Jason in WI
Regular Member
imported post
Got off early today and figured I'd stop at the range. After I took a shower I put on some normal street cloths and my holster, I carry everywhere so my holster is usually on all day. Got to Shooters and was planning on shooting a revolver that I had in a case and since we were going out after I had my XDm that I carry in the truck also.
I grabbed the case with the revolver and since I didn't plan to shoot the XD and I also didn't want to leave it in the truck or drag the case around I just loaded it and holstered it like usual.
I went in and asked for a lane, the older gentlemen Joe I believe said nicely that next time he'd prefer if I didn't carry in the store. I actually forgot I had it on, I'm so use to it now. So I said no problem and and told him I was under the imprecision that their shop was open carry friendly. He explained that why they are for our rights and all that and he carries hunting and what not, that for customer safety and stuff along those lines they don't allow open carry in the store. This was all casual conversation as he was getting my change and targets. Then I think the owner steeped out and expressed the same thing. He was concerned that he wouldn't know if it was a bad guy coming in or not. He also had concerns that new shooters might be frightened, etc. So I told him that I wasn't aware of their policy and if that's their policy its cool. I told him I was a member of OpenCarry.org and Wisconsin carry and that a bunch of members recommended Shooters because they are open carry friendly and nobody had issues here, I think that is the first he heard of that! He told me the only loaded guns they want are the ones in the range, he continued with the safety stuff and what not for a bit. I listened intently but you guys all know the drill so I won't post all his concerns.
They were nice the whole time and I believe they wanted me to know that they do support our rights, they just don't want us (well me anyway) to carry in the store.
I do appreciate the fact they didn't kick me out or tell me to go put it in a case. With almost a full month of open carrying this is the first time anyone really even acknowledged the fact I even had a side arm. The owner(?) was really adamant about explaining his position without just saying because we say so. I thought that was pretty cool.
This was my second time there and I kinda like the place, the fact that it's close to me helps also. I did have fun shooting my old mans detective special but I'm very glad I have a semi-auto with more then 2" of barrel. While I didn't intend to shoot my sidearm, I figured since they must have thought I was going to shoot it I might as well. Luckily I had some half full boxes of ammo and extra mag in my range bag. I dropped my carry mag and shot a bit. Felt really good after putting a hundred rounds through that little wheel gun!
Just figured I post this as some of you have said you carried there before. Sorry if it was me that did something to change their policy :uhoh:.
Edited to add:
When I left I did stuff both weapons into the single pistol case.
Got off early today and figured I'd stop at the range. After I took a shower I put on some normal street cloths and my holster, I carry everywhere so my holster is usually on all day. Got to Shooters and was planning on shooting a revolver that I had in a case and since we were going out after I had my XDm that I carry in the truck also.
I grabbed the case with the revolver and since I didn't plan to shoot the XD and I also didn't want to leave it in the truck or drag the case around I just loaded it and holstered it like usual.
I went in and asked for a lane, the older gentlemen Joe I believe said nicely that next time he'd prefer if I didn't carry in the store. I actually forgot I had it on, I'm so use to it now. So I said no problem and and told him I was under the imprecision that their shop was open carry friendly. He explained that why they are for our rights and all that and he carries hunting and what not, that for customer safety and stuff along those lines they don't allow open carry in the store. This was all casual conversation as he was getting my change and targets. Then I think the owner steeped out and expressed the same thing. He was concerned that he wouldn't know if it was a bad guy coming in or not. He also had concerns that new shooters might be frightened, etc. So I told him that I wasn't aware of their policy and if that's their policy its cool. I told him I was a member of OpenCarry.org and Wisconsin carry and that a bunch of members recommended Shooters because they are open carry friendly and nobody had issues here, I think that is the first he heard of that! He told me the only loaded guns they want are the ones in the range, he continued with the safety stuff and what not for a bit. I listened intently but you guys all know the drill so I won't post all his concerns.
They were nice the whole time and I believe they wanted me to know that they do support our rights, they just don't want us (well me anyway) to carry in the store.
I do appreciate the fact they didn't kick me out or tell me to go put it in a case. With almost a full month of open carrying this is the first time anyone really even acknowledged the fact I even had a side arm. The owner(?) was really adamant about explaining his position without just saying because we say so. I thought that was pretty cool.
This was my second time there and I kinda like the place, the fact that it's close to me helps also. I did have fun shooting my old mans detective special but I'm very glad I have a semi-auto with more then 2" of barrel. While I didn't intend to shoot my sidearm, I figured since they must have thought I was going to shoot it I might as well. Luckily I had some half full boxes of ammo and extra mag in my range bag. I dropped my carry mag and shot a bit. Felt really good after putting a hundred rounds through that little wheel gun!
Just figured I post this as some of you have said you carried there before. Sorry if it was me that did something to change their policy :uhoh:.
Edited to add:
When I left I did stuff both weapons into the single pistol case.