Another 30.06 comes down!!!
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 1:14 pm
Background: We had a new independently owned Valero station that was opened less than a mile from our house early last year. The Mrs. and I were pleased because it was so close to home and would be safer for her than the stations located near the interstate. Back in January, I went there to fuel my truck and there they were, the twin 30.06 & 30.07 signs that you see at many convenience stores. I was infuriated and said I was done with that station. However, after reading a post from another member who shared a letter he sent to his local grocery store, I decided to try this approach to see if I could get a response. I used some of the original text from his letter, but modified certain wording and added some of my own.
I drove to the store to confirm this, and indeed the 30.06 is now gone!!
I am a firm believer in this approach, I think there is SO MUCH deceptive and/or misinformation being fed to these businesses that if we do our part to help educate these folks, I feel a good number of these new postings will come down.
I received this email response this morning:February 11, 2016
Owner/Manager
Schertz Xpress Mart
821 E. Live Oak Rd.
Schertz, TX 78154
Dear Schertz Xpress Mart Management:
I came to your store in early January to fuel my truck and was shocked to discover that you had new signs on your doors, namely those bearing the language of Texas Penal Code 30.06 (trespass by holder of license to carry concealed handgun) and 30.07 (trespass by license holder with an openly carried handgun).
While it is your legal right to restrict the possession of handguns on your premises, I am deeply saddened by your decision to do so. Texas LTC holders (License to Carry Handguns) have submitