Do you boycott like the rainbow warriors?

[737tdi]

I live in what would be called East Texas. The names of the towns are Lively, Scurry, Styx and Gun Barrel City. We live about 2 miles from a little store in Lively TX.. We go in there from time to time. My wife Judy buys Diet Big Red there almost every week.

Well, we happened to stop there last week and Judy went in to buy her sodas and I stayed in the car. While listening to sports radio I noticed a sign on the door. "No handguns allowed", granted it is not a legal sign but still a sign. The fur went up on the back of my neck, damn I was pissed. I got out of the car, walked into the store. Judy was beginning to check out. I tapped her on the shoulder and said we aren't buying this stuff. Strange look. I showed her the sign. She caught on in a New York minute.

Remember this is a very small country store in the middle of nothing. I looked at the lady at the register and explained the situation. "You have the right to ban firearms in your store, but, we also have the right to never shop here again". I asked her to please explain this to her boss/owner. I am a member of the crime watch here and I let them know about the sign.

Change your attitude or go out of business. I have told everyone in the area about this. I would bet the sign is down within a month. This is what it takes friends.

By the way I have been "unfriended" by a couple of people here because of this stance. Isn't that strange? Do business with a clearly anti.?


Semper Fi:

Karl

 

[Pat-inCO]

So long as you have a choice, I would do the same. 8)

 

[737tdi]

So long as you have a choice, I would do the same. 8)

Pat, we really don't have a close choice. The next place is 8 miles away. That doesn't faze me a bit. I drive 60 miles to work so there are plenty of places to do business elsewhere. I an ornery when it comes to my rights. Yes, they can do what they want but I don't have to give into their ignorance. This place was the best place to buy night crawlers for fishing but Oh Well.

Karl

 

[powder smoke]

I have never run into one of those foolish signs. But would do the same without a doubt.

Wouldn't surprise me tho if there was a piece behind the counter.ps

 

[gramps]

I am with you Karl, I have cards that have a gun with a circle through it, equal sign, to a $ with a circle and line through it. The other side explains how safe and honest ccw carriers are, then asks if the stores owners can say that about the rest of the customers? I used to have to leave them regularly. Not so much anymore. Back in 2010 in Killeen, Tx, I was all the way in a Chinese Restaurant, where by the cash register was "the sign". I turned to leave and the hostess, said no, you stay. I pointed to the sign, the lights came on in her eyes. She took down the sign, "now you eat?" Yep, I did!
gramps

 

[Kevin]

But Gramps, do you think that sign went back up the moment you left?

Karl, I don't blame you a bit.

 

[contender]

gramps,,, I'm sure the sign went right back up after you left.

Karl,,,, I feel the same way. If a business wants my money,,, they had better be Pro-American, & believe in our Rights. If they do not,,, then if they are smart they do not post their business.
I recently had a post about KFC locally & how they had gone & posted all the local ones. We didn't eat there, and I went inside to get the owners contact info. I tried to get to the owner(s) of the franchise, but run into a wall of a senior manager. I was polite, & all, but it went nowhere.
I have since chosen to go across the street & eat at a Bojangles instead.

But I take things farther than many. I go into a place (like Bojangles,) and ask for the manager. I ask them to visit with me one on one. I explain that I fully appreciate the fact that they have the legal right to forbid firearms. I then THANK them for NOT posting their business. At the Bojangles,,, I actually got a regional manager when I did this. I asked him to relate this to his bosses at their meetings. If we, as gun owners will stop being complacent, and get pro-active in standing up for our rights,, a lot of this nonsense will go away. The media has been demonizing gun owners for so long, it has created a fear that we need to stop.
Congrats on your stance & actions.

Now, before I get flamed, I fully respect any businesses legal right to post their business. But it does not mean I have to spend my money there & I can let others who, like me, refuse to do business with such folks.

Miss Penny's boss, (an attorney,) was looking for a new restaurant to go to lunch at. He mentioned one place, & Miss Penny told him how anti-gun they are & how they STRONGLY support much of the liberal agenda. He said,,, "Well, they are out!"

Word of mouth goes a long way.

 

[Bull Barrel]

Was it a legal TX .30-06 sign? If not I wouldn't give it a thought.

 

[Don Lovel]

I pulled up t the pumps at a gas station in Boise City Oklahoma the other day, Molly went in and paid for gas, she had given them $40 and it only took like $35 so I went in to get my change and there was a no guns allowed sign on the door, I did not have my jacket on, open carrying which is legal in Oklahoma, went back to the truck grabbed a jacket and then went in to get my change, not surprised to see some towelhead running the place, I got my change, then as I was leaving, pulled back my jacket enough he could see my 1911, looked at him and grinned and flipped him the finger and drove off.

