Costco, Firearms Prohibited - Page 2

alan · July 13, 2005, 06:56 PM

If you are unhappy with Costco's policies on firearms or anything else, take yourself and your business elsewhere.

You can also drop corporate headquarters a polite note explaining things, if you choose, however hitting them in their pocketbooks might be the best way to go.

Are gunowners really their own worst enemies? Might prove interesting to find out.

Ben Shepherd · July 13, 2005, 09:35 PM

Thanks for the heads up. The costco card just went in the shredder next to the desk. Letter will be mailed tomorrow.

Even though my local store doesn't have such signs, the apple doesn't land far from the tree.

Some things are gonna be more expensive now, but that's OK.

Sorry for the sidetrack but I do have one holdout--Levis' jeans. I know they are anti-gun, but I just can't find thier equal.

jnojr · July 14, 2005, 02:16 PM

Quote:

If a store simply chooses to prohibit firearms from their store "because" I will either not do any business with them, or do as little as possible with them. If they had a shooting, accidental or other, I can respect that decision and continue to shop there.

Huh???

If there had been a shooting there, wouldn't that be more of an indication that you should be armed?

And if it was "accidental"... what does the fact that somebody else misused a firearm have to do with me and my sidearm???

Seminole · July 14, 2005, 03:03 PM

The Costco I sometimes shop at has no such sign. I've looked carefully.

alan · July 14, 2005, 10:18 PM

Ben Shepherd and any others who might be interested:

I suspect that such policy decisions come from the corporate offices, and are not the wet dream of local store management.

In any case, the policy in question, which I disagree with, is a matter for the owners, it is the business that they own, and if it turns out to be a "publically owned company", stock having been sold to the general public, then the stock holders might have something to say to management, for instance, TAKE A HIKE.

Otherwise, and I have long wondered as to what might happen, legally speaking, in a case such as the following. You, being a good fellow or gal, are licensed by your state to carry a concealed weapon. In the course of doing some errands, shopping, that sort of thing, while about to enter the local Costco outlet, you notice their posted policy. O.K., you leave your "pet blaster" locked up in your car, and enter the store, defenseless, and innocent. Another person is not so disposed, for they, being a criminal, intent on robbery are armed. In the ensuing events, you are injured, possibly killed.

Would you, if you survived, or your family if you didn't, be able to bring action against Costco, for it was their stated policy that rendered you defenseless in their business premisis? Not being a lawyer, I cannot say. Does anyone know?

Of course, as I had noted in my earlier post, you the customer could have declined to patronize the merchant, Costco in this case, after all, there is likely nothing Costco sells that you couldn't buy elsewhere, perhaps a little more expensively, which brings us to a question I had asked earlier. Are gun owners really their own, worst enemies, or put in other terms, are a few pennies, nickles or dimes more important to you than principle? If it turns out that they are, go in peace friend, and may your chains rest lightly on your shoulders.

Many people complain about one aspect or another of Wal-Mart, yet these same people continue to patronize Wal-Mart or Wally World as it is also known. The savings they obtain there seem more important than principle to them. I've often wondered as to exactly how much money they actually save, which is another way of asking how cheaply are they willing to sell their principles, assuming that they had any. Of course, given that some find nothing at all problematic with Wal-Mart, the above considerations do not apply to them.

Might be interesting to find out if gun owners really are, their own, worst enemies.

End of rant.

westphoenix · July 15, 2005, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnojr

Huh???

If there had been a shooting there, wouldn't that be more of an indication that you should be armed?

And if it was "accidental"... what does the fact that somebody else misused a firearm have to do with me and my sidearm???

Let me restate that:
If there was a shooting in which an innocent person was hit, I could understand the store adobting such a policy. I wouldn't hold that against them.
If there was an accidental shooting, someone hit or not, I could understand the store adobting such a policy.
Many people are scared of guns. If one goes off in a store you better believe management and corportate is going to be dealing with a lot of unhappy customers.
Let say the particular location has issues with gun owners not being responsible, lifting up their shirt and flashing weapons, making threats while armed, adjusting their weapon while in view of others (some may take this as a threat), etc. I could understand the store adobting such a policy.
All of the above would be a result of someone carring a firearm and not acting correctly. It does happen far to often. its not the proper solution, but an understandable one.
Now by saying I wouldn't hold that against them, doesn't mean I would still shop there. I carry a firearm with me almost all of the time. I avoid business that do not allow me to carry.
After some reading and talking with others (some not on this board) I have decided not to shop at Costco.

