"Absolute Outdoors" gun unfriendly... gun store.

[jgreiner]

Looks like a place worth AVOIDING. I won't be shopping there.

[GregVa]

wow thanks for the heads up.. what a d!ck. I wont go there if I am in the area.

[Swampman]

Didn't sound to me like the VCDL guy made a threat. It has been pointed out that he knew what the policy is before, because he could read the sign. All assumptions aside, the fact is he simply asked for clarification before he put the word out. The store owner didn't handle his response very well. It was uncalled for.

That is indeed our policy, and feel free to tell the VCDL members. Before you do, though, understand that many people come into the store looking to sell firearms, and they bring them in loaded. We've also had people pull their loaded firearms to test holsters. As a small business, I simply can not afford the insurance liability this presents.

If you have any questions, feel free to give me a call. I'd like to ensure you send the right message to the VCDL. Thanks!

Much better response IMO. It wouldn't have erupted into this mini firestorm had he been more tactful, regardless of how it started.

[Gotlabs]

I think they were both correct in their message. They both spoke their mind, now one will more thank likely pay for it. Personally, I have never been nor will I ever visit that store.

[Reverenddel]

And it hit the VCDL alert today... so that's 30k members who'll read the exchange, and decide for themselves.

"You catch more flies with honey than vinegar."

[j1mmyd]

I may be alone in this,

Seems so.

"I just wanted to confirm that before I put the word out to 30,000 Virginia gun owners."

That was improper and a threat itself.

I don't know Ed personally, but based on the other comms I've seen from him, he goes out of his way to be polite. Applying the email rule of "assume positive intent", I read it as "Please clarify this before I make a mistake and misinform a lot of people"

As stated, the same sign is on many gun stores in the state as well as at all the shows.
Why would you single out one shop and then not even hide the attempt to harm his business?

This delta-hotel singled himself out. I'm glad to learn what a pr1ck he is now and not by going to his store and finding out the hard way.

[Jfost11]

Folks, the business in question wants 749 for a used 3rd gen Glock 22 or a used XD. I've heard a guy behind the small gun counter argue that it's impossible to get a new one of those for over 200 less.
It's a small gas station/deli/convenience store/barber shop/bait and tackle/hunting store located in the boonies. There was a very nice market buit a mile up the street next to the courthouse and school properties. That market failed because the locals obviously don't want nice. They want things like Rick's 70s style gas station and overpriced guns.
As long as I can remember, that no loaded guns sign has been on the door. It may have cost him business, but I'don't guess nowhere near the amount that the limited selection and high prices have.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[JackFlag]

Folks, the business in question wants 749 for a used 3rd gen Glock 22 or a used XD. I've heard a guy behind the small gun counter argue that it's impossible to get a new one of those for over 200 less.
It's a small gas station/deli/convenience store/barber shop/bait and tackle/hunting store located in the boonies. There was a very nice market buit a mile up the street next to the courthouse and school properties. That market failed because the locals obviously don't want nice. They want things like Rick's 70s style gas station and overpriced guns.
As long as I can remember, that no loaded guns sign has been on the door. It may have cost him business, but I'don't guess nowhere near the amount that the limited selection and high prices have.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

First. I think Ed could have worded his initial email a little better. Honestly, I may have perceived it as mild threat of sorts. But that being said. The owner of the said store was way out of line and should not have spouted off like he did.

--------
I do agree with Jfost11. From my personal experience his prices are way over the top. So if I'm in the area. I don't shop there.


Off topic.
I don't know about the "nice" comment though. I think that small market/deli that failed a few years ago was because of a couple factors. One, it's hard to open up any new business. Two, New Kent is a very small town. Barely over 200 people. And coupled with the fact the selection isn't very good/varied. And there are at least 3 or 4 large grocery stores located within minutes from the fancy new market. Not gonna work in the end. It was pretty nice though.

