bring one in without the action opened, I yell like a mom who just watched you wipe a booger on the new suede couch.
Also, if you have an uncased firearm you'd like to go to your vehicle and retrieve for trade/consignment/ship/whatever, I do strongly suggest that it doesn't come inside unless it's open... And even then, it's mine and considered loaded (to me) until I personally clear it. If I find ammo in it, I keep the ammo and scold your ass.

 

[IndyGunworks]

Anybody on this forum who's visited my place of employment while I'm working will attest to the fact that if you bring one in without the action opened, I yell like a mom who just watched you wipe a booger on the new suede couch.
Also, if you have an uncased firearm you'd like to bring in for trade/consignment/ship/whatever, I do strongly suggest that it doesn't come inside unless it's open... And even then, it's mine and considered loaded (to me) until I personally clear it. If I find ammo in it, I keep the ammo and scold your ass.

I like this strategy, and it serves as a stark reminder of what "unloaded" guns really are. Loaded. Always.

 

[Fletch]

Anybody on this forum who's visited my place of employment while I'm working will attest to the fact that if you bring one in without the action opened, I yell like a mom who just watched you wipe a booger on the new suede couch.
Also, if you have an uncased firearm you'd like to go to your vehicle and retrieve for trade/consignment/ship/whatever, I do strongly suggest that it doesn't come inside unless it's open... And even then, it's mine and considered loaded (to me) until I personally clear it. If I find ammo in it, I keep the ammo and scold your ass.

I would so pay for video of this.

 

[FishnHunt]

Anybody on this forum who's visited my place of employment while I'm working will attest to the fact that if you bring one in without the action opened, I yell like a mom who just watched you wipe a booger on the new suede couch.
Also, if you have an uncased firearm you'd like to go to your vehicle and retrieve for trade/consignment/ship/whatever, I do strongly suggest that it doesn't come inside unless it's open... And even then, it's mine and considered loaded (to me) until I personally clear it. If I find ammo in it, I keep the ammo and scold your ass.

I've been going in there for years and never seen that. How'd I miss that thing?

I like this strategy, and it serves as a stark reminder of what "unloaded" guns really are. Loaded. Always.

 

[Mark 1911]

How many gun shops have ranges that allow AR-15? Most are pistol only. So at least in most cases, he would not be there to shoot at the range. That being said, I would be watching someone carrying AR-15 in a gun store, especially in that manner, ie low ready. I might even consider leaving and return some other time.