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irfner
Activist Member
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Posted: Tue Dec 18th, 2007 12:24 am |
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Costco probably really believes they are protecting people with this policy. Threats of loss of business will not intimidate them. At best that will only make them defend their position and become even more entrenched. We would be better served if Lonnie or some member more eloquent than I could arrange a meeting with a high official of Costco and explain to them that the Tacoma Mall and Oklahoma shootings occurred because law abiding citizens were disarmed. Then remind this official that the people of Colorado Springs were spared because a female volunteer was carrying her personal weapon and stopped a killer in his tracks. Perhaps a copy of the December 16th Olympian would help make that point.
Explain that we are not asking Costco for a referendum on gun control. But that bad people do not follow the law or the rules whatever they are. All that we are asking is for Costco to consider just quietly honoring state law. That doing so would in reality provide far better security for their customers which by the way includes us.
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bbvk05
Member
| Joined: | Thu Dec 6th, 2007 |
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| Posts: | 48 |
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Posted: Tue Dec 18th, 2007 08:38 am |
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irfner wrote: Costco probably really believes they are protecting people with this policy. Threats of loss of business will not intimidate them. At best that will only make them defend their position and become even more entrenched. We would be better served if Lonnie or some member more eloquent than I could arrange a meeting with a high official of Costco and explain to them that the Tacoma Mall and Oklahoma shootings occurred because law abiding citizens were disarmed. Then remind this official that the people of Colorado Springs were spared because a female volunteer was carrying her personal weapon and stopped a killer in his tracks. Perhaps a copy of the December 16th Olympian would help make that point.
Explain that we are not asking Costco for a referendum on gun control. But that bad people do not follow the law or the rules whatever they are. All that we are asking is for Costco to consider just quietly honoring state law. That doing so would in reality provide far better security for their customers which by the way includes us.
That approach will not help much. All those executive will hear is "you should let people carry guns in your stores because then they can use them!". A self defense shooting, even when entirely justified, is a lawsuit waiting to happen. The BG or his family will sue costco claiming they were somehow negligent. Costco, being totally afraid of a jury trial's possible $50 million judgement, will settle for tens of thousands or 100k to get it out of the way. Posting "no firearms" gives them better leverage in a negligence suit is someone is shot in their store, either justified or not.
The thing these people fear is losing money. Right now they fear lawsuits more than they fear the loss of gun owner's business. We have to convince them that its going to cost them if they keep the policy. It worked for Blockbuster here in Arizona. CCW holders launched a letter writing campaign and Blockbuster started allowing guns, and it recently saved an employees life.
I wrote an email and I think everyone should do so as well, even if you do not follow through on the threats:
Edit: Yahoo mail copy and paste put tons of script on the page, I removed it.
memberservice@costco.com
To Whom it May Concern,
I wanted to let your company know why I have stopped shopping at your stores and why I am not going to be renewing my membership next year. It is your posted policy that prohibits firearms in your store.
The nearest Costco to me (Spectrum mall in Phoenix, Arizona) is at a mall that I consider to be a dangerous place. It is notorious for car theft, car jacking and gang activity in and around the parking lots. I have a friend that was car jacked in the mall parking lot outside your store. Like thousands of people in Arizona I have a concealed weapons permit, which allows me to legally carry a concealed weapon in public. I choose to do so frequently when I go to the area around your store.
I understand that you DO NOT want firearms in the store, as a safety measure. However, I DO want my firearm in your store, also as a safety measure. As I walk at night across your poorly lit and obviously dangerous parking lot I would be given significant mental peace and be tangibly safer if I had my firearm. By banning firearms in your store you also ban them for the walk into and out of the store. In area in which your store is located I am not willing to take that risk.
I have stopped shopping at your stores, which is a shame because your prices (as compared to local stores) are attractive enough to warrant a longer drive. You prices are not attractive enough to warrant my walking unarmed around Spectrum mall. Your competitor, Sams Club, does not have a similar arcane firearms policy. Because of this issue I joined Sams Club and I enjoy shopping there because it is in a little better area and because they do not disarm law abiding citizens, like myself, in their parking lots and stores.
I am writing this because I like your stores more. I think the employees, product selection and, to a small extent, prices are better Costco than Sams Club. Thus, I eagerly await the day when I can feel comfortable shopping at your stores again. I will be back when you change your firearms policy to allow me to carry in your stores.
Sincerely,
bbvk05 (used real name)
Last edited on Tue Dec 18th, 2007 08:40 am by bbvk05
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heresolong
Member
| Joined: | Thu Oct 4th, 2007 |
| Location: | Blaine, WA |
| Posts: | 401 |
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Posted: Tue Dec 18th, 2007 02:28 pm |
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Well said.
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Mainsail
Member
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Posted: Tue Dec 18th, 2007 03:25 pm |
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The problem with corporate suits is that they are isolated from your experience. They do not have to walk into and out of the store in a dimly lit parking lot and they do not shop in dangerous areas. So they set policy, and one of the policies is that if an armed robber demands money from a cashier, the cashier is to cooperate. Now imagine if one of those same reckless dumbasses that cause NDs at all the WAC shows is in line and starts shooting, takes out the robber, the cashier, and several customers. Because of the stereotype of gun owners being reckless dumbasses, exactly what the corporate suits believe about us, that’s the outcome they see for allowing firearms in their stores.
If you feel unsafe in their stores, tell them. Tell them that brick and mortar retail is fading, and it’s safer for you to shop from home where you are allowed to protect yourself. I think the future for box stores isn’t too bright anyway, one would think they would be doing anything it takes to keep customers coming through the doors. Your letter pointing out that it isn’t just ‘inside’ the store where you feel endangered is excellent.
