Idiot in Gun Store

BradyM77 · February 15th, 2009, 05:37 PM

I was in my local pawn/gun store (they have a better selection than all the other gun stores around here) looking for some new toys to buy with my tax return. When an older man standing next to me talking with one of the clerks pulls out a little Kel Tec and turns the laser on that's mounted to it! As soon as he put it away I couldn't help myself and called him an idiot. Before another word was said I told him that pulling a gun out in a gun shop with kids twenty feet away in the pawn shop part is just plain stupid. And pulling it from a zipped hoodie pocket with no holster is even stupider. I told the clerks that I would be back later to look when it's less dangerous. The only thing that he did even remotely "not stupid" was that he kept it pointed at the ground and didn't put his finger on the trigger. BTW I wasn't armed as having just came from work at the airport. Sadly the clerk just smiled and tapped his pocket (apparently to show where he was carrying concealed) when the old guy pulled his little pocket pistol out (I used to respect his opinion on matters concerning firearms). In hindsight even my reaction seems wrong to me now. Getting out of there would be my first priority while letting the Glock Armorer know what was going on (he is kind of an A#% but he also would not put up with that. What would any of you do if somebody pulls a loaded gun out of there pocket at your GS?

sigmanluke · February 15th, 2009, 05:42 PM

Definately leave, and call the cops. That is illegal (isn't it)?

C9H13NO3 · February 15th, 2009, 05:47 PM

Depends on the circumstances. I was at the gunstore a while back, and noticed one of the employees had some G10 grips on his carry piece. I asked him how he liked them, and he said "try 'em out", drew his loaded weapon, removed the magazine, cleared it, and let me handle it. I didn't see anything wrong with it, as he handed it to me in a cleared condition, but he was pulling out a loaded gun. I'd expect the same from anyone else.

Why was he pulling it out and turning on the laser? Was he showing it to someone? If so, I think he probably should have unloaded and cleared it before handling it, but that would be my only complaint. If he was just playing with it for no reason, pretty stupid.

zackattack78 · February 15th, 2009, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sigmanluke

Definately leave, and call the cops. That is illegal (isn't it)?

Stupid yes, illegal, not necessarily. I think it comes down to state laws regarding brandishing and such. As long as there was no threat or intimidation with pulling the gun out I think that would be legal in PA

itowbigtruck · February 15th, 2009, 05:50 PM

Do you know the context of their conversation? Or if it was loaded? perhaps he was trying to pawn it?

I wasn't there, just wondering?

If He was discussing something with the clerk and pointed it at the ground, I would probably not think anything about it. If he brought the barrel up, I would start looking for my exit strategy.

BradyM77 · February 15th, 2009, 05:51 PM

I was standing next to him ogling an XDM when I look over and see him unzip his hoodie pocket, pull out his unholstered pistol, turn the laser on to show the clerk that he was armed, pointing it at the ground. He then put it back in his pocket and that's when I spoke up.

Hopyard · February 15th, 2009, 05:58 PM

No brandishing or illegal display in this episode. It is private property and he was conversing with the store owner or clerk about the gun. It can't be illegal to show it in this situation--how else could you sell in a pawn shop? Or, how else could you discuss a weapon with a smith?

The OP's reaction was not wise, as he seems to realize, and is also born out by the pawn show owner's lack of reaction--" the clerk just smiled ." He'd have been doing more than smiling if he thought it was a serious deal.

Stuff happens in life, and sometimes the best thing to do is get out of situation and move on. I would have merely left, or more likely ignored it. It is the clerk's territory and if he was OK with what was going on, it wouldn't be my bizz.

Calling someone an idiot --even if they are acting idiotic-- can be a very unhealthy thing to do. Might even be considered simple assault or disturbing the peace.

matdicdad · February 15th, 2009, 06:00 PM

Most likely I would just leave. I don't think he did anything illegal He just exercised poor judgement. Carrying W/O a holster is just dangerous and consequently I would just leave.

boscobeans · February 15th, 2009, 06:07 PM

OK.
1. I'm in a store that sells handguns.
2. Let's say there is no sign stating NO LOADED HANDGUNS.
3. I am carrying a pistol legally and it is loaded (its my EDC).
4. The clerk and I are discussing something about the pistol.
5. I ask if he wants to see it.
6. He says OK.
7. I produce the pistol, and keep it pointed at the floor.
8. I show him the serial number, finish, laser, proof mark, whatever.
9. I put the pistol back where I had been keeping it,(pocket,pouch, whatever).

? Is there something wrong here? This is after all, a place that buys and sells handguns.

bosco

PNUT · February 15th, 2009, 06:08 PM

I wouldn't think that it was any of my business either,not smart of the guy to just carry it in his pocket.Who knows if it was even loaded ? I'd have to assume that the clerk knew he was about to pull it out,that's why there was no reaction to it. If it made you uncomfortable it's fine to just leave. No sense in starting something since it appeared to be an A/B coversation,C your way out of it...