Vane · July 15, 2005, 12:04 PM

Did not know about Costco, but not surprised since it is a Seattle area company and many folks in Seattle area are left-leaning. So I will not be renewing my membership. I live in the same neck of the woods as Mill Creek and have seen signs in same places. So I choose to sit in the dining area where guns are allowed instead of the bar area of some of these establishments.

A comment about Wal-Mart/Sam's Club: at least the ammo that I have bought from them is all American made, Federal Self-protection rounds for home defense (just got lucky they had it on closeout sale so bought it), and lots of Winchester and Remington ammo for practicing. It seems most of the outdoors stuff (my primary reason for shopping there) is US Made. I won't buy Chinese made stuff (just like I won't buy French wine, no matter how cheap). Being in the service, and having spent time in the Middle East, I choose to buy from countries that support our coalition (so can buy S&B ammo too).

We all can and should make businesses aware of the impact of their policies on their bottom line. Somewhere I read that 1 unhappy person tells 10 folks, while 1 happy person only tells one or two.

Desert Dog · July 15, 2005, 11:09 PM

It couldn't be that the signs are up at the stores in AZ because that state has 'open-carry' laws could it?

westphoenix · July 18, 2005, 09:36 AM

Here is Costco's email reply:

"
Thank you for your email to Costco Wholesale.

In reference to your inquiry on our policy disallowing the carrying of
firearms in our warehouse stores.
Costco does not believe that it is necessary for firearms to be brought
into its warehouse stores, except in the case of authorized law
enforcement officers. For the protection of all our members and
employees, we feel this is a reasonable and prudent precaution to ensure
a pleasant shopping experience and safe workplace. Our policy is meant
to protect our members and employees in all warehouses around the world.
This is not a new policy and we do not customize the policy for each
individual city/county/state/country where we do business.
Bringing a firearm into our warehouse does not enhance the shopping
experience. We are sorry the message you are hearing is that "we don't
want you." It is the firearms that we exclude in the warehouses, not the
carriers.

Sincerely,

Camille W.
[email protected]
"

tjhands · July 18, 2005, 04:53 PM

Ahhhh, Camille.

Such a sweet person! She's just looking out for the rest of us. I'm so happy that we have good-natured people like her watching out for us mindless idiots, making sure that we have a safe, pleasant shopping experience. Obviously, if people were allowed to express their constitutuonal rights, there would be reckless homicidal rampages down every isle of the store.

You can tell what side of the fence she landed on, and I'll wager that I know who got her vote in the last election, and who'll get it in the next and the next and the next.....

What a verbose, ass-kissin' bimbo.

FrankDrebin · July 18, 2005, 05:32 PM

Quote:

What a verbose, ass-kissin' bimbo.

Yes, she should quit her job on principle.....

Kevin Quinlan · July 18, 2005, 06:51 PM

Get friends to sign a petition. Also contact the NRA. Years ago Blockbuster had the same policy. After heat from the NRA and citizens they canceld it.

Kevin

wayneinFL · July 18, 2005, 10:01 PM

Quote:

There are nuts and incompetents out there who have concealed carry permits. Forbidding every concealed carry permit holder from carrying will eliminate some of those nuts and/or incompetents from carrying in the store

I don't consider that a valid argument. There are nuts and incompetents out there who don't have permits and are carrying guns in their stores.

Also, while I agree a company like costco has, or should have, the legal right to exclude guns, certain people, umbrellas, or tshirts or anything from their premises, they have to consider their market. If enough people make a noise it will be heard, and maybe the policy will be changed. I doubt it.

I'm getting tired of this anti-gun, anti-defense mentality that persists in corporate America even after the WTC and Pentagon attacks. But it's so widespread, I don't know what to do except ignore the policies and do what I think is right.

Quote:

Quote:
What a verbose, ass-kissin' bimbo.

Yes, she should quit her job on principle.....

Do I detect a note of sarcasm?

Honestly, I don't think I could send an email like that to somebody. If I had to send something to save my job it would have to end with a thinly veiled message about the lack of metal detectors and concealed carry.

Moot point,'cause Ms.W is not me. It's pretty obvious to me she believes what she wrote.