 

[WAYNO]

I find more often than not, folks will not put their money where their mouth is.

If I know any place is not gun friendly, I stay away.

I find too many folks that wont be burdened by leaving and going to a different establishment. Their argument being, they can't put up a sign like that, or screw 'em, I'll carry there anyway. Then, the establishment never gets the message, and they effectively win.

When I was in Missouri and Kansas a few months back, I posted here about the amount of no-guns-allowed signs I saw on businesses there. You'd have thought I was the enemy for even reading the signs. Lots of puffing up of folks chests, and they can't enforce that! Then I guess folks can still feel good about patronizing the anti-gun establishments.

I have not even entered a movie theatre since the big movie chains have declared themselves as gun free zones. But if you folks feel good about spending your money there, declaring "they can't enforce that", then enjoy your movie, and enjoy supporting Hollywood.


WAYNO.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

I haven't ever seen one of them signs. Alaska and Idaho are pretty gun friendly. Were I to see one I could NOT support that business in any way. I've not even seen a sign on the theater I go to. And yes I wear a gun 24/7. Gotta be pretty ignorant to think that is going to stop a bad guy. More of an invitation to a bad guy in my mind. Enough reason to stay out.

 

[gtxmonte]

So long as you have a choice, I would do the same. 8)

The OP has a choice and so does the store owner. They both MADE their choices, so what's the problem.

 

[WAYNO]

I haven't ever seen one of them signs. Alaska and Idaho are pretty gun friendly. Were I to see one I could NOT support that business in any way. I've not even seen a sign on the theater I go to. And yes I wear a gun 24/7. Gotta be pretty ignorant to think that is going to stop a bad guy. More of an invitation to a bad guy in my mind. Enough reason to stay out.

And Oregon too...Seldom will you see the no-guns sign, except at the movie houses. That's what really blew me away, to see so many of these signs in the Mid-West.

WAYNO.

 

[mohavesam]

Be sure to let the store owner (not the counterperson) that by placing the NGA sign, he/she assumes FULL liability for your safety and defense under your state's laws. Tell them your lawyer said so.

Or, as I do, ask him if the NGA includes law enforcement. (Do not claim to be an LEO).
After all, law enforcement is the only reason I carry in public - under God's laws and man's.)

 

[gtxmonte]

Be sure to let the store owner (not the counterperson) that by placing the NGA sign, he/she assumes FULL liability for your safety and defense under your state's laws. Tell them your lawyer said so.

Or, as I do, ask him if the NGA includes law enforcement. (Do not claim to be an LEO).
After all, law enforcement is the only reason I carry in public - under God's laws and man's.)

Do you tell the people at your local courthouse that, when you have to go in and buy tags, pay property tax, etc. Weapons are not allowed in govt buildings and seldom are there any LEOs there to protect you. My local courthouse is nowhere near the jail, nor have I ever seen an armed officer in it, other than in the courtroom while proceedings are under way.

 

[mohavesam]

Of course one cannot hold government responsible for that which only government can provide, so no is the obvious answer.
Private business owners making stupid choices is a different matter altogether.

I've always endorsed the sign I saw locally reading: "If your gun leaves your holster inside this establishment, you may/will be fired upon".

 

[gtxmonte]

This all boils down to opinion. You may think their choice is stupid, but they don't. This boils down to people and how they are wired. Your favorite color is this and mine is that. I believe this, you believe that. Some like guns, some don't. Many think this is all about anti-gun people and their push to take away YOUR rights. Why can't it be that some just don't like them, or have a fear of them and choose not to be around them. While you can talk about "educating" people not to be afraid of them........that's great. But you could also say why can't we "educate" people to not be afraid of milking venomous snakes, jumping out of airplanes, or anything else. Seldom are you going to change how someone feels about something deep inside their core. Most everybody is scared of SOMETHING and others see that as crazy. I don't agree with how a lot of people feel about things, but I try not to fault them for it. How many different religions do we have all based on supposedly the SAME book. Not everyone sees it the same way

 

[737tdi]

Sorry but this is not about opinions. It just isn't. If you read my post then you understand how I feel. Yes, they have the right to control their personal property and business. At the same time I also have the ability to not do business with them and also the ability to let them know why. If a restaurant is putting horse meat in their burgers I will bet most will not eat there, they have the ability to do that.

