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

[Mindflayer]

From the VCDL Facebook page. I am cutting and pasting here since I have not seen Ed post anything about it here.

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I heard from a member that was going to enter and do business with Absolute Outdoors (a gun/hunting/bait and tackle shop) in New Kent, VA - also.. from their website... "Absolutely Outdoors opened in 2008 in New Kent ,Virginia. Where else can you get a shave, haircut, bait, guns and ammo. IF WE DON'T HAVE IT , YOU DON'T NEED IT! " LOL!

After seeing their sign, I sent them an e-mail.. Below is my email to them and the owners response. Feel free to write the owner about how YOU feel as well.

Ed Levine
- - -

On Jun 30, 2014 10:04 AM, <Ed> wrote:

Hi -

Someone told me that you guys have a sign on your door that prohibits the lawful carry of firearms by customers (unless they are law enforcement).

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

Thanks,

Ed Levine
Founder - Virginia Open Carry
Executive Member - Virginia Citizens Defense League
NRA - Life member and Instructor
GOA - member
- - - -
In a message dated 6/30/2014 11:16:22 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, abowarehouse@gmail.com writes:
You need to add to your list of titles:
Loser
Idiot
In desperate need of a life
life long member of the tiny dick club
Just plain stupid

Now that better describes you.

Rick Baker, owner
I'm usually there everyday so you should drop by and see me little man.

[trailrunner]

I shoot at Sharpshooters in Newington VA (northern VA). They have the same sign on their door. Gun shows generally have the same rule.

That certainly doesn't mean that a polite inquiry to the gun store, as Ed Levine did, is out of line, though.

That response is epic. Epic failure. Wow. Holy cow.

[SHMIV]

Wow. Way to alienate potential customers. I won't be stopping there. Guy seems like a real douche.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[scrubber3]

Well, typical response I suppose... Too bad it'll cost him $ in the long run.

[mamabearCali]

Holy cow....there are a host of respectable answers that would have passed muster. Even just simple politeness would have gone a long way. Not saying I would have gone to the store, but now......when I am in the financial position to buy more toys, you had better believe it won't be at his store.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[thekinetic]

Sounds like deformation of character to me and probably most lawyers!

Just sayin.

[Swampman]

Good thing I don't live down there. I'd have to go see him just to tell him what an ARSE he is. But of course I'd wait until he had a store full of customers!

[Reverenddel]

WOW! I guess he doesn't realize that GUN OWNERS TALK TO ONE ANOTHER!!!

And then a VEILED THREAT!?!?

"I'm usually there everyday so you should drop by and see me little man."

Rick Baker, you will NEVER see me "drop by" because you're a d'bahg to the Nth degree that gives gun owners, dealers, and anyone in the firearm's business a bad name!

What a complete, and utter azzh*le! I mean REALLY!

[Reverenddel]

P.S. Rick Baker... you just made my "E-mail tree" where I sent this to EVERYONE who isn't on VGOF, or in the VCDL...

Welcome to the 21st Century Azzhat!

[cwfunrider]

Thats just ridiculous. What a tool.

[Kreutz]

Or....threats. Whatever works really.

[scott9050]

I may be alone in this, but this is what set him off:

"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. 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?

[Reverenddel]

First rule of Gunplay? "Don't get into a needless fight".

And this was one... You can react in an manner (SPECIFICALLY IF YOU ARE A BUSINESS), that does not alienate your customer base.

He has every right to have that sign on his door...but name calling, and TRUE PHYSICAL THREATS (not "implied" as you stated)?

F'ckthat... he's an azzhat. I won't excuse it.

[scott9050]

First rule of Gunplay? "Don't get into a needless fight".

And this was one... You can react in an manner (SPECIFICALLY IF YOU ARE A BUSINESS), that does not alienate your customer base.

He has every right to have that sign on his door...but name calling, and TRUE PHYSICAL THREATS (not "implied" as you stated)?

F'ckthat... he's an azzhat. I won't excuse it.

He doesn't lose his right to free speech just because he is a business owner.

Honestly if someone was gutless enough to make a not so veiled threat against my livelihood over the internet I would offer them the chance to do it face to face as well.
And I don't remember the last time someone took me up on it after seeing me in person.
And how about the VCDL attacking some of the left wing nuts instead of eating our own.