Gotta say I like this one:

Quote:

Bringing a firearm into our warehouse does not enhance the shopping
experience.

It could. They could put in an indoor range. And a gunshop. That place is huge, I know there's room for one. Giant packs of Captain Crunch, 9mm, hot dogs, and 45acp. All in the same store.

Kevin:

Blockbuster, huh? I remember reading about a shooting in central Florida a couple of years ago. Fortunately, the manager's father was waiting around at closing time armed.

But I'm sure nothing evil could happen in Costco or their parking lot. Safety in numbers, like a school of fish. Shark always gets the other guy.

alan · July 19, 2005, 11:11 PM

At the possible risk of asking a dumb question, someone care to explain to me what this "shopping experience" is? Seems as if a lot of people talk about it, and not knowing what it is, I wonder if I've missed out on something interesting?

Regarding the Costco letter appearing above, the following is a copy and paste of my response to it.

Gentlemen:

The following proports to be a copy of a response had from one of your people concerning your "no firearms" policy.

Here is Costco's email reply:

"
Thank you for your email to Costco Wholesale.

In reference to your inquiry on our policy disallowing the carrying of
firearms in our warehouse stores.
Costco does not believe that it is necessary for firearms to be brought
into its warehouse stores, except in the case of authorized law
enforcement officers. For the protection of all our members and
employees, we feel this is a reasonable and prudent precaution to ensure
a pleasant shopping experience and safe workplace. Our policy is meant
to protect our members and employees in all warehouses around the world.
This is not a new policy and we do not customize the policy for each
individual city/county/state/country where we do business.
Bringing a firearm into our warehouse does not enhance the shopping
experience. We are sorry the message you are hearing is that "we don't
want you." It is the firearms that we exclude in the warehouses, not the
carriers.

Sincerely,

Camille W.
[email protected]

------------------------------

Here and there, in commercial drivel, I've seen references to "the shopping experience", a phrase that frankly leaves me curious. One of these days, perhaps some kind soul will trouble to explain this phraseology to me.

As to the closing couple of lines in your explanation, justification, rationalization or whatever you might choose to call it, you said the following. We are sorry the message you are hearing is that "we don't
want you." It is the firearms that we exclude in the warehouses, not the
carriers.

If that is what you all really think, fair enough. It sounds phony to me, but it is your store. Having said that, I'm a mature adult, who often carries a concealed handgun on my person, and by the way, I have done so for the best part of 20 plus years. My reasons for so doing are sufficient to myself. Stipulating, as I've already done, that it is your store, I might add the following. Your statement about excluding firearms, not the carriers is so much hogwash.

Respecting your stated position in this matter, I do not currently shop at any of your stores, nor am I likely to do so any time soon, for the only message I can reasonably take away, given your stated policy is that clearly, you do not want me.

One continually makes choices on their way through this life. You have made yours, and I've made mine. There does not really seem much more to be said.

westphoenix · July 20, 2005, 11:43 AM

Alan, you said that is your response.
Did you email that to costco?

mvpel · July 20, 2005, 12:49 PM

Think Costco could be successfully sued if an estranged husband killed his ex-wife in a Costco when her pistol was sitting in the car in compliance with their policies?

alan · July 20, 2005, 10:55 PM

westphoenix asked:

Alan, you said that is your response.
Did you email that to costco?

------------------

I had thought that my post was clear on this point. Seemingly it wasn't. If you take another look at my post, you will note the saluation Gentlemen.

Starting at that point, and carrying on to the last word is what I e-mailed to Costco, at the e-mail address shown on their response to another correspondent.

I've not had anything in reply, nor do I expect anything in the way of a reply. As a rule, these corporations and or large business establishments do not take all that kindly to questions from The Great Unwashed, though they will stoop to taking our money, as much thereof as they can get their hands on. Criticism and or questions regarding their policies or operational methods are most often, another thing entirely.

blackmind · July 21, 2005, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Depending on your state entering a property with a firearms prohibited sign is illegal.
Some states consider it trespassing.
You can also face jail time depending on the state.

Um, I'm pretty sure that unless they find out you are carrying (and when you're successfully carrying concealed, how would they know?), and then tell you to leave, you are not "trespassing" just because you're not in compliance with the rule they've enacted and perhaps posted.

And then, if they claim you are trespassing and you refuse to leave, a cop would have to witness you refusing to leave after being told to, in order to charge you with trespassing.