To answer a question above. "Was it a 30/06 sign?" No it wasn't, and yes I could legally carry there. That is not the point to me, in my mind they are anti-gun by posting any NGA sign and I will not do business with them. If you have the opinion that someone hates you do you still keep them as a friend? Also, the arguments above are not relative to this, snakes, airplanes? I don't see them mentioned anywhere in the Bill of Rights. If there was a sign on the door, "No Christians allowed" would you still do business there?

Karl

 

[Bull Barrel]

If they really didn't want guns there they would have legal signs. IMO the signs were a way to appease anti gunners, who don't really know the law.

 

[Colonialgirl]

Well, people at my local Publix markets and the local Walmart ALL know I carry; One of the door greeters is also a firearms fan and we have discussed various models and makes and how we did at the range last time. He admires my little SR9c but may be headed to the Philippines in the near future.

 

[gtxmonte]

Sorry but this is not about opinions. It just isn't. If you read my post then you understand how I feel. Yes, they have the right to control their personal property and business. At the same time I also have the ability to not do business with them and also the ability to let them know why. If a restaurant is putting horse meat in their burgers I will bet most will not eat there, they have the ability to do that.

To answer a question above. "Was it a 30/06 sign?" No it wasn't, and yes I could legally carry there. That is not the point to me, in my mind they are anti-gun by posting any NGA sign and I will not do business with them. If you have the opinion that someone hates you do you still keep them as a friend? Also, the arguments above are not relative to this, snakes, airplanes? I don't see them mentioned anywhere in the Bill of Rights. If there was a sign on the door, "No Christians allowed" would you still do business there?

Karl

This is the part that I don't really understand about this argument. It's not a popular position, but how I feel. Why would you think YOUR rights are more important than THEIR rights. Is that not essentially what you are saying? Yes you have the right to carry a weapon, but they also have the right to not allow that on their private property. You readily admit this fact and as such choose not to do business there, which is again your right. But since you don't like the fact that they can or how they choose to exercise their rights, it makes you mad and you classify them as ignorant. That most definitely seems like a matter of opinion to me. So I would have to ask if it makes you mad and do you think everyone is ignorant who doesn't see everything the same as you do?

While I am not an everyday CC person, I do at times. Places I know that have signs posted, I simply avoid or if I MUST go in them, I follow their rules. Doesn't make me angry though. Just not wired to be MAD at everybody who doesn't see things my way.

 

[lipofsky]

I live in Central Maine and have never seen a no gun sign on any of the places I have been. Maybe I should get out more. :mrgreen:

 

[737tdi]

Sorry but this is not about opinions. It just isn't. If you read my post then you understand how I feel. Yes, they have the right to control their personal property and business. At the same time I also have the ability to not do business with them and also the ability to let them know why. If a restaurant is putting horse meat in their burgers I will bet most will not eat there, they have the ability to do that.

To answer a question above. "Was it a 30/06 sign?" No it wasn't, and yes I could legally carry there. That is not the point to me, in my mind they are anti-gun by posting any NGA sign and I will not do business with them. If you have the opinion that someone hates you do you still keep them as a friend? Also, the arguments above are not relative to this, snakes, airplanes? I don't see them mentioned anywhere in the Bill of Rights. If there was a sign on the door, "No Christians allowed" would you still do business there?

Karl

This is the part that I don't really understand about this argument. It's not a popular position, but how I feel. Why would you think YOUR rights are more important than THEIR rights. Is that not essentially what you are saying? Yes you have the right to carry a weapon, but they also have the right to not allow that on their private property. You readily admit this fact and as such choose not to do business there, which is again your right. But since you don't like the fact that they can or how they choose to exercise their rights, it makes you mad and you classify them as ignorant. That most definitely seems like a matter of opinion to me. So I would have to ask if it makes you mad and do you think everyone is ignorant who doesn't see everything the same as you do?

While I am not an everyday CC person, I do at times. Places I know that have signs posted, I simply avoid or if I MUST go in them, I follow their rules. Doesn't make me angry though. Just not wired to be MAD at everybody who doesn't see things my way.

I think you are reading things that I haven't written. I don't think I ever said the word "ignorant". I also don't think I ever said I was "mad". If I did I should have said disappointed. By the way you didn't address the question. What if it said no Christians allowed? I have NO PROBLEM obeying their sign, that is actually my point. I will not shop there! That is my point. Boycott businesses that have these signs. No more, No less. Let them know why.

If you go to a restaurant and their food is horrible do you just walk out or do you let them know? Of course you won't go back unless they change. Same premise. If you are not for ME and this country then you are against me. No slack.

