Police Chief in Uniform Told to Leave Gun Outside Ikea

Police Chief in Uniform Told to Leave Gun Outside Ikea

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In 35 years in law enforcement, says the Takoma Park Police chief, he's never had this happen.

He's never had a store tell him that he would have to leave his service weapon in the car or leave the store -- especially when he was in his police uniform.

But that's what happened July 4 in the Ikea in College Park, where Takoma Park Police Chief Alan Goldberg had stopped in with his daughter. Goldberg was in uniform because he had worked that morning at the city's July 4 parade, and would be back on duty that night for fireworks.

Takoma Park Police Chief Alan Goldberg said he was given two choices: Lock his gun in his car in a commercial parking lot, or leave Ikea.

In between, he stopped at Ikea to shop for furniture for his daughter's new apartment. And that's when a loss-prevention officer at the store approached him.

"He says we have a no firearms policy, and you're either going to have to leave or you can lock your gun in the car," Goldberg said.

The store has signs posted on the front door that read "Weapons Free Environment."

Neither of those options seemed a good one to the officer. "It isn't the most prudent thing to do to walk around the store in uniform with an empty holster," he said. "And I am not going to lock my gun in a commercial parking lot, with people watching me put it in there. That's just ludicrous."

The chief demanded to see the store's written policy, but he only got it today after News4 contacted Ikea. The retailer released this statement:

We regret that there was a misunderstanding of our weapon policy in our College Park Store. Our weapon policy does not apply to law enforcement officers. We are taking steps to ensure that this is clear for all our co-workers.

Goldberg, who was so angry at the store's response Friday that he posted about it on Facebook, said Monday that response satisfies him.

And it also satisfied shoppers that News4 spoke to at Ikea.

Many shoppers, like Arthur Marshall, said that retailers' no-gun policies should "maybe have an exception for police officers."

Monday, at Ikea, at least three armed police officers were seen at the College Park store at lunchtime.

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If guns are the problem, why is it that only police guns are OK? Hypocrites.

Stings to get a little taste of what law abiding citizens have to deal with. Those citizens not being a part of the "elite" allowed to carry tools to defend themselves.


"The Policy does not apply to Law Enforcement Officers."








Q: What do you call an off duty cop?

A: A citizen.

So why are they any different?

Paging Bailey Guns......we know he loves Ikea.




People, we are seeing Industrial Strength Stoopid unfold before our eyes.

It's not about good and bad....it's about a chunk of metal.

...or is it? They seem to be saying government authority good, everyone else bad.

Police guns are OK because of all the training they've had.

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Originally Posted by Gman

It's not about good and bad....it's about a chunk of metal.

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Yes, a tool. It is all it is. If guns were extinct, something else would take the place as scapegoat.

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Originally Posted by Gman

If guns are the problem, why is it that only police guns are OK? Hypocrites.

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I Love that if you watch those exact same people ...... wait for a "bad cop" story to come out then they will rant on and on about how bad the police are and how none of them are good.....

yet they want them to be the only ones with guns....



yeah that makes sense.

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Originally Posted by sellersm

Police guns are OK because of all the training they've had.

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I don't see that verbiage in the Bill of Rights.

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Originally Posted by rbeau30

Yes, a tool. It is all it is. If guns were extinct, something else would take the place as scapegoat.

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Look to the UK for proof..


Banned guns... criminals switched to knifes.... so they restrict knives .... Hell I would not be surprised if you told me you now have to show ID and be over 18 to buy a cricket bat there now.

I think they have a limit on how long your fingernails can grow before you're in violation of their weapons laws.

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Originally Posted by Gman

I think they have a limit on how long your fingernails can grow before you're in violation of their weapons laws.

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or teeth!

Right. Hands must be opened at all times. Make a fist...and then you've really gone and done it.

I know that Bailey will be in here soon to approve of IKEA's progressive policies.

The UK really does have an elitist system. You never see the Royal family without armed protection nearby...

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Originally Posted by sellersm

or teeth!

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Pffft....have you SEEN the results of UK dentistry(or lack thereof)?

Even more reason to not visit the big blue store on I25.

I got their stupid catalog in the mail, but saw no reason to ever go in.

