Rockwall Toyota - 30.06 Signs

[Commander]

April 16, 2008

Commander
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Rockwall, Texas 750XX
XXX-XXX-XXXX

Steve Jackson, Owner
Toyota of Rockwall
1250 East I-30
Rockwall, Texas 75087

Dear Mr. Jackson,

Several months ago, I was excited to learn that Rockwall was getting a Toyota Dealership and looked forward to having a local dealer to rely on in the rare instance my Camry needed service or repairs. Recently, I had occasion to go by your dealership to conduct some business. I pulled up, got out of my car and admired the beautiful brand new facility, but quickly learned that I was not welcome, so I returned to my car and left taking my business elsewhere.

You may ask why I was not welcome. What had I done? Mr. Jackson, it turns out I had done nothing; nothing other than being an upstanding law abiding citizen - a citizen who holds a Texas Concealed Handgun License (CHL). Your dealership prohibits CHL holders from entering by the posting of what is commonly referred to as 30.06 notices. As a CHL holder - I have never had a felony conviction; have not had a Class A or Class B misdemeanor within the past five (5) years. I have been fingerprinted and passed a state background investigation. I have no delinquent conduct within the past ten (10) years and I am not delinquent in Child Support, Student Loans, or State and local taxes. In short, I’m not a criminal.

It’s interesting to me that the 30.06 signs your dealership has posted are only effective against law abiding citizens. Criminals, by definition, don’t obey laws nor signs so you have only succeeded in keeping out those who can legally carry a handgun, while the illegally possessed gun will still enter.

I am a member of a large group of individuals who hold Concealed Handgun Licenses. I will pass on the information that your dealership does not welcome their business.

Sincerely,

[Kalrog]

Good letter. Post to the 30.06 database please.

[Commander]

Can't get logged into the 30.06 database. Says bad user name/password. If I try to re-register, I get rejected as duplicate email on file and you have to be logged in to contact a moderator to find out what the problem is.

[jnkirk1974]

Good thing I just bought a Chevy! :) I live in Rockwall and this may be the first time I've heard of
any business being posted in this town (I'm sure there's more, but I sure haven't seen them).

[RHZig]

I guess he didn't respond.

Way to be-little his dumb, sheeplike PC30.06 sign.

[Commander]

If you click on "Forgot password" it will send you a new one :)

Tried that....get "invalid username/email address"

[tboesche]

Commander,
Pleas let us know IF and when you get a reply.

[casingpoint]

Face the facts, commander. Most new car dealerships also sell used automobiles. Now, if one were a used car salesman, it might behove one to ban concealed weapons on the premises, lest some justified customer commit a justified act on a used car salesman.

[function12]

Awesome letter!!

[M9FAN]

Well put, Commander.

[Commander]

To date - no response either by phone or otherwise....will keep you posted.

[Commander]

Today I received a call from the Store Director of Rockwall Toyota concerning my letter. He also stated that the owner would be calling me as well. He said that the 30.06 signs were installed "to satisfy some legal requirement". When I asked if this was a legal requirement of Toyota, he didn't respond directly, but said that "a company" had been hired to install all legally required signage such as ADA, Safety related, etc. and it was his assumption that company had installed the 30.06 signs as well. He said that he had not even noticed the 30.06 signs until my letter arrived. Further, he told me that he was a CHL holder himself and carried a SIG 9mm. We had a discussion about the meaning of the 30.06 signs which lead me to believe he doesn't understand the law -CHL holder or not - he said that a person couldn't be arrested because of the signs - that you would have to be warned first. When I told him that the sign was the legally required warning, he said that was not what he had been told. I gave up my argument at this point.

He went on to say that the owner was a hunter and shooter and that they didn't want to be known as some kind of gun nazi's. He said that gun owners were welcome. (again)....He was very polite and concerned and invited me in for a cup of coffee....I may just take him up on that....

Oh,...no mention of taking the signs down....

What I didn't say in my letter is that after further inspection, their signs may not meet the legally required height of 1". The letters appear to be about 1/2" tall - red letters just below the belt line on the glass entry doors. I wonder now if this isn't Corporate Toyota at work here.

[Commander]

Good thing I just bought a Chevy! :) I live in Rockwall and this may be the first time I've heard of
any business being posted in this town (I'm sure there's more, but I sure haven't seen them).

The only other place I've seen a 30.06 sign in town is/was the City Barbershop downtown. Rockwall Ford and Rockwall Dodge have non-compliant "No handguns allowed signs". I haven't made it to the new Presbyterian Hospital, but would bet it has some type signage as that appears to be corporate policy for them.

[Commander]

Well, I compromised my principals and thought I'd take the invitation at Rockwall Toyota. Seems to be a nice enough group of guys. Wore my XD hat and got several positive comments. Again I asked if the signage was Corporate Toyota and again I got the "well, we hired this company to install all the required signs...." I didn't get to follow up as we got interrupted by a salesman seeking some information from his boss. He (Store Director) took me around and showed me the new dealership. As we passed the owner's office, we stopped out front. The owner stopped the meeting he was having and the store director explained to him that I was the guy who had written "the letter". The owner looked at the store director and asked "He does understand my position on that?" Store Director - "Yes, he does"....(but no offers to take down the signage, which I inspected close up - non-complaint - letters 1/2" tall.) I got the impression that the owner was somewhat nervous that negative word would get out about the dealership because of the signs. After about a 30 minute visit/tour, I concluded my visit and left.

Driving home, I thought back to the Toyota dealer where I bought my car and did not remember any 30.06 signs and I remember looking for them when I first entered. So I don't think its a corporate deal after all; so I'm not sure what to make of this dealership.