TexasCHLforum.com

Jaguar wrote:Good luck Mr. Quixote.

Sounds like they made up their mind are are counting to three.

Good morning [Nitrogen]no
, Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts about our decision to prohibit firearms in our stores. Please understand that we recognize and respect our customers’ rights under the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, a right that prohibits the government (but not private retailers) from infringing on citizens’ right to bear arms. That right, however, must be balanced with our need as a retailer to provide a safe and comfortable environment for our customers and team members. That's why, after careful and thoughtful analysis, we have decided to prohibit our customers and our team members from bringing firearms onto our store premises. While this decision may disappoint some of our valued customers, such as yourself, we stand by our decision and have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from our communities about it.

We hope that you will continue to be a part of the Sprouts family notwithstanding our decision on this issue. We value your patronage and hope to see you again soon.
Sincerely,

Stephanie
Sprouts Farmers Market
Customer Relations Specialist

Dear Stephanie,

I must say I'm disappointed to hear this. I will absolutely NOT be returning to your stores until this policy is recinded.

I'd like to ask: What makes Sprouts Corporate think that this policy makes their customers safer? Does Sprouts Corporate think that a proven, lawful segment of the community is somehow a danger to your other customers?

I realize that "common sense" might dictate that this decision is best for safety, but in many cases, such as this one, what you might attribute to "common sense" is actually not so much.

When I say, "Proven, lawful segment of the community" I have some stats to back that up. This url for the state of Texas, for instance:

http://www.dps.texas.gov/rsd/chl/reports/convrates.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

shows how few CHL holders vs the rest of the population commit violent crimes.

I realize that you are passing on the information of your superiors, but I STILL urge you to take this information to them to reconsider. What your policy, in effect, states is that I am not trusted as an adult. Do you realize that your customers are in far more danger in the parking lot, while driving, than they are in danger from a legally carried handgun by a CHL holder inside your store? People are far more likely to be hurt or killed in a vehicle than they are likely to be hurt or killed from a handgun.

Some other things to realize. The rules are far different in AZ, where you are headquartered, than they are here in Texas. AZ law allows ANYONE to carry concealed or openly with absolutely NO training. I can completely understand why Sprouts Corporate might be scared by such a thing. In the state of Texas, though, it is ALREADY a FELONY to carry if you are NOT LICENSED inside a store that sells alcohol (as your stores here do.)

I realize also, to someone not accustomed to "regular folks" carrying firearms, that such a thing can sound scary on the face. The state of Texas passed the conceal-carry law in 1996, and law enforcement was scared to DEATH. Glenn White, president of the Dallas Police Association, shared this view. “I lobbied against the law in 1993 and 1995 because I thought it would lead to wholesale armed conflict. That hasn't happened,” White told the Dallas Morning News. “All the horror stories I thought would come to pass didn't happen. No bogeyman. I think it's worked out well, and that says good things about the citizens who have permits. I'm a convert.”

I am very serious about attempting to work with your corporate folks to try and explain our side of things.

Vol Texan wrote:Sorry it took so long to respond, but I have only one challenge with the OP's letter. It was good until it got to this point:

nitrogen wrote:I also want to let you know that I will be telling all my conceal-carry friends to be sure and no longer stop at your stores. I have started this by reporting your location to a website that lets others know of businesses that don't appreciate their business. You can see your current entries here:

http://texas3006.com/view.php?postedsea ... me=sprouts" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yes, I understand that it's a personal choice how we respond to those who post a sign, but one mantra that is common among us is "don't educate the antis about the law any more than we have to". True, the "don't educate" them idea usually means, "don't tell the person that hung a gunbuster sign that it has no validity to us - just let them think they've done all they need to do and carry on anyway". But I'd like to suggest that it could apply in this situation, as well.
(Edited for grammar.)

I wanted to let you know that your chain has lost my business, because of the new 30.06 signs banning concealed carriers from your store.

I went to shop at the store above, only to notice that it had a 30.06 sign that bans concealed carry in Texas.

Here's a picture of the sign I took.
http://i.imgur.com/A5HsrkY.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I wanted to let you know about the customers you are telling you no longer wish to shop there:

1) We go through an extensive background check. We have NO felony criminal records at all.
2) We have no class A or B (basically major misdemeanors) on our records for the last 5 years.
3) I've passed a stringent federal and state background check that verifies my status for points 1 and 2.
4) I am not chemically dependent on illegal substances, nor have i been declared mentally "defective." (Thats the legal term used in the law. I know it's awful.)
5) The state of Texas keeps detailed records of how many CHL holders are convicted of crimes, vs the rest of the population. You can see that information here:
http://www.dps.texas.gov/rsd/chl/reports/convrates.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


I was very happy when I saw this store open nearly across the street from me. I was very disappointed when I saw you no longer wanted my business. To tell you how serious I am about good grocery shopping, I will now make a 30 mile roundtrip to Central Market in Plano. I will also pay more for their groceries than you charge, all because they respect me more than you appear to, and they welcome my business.

I also want to let you know that I will be telling all my conceal-carry friends to be sure and no longer stop at your stores. I have started this by reporting your location to a website that lets others know of businesses that don't appreciate their business. You can see your current entries here:

http://texas3006.com/view.php?postedsea ... me=sprouts" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Please reconsider your policy banning concealed carriers from your stores. I want to be able to shop there again. I'd love to discuss the matter with you further.