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Originally Posted by Eric P

Even more reason to not visit the big blue store on I25.

I got their stupid catalog in the mail, but saw no reason to ever go in.

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IKEA catalog = target practice.

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Originally Posted by brutal

IKEA catalog = target practice.

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Don't forget Patriots! Save them for T.P.

My wife likes going to Ikea. I've never seen a "No Guns" sign and I CCW there every time.

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Originally Posted by KS63

My wife likes going to Ikea. I've never seen a "No Guns" sign and I CCW there every time.

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I've never seen one of those "no guns" signs anywhere I CCW.

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Originally Posted by KS63

My wife likes going to Ikea. I've never seen a "No Guns" sign and I CCW there every time.

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That only means you remember what the second 'C' stands for in CCW ;)

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Originally Posted by Hound

That only means you remember what the second 'C' stands for in CCW ;)

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Yes This! Those signs scare me so much. How menacing a picture of a gun at the entrance to an establishment is.

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Originally Posted by clublights

Look to the UK for proof..

Banned guns... criminals switched to knifes.... so they restrict knives .... Hell I would not be surprised if you told me you now have to show ID and be over 18 to buy a cricket bat there now.

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Hell, you have to be 18 to buy a can of spray paint (and I think carb cleaner, etc.) here. [Shake]

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Originally Posted by Jim B

Hell, you have to be 18 to buy a can of spray paint (and I think carb cleaner, etc.) here. [Shake]

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And PVC pipe if it looks like you are building a potato launcher.

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Originally Posted by Jim B

Hell, you have to be 18 to buy a can of spray paint (and I think carb cleaner, etc.) here. [Shake]

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Between the Graffiti and the surprising amount of kids that get into "huffing" I'm ok with this...

IKEA is crap. No point in buying anything there

I think what is being missed here is the old idea of cops as a community protector. It might feel good to bash on Ikea but I find it a shame that your "neighborhood cop" is no longer in our collective minds. Responses like what are seen on many (but not all) of these posts promotes the us-vs-them attitude that both sides (cop and civilian) seem to be moving towards. Again, It is a shame and will end in a dark place.

PS: Not a big fan of Ikea in general though. I have been in the place once and it was surreal.

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Originally Posted by Hound

I think what is being missed here is the old idea of cops as a community protector. It might feel good to bash on Ikea but I find it a shame that your "neighborhood cop" is no longer in our collective minds. Responses like what are seen on many (but not all) of these posts promotes the us-vs-them attitude that both sides (cop and civilian) seem to be moving towards.

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It doesn't help the divide that the police chief is satisfied that he and his officers can have their guns inside the store when they're not on duty. He doesn't at all seem to be concerned about 'the community' being able to defend themselves.

I don't even think that College Park, Maryland is within the service area of Takoma Park....but it's all in the D.C. area so it's probably beyond hope for some sanity anyway.

Police departments all over the country seem to be militarizing. How does that help with the 'neighborhood cop' impression of years gone by?

I think off duty sworn officers, especially those in uniform, have a bit more authority and responsibility than Joe Schmoe Ikea shoppers.

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Originally Posted by rbeau30

Stings to get a little taste of what law abiding citizens have to deal with. Those citizens not being a part of the "elite" allowed to carry tools to defend themselves.


"The Policy does not apply to Law Enforcement Officers."








Q: What do you call an off duty cop?

A: A citizen.

So why are they any different?

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Originally Posted by brutal

I've never seen one of those "no guns" signs anywhere I CCW.

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I see what you did there

I think the second amendment was written to balance where this rationale eventually leads.

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Originally Posted by speedysst

I think off duty sworn officers, especially those in uniform, have a bit more authority and responsibility than Joe Schmoe Ikea shoppers.

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It isn't just IKEA or Topeka. Fort Collins police officer was asked to stop wearing his uniform/sidearm when he dropped off his daughter at elementary school while in his cruiser on his way to work. When asked why, the principal explained she had a couple complaints from other parents who felt uncomfortable that the weapon was on school grounds. There are too many people who have a significant inability to maintain a grip on life.

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Originally Posted by speedysst

I think off duty sworn officers, especially those in uniform, have a bit more authority and responsibility than Joe Schmoe Ikea shoppers.