This would, you know, be about the only way that a person would be protected against a store manager calling the cops and announcing a trespasser, even though you were strolling through the store and no one had said a word to you. How would the cop know before he got there and saw the manager tell you to leave that the manager had already done so? If he truly hadn't, he could still lie to the cop and say he had. Would you like it if that were enough to get you arrested? A made-up story?

So far, I know that Texas has a very specific kind of sign that businesses must have in order to legally prohibit you from carrying inside. As I understand it, they are pretty rare, because companies don't want to piss off the large constituency that carries in Texas. (And that's a good thing.)

-blackmind

blackmind · July 21, 2005, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Thank you for your email to Costco Wholesale.

In reference to your inquiry on our policy disallowing the carrying of
firearms in our warehouse stores.
Costco does not believe that it is necessary for firearms to be brought
into its warehouse stores, except in the case of authorized law
enforcement officers. For the protection of all our members and
employees, we feel this is a reasonable and prudent precaution to ensure
a pleasant shopping experience and safe workplace. Our policy is meant
to protect our members and employees in all warehouses around the world.
This is not a new policy and we do not customize the policy for each
individual city/county/state/country where we do business.
Bringing a firearm into our warehouse does not enhance the shopping
experience. We are sorry the message you are hearing is that "we don't
want you." It is the firearms that we exclude in the warehouses, not the
carriers.

Sincerely,

Camille W.
[email protected]

You will note that Camille makes no effort whatsoever to explain how excluding CCW by customers protects Costco's members and employees. If someone came in there without a CCW license but WITH a GUN, and started to shoot random people, how would prohibiting CCW in the store protect anyone? How does keeping people who don't commit gun crimes out of the store protect anyone? Who argued that we want to bring guns into the store to "enhance the shopping experience" (as though we think of shopping like a day at the spa?!), to make her say that since they don't, we shouldn't be allowed to? I bring my gun in because on the way to the store, while in the store, and on the way home from the store, I could become the victim of a violent crime and need the gun for my own defense of my life, NOT to "enhance my shopping experience."

The kind of lunatic that they might be worried about shooting people in their store is not the kind of person who would a) have a CCW license and a legally carried firearm, and b) obey the sign that says "no guns" when they already plan to MURDER people.

-blackmind

blackmind · July 21, 2005, 04:56 AM

FrankDrebin wrote

Quote:

That's a dumb idea.

Why?

Why NOT hold those who force us to be disarmed accountable for the harm we suffer because they did so?

We decry the Supreme Court decision that says the police have no duty or obligation to assure our safety from crime as individuals. How is this different? We holler that if the USSC won't say that cops HAVE TO protect us and are liable if they do not succeed, we should be allowed to carry our own guns for protection.

This is just the converse of that.

It would be helpful if, instead of making a too-simplistic statement such as "That's a dumb idea," you articulated what you think is dumb about it. Or do you prefer to leave us guessing what you meant? I'm afraid I don't see the point of that, unless it's a cover for you not actually having reasons to think it's dumb. I think it's a good idea. It jams it in the face of firearms prohibitionists the idea that if you won't allow others to defend themselves, you damn well better be taking care of that job yourself!

-blackmind

MillCreek · July 21, 2005, 11:41 AM

Having worked in large corporate environments, I would point out that the chances that the Costco customer service rep, Camille W., composed this reply herself, is just about zilch.

I would be willing to bet that Costco, like most large companies, has a stock of 'canned' responses to most customer service questions. You will see the same phenomenon if you pose a question to an online help desk for a computer issue.

So although you may dislike Costco for dictating what people can do on Costco property, you should not criticize the support staff for merely relaying the corporate response. That response came from much higher up the food chain than the poor person who has to answer the emails.

westphoenix · July 27, 2005, 05:52 PM

I replied to the email asking why some stores don't have the sign.

"
How come some of your stores in other states do not have these signs?
My local Phoenix, Arizona stores have these signs.
I also read online that one of your Colorado locations had the sign
removed.
<http://www.cssa.org/legal-QA.html> http://www.cssa.org/legal-QA.html
(About half way down).
I am also told that some Costco's outside of Arizona have
no such sign.
"

Here is their reply:

"
The only information we have available regarding our firearms policy is
the information provided by Camille. If you have more direct questions,
please contact our corporate offices at 1-425-313-8100.

