Target asks customers not to bring guns to its stores

MPLS Star & SIckle ^ | 7-2-14 | evan ramstad

[TurboZamboni]

Target Corp. on Wednesday took a stand against customers who bring firearms into its stores. “This is a complicated issue, but it boils down to a simple belief: Bringing firearms to Target creates an environment that is at odds with the family-friendly shopping and work experience we strive to create,” John Mulligan, the company’s acting CEO, said in a statement. The matter became a surprising controversy for the Minneapolis-based retailer in recent months when activist gun owners in Texas and other states chose the company’s stores to demonstrate their belief in the right to openly bear arms.

[thackney]

Texas and other “open carry” states allow people to carry guns unless directed by owners of private property to put them away.

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They don’t even know what open carry means.

Texas does not allow open carry.

[deoetdoctrinae]

...they need to post a specific sign as required by statute...

I think that is also the case here in Tennessee (and probably most everywhere). If they don't, then their request is just that, merely a request.

When I see one of the signs, like at Mast General Store or Outback Steakhouse, I take my dollars elsewhere.

[Tupelo]

I have been carrying a firearm (concealed) in Target stores for many years. So far neither it nor I have shot at anything or anyone while shopping. So if Target is afraid of me, I guess my money will still spend as well at Walmart or Kmart or any other mart that does not discriminate against the Second Amendment.
In other words, **** Target and the horse they rode in on.

[thackney]

I’ll continue to concealed-carry in the local Target store. Even if they do put up a sign, I’ll probably decide to ignore it.

Assuming you have a conceal-carry permit, that means you are willing to put your permit at risk for the privilege of shopping at a store that doesn't respect your rights.

[Don Corleone]

F. U. TARGET!

[TurboZamboni]

For being a ‘pro-gun’ state, Texas has a lot of goofy gun laws.

IIRC,TX is where this Target silliness started. IIRC, TX doesn’t allow open pistol carry, but does allow open long gun carry.

[Blennos]

Assuming you have a conceal-carry permit, that means you are willing to put your permit at risk for the privilege of shopping at a store that doesn't respect your rights.

I do have a permit. The situation is not ideal, to be sure. But our pharmacy is at Target; and there is not another one within a convenient distance. Were it not for that,I would kiss Target goodbye, for this and a host of other reasons.

[Joe Brower]

I believe this is only in relation to carrying openly, side or long arms. It does not apply to CCW.

That said, I'm sure these folks would have no problem with armed police, since they have state-issued halos.

[thackney]

Be careful my FRiend...

[lostboy61]

They just closed the Target near us! Could it have been other poor management ideals?

[Mom MD]

I have a hard time seeing signs. Im sign blind. Besides that even if there is a sign, it is a misdemeanor at best to carry. If you get found out and if the store wants to make an issue of it. The only way I would be found out is if I needed the firearm. After that I wouldn’t care if the store got a little upset....

[Mom MD]

If I owned a store I would post a sign saying “Legal concealed carry welcome here”

[Leaning Right]

If they oppose open carry, I don’t know why they couldn’t just post a sign stating “NO OPEN WEAPONS CARRY ALLOWED”

Bingo! Look, I can understand why some folks get all worked up about open carry. No one is more pro-2A than me, but if I'm in a store and people walk in with slung rifles, I'm going to get a little uncomfortable.

It's a natural reaction. Just like if a person in a store is openly examining a Hustler magazine (I've been told it has some raunchy content).

You've got a right to carry (2A), and a right to read Hustler (1A). But conceal the gun, and conceal the Hustler, when you're out in public.

And for what it's worth, I think most states have got it backwards. No license should be needed for concealed carry, but a license should be needed for open carry.

[TurboZamboni]

I think the rabid open carry rifle folks are paid Bloomturd plants.

JMHO.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Target is over.

[Leaning Right]

I think the rabid open carry rifle folks are paid Bloomturd plants.

I hadn't thought about that angle, but you might be on to something. One thing is for sure, the rabid open carry rifle folks are NOT helping the 2A cause. It's almost like they are trying to provoke an anti-2A backlash, which goes to your point.

[TurboZamboni]

http://www.guns.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/22537201_BG1.jpg

[Salgak]

Well, I guess I won’t bring my cash, either..

[GraceG]

[ Texas and other “open carry” states allow people to carry guns unless directed by owners of private property to put them away. ]

I have issues with “Open Carry” as it will give a gun man an intial target. Also I have issues with Open Carry being used as a substitute for Concealed Carry. I have big issues with needing a permit for concealed carry.

I would much rather have concealed carry without a permit as it shouldn’t be up to the government to tell you how to carry your protection on you.

I would rather the people with guns with ill intent not have any idea who might be armed, they may be pointing a gun at the clerk and not notice the little old lady who just pulled a snub 38 out of her purse and has it pointed at his head.

But I will take Open Carry when I can get it.

[GraceG]

” I think the rabid open carry rifle folks are paid Bloomturd plants.

I hadn’t thought about that angle, but you might be on to something. One thing is for sure, the rabid open carry rifle folks are NOT helping the 2A cause. It’s almost like they are trying to provoke an anti-2A backlash, which goes to your point. “

One has to wonder