The ideals, morals, and general consciousness are being eroded and everyone just keeps accepting it. The idea of hunting, fishing, target shooting are becoming a hot spot that has to be stopped. How does one do that? They stop supporting businesses, clubs, people who are spouting this crap. If we don't stand up for what we believe and accept that we are helpless then they have won. I won't give into this.

I happened to drive by this store today on the way to Gun Barrel City and they now have official signs. I hate to wish bad on folks but I sure hope they lose their business. Understand, this is an area that almost everyone is a hunter, shooter and proud supporters of the 2nd amendment. Again, I am not mad, just disappointed that a business here has decided to ban legally carried firearms.

Karl

 

[Bull Barrel]

They have the right to keep guns out of their property, just like you have the right to keep things you don't like off your property. Your rights don't trump theirs. That's the way it works. You can complain all you want but that's theway it is. You shouldn't be trying to take their rights from them with a boycott. You are attempting to force them to give up their rights. They aren't doing it to you.
Let's put it this way-I'm sleeping at your house tonight and it's my right because I'll have my P89 on me. What say ye?

 

[gtxmonte]

I was just going by what you said brother.....in first post you said "fur went up on the back of my neck, damn I was pissed". Your second post, you said "Yes, they can do what they want, but I don't have to give in to their ignorance".

I am not disagreeing with you and don't blame you for what you did........my only point was that others can believe what they believe just as strongly as you and I and it is their right to do so. We may not agree, but have to respect their rights to their opinions. We have numerous political parties, numerous religions and all sorts of other differences that wars have been fought over. Yourself it appears, with the Semper Fi sign off, were in the military and may have fought for those same people to have the freedom to exercise their rights. You did the right thing by telling them how you feel and expressing your disappointment. But it would appear that after the exchange, they indeed got the "proper" signage, so they must feel pretty strongly themselves.

Then we have another poster, who blatantly ignored a posted sign. Made sure the attendant KNEW he did, showed his gun, smiled and gave the guy the finger and seems proud of it. I can't see where that kind of attitude does us any favors as gun owners or furthering our cause........But that's just me

 

[737tdi]

They have the right to keep guns out of their property, just like you have the right to keep things you don't like off your property. Your rights don't trump theirs. That's the way it works. You can complain all you want but that's theway it is. You shouldn't be trying to take their rights from them with a boycott. You are attempting to force them to give up their rights. They aren't doing it to you.
Let's put it this way-I'm sleeping at your house tonight and it's my right because I'll have my P89 on me. What say ye?

What say I? That is the dumbest statement I have ever read. I shouldn't be trying to take their rights away from them with a boycott. Really? A boycott doesn't take away their rights. The right to vote is a boycott. If you vote for a democrat you are boycotting the republicans. This is the way it works. Read the title of this post. Rainbow warriors have changed the laws in this country. African Americans have boycotted and changed a ton of laws.

A boycott enforces the majorities feelings. If the boycott doesn't work then it fails, again majority rules. As long as honest, law abiding citizens are "boycotted" against then we lose. How long do we sit on our hands and accept the general rule that guns are awful, bad, deadly. If you Bull Barrel never say a word supporting your gun rights then no one will know. Your lack of participation will affect your children, grandchildren and the 2nd amendment will cease to exist.

A sign on their door is a "boycott". They are boycotting a right supported by the law of the land. Yes, as I said before, it is their right, but it is my choice to not give them my money. How damn hard is that to understand. I am not violating their rights by not shopping there. They have no expectation of success.

I will not post on this again. Go ahead and give the anti's a platform, continue to do business with them. Keep your mouths shut and wallets open. If you vote pro gun, conservative, then why would you vote with your wallet for an anti-gun business? I just don't get it. Go ahead and vote for Bloomberg when he gets in the Presidential race, you are doing the same by shopping at anti-gun establishments. Cut them off and things may change. JMOs.

By the way, yes, I spent 10 years in the USMC and am biased, biased in the right way.

No disrespect to any of y'all but this is the way every gun owner should feel. If not then your way of life will disappear.


Semper Fi:

Karl

 

[SamV]

I have mentioned this in another post before, so bear with me for repeating myself. I actually have noticed a decrease in the number of signs that I see. I can think of several local supermarkets that have removed their signs, and a major wholesale club that removed their signs. A major hardware chain no longer has them posted locally. I just see less of them than I did in years past. I suspect many took them down because of either people complaining, or they just realized that they really don't stop evil people. Many companies put them up when concealed permits first came out and maybe they were expecting mayhem, but I suppose they realized that it just never happened.
The only consistent group I see posted locally are auto dealers. They all have huge signs posted everywhere about no guns. I don't think I have come across one that doesn't have multiple big signs.