Heather P.
[email protected]
"

g3ka4 · August 16, 2005, 02:01 AM

I haven’t seen any signs at Costco here in the great state of Kalifornia.

jeff_troop · August 16, 2005, 03:29 AM

i have never even heard of costco. i take it that it is something like sams?

Zekewolf · August 16, 2005, 05:25 PM

I made my first visit to a Costco on Sat. Never occurred to me to look for any signs telling me what I'm not supposed to do there, so I didn't see any "No Firearms" sign(s) if there was one displayed. If I were carrying concealed and did notice such a sign, I wouldn't hesitate to continue with my shopping. I have yet for anybody to complain that I'm carrying; hopefully, because when I carry concealed, I really do carry concealed.

July 13, 2005, 09:35 PM	#27
Ben Shepherd Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 1,462	Thanks for the heads up. The costco card just went in the shredder next to the desk. Letter will be mailed tomorrow. Even though my local store doesn't have such signs, the apple doesn't land far from the tree. Some things are gonna be more expensive now, but that's OK. Sorry for the sidetrack but I do have one holdout--Levis' jeans. I know they are anti-gun, but I just can't find thier equal. __________________ From my cold dead hands......... NRA certified rifle, pistol and shotgun instructor. Hunter education instructor

July 15, 2005, 12:04 PM	#32
Vane Junior Member Join Date: May 26, 2005 Location: Germany (Military) Posts: 13	Did not know about Costco, but not surprised since it is a Seattle area company and many folks in Seattle area are left-leaning. So I will not be renewing my membership. I live in the same neck of the woods as Mill Creek and have seen signs in same places. So I choose to sit in the dining area where guns are allowed instead of the bar area of some of these establishments. A comment about Wal-Mart/Sam's Club: at least the ammo that I have bought from them is all American made, Federal Self-protection rounds for home defense (just got lucky they had it on closeout sale so bought it), and lots of Winchester and Remington ammo for practicing. It seems most of the outdoors stuff (my primary reason for shopping there) is US Made. I won't buy Chinese made stuff (just like I won't buy French wine, no matter how cheap). Being in the service, and having spent time in the Middle East, I choose to buy from countries that support our coalition (so can buy S&B ammo too). We all can and should make businesses aware of the impact of their policies on their bottom line. Somewhere I read that 1 unhappy person tells 10 folks, while 1 happy person only tells one or two. __________________ You live to serve the boat, serve well and live! Socialism kills freedom... Your right to swing your fist ends when it connects with someone else's nose.

July 15, 2005, 11:09 PM	#33
Desert Dog Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 1999 Location: Deep East Texas Posts: 474	It couldn't be that the signs are up at the stores in AZ because that state has 'open-carry' laws could it? __________________ Yes, in fact I do have a 454... in more ways than one. "No provision in our Constitution ought to be dearer to man than that which protects the rights of conscience against the enterprises of the civil authority" - Thomas Jefferson

July 18, 2005, 04:53 PM	#35
tjhands Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2005 Posts: 1,718	Ahhhh, Camille. Such a sweet person! She's just looking out for the rest of us. I'm so happy that we have good-natured people like her watching out for us mindless idiots, making sure that we have a safe, pleasant shopping experience. Obviously, if people were allowed to express their constitutuonal rights, there would be reckless homicidal rampages down every isle of the store. You can tell what side of the fence she landed on, and I'll wager that I know who got her vote in the last election, and who'll get it in the next and the next and the next..... What a verbose, ass-kissin' bimbo. __________________ "If the sole purpose of handguns is to kill people, then mine are all defective." - Uncle Ted Nugent

July 20, 2005, 12:49 PM	#41
mvpel Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2000 Location: Hooksett, NH Posts: 1,847	Think Costco could be successfully sued if an estranged husband killed his ex-wife in a Costco when her pistol was sitting in the car in compliance with their policies? __________________ Not a blacksmith could be found in the whole land of Israel, because the Philistines had said, "Otherwise the Hebrews will make swords or spears!" 1 Samuel 13:19

July 13, 2005, 06:56 PM	#26
alan Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 1999 Posts: 3,847	If you are unhappy with Costco's policies on firearms or anything else, take yourself and your business elsewhere. You can also drop corporate headquarters a polite note explaining things, if you choose, however hitting them in their pocketbooks might be the best way to go. Are gunowners really their own worst enemies? Might prove interesting to find out.