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BB62
State Researcher
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Posted: Tue Dec 18th, 2007 03:29 pm |
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bbvk05 wrote: ...The thing these people fear is losing money. Right now they fear lawsuits more than they fear the loss of gun owner's business. (my emphasis) We have to convince them that its going to cost them if they keep the policy. It worked for Blockbuster here in Arizona...
I like your letter a lot, but it does not address the point that you seemed to make note of...?
Can you share with us the types of communcations used with Blockbuster?
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Shy_Panda
Member
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Posted: Fri Apr 25th, 2008 11:10 pm |
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| I was in the Costco located in Clarkston, WA for about an hour and nobody really cared that I was OCing. This could be due to the fact that I was there at about 1030 and the only person under 55 in the entire store (slight exadgeration). The individual checking my recipt at the door sort of looked at my sidearm awkwardly for a second or two but that was it. My larger complaint is that Costco doesn't accept Visa or Mastercard (rice and canned goods are expensive in bulk).
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M1Gunr
Member
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Posted: Sat Apr 26th, 2008 01:13 am |
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I've never had an issue at the Tacoma Costco while OC'ing which is usually a Saturday afternoon or weekday afternoon when I visit.
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Nosrac
Member
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Posted: Sat Apr 26th, 2008 01:46 am |
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| Really? I'll have to try it there.
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lilothedog
Member
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Posted: Wed Apr 30th, 2008 05:16 am |
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| I've OC'd a few time at the Clarkston Costco too. Never a problem. In fact, I've never had a problem or encounter while OC'ing in either Washington or Idaho. Every once in a while I have someone stop me and ask "how is that you can carry a gun in the open?" I just tell 'em it's legal and hand them the Washington State Gun Rights pamphlet.
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Mainsail
Member
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Posted: Mon Jun 2nd, 2008 03:56 pm |
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Just in on CNN, bandits with full body armor and automatic weapons have taken over a COSTCO in Texas. I guess COSTCO’s no-gun policy didn’t deter them…
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UTOC-45-44
Member
| Joined: | Thu Feb 22nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Utah USA |
| Posts: | 2439 |
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Posted: Mon Jun 2nd, 2008 04:13 pm |
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Mainsail wrote: Just in on CNN, bandits with full body armor and automatic weapons have taken over a COSTCO in Texas. I guess COSTCO’s no-gun policy didn’t deter them…
That's funny Mainsail.
TJ
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ScottyT
Member
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Posted: Mon Jun 2nd, 2008 04:21 pm |
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UTOC-45-44 wrote: Mainsail wrote: Just in on CNN, bandits with full body armor and automatic weapons have taken over a COSTCO in Texas. I guess COSTCO’s no-gun policy didn’t deter them…
That's funny Mainsail.
TJ
Funny? It is partially true. http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/060308dnmetrobberies.534f630b.html
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sv_libertarian
State Researcher
| Joined: | Wed Aug 15th, 2007 |
| Location: | Olympia, WA |
| Posts: | 1725 |
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Posted: Mon Jun 2nd, 2008 04:22 pm |
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UTOC-45-44 wrote: Mainsail wrote: Just in on CNN, bandits with full body armor and automatic weapons have taken over a COSTCO in Texas. I guess COSTCO’s no-gun policy didn’t deter them…
That's funny Mainsail.
TJ
I guess laws about fully automatic rifles, and using guns in a crime didn't deter them either.
OTOH, how would you react to an armed group like that seizing a store you were in?
I wouldn't go head to head with them, but would take cover, and try for head or leg shots if the opportunity arose...
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ScottyT
Member
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Posted: Mon Jun 2nd, 2008 04:32 pm |
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Only one of them was part of this standoff, the other three had already been captured.
Not sure what I would do in a situation like that. Get the hell out of dodge if possible, otherwise take cover and hope the cavalry arrives before the guys find you and use you as a hostage. If I could really get the jump on one guy I might go for the headshot, but I would have be too close for comfort...
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UTOC-45-44
Member
| Joined: | Thu Feb 22nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Utah USA |
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Posted: Mon Jun 2nd, 2008 04:32 pm |
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Last edited on Mon Jun 2nd, 2008 04:34 pm by UTOC-45-44
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UTOC-45-44
Member
| Joined: | Thu Feb 22nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Utah USA |
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Posted: Mon Jun 2nd, 2008 04:36 pm |
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Last edited on Mon Jun 2nd, 2008 04:36 pm by UTOC-45-44
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UTOC-45-44
Member
| Joined: | Thu Feb 22nd, 2007 |
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Posted: Mon Jun 2nd, 2008 04:36 pm |
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I was NOT thinking that the robbery scenario is funny AT ALL. I just found Mainsail's comment funny..."I guess COSTCO’s no-gun policy didn’t deter them…"
TJ
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ScottyT
Member
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Posted: Mon Jun 2nd, 2008 04:38 pm |
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UTOC-45-44 wrote: I was NOT thinking that the robbery scenario is funny AT ALL. I just found Mainsail's comment funny..."I guess COSTCO’s no-gun policy didn’t deter them…"
TJ
Understood... I am just retarded 
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UTOC-45-44
Member
| Joined: | Thu Feb 22nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Utah USA |
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Posted: Mon Jun 2nd, 2008 04:48 pm |
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ScottyT wrote: UTOC-45-44 wrote: I was NOT thinking that the robbery scenario is funny AT ALL. I just found Mainsail's comment funny..."I guess COSTCO’s no-gun policy didn’t deter them…"
TJ
Understood... I am just retarded
Nah, you're Ok. I didn't comment proper from the get-go.
TJ
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M1Gunr
Member
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Posted: Mon Jun 2nd, 2008 05:22 pm |
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in light of this, I think i'll CC for a while at the Tacoma Costco. No sense in pushing my luck, its been really good so far at that location.
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