Reader Blake Hiatt writes:
I have been in the market to purchase a pendant that matches some earrings I purchased for my wife. My regular jeweler had not been able to give me a hand, so, I decided to try another jewelry store. As luck would have it, a brand new “Jared” opened not far from where my wife and I live. I noticed, as I was entering the store, a “no guns allowed” sign” My first instinct was to turn away, but, in the end, I went in . . .
While in the store, I received excellent service and the manager was extremely helpful, even though the store did not stock what I was looking for. After chatting with the manager for a while, he gave me his card and we discussed my return, next time with pictures of the earrings.
After I left, my conscience got the better of me and I reluctantly concluded that I could not do business with Jared because of their policy. However, I also thought I owed the manager an explanation as to why I wouldn’t be doing business with Jared. I went back to the store, asked for the manager and requested that we speak in private.
The manager was extremely attentive as I explained my position. I did make a point of asking if the sign was his policy or corporate policy. (The sign is corporate policy. I was pretty sure it was, but thought I should verify.)
As I said to the manager, the sign isn’t going to keep out people intent on robbing the store and, in fact, the sign would only keep out those who might be his only line of defense, should a robbery occur. The manager agreed and told me he would try to kick my position up the corporate ladder. I pointed out that people who have guns also tend to have a few dollars and, more than likely, I’m not the only sale Jared is going to lose due to their no guns policy.
I also told him I’d write about the experience and my disappointment with corporate policy.
On the upside, the manager was extremely nice about the whole thing, which made me regret my stand, but, not to the point of changing my mind. During our chat, I remained pleasant with the manager and, as he is new to the area, I invited him to church, and also offered to take him shooting.
Because the photo above is a little hard to make out, I’ve transcribed it:
NO PERSON SHALL CARRY,
POSSESS, HAVE UNDER THE
PERSON’S CONTROL, CONVEY
OR ATTEMPT TO CONVEY
A FIREARM, CONCEALED
FIREARM DANGEROUS
ORDNANCE, HANDGUN,
OOR DEADLY WEAPON ON
OR ONTO THIS LAND,
PARKING LOT OR PREMISES