July 14, 2005, 03:03 PM	#29
Seminole Member Join Date: April 30, 2002 Posts: 39	The Costco I sometimes shop at has no such sign. I've looked carefully.

July 14, 2005, 10:18 PM	#30
alan Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 1999 Posts: 3,847	Ben Shepherd and any others who might be interested: I suspect that such policy decisions come from the corporate offices, and are not the wet dream of local store management. In any case, the policy in question, which I disagree with, is a matter for the owners, it is the business that they own, and if it turns out to be a "publically owned company", stock having been sold to the general public, then the stock holders might have something to say to management, for instance, TAKE A HIKE. Otherwise, and I have long wondered as to what might happen, legally speaking, in a case such as the following. You, being a good fellow or gal, are licensed by your state to carry a concealed weapon. In the course of doing some errands, shopping, that sort of thing, while about to enter the local Costco outlet, you notice their posted policy. O.K., you leave your "pet blaster" locked up in your car, and enter the store, defenseless, and innocent. Another person is not so disposed, for they, being a criminal, intent on robbery are armed. In the ensuing events, you are injured, possibly killed. Would you, if you survived, or your family if you didn't, be able to bring action against Costco, for it was their stated policy that rendered you defenseless in their business premisis? Not being a lawyer, I cannot say. Does anyone know? Of course, as I had noted in my earlier post, you the customer could have declined to patronize the merchant, Costco in this case, after all, there is likely nothing Costco sells that you couldn't buy elsewhere, perhaps a little more expensively, which brings us to a question I had asked earlier. Are gun owners really their own, worst enemies, or put in other terms, are a few pennies, nickles or dimes more important to you than principle? If it turns out that they are, go in peace friend, and may your chains rest lightly on your shoulders. Many people complain about one aspect or another of Wal-Mart, yet these same people continue to patronize Wal-Mart or Wally World as it is also known. The savings they obtain there seem more important than principle to them. I've often wondered as to exactly how much money they actually save, which is another way of asking how cheaply are they willing to sell their principles, assuming that they had any. Of course, given that some find nothing at all problematic with Wal-Mart, the above considerations do not apply to them. Might be interesting to find out if gun owners really are, their own, worst enemies. End of rant.

July 18, 2005, 09:36 AM	#34
westphoenix Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2002 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 582	Here is Costco's email reply: " Thank you for your email to Costco Wholesale. In reference to your inquiry on our policy disallowing the carrying of firearms in our warehouse stores. Costco does not believe that it is necessary for firearms to be brought into its warehouse stores, except in the case of authorized law enforcement officers. For the protection of all our members and employees, we feel this is a reasonable and prudent precaution to ensure a pleasant shopping experience and safe workplace. Our policy is meant to protect our members and employees in all warehouses around the world. This is not a new policy and we do not customize the policy for each individual city/county/state/country where we do business. Bringing a firearm into our warehouse does not enhance the shopping experience. We are sorry the message you are hearing is that "we don't want you." It is the firearms that we exclude in the warehouses, not the carriers. Sincerely, Camille W. [email protected] "

July 18, 2005, 06:51 PM	#37
Kevin Quinlan Junior member Join Date: June 28, 2005 Posts: 93	Get friends to sign a petition. Also contact the NRA. Years ago Blockbuster had the same policy. After heat from the NRA and citizens they canceld it. Kevin