 

[Bull Barrel]

Again, your rights do NOT override theirs. You are saying you will boycott their business unless they forfeit their rights. You do NOT have the right to trespass.
With rights come responsibilities. They are not depriving you of your rights, why do you want to deprive them of theirs?
And you didn't answer my question. I'm sleeping at your house tonight because I'll be carrying my P89. What do you say to that?

 

[contender]

Guys,,,, we all need to relax & breathe a little.

Karl has stated that he got bothered by a business in a rural area, ripe with law abiding gun owners, posting against carrying a firearm. He doesn't understand them or their reasons. He has stated he knows they have that right,,, but feels he also has the right to NOT support their business.He has also stated what I was saying,,, that we, as gun owners have been on the receiving end of so much bias to where we are portrayed as evil, bad, neanderthals, stupid, & many other negatives. Heck, just this morning I read an article on how Michael Bloomberg is going to target single women, (a demographic,) by getting ads & media stuff to portray men who own guns as undesirable people. It's this type of anti-gun soft approach that has pushed us into a place where we need to become a grassroots form of pro-American Rights information. Otherwise, our way of life will be lost.

Think of it like this. The term "assault rifle" was coined & used by the media first & heavily. Now, many gun owners think NOTHING of using that term as an acceptable way to describe XYZ firearms. The soft approach is working against us. To also paraphrase another; "You can not fell the mighty oak with one chop of the ax, but with many chips, it will fall."

Heck, the arguments here are proving that they are dividing us,,, a gun owning bunch who believes in Freedom.

Yes, Karl's words may have seemed harsh towards the business folks,,, but I got the impression he was just frustrated by their actions. He has recognized the fact they do have the right to post their business. I think we ALL understand that. What we do not understand, and are trying to change is their often mis-understanding of law abiding gun owners & the fact that criminals will choose to ignore their posted sign. Except to maybe target them for a crime. What I got out of Karl's post is that we as gun owners should do a couple of things. One, use our pocketbooks to affect any business that WE feel is against our beliefs. Two, try & educate these people,,, IN A POLITE way, as to why we will not spend money there & how we will tell other law abiding people why we do not shop there.

What is not mentioned is a simple, well known fact. The fact is, MANY people are NOT educated about firearms, except what they have been fed by the media. The exact same "soft attack" approach has reached these people. Why? Because it's well known that there are a lot of people in America that are not gun owners, or are on the fence about the Second Amendment,,, because it's never been important to THEM.

I read another article this morning about Hollywierd & the "Entertainment Council" & how they have an agenda,,, to where they have PUBLISHED a list of things that writers should follow when writing in gun scenes for movies & TV. They have been attacking us using this soft approach for a LONG time.

Now, a comment was made about what would happen if you came across a sign on a business that said; "No Christians allowed." If that happened,,, there would be a media uproar. Many would jump to defend that businesses right to post it,, but others would be outraged. (Anybody recall what happened when a business refused to serve a gay couple?) Or, if a sign appeared; "No Muslims allowed?" Again, outrage & media hysteria.
Yet,,, they are PUSHING for the NGA signs. No media outrage. So, it falls to individuals to use grassroots activism to change things.

And a comment was made about carrying a P89 at my house. I think (or I'd like to) that you'd be welcomed with open arms. I expect anybody I invite to my house to be armed if they so choose to be. As will most of us here.

Nobody is arguing that a business, or anything does NOT have the right to post. It is their right, and yes, as a Veteran, I defended those rights. But those same rights allow me to CHOOSE where I shop, or who gets my money, and to speak aloud to as many people as I can about it.

So, let's all just step back, calm down, re-read my first post, and look at what I'm saying. It's simple. We as law abiding gun owners should be pro-active in trying to change things to where we are not demonized by such bias. We just do not have the loud media to support us,,, and in fact,,, we are fighting them as well.

 

[Bull Barrel]

I didn't say I was visiting, I said I was STAYING at your home. And I should be allowed to do it just because I will be exercising my RKBA.

What is being missed here is people want to boycott a business because they areexercising their rights.
A boycott is an effort to FORCE someone to do something against their will.
Sure, you have the right to not go there and that's fine. But to boycott-ineffect an organized action-to force them to give up their rights is no different than the politicians doing the same thing.