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Like I said in post #5 above...

Good luck with that line of reasoning, btw.


Sent from my fat fingers using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by sellersm

Police guns are OK because of all the training they've had.

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Yes, if there's one thing that can be said about law enforcement officers around the country, is that their training has made them some of the best marksman in the world.[Sarcasm2]

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Originally Posted by BPTactical

I see what you did there

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:D

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Originally Posted by clodhopper

There are too many people who have a significant inability to maintain a grip on life.

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That, and there are too many people who give a flying fuck what everybody and their brother thinks ( probably many of the same people).....

The way I figure, if something about me make someone uncomfortable, too fucking bad - deal with it.....particularly since its likely that the entire fact of their liberal douchebag existence makes me uncomfortable, but I've learned to live with it....

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Originally Posted by DireWolf

That, and there are too many people who give a flying fuck what everybody and their brother thinks ( probably many of the same people).....

The way I figure, if something about me make someone uncomfortable, too fucking bad - deal with it.....particularly since its likely that the entire fact of their liberal douchebag existence makes me uncomfortable, but I've learned to live with it....

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I was just perusing the Constitution, and somehow missed the part where everyone had the right to ban stuff that made them uncomfortable. Probably because there IS NO SUCH portion. I agree with you...we need to fight back against the PC movement. or as Chopper would say "Harden the f*ck up!!"

http://youtu.be/k03D9aPTxo4

I think the more police officers and government representatives in general have to cope with the laws and the society they're creating with the enforcement and promulgation of stupid laws, the better chance we all have for more reasonable laws and enforcement.

It's too easy for government representatives to pass and enforce stupid laws when they're exempt from same. If our representatives had 35% of their gross earnings confiscated by the government for redistribution, I think they'd think twice before they pass the next entitlement program. If they had to run a business and try to earn a living while complying with every stupid EPA, OSHA, ADA, IRS, DHS, etc. mandate, maybe they'd wake the fuck up and understand that the Government is the single largest and most consistent impediment to success anyone could ever fathom.

If a government official has to wander around an IKEA store while worrying for his personal safety and the safety of his family member(s) as well as worrying about the wisdom of leaving a loaded weapon in his glovebox, well then maybe it'll give them an opportunity to consider how the rest of us feel when we confront a similar situation on nearly a daily basis and can't seek an exemption based on favored government status.

I know there's a dictionary definition of tyranny, but I heard one on the radio the other day that's rings true for me: when your biggest worry in any given day is how the government might change your life for the worse, then you're living in tyranny. For me, most days, I think I'm there.

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Originally Posted by NFATrustGuy

I think the more police officers and government representatives in general have to cope with the laws and the society they're creating with the enforcement and promulgation of stupid laws, the better chance we all have for more reasonable laws and enforcement.

It's too easy for government representatives to pass and enforce stupid laws when they're exempt from same. If our representatives had 35% of their gross earnings confiscated by the government for redistribution, I think they'd think twice before they pass the next entitlement program. If they had to run a business and try to earn a living while complying with every stupid EPA, OSHA, ADA, IRS, DHS, etc. mandate, maybe they'd wake the fuck up and understand that the Government is the single largest and most consistent impediment to success anyone could ever fathom.

If a government official has to wander around an IKEA store while worrying for his personal safety and the safety of his family member(s) as well as worrying about the wisdom of leaving a loaded weapon in his glovebox, well then maybe it'll give them an opportunity to consider how the rest of us feel when we confront a similar situation on nearly a daily basis and can't seek an exemption based on favored government status.

I know there's a dictionary definition of tyranny, but I heard one on the radio the other day that's rings true for me: when your biggest worry in any given day is how the government might change your life for the worse, then you're living in tyranny. For me, most days, I think I'm there.

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+1K [Beer]

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Originally Posted by speedysst

I think off duty sworn officers, especially those in uniform, have a bit more authority and responsibility than Joe Schmoe Ikea shoppers.

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Usually I would disagree with this, but this was a UNIFORMED officer. As such, if there is any issue while he is there, whether he is off-duty or not, he's in uniform, which means people are going to come to him. He can't just tell people, "Sorry IKEA took my gun, deal with the problem yourself."