Proper 30.06 Sign posted at Houston Mall!!! WHAT THE HELL?!?

[Suckhow]

Well, I went to Sharpstown Mall today (I was craving Arby's and its the only one close to my area), and seeing as the area it is in, I definitely pulled the pistol out of the glovebox to arm myself before going in. (This mall is definitely the worst one in Houston.. very urban, very "gangzta")

Anyway, if there is one mall in all of Houston (and maybe even Texas), that you are most likely to be a victim of violent crime or gang related crime, this is the place. Knowing this, I actually considered carrying two weapons.

Anyway, I just armed myself, and noticed the thugs milling about outside the mall. I was glad to be armed. As I approached the entrance there was a 30.06 sign on the doors!!!! WHAT THE HECK IS THIS NONSENSE?!?!?!?! I couldn't believe it! If there is a single mall in Houston where it shouldn't be, it's here!!!! I'd be willing to bet that 20% of all the people walking into this mall are convicted felons!!! How the hell are they going restrict lawful gun posession? I would assume they would want as many chl holders on premises as possible.

I had to actually turn around and leave... I had important business to take of, but I couldn't because the 30.06 sign. So instead, I had to drive 45 minutes away to the next nearest Arby's to satisfy my craving.

[MoJo]

So what's the problem a 45 minuite drive is only 3-4 miles in Houston ? Don't give the mall any of your business and let them know why.

[Suckhow]

So what's the problem a 45 minuite drive is only 3-4 miles in Houston ?

LOL... ain't that the truth? Traffic is getting worse by the day here. But who are you to laugh? At least "colored folks" make it to their destination in Houston... can't say that about Vidor, eh ;) .^.

[one eyed fatman]

I'll give you a clue... Look for the store entrance that does not have the 30.06 sign. This will be a store within the mall that also has a front door you can walk into from the parking lot without going into the mall first. Malls cannot interfere with store policies.

[HighVelocity]

I hate the mall, won't go in there sign or not. It's an evil place where you loose money and get heartburn from giant pretzels.

[MoJo]

So what's the problem a 45 minuite drive is only 3-4 miles in Houston ?

LOL... ain't that the truth? Traffic is getting worse by the day here. But who are you to laugh? At least "colored folks" make it to their destination in Houston... can't say that about Vidor, eh ;) .^.

Touché! I've lived in Houston, and I still read the "Chronicle" that town ain't safe for anybody. Vidor has it's bad press because of what went on 50 or more years ago. There are some African-Americans living here now.

[XD_Dan]

Sharpstown is bad. I don't blame you for leaving. As long as that sign is posted, I'll never shop there.

Oh BTW....there is another Arby's on Sheppard near Westheimer. That should only be about 15-20 min from Sharpstown mall. (you know...for your next craving.)

[couzin]

Suckhow: I am not trying to be a troll - but the Houston Mall has a right to post (and given your and others descriptions of it - it might be the right thing to do). Also - didn't you just post last week that you just got your CHL? You might want to take a deep breath and consider what the responsibility you have been given is about and not consider what the ethnicity is of the individuals at the front door of the HM. Remember, anything you post is now public domain and can, and will, be used against you in a court of law! Final comment and possible new thread - how many carry their weapon in the glove box or console? I have never considered putting my carry weapon that far away or in a position that a) someone could access it while either in my vehicle as a passenger or by break/entry while I'm in the stop-and-barf; b) the weapon would be in the vehicle after an accident an I have been rendered unconscious or daid; c) where I cannot get to it (danged big ol truck) without having to lay across the seat (I guess I already said that - access and speed being the point); or 4) having someone at my door preparing to launch, or already lobbing, choice rounds at my person. Remember - they want your vehicle - give it to them until your life is in danger. At least in my opinion...

[dws1117]

How the hell are they going restrict lawful gun posession? I would assume they would want as many chl holders on premises as possible.

Maybe they don't want a lawful CHL holder to interfere with thier way of life.

I went to that mall once and only once. It is probably one of the worst in the city. Greenspoint is almost as scary as Sharpstown (sounds more like a description from what I observed).

