Dick's Sporting Goods informed GeorgiaCarry.Org that it permits lawfully carried handguns in its stores in Georgia, so long as the person carrying the handgun is abiding by state law.
This issue arose when the President of GeorgiaCarry.Org, more precisely, me, was kicked out of the Fayetteville, Georgia store because of a lawfully carried H&K USP 45 pistol.
I was carrying a holstered pistol, as is my daily habit, and wearing a GeorgiaCarry.Org T-shirt when I brought my eight year old son to the store to look at the Davey Crickett rifles that I knew to be in stock. My eager son has been pestering me for the last three years to get one, after he fired a friend's borrowed rifle under my close supervision. This year, he has started asking if Santa might overrule a an anxious mother . . .
We were stopped halfway into the store, however, by a young man who asked me to put my pistol back in my truck, as it was "policy" that the store did not permit the lawful carry of firearms. Disappointed, I informed him that I would not leave my pistol in my automobile. Privately, I had a very good reason, as the last time I had left my handguns behind, they had both been stolen by a dangerous felon with a history of aggravated assault. The guns were recovered, but after this theft, I resolved never to leave them behind in the truck again. I decided that if a location did not allow me to carry, I would not go there, making exception only for court and for the Georgia General Assembly, where I would relentlessly lobby for the elimination of "gun free zone" locations that require the risk of gun thefts from vehicles.
The young manager offered me the opportunity to lock the pistol in the store safe. After hesitating to consider handling a loaded firearm in the store and then shopping unarmed, I declined. I did not want to set an example for my son showing that guns are somehow "bad" or unacceptable in society. I thought this option was dangerous and taught my son the wrong lesson, so I declined. I firmly believe in the right of private property, so I informed the young store employee that obviously Dick's Sporting Goods did not want my money, and I turned and left.
I was wrong, however. Dick's Sporting Goods does want my money, and they want yours, too. I contacted the corporate headquarters in Pennsylvania, and they wrote me back the same day, stating that Dick's Sporting Goods simply follows state law on the subject. Jean Taggart, Manager of Customer Engagement, wrote:
Mr. Stone,
Thank you for contacting Dick's Sporting Goods.
Our stores comply with state laws and, in some cases, where we are a
tenant as an anchor store, those mall restrictions if any exists.
Ms. Taggart then followed up to make sure that no landlord restrictions existed at the location in Fayetteville, which I already knew because of the Home Depot and other locations where I regularly shop. She also informed me that the corporate headquarters had notified both the manager of the Fayetteville location and the regional manager not to interfere with customers lawfully carrying holstered handguns. The employee in question had been misinformed, and did not know where he had learned his impression that the corporation had an anti-gun policy.
I was prepared to write a very different sort of article, but as it turned out, I was quite glad to write an article in which I was wrong. Dick's does want my money.
Comments
Thank you, Ed. Great work!
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John in Fayetteville
You tell'em chief.
good to hear....
I have shopped at the Dick's sporting goods location at the Mall of Georgia. No one even mentioned my .45 on my hip. If theyhad I would have reacted in the same manner. I simply will not shop at establishments that do not respect my second ammendment rights. If you had indeed found out that this was their corporate policy they would have lost a loyal customer.
Great to hear. I am glad you followed up with them!
Thanks, Ed for your diligence. I, like many others, choose not to patronize establishments that have "no firearms" policies. I'm pleased to hear about Dick's Sporting Goods position. Too bad Taco Mac bans weapons, I really miss their "Death Sauce".
All the best!
Thank goodness this turned out the way it did. I was just about to go to that very store to purchase hiking boots for both of my children. I would not have been a happy camper if this had happened to me :)
UR WRONG! DICKs is playing HYPOCRITE then becasuse of "who" you r, not "What" you r (a normal citizen). DONT [do NOT!] beleive them!! DICKs couldnt be MORE ANTI-GUN!!!
SO TIRED O FTHE POLITICS B.S.... MAN, this is gettin old.
LEY IT SUFFICE TO SAY: GO AHEAD & TRY IT! Then let GCO's PRES. know the TRUTH!!
I NEVER SHOP AT DICKs anymore... screw 'em. Insult ur intelligence with these petty-a%$% childish games!!
My son & I have CC'd in the Fayetteville (and McDonough) Dick's on numerous occasions with no issues. I have noticed a sign on the front door regarding customers bringing guns (& bows) in for SERVICE need to "check" them in at the customer service desk. I had to read it closely a second time to make sure they weren't trying to suggest I shouldn't be carrying in their store!
I'm also glad it turned out the way it did.
I live in Arizona and carry a sidearm with me wherever I go.
If a business won't allow firearms, I politely notify the manager on duty that although I wanted to spend my money there, I won't be back.
I also let them know that I will be telling all of my friends that carry about their poicy and that they won't be visiting them either!
As they say, Money Talks!
Keep up the good work.
Very proud of you Mr. Stone for professionally "standing your ground". If you are in the right, never agree to disarm, that would undermine GCO's mission.
I have several issues with Dick's and firearms. 1) They do not allow you to carry your newly purchased firearm to the car. They carry it out the door before they let you take posession. 2) They require you to sign a document stating how many persons are in your home and that you will secure your firearms with a lock. I have bought several firearms from them but do not plan any further purchases.
I just purchased a 30-30 from dick's in Loganville last friday. They do make you jump through extra hoops. My .45 was concealed but if it had been noticed and I'd been challenged on the subject I'd of told them to keep there rifle but I would not be disarmed.
All the more reason to get open carry passed ASAP.
Mr. Stone. You would not have run into that problem at Autrey's. Tisk tisk tisk. I'm sure Ben would have been more than happy to get you a Crickett.
Georgia would not be the same without you, Ed. Keep up the great work.
In a sequence of counter offers, it would have been interesting to see if, after your objecting to the manager's request, he would have escalated the issue by perhaps calling authorities. Not knowing if you were aware of the mall's favorable encompassing weapon's policy, you would have forced Dick's into an uncomfortable position in light of the Heller decision, something that may have made good publicity for the second amendment upon this outcome and maybe the basis of a civil lawsuit. Commendable decision standing up to him in front of your son and allowing him and your son to witness your civility with an constitutional lesson. It is usually only one person who feels it is his right to force his opinion upon the opposing rights of the majority whether they be traditional or this case, legal. Of course I already know who he voted for. Thank you for doing what you do.
David S., Funny you say that. I had just left Autrey's Armory. They did not have any Davey Crickett's in stock, and my son wanted to hold one! I knew Dick's had some in stock.
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