Does your local shopping center, department store or other merchant require law abiding patrons to become potential victims before being allowed to shop? Do they not know that criminals don't obey the law, much less their ineffective rules and silly signs?
Don't Be Disarmed and Defenseless
Fight Back With This Handy
(and Free) 8 1/2 x 11 Sign!
Now you can perform a valuable public service for these merchants by helping them communicate their true message.
1) Distribute The Message
- Download and save this sign. ( It's in Adobe Acrobat PDF Format and only 11K.)
- Print a bunch of copies. It will print on both black and white and color printers.
( You may want to laminate a couple to make them more 'official.' ) - Leave them in logical, prominent places in and around the offending establishment.
- Sleep well knowing that you voluntarily helped your local victim disarmament enthusiasts get their message across.
2) Let Them Know Why You No Longer Patronize Them
Do Not Patronize Merchants Who Leave You Defenseless and
Believe that Criminals Read Signs and Obey Laws.
Sample Letter to a Store Manager
I have written several letters using the following as a core template. A number of the of the stores and businesses that I sent it to have since removed their signs.
Please feel free to copy and modify this letter as needed to fit your specific
situation.
(This one is specific to Virginia)
[Date]
[Name of Offending Establishment]
[Address of Offending Establishment]
Attn: [Manager's Name]
Dear [Manager's Name]:
An acquaintance was beaten and robbed at knife point in a shopping center parking lot last year. Because of this, and numerous similar crimes in the news, I must question the 'no weapons' policy (even by those holding court issued permits) at [Mall or Store Name].
However well intended your policy may be, the net result is that law-abiding citizens are at the mercy of the criminal element while patronizing your establishment.
[Virginia] permit holders have passed thorough local, state and FBI criminal background checks. They are trained in safety and the law and the responsibilities they bear prior to being issued a permit by the courts. Concealed firearms permit holders, and those who choose to openly carry a lawful defensive sidearm, are among the nation's most responsible and law-abiding citizens.
Please imagine these two hypothetical situations.
Criminals Welcome
The management of this facility has made every effort to disarm your potential victims.
Law abiding persons in our stores and parking lots are defenseless.
Please Try Not To Kill Our Customers And Staff
or
Warning To Criminals
Some Patrons in our Mall Stores and Parking Lots May Be Legally Armed.
To help ensure the safety of our customers, the management of this establishment encourages the patronage those carrying lawful firearms.
Trained holders of Court Issued Concealed Handgun Permits are particularly welcome.
Please Enjoy A Truly Safe Shopping Experience
The first scenario is the message sent by your "no legal firearms" policy, and in essence, the message you are sending to criminals who would prey on your patrons.
Do you genuinely believe that violent criminals, intent on plying their trade in your establishment are going to obey your signs?
I am not requesting that you display signs welcoming law-abiding carriers of legal, defensive sidearms onto your property, merely that you remove the signs denying them access.
Otherwise what you are telling the public is that the only people who are armed in your stores are the criminals. That's not very reassuring.
This [Last] holiday season my family and I made a concerted effort to avoid stores, malls, restaurants and other public spaces that disarm honest citizens, leaving them at the mercy of those who don't obey signs, rules or laws.
I urge you to examine the policy that leaves your law-abiding patrons defenseless while on your property, and at the same time encourages and empowers armed criminals.
The courtesy of a personal reply is requested.
Respectfully
[Signature]
[Name]
This is my opinion, and you are welcome to it!
