Fear of the unknown fuels business ban decisions

The Akron Beacon Journal has published an op-ed which highlights once again what we've told you before: Anti-gun extremists are the true sufferers of paranoia.

Appropriately entitled "Concealed guns bring fears to light", the Beacon Journal op-ed starts out bad, and gets worse from there:

You're a cop. You pull a car over for a burned-out taillight.

You approach the driver's door. The window is down, and the driver has his hands on the steering wheel.

"I have a gun,'' he says.

Welcome to the letter of the law. Under Ohio's new concealed-carry statute, this is exactly how it is supposed to happen. This declaration will not only be perfectly normal, but good citizenship.

But in real life, as in theater, the specter of a loaded gun changes everything. It adds tension. It raises questions. It sets the heart to a higher beat and races the mind toward possibilities.

Get used to it.

You're getting your Monday-morning coffee. A co-worker tells you about his prowess at the shooting range over the weekend. He pats his hip.

"Ol' Bessie did me proud,'' he says, pulling back his suit jacket to reveal a pearl-handled revolver.

The mistake of confusing law-abiding citizens who choose to bear arms for self-defense with criminals isn't just confined to the urban areas of Ohio. Consider these thoughts from the (Napoleon) Northwest Signal:

"No way," said Bev Elling, assistant manager of Wendt Shoes, about the possibility of having concealed weapons in the downtown Napoleon business. "I don’t want them in here. It would scare me - I’m not a gun girl. I am here by myself at times and that’s not something I would want in a million years. Sure, it’s a small town but I don’t think so. Nobody will want (concealed weapons) in businesses."

"No, we will pursue the sign," said Rosie Williams, co-owner of Lily and Rosie’s. "Even in small towns there are murders, robberies, and you’re always reading about thefts."

NOTE: There are PLENTY more businesses in Napoleon and across the state who will welcome CHL-holders with open arms. In fact, OFCC member and business owner Brian Berry will not only be welcoming CHL-holders to his Napoleon and Defiance stores, he is offering a 10% discount for any OFCC member that shows their membership card in at all locations of Learning Etc. and The Scrappin' Zone.

Grassroots supporters are driving the effort to inform businesses of the reasons for which posting discriminatory signs banning CHL-holders is a bad, even dangerous idea.

They are also driving the effort to inform each other about businesses which have made the decision to post signs, and OFCC continues to receive emails about these businesses.

Click on the "Read More..." link below for a few of the most recent letters.

-----Original Message-----
From: Stuart Castergine
Sent: Thursday, April 01, 2004 1:16 PM
Subject: Anti-gun businesses in Zanesville

I wanted to inform OFCC that Sign Pro of Southeastern Ohio, in Zanesville, has been airing radio spots encouraging local businesses to come get their "No Concealed Carry Weapons Allowed" signs from them. The ads capitalize on anti-gun fears and hysteria and I think OFCC members should know that this business is *not* a friend or supporter of our Constitutional rights.

Thanks,
Stuart Castergine
Crooksville, OH

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Taylor"
Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2004 2:13 PM
Subject: Addition to "Do Not Patronize While Armed" list

Greetings,

I had an interesting experience today. My wife, daughter and I spent the day shopping around for a matress for my daughter's new bed. We happened upon the "Original Matress Factory" on route 4 in Fairfield in Butler county (7010 Fairfield Business Center Drive Fairfield,OH 45014 513-860-9988). Upon approaching the door there was a big blue and white sign that read something to the effct that they did not allow weapons, concealed or otherwise, on the premises. We decided to enter anyway and we looked at a few mattresses.

We found a nice one that we liked and as we talked with the salesperson, I took him aside and explained to him that I had severe reservations about spending money in his establishment. He asked me why and I pointed at the sign next to the door explaining to him that I was pro-self-defense and that this sign bothered me. He went on to explain that it was a company-wide policy for all persons to the extent that all employees were made to sign statements that they were not to have guns on the premises or even in their cars.

I stepped outside to discuss the matter with my wife. Upon returning, I explained to the salesman that the sign had cost him a sale and that, as a gun owner and self defense advocate, it made me feel unwelcome. Another salesperson who overheard the conversation tried to explain to me that it was company policy and that it was not intended to make me feel unwelcome. I explained that it also made me feel unsafe and bid them both good day.

Anyway, the long and the short of it is that apparently, "Original Mattress Factory" has a no guns policy and should thus be added to the list of businesses that should not be patronized while armed.

Sincerely,

Dave, Heather and Erin Taylor

The Original Mattress Factory has stores in several CCW states in the south. We are working to determine whether they discriminate against CHL-holders there as well.

Related Stories:
What Business Owners Need to Know About CCW

''No Guns-No Money'' Cards now available

"Do Not Patronize While Armed"

Discount Drug Mart: There will be no corporate policy on signs

SIGNS COME DOWN: Marc's discount stores pull discriminatory signs
"Do Not Patronize While Armed"