July 19, 2005, 11:11 PM	#39
alan Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 1999 Posts: 3,847	At the possible risk of asking a dumb question, someone care to explain to me what this "shopping experience" is? Seems as if a lot of people talk about it, and not knowing what it is, I wonder if I've missed out on something interesting? Regarding the Costco letter appearing above, the following is a copy and paste of my response to it. Gentlemen: The following proports to be a copy of a response had from one of your people concerning your "no firearms" policy. Here is Costco's email reply: " Thank you for your email to Costco Wholesale. In reference to your inquiry on our policy disallowing the carrying of firearms in our warehouse stores. Costco does not believe that it is necessary for firearms to be brought into its warehouse stores, except in the case of authorized law enforcement officers. For the protection of all our members and employees, we feel this is a reasonable and prudent precaution to ensure a pleasant shopping experience and safe workplace. Our policy is meant to protect our members and employees in all warehouses around the world. This is not a new policy and we do not customize the policy for each individual city/county/state/country where we do business. Bringing a firearm into our warehouse does not enhance the shopping experience. We are sorry the message you are hearing is that "we don't want you." It is the firearms that we exclude in the warehouses, not the carriers. Sincerely, Camille W. [email protected] ------------------------------ Here and there, in commercial drivel, I've seen references to "the shopping experience", a phrase that frankly leaves me curious. One of these days, perhaps some kind soul will trouble to explain this phraseology to me. As to the closing couple of lines in your explanation, justification, rationalization or whatever you might choose to call it, you said the following. We are sorry the message you are hearing is that "we don't want you." It is the firearms that we exclude in the warehouses, not the carriers. If that is what you all really think, fair enough. It sounds phony to me, but it is your store. Having said that, I'm a mature adult, who often carries a concealed handgun on my person, and by the way, I have done so for the best part of 20 plus years. My reasons for so doing are sufficient to myself. Stipulating, as I've already done, that it is your store, I might add the following. Your statement about excluding firearms, not the carriers is so much hogwash. Respecting your stated position in this matter, I do not currently shop at any of your stores, nor am I likely to do so any time soon, for the only message I can reasonably take away, given your stated policy is that clearly, you do not want me. One continually makes choices on their way through this life. You have made yours, and I've made mine. There does not really seem much more to be said.

July 20, 2005, 11:43 AM	#40
westphoenix Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2002 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 582	Alan, you said that is your response. Did you email that to costco?

July 20, 2005, 10:55 PM	#42
alan Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 1999 Posts: 3,847	westphoenix asked: Alan, you said that is your response. Did you email that to costco? ------------------ I had thought that my post was clear on this point. Seemingly it wasn't. If you take another look at my post, you will note the saluation Gentlemen. Starting at that point, and carrying on to the last word is what I e-mailed to Costco, at the e-mail address shown on their response to another correspondent. I've not had anything in reply, nor do I expect anything in the way of a reply. As a rule, these corporations and or large business establishments do not take all that kindly to questions from The Great Unwashed, though they will stoop to taking our money, as much thereof as they can get their hands on. Criticism and or questions regarding their policies or operational methods are most often, another thing entirely.

July 21, 2005, 11:41 AM	#46
MillCreek Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2004 Location: Snohomish County, Washington USA Posts: 326	Having worked in large corporate environments, I would point out that the chances that the Costco customer service rep, Camille W., composed this reply herself, is just about zilch. I would be willing to bet that Costco, like most large companies, has a stock of 'canned' responses to most customer service questions. You will see the same phenomenon if you pose a question to an online help desk for a computer issue. So although you may dislike Costco for dictating what people can do on Costco property, you should not criticize the support staff for merely relaying the corporate response. That response came from much higher up the food chain than the poor person who has to answer the emails. __________________ Regards, MillCreek Snohomish County, Washington USA

July 27, 2005, 05:52 PM	#47
westphoenix Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2002 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 582	I replied to the email asking why some stores don't have the sign. " How come some of your stores in other states do not have these signs? My local Phoenix, Arizona stores have these signs. I also read online that one of your Colorado locations had the sign removed. <http://www.cssa.org/legal-QA.html> http://www.cssa.org/legal-QA.html (About half way down). I am also told that some Costco's outside of Arizona have no such sign. " Here is their reply: " The only information we have available regarding our firearms policy is the information provided by Camille. If you have more direct questions, please contact our corporate offices at 1-425-313-8100. Heather P. [email protected] "

August 16, 2005, 02:01 AM	#48
g3ka4 Junior Member Join Date: August 9, 2005 Location: Kalifornia Posts: 13	I haven’t seen any signs at Costco here in the great state of Kalifornia.

August 16, 2005, 03:29 AM	#49
jeff_troop Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2005 Location: NRA Patron member from MS Posts: 459	i have never even heard of costco. i take it that it is something like sams?

August 16, 2005, 05:25 PM	#50
Zekewolf Senior Member Join Date: April 2, 2005 Posts: 886	I made my first visit to a Costco on Sat. Never occurred to me to look for any signs telling me what I'm not supposed to do there, so I didn't see any "No Firearms" sign(s) if there was one displayed. If I were carrying concealed and did notice such a sign, I wouldn't hesitate to continue with my shopping. I have yet for anybody to complain that I'm carrying; hopefully, because when I carry concealed, I really do carry concealed.