Firearms and Gun Store Etiquette

Well….. it’s more nuanced than that.

Concealed permit holders tend to be so well-behaved gun store owners don’t mind if you bring your concealed gun in, just keep it concealed. If open carrying, then don’t ever reach for it unless asked. Always ask the store owner or manager if it’s ok to have a loaded firearm on your person.

What they are trying to avoid is the idiot who walks in needing ammo for his Colt & Wesson 9 mm .38 Special, in his hands, with finger on the trigger. Odds are damned high the gun is loaded too. Guys like that are invited outside for a little explaining about not ever coming back until they learn basic safety rules.

It’s up to the owner - my local store simply says don’t bring in loaded guns for trade or repair. If it’s loaded and you simply can’t unload it, then wrap it up say in a towel and when you hand it to the clerk tell him it’s hot, you are physically unable to unjam it to remove the round and let them take it from there. You can’t pull the trigger on a gun well wrapped up. In fact, it’s a great idea to always wrap up a gun before you bring it in. Holding one in anything looking like a conventional manner is going to attract unpleasant attention!