[dws1117]

Suckhow: I am not trying to be a troll - but the Houston Mall has a right to post (and given your and others descriptions of it - it might be the right thing to do)

Yes, I agree that they do have the right to post, but I also have the right to take my money elsewhere. If you have been to that mall then you understand that this is one of the last places that you would want to be unarmmed. It has nothing to do with ethnicity.

Also, for many that live in that area there isn't much other choice. As mentioned (especially in that area of town), going an extra 45 minutes may result in only 5-10 miles.

[Suckhow]

You might want to take a deep breath and consider what the responsibility you have been given is about and not consider what the ethnicity is of the individuals at the front door of the HM.

I didn't say anything at all about the ethnicity of the people at the mall, just that they were thugs. They were in fact of varied descent. What I DID NOTICE was the way they were dressed: Baggy jeans about to fall off their person, big medallions around their necks, "wife-beater" t-shirts with heavy, untucked flannel shirts over them, gold teeth, do-rags, and the such. Most of this attire is prohibited in the City Courthouse and has nothing to do with ethnicity. To suggest that their ethnicity played a part in an assesment of their proclivity to be thugsis something YOU seemed to have introduced into the equation, not me. I wouldn't care if the person was purple; dressed like that, I would still be concerned.

Sorry about the rant, but I don't appreciate the suggestion that I am racially biased.

[jimlongley]

the Houston Mall has a right to post (and given your and others descriptions of it - it might be the right thing to do).

Sure they have every right to do so, but I have to wonder by what logic you might think that preventing lawful CHLs from carrying there is the right thing to do.

I would, and have, give them a card and leave, or mail it in as necessary.

Also - didn't you just post last week that you just got your CHL? You might want to take a deep breath and consider what the responsibility you have been given is about and not consider what the ethnicity is of the individuals at the front door of the HM.

And where was enthnicity mentioned?

Final comment and possible new thread - how many carry their weapon in the glove box or console?

Never even considered it.

[couzin]

Jimlongley - Absolutely agree with you and dws1117's earlier post. I take my business elsewhere as well. I just said they do have the right - and if their (misguided) logic is to keep legal CHL's out so that a gun battle does not erupt between the forces of good and evil - then that is their call also. As to ethnicity, I was not specifically referencing Suckhow's remarks on attire or paraphernalia in his first post - I was referencing his second post in this thread. It would appear (convince me I am wrong) that the use is to reference other persons of color/ethnicity. With the quotation marks it even looks more offensive - just my opinion.

[jimlongley]

OOPSIE!

I missed the reference in post#2, and it does look like some sort of ethnic error to me.

And I forgot to post the card that everyone is probably getting tired of by now. I always carry several with me, for just such circumstances as you ran into.

[ghentry]

I hope you take this for what it is, constructive criticism, not a personal attack.

You said:

Well, I went to Sharpstown Mall today (I was craving Arby's and its the only one close to my area)....

Anyway, if there is one mall in all of Houston (and maybe even Texas), that you are most likely to be a victim of violent crime or gang related crime, this is the place...

I had important business to take of...

Point #1 - If you knew how dangerous the place was, you should have never gone in.

Point #2 - If you consider getting lunch "important business", you need to rethink your priorities in life.


In my opinion, you need to view your CHL as just one more tool to help keep yourself safe. The most important tools should be common sense and maturity. You can't think that you have a Golden Bullet in your pocket that will protect you from any and all dangers. If you know a place is dangerous, why are you there? You don't need to be, so you are making a very poor choice.

When I began carrying, I also changed many other things in my day to day life. For example, I work on keeping my situational awareness up constantly, I don't stop at convenience stores at night unless absolutely necessary (which is rare), my doors are locked as soon as I get in the car, etc. Most importantly, you learn to make wiser choices about what risks you are willing to take.

If you don't use common sense and feel that "you have the right" to go anywhere you want and your CHL will protect you, you may end up six feet under one day.

Again, I hope you don't take this as a personal attack.