February 15th, 2009, 05:37 PM	#1
BradyM77 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 636	Idiot in Gun Store I was in my local pawn/gun store (they have a better selection than all the other gun stores around here) looking for some new toys to buy with my tax return. When an older man standing next to me talking with one of the clerks pulls out a little Kel Tec and turns the laser on that's mounted to it! As soon as he put it away I couldn't help myself and called him an idiot. Before another word was said I told him that pulling a gun out in a gun shop with kids twenty feet away in the pawn shop part is just plain stupid. And pulling it from a zipped hoodie pocket with no holster is even stupider. I told the clerks that I would be back later to look when it's less dangerous. The only thing that he did even remotely "not stupid" was that he kept it pointed at the ground and didn't put his finger on the trigger. BTW I wasn't armed as having just came from work at the airport. Sadly the clerk just smiled and tapped his pocket (apparently to show where he was carrying concealed) when the old guy pulled his little pocket pistol out (I used to respect his opinion on matters concerning firearms). In hindsight even my reaction seems wrong to me now. Getting out of there would be my first priority while letting the Glock Armorer know what was going on (he is kind of an A#% but he also would not put up with that. What would any of you do if somebody pulls a loaded gun out of there pocket at your GS? __________________ Having a gun and saying you're armed is like having a guitar and saying you're a musician. Jeff Cooper

February 15th, 2009, 05:42 PM	#2
sigmanluke Distinguished Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Utah Posts: 1,640	Definately leave, and call the cops. That is illegal (isn't it)? __________________ "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson

February 15th, 2009, 05:47 PM	#3
C9H13NO3 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,188	Depends on the circumstances. I was at the gunstore a while back, and noticed one of the employees had some G10 grips on his carry piece. I asked him how he liked them, and he said "try 'em out", drew his loaded weapon, removed the magazine, cleared it, and let me handle it. I didn't see anything wrong with it, as he handed it to me in a cleared condition, but he was pulling out a loaded gun. I'd expect the same from anyone else. Why was he pulling it out and turning on the laser? Was he showing it to someone? If so, I think he probably should have unloaded and cleared it before handling it, but that would be my only complaint. If he was just playing with it for no reason, pretty stupid. __________________ -Ryan All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.

February 15th, 2009, 05:51 PM	#6
BradyM77 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 636	I was standing next to him ogling an XDM when I look over and see him unzip his hoodie pocket, pull out his unholstered pistol, turn the laser on to show the clerk that he was armed, pointing it at the ground. He then put it back in his pocket and that's when I spoke up. __________________ Having a gun and saying you're armed is like having a guitar and saying you're a musician. Jeff Cooper

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February 15th, 2009, 05:50 PM	#5
itowbigtruck Ex Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florissant (St Louis area) MO Posts: 100	Do you know the context of their conversation? Or if it was loaded? perhaps he was trying to pawn it? I wasn't there, just wondering? If He was discussing something with the clerk and pointed it at the ground, I would probably not think anything about it. If he brought the barrel up, I would start looking for my exit strategy.

February 15th, 2009, 05:58 PM	#7
Hopyard VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: College Station Posts: 2,851	No brandishing or illegal display in this episode. It is private property and he was conversing with the store owner or clerk about the gun. It can't be illegal to show it in this situation--how else could you sell in a pawn shop? Or, how else could you discuss a weapon with a smith? The OP's reaction was not wise, as he seems to realize, and is also born out by the pawn show owner's lack of reaction--" the clerk just smiled ." He'd have been doing more than smiling if he thought it was a serious deal. Stuff happens in life, and sometimes the best thing to do is get out of situation and move on. I would have merely left, or more likely ignored it. It is the clerk's territory and if he was OK with what was going on, it wouldn't be my bizz. Calling someone an idiot --even if they are acting idiotic-- can be a very unhealthy thing to do. Might even be considered simple assault or disturbing the peace.

February 15th, 2009, 06:00 PM	#8
matdicdad Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: SE Virginia Posts: 739	Most likely I would just leave. I don't think he did anything illegal He just exercised poor judgement. Carrying W/O a holster is just dangerous and consequently I would just leave.

February 15th, 2009, 06:07 PM	#9
boscobeans Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: upstate new york Posts: 722	OK. 1. I'm in a store that sells handguns. 2. Let's say there is no sign stating NO LOADED HANDGUNS. 3. I am carrying a pistol legally and it is loaded (its my EDC). 4. The clerk and I are discussing something about the pistol. 5. I ask if he wants to see it. 6. He says OK. 7. I produce the pistol, and keep it pointed at the floor. 8. I show him the serial number, finish, laser, proof mark, whatever. 9. I put the pistol back where I had been keeping it,(pocket,pouch, whatever). ? Is there something wrong here? This is after all, a place that buys and sells handguns. bosco

February 15th, 2009, 06:08 PM	#10
PNUT Ex Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: TN Posts: 913	I wouldn't think that it was any of my business either,not smart of the guy to just carry it in his pocket.Who knows if it was even loaded ? I'd have to assume that the clerk knew he was about to pull it out,that's why there was no reaction to it. If it made you uncomfortable it's fine to just leave. No sense in starting something since it appeared to be an A/B coversation,C your way out of it...