Covington VA –-(Ammoland.com)- A Virginia Citizens Defense League member brought to our attention a “No loaded guns” sign on the door of Absolute Outdoors in New Kent.
EM Ed Levine sent them an email to confirm that policy.
First, let me say that many gun stores have a “no loaded guns” policy.
That’s because, unlike pretty much any other public place around, people are actually drawing guns and handling them in a gun store. That said, many stores have a better policy of saying that a person can have a holstered, loaded handgun as long as the gun never leaves the holster while the owner is in the store.
So, if the “no loaded guns” was indeed Absolute Outdoors’s policy, it wouldn’t be the best policy, but it wouldn’t be uncommon for such a business.
However, the response Ed got back was, well, unbelievable and uncalled for.
We report, you decide.
Here is Ed’s email to Absolute Outdoors:
On Jun 30, 2014 10:04 AM, wrote:
Hi –
Someone told me that you guys have a sign on your door that prohibits the lawful carry of firearms by customers (unless they are law enforcement). [PVC: Here I will note that Ed should have said “…the lawful carry of a LOADED firearm by customers…” However, this would have been a good opportunity for the gun store to set the record straight.]
I just wanted to confirm that before I put the word out to 30,000 Virginia gun owners.
Thanks,
Ed Levine
Founder – Virginia Open Carry
Executive Member – Virginia Citizens Defense League
NRA – Life member and Instructor
GOA – member
—
The response back to Ed: In a message dated 6/30/2014 11:16:22 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [email protected] writes:
You need to add to your list of titles:
Loser
Idiot
In desperate need of a life
life long member of the tiny dick club
Just plain stupidNow that better describes you.
Rick Baker, owner
I’m usually there everyday so you should drop by and see me little man.
—
Sounds like Sarah Brady wrote that clever response to Ed. Ed was in the Marines, so I’m not so sure that the “little man” thing fits him very well.
There are lots of gun stores out there and I know that I, for one, won’t be headed to Absolute Outdoors anytime soon. I’ll be spending my money with gun dealers that treat gun owners in a friendly and respectful manner. There are plenty of them out there.
About:
Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc. (VCDL). VCDL is an all-volunteer, non-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to defending the human rights of all Virginians. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms is a fundamental human right. Visit: www.vcdl.org
Never a good idea to be rude its not good business practice whatever the reason.
Does sound to me like a whole lot of nothing. If I am treated badly in a gun store, or any other store, I just don’t go back. I usually CC, tho in the summer I OC. Not to make a show of how tough or cool I am, but for many other reasons.
I live in a “FREE State”, and although I’m a staunch supporter ($$) of the 2A, and various organizations, I don’t believe that carrying is ‘cool’ or macho, but may be needed for my survival. Others may have different reasons, and they’re welcome to them.
You really are a self important thin skinned little man. You left out “loaded” in your inquiry and your inquiry had the tone of a nosey liberal, your reaction is like an insulted pouting little kid without proper respect or manners towards a rightful working business owner…he probably is tired of whinning simpering liberal socialists telling him how to run his business and life.Now, you, in immature retaliation instead of solidarity, wish to run down and ruin/boycott his store. IMHO you really are everything he said you are you little egotistical “boy”. Please, grow up, cowboy up, man up and… Read more »
@gregory romeu,it scares the living hell out of you that the name is absolutely outdoors ? You got some critical issues going on there pilgrim !
What scares the living hell out of me is that all you supposedly swarthy and intelligent gun owners that are supposed to be trained and alert, paying attention to detail, especially while armed, have ALL failed to recognize that the NAME of the store is AbsoluteLY Outdoors.
He could have answered without the attitude,
“It is my store and I make the rules”.
We had a small one man shop in my city,
the guy had large selection of new and consignment items, always had an attitude with customers, demanded a pistol purchase permit before he would let you touch anything, if you did not have the permit he told you to get the &%(# out of his shop. One day the shop was gone.
@Smitty,not in Texas ! Maybe them yankee gunbrabber states do ! Dont know and really dont care !
MOST GUN SHOWS nationwide request “NO LOADED FIREARMS”
To the guy that doesn’t like people open carrying rifles. You are one of the types that anti-gunners love. What part of “shall not infringe ” do you not understand? Are you really afraid of these guys because they are carrying a rifle? I can just see the antis rubbing their hands together like the wicked witch smiling with joy. I know all of you lily livered types are afraid you might offend someone and they may want to take you rifles away. I hate to break your bubble, they already do. Where were you 20 years ago? Remember when… Read more »
I have to completely agree with the shop owner! It has nothing to do with your carrying concealed and safely holstered while inside, but everythin to do with the safety of handling a loaded gun in a close environment, and the potential of ” let me show you mine” syndrome which seems to prevail. ATF and many cities are looking for any reason to close a gunshop, not to mention the insurance fiasco, and police report for a completely avoidable accidental discharge by a no ammo or loaded guns policy. It has nothing to do with the disrespect of the… Read more »