Absolutely stupid mind numbing waste of time IMO. Case in point:

https://plus.google.com/102017632045106 ... l=en&gl=us

[Reverenddel]

You don't lose your right to free speech, but you PAY for your speech by behaving like a d'bahg.

We're going to have to agree to disagree. Because an e-mail from someone requesting information on a policy you have enacted, and telling you up front that it WILL be shared with 30,000 other gunowners does not give you the right to threaten someone with PHYSICAL VIOLENCE that you don't know. It is stupid. Flatout... You don't know someone's capacity, or intent of the person you're REALLY threatening. Let it the insult go, walk away, and if the threat escalates? Then react.

The owner? Should have just deleted the damn e-mail. Then it would have read "After sending the e-mail in regard to the policy, the owner chose to not respond" instead of him being rude, and start insulting the inquirer.

You go your way, shop there if you want. I chose not to give my money to people who act like this. I also don't do business with Buffalo Wild Wings, Darden Restaurants, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Cheaper-Than-Dirt for their behavior. You act like badly towards your customer base, you don't need my money. Enjoy.

[SpanishInquisition]

Vdcl dude could have been a bit more tactful in his inquiry. There was derp on his herp.

The response was totally uncalled for and I will be sure to never spend money in that place.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[scott9050]

You don't lose your right to free speech, but you PAY for your speech by behaving like a d'bahg.

We're going to have to agree to disagree. Because an e-mail from someone requesting information on a policy you have enacted, and telling you up front that it WILL be shared with 30,000 other gunowners does not give you the right to threaten someone with PHYSICAL VIOLENCE that you don't know.

What did you read? It certainly was not the same thing I read. He never asked the gun store owner for information, he asked if it were true and that he was going to tell 30,000 gun owners. He had already seen the damn sign and new it was true, so there was nothing good about his intentions. And where did he threaten physical violence? He simply told him he should be a man and come talk to him face to face. In this internet age too many people are willing to start something they can't finish. My view is similar to the gun store owner, let's have a man to man about it where things tend to be more civil in nature.

It is stupid. Flatout... You don't know someone's capacity, or intent of the person you're REALLY threatening. Let it the insult go, walk away, and if the threat escalates? Then react.

Same goes for the VCDL using his position to try and intimidate the gun store owner. And again, where did he threaten the VCDL guy? I do know that the VCDL guy is acting hurt all over the internet because he got told off. That in and of itself is a reason I never will join. It reminds me of those idiots that were carrying low and ready into businesses just looking for a confrontation in Texas. Fight the real enemy, not ones that may not see 100% eye to eye with you but are on the same side.

The owner? Should have just deleted the damn e-mail. Then it would have read "After sending the e-mail in regard to the policy, the owner chose to not respond" instead of him being rude, and start insulting the inquirer.

And the VCDL guy should have been a man and went to the business instead of sending an e-mail that I (and I am a reasonable man) consider threatening. I think people generally act more responsible when talking face to face. I know gun shows do this because of a spate of negligent discharges and increased insurance costs, who knows his reasons.

You go your way, shop there if you want. I chose not to give my money to people who act like this. I also don't do business with Buffalo Wild Wings, Darden Restaurants, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Cheaper-Than-Dirt for their behavior. You act like badly towards your customer base, you don't need my money. Enjoy.

You have a right as do others. But getting your friends to enter the same garbage at every review site trying to destroy the mans business means he is someone I will never associate with.

[Mindflayer]

I think the VCDL folks (and yes, sometimes Ed) go a little too heavy-handed. We should not eat our own. THAT SAID, I think had Mr Baker answered:

----
Ed:

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!
----

See? You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

[Kreutz]

He doesn't lose his right to free speech just because he is a business owner.

He has every right to put up whatever sign he wants; just as the public/market has the right to say what they want about it to him and one another.

IMO this how markets should work.

[scott9050]

He doesn't lose his right to free speech just because he is a business owner.

He has every right to put up whatever sign he wants; just as the public/market has the right to say what they want about it to him and one another.

IMO this how markets should work.

Both sides were wrong in their approach, which is sad when the same side is eating each other while the enemy licks its chops waiting to take us all out.