Got into a confrontation at the Sportsmans Warehouse in Loveland today...

[beast556]

Should of told the old guy to fuck off and mind his own business. You dont have to check CCW weapons at sportsmans only guns you are bringing in to be serviced. I asked the manager of the store and was told ccw guns dont need to be checked.

[JohnnyEgo]

Interestingly enough, there was a gun show right around the corner at the Loveland Outlets this weekend. I wonder if he was either someone who was denied the opportunity to purchase a firearm, or just as probable, a vendor of overpriced guns, jerky, and Nazi memorabilia who was bitter at the lack of sales. The Great Kazoo and I had a brief conversation about this earlier today. While it's certainly possible this guy was an anti looking to provoke a fight, I just can't imagine wasting my time hanging out in the gun section of a store that caters to hunters and sportsmen just to pick a fight. I don't hang out in marijuana dispensaries or head shops looking to make fun of potheads. Better things to do with my time.

Sportsmens may well have been perfectly content to have me unload my firearm and keep it on my person while I shopped the store. It took longer for me to type my original post than it did for the incident to occur. I didn't put much thought into getting clarification from the counter guy or management, or debating the finer points of property rights at the time. My primary thoughts were 'Asshole, toddler, weapon exposed, crowd'. When the counter guy offered me the opportunity to disarm, I chose to leave because carrying an empty firearm seems pointless to me. There are some things I thought I did well, and some things I'd very much like to have done better in retrospect. But I don't plan for there to be a next time, as I've switched to longer coats when I am out with the boy.

[Rabid]

You handled it right not knowing the store policy and having a child with you JohnnyEgo. As i said before, from the horses mouth, you can carry a loaded gun open or concealed in sportsman's as long as you do not unholster the firearm in the store. Sure hearing about this waste of breathable air bothers the heck out of me but what really annoys me is that the employee did not know his own stores policy. He could have defused the situation and humiliated the SOB in a short sentence or two yet he sided with the wrong person because of his own ignorance. All in all you you presented yourself well, you dealt and defused the situation well and you are making effort to make sure the situation never happens again. Job well done.

[Bailey Guns]

You're a better man than I, JohnnyE. You handled it just fine.

[kidicarus13]

...but what really annoys me is that the employee did not know his own stores policy. He could have defused the situation and humiliated the SOB in a short sentence or two yet he sided with the wrong person because of his own ignorance.

Maybe next time you're at SW you can point out to mgmt the specific employee who is not up to speed on store policy and how the employee's lack of knowledge could have turned into a bad situation for everyone involved.

[BlasterBob]

This is the kind of stuff that we now are seeing more frequently and I feel that far too many folks are getting overly cautious since all the terrorist stuff. Since the Twin Towers were destroyed, folks are much more easily terrorized and that's exactly what the terrorists want.
Prior to all the terrorism threats, I believe most people in Colorado, when seeing a firearm, would just kinda pass it off and go about their business. We have to remind ourselves that there are a LOT of Fudds out there who have no idea about the legality of open carry and concealed carry.
Just my worthless thoughts.

[wctriumph]

I was in Sportsman's last weekend with my daughter picking up some hearing and eye protection for her. I bought her a cool camo hoodie that says "Girls with Guns" across the front and I tried on a couple of coats and shirts myself. I had to remove my shirt and there was my holstered pistol for all the world to see. All that happened was the store associate asked about my Tucker Gun Leather holster and belt, he wishes he made enough to buy a custom rig.

It is OK to wear a gun into Sportsman's if you are legally able to carry a gun. If you bring a gun into the store that you are not wearing in a holster you have to check it.

Still, I think leaving and avoiding a scene was the wiser move at the time as you described it. I probably would have been more vocal (without the cussing) to show my daughter that a person needs to stand for what is right and not let the uninformed push us around.

[Joe_K]

Good rant. You handled it professionally and like a Man. The Fudd was a dick. Ive been on his side of the fence, but in a much worse scenario. Whilst visiting Mrs. Murphy at the Parker Chik-Fil A, a guy came in to take a leak and when he loosened his belt his crappy Jennings .380 fell out of his "holster" and landed 18" away from my feet muzzle facing me it laid like that for about 3 full seconds. Seemed like a weekend. I was not carrying that day. As calmy as possible I hitched up my drawers and pulled out my knife from my pocket and put it in my hand, palm away from his view and exited the stall. He was rather hurriedly washing his hands and nervously staring at me using the mirror. When he turned he apologized profusely and advised me he had a permit to carry. I informed him I could care less about his permit and advised him to invest in a decent holster.


Sent from my PRC 117A in my Batmobile disguised as a sedan.

[GoldFinger]

Coincidentally, I was at the Loveland Sportsman's on Saturday as well; from about 2ish to 3ish. I'm generally not a huge fan of Sportsman's but actually had a nice experience there with a kindly man at the gun counter who obliged my whims of handling a few Browning rifles I had no intention to buy, but was impressed in his attitude and conversation. Having said that, if I had witnessed what you went through I would have absolutely had your back, and probably not handled it as well as you did.

Not that my vote counts for much, but having brought my own children with me on many shopping trips I can understand the need to balance your desire for being a good role model with the desire to choke out a dipshit. Well played by you in my book.

[TheBelly]

Maybe next time you're at SW you can point out to mgmt the specific employee who is not up to speed on store policy and how the employee's lack of knowledge could have turned into a bad situation for everyone involved.

I don't think there would be a next time for me at that store. They have tattle-tale customers and employees who don't know store policies. Unless there isn't an alternative, I wouldn't be going back.