[gfost1]

Howdy,

Looks like we can all learn something from this exchange.

Like it or not, those like Rick Baker will be counted among the the pro-gun activist community, and there is little we can do about it. Our best response is to recognize that truth, and move on. If we value the "cause", then we must continue to comport ourselves in an exemplary manner, so that those like Baker are exposed as the pariahs they are.

It is said that one never gets a second chance to make a first impression, and Rick Baker's is no doubt making its way to the inbox of every activist on the web. That sobering thought should temper our behavior, not only toward the Bakers among us, but more importantly to those on the "other" side with whom we interact, and most importantly to those whom we wish to win over.

Resist the urge to respond to the taunts of those like Baker, unless that response be to pity them as their own worst enemy, and to pray for their salvation and that of those around them.

Regards,

George

[dorminWS]

Just got this link in an e-mail from Patriot Outdoor News.com I guess there's nothing like recognition for something you've excelled at.

http://patriotoutdoornews.com/10627/lik ... -gun-store

I'd say you can't buy advertising like that; except that it occurs to me that's exactly what the proprietor of that store did.

[SHMIV]

If Mr. Baker was in entertainment, I reckon that you could view this as positive promotion.

But, he's not in entertainment, and I don't care to do business with him. It occurs to me that a guy in the firearm business, in todays world, might want to put forth a bit of effort to appear calm and level headed. He appears to be neither.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[SpanishInquisition]

Well if someone goes all power trippy like Eddy did in his initial email, he did deserve a less than courteous response.

Further, if Edwardo is speaking in an official capacity for VCDL, perhaps it is time to review that authorization, lest they find themselves in another embarrassing position.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[SHMIV]

Well, there is that. That initial email could have been a bit more tactful. But, it sure wasn't bad enough to warrant the response that it got. That was just uncalled for.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[paramedic70002]

1. Serious PR fail. I wonder how he feels since his reply went public.

2. He must know Ed.

[AJG]

And where did he threaten physical violence? He simply told him he should be a man and come talk to him face to face.

[/quote]

Frankly, if you don't see the threat, or at least some idiot (the store owner) begging for a fight to assuage his justifiably fragile ego, in that statement, you're just out of touch with reality.

[AJG]

Well if someone goes all power trippy like Eddy did in his initial email, he did deserve a less than courteous response.

Further, if Edwardo is speaking in an official capacity for VCDL, perhaps it is time to review that authorization, lest they find themselves in another embarrassing position.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

I'm curious as to what "embarrassing position" you think they've found themselves in?

[SpanishInquisition]

The position of having some horses ass use their name and the 500 lb gorilla tactic in the same communiqué in order to attempt to sway the proprietor.

Like it or not, his store, his rules.

...but I'm not gonna shop there either.

Bottom line, two instances where VCDL Executive members or VCDL-PAC representatives interacted in public with people outside their organization (or their interactions were made public) were Charlie Foxtrots. I'm taking my monetary sponsorship to another group.

[bryanrheem]

This is what makes our country great. People are free to say what they want, and free to live through the consequences of their decisions.

[JackFlag]

The position of having some horses ass use their name and the 500 lb gorilla tactic in the same communiqué in order to attempt to sway the proprietor.

Like it or not, his store, his rules.

...but I'm not gonna shop there either.

Bottom line, two instances where VCDL Executive members or VCDL-PAC representatives interacted in public with people outside their organization (or their interactions were made public) were Charlie Foxtrots. I'm taking my monetary sponsorship to another group.

I'm curious as to what the other incident was. Must have missed it. I searched and didn't see anything.

[scott9050]

Frankly, if you don't see the threat, or at least some idiot (the store owner) begging for a fight to assuage his justifiably fragile ego, in that statement, you're just out of touch with reality.

Don't make veiled threats in the first place if you can't handle a heated response. As far as being 'out of touch with reality'', you may want to check your own reality and the law. He never made a threat even though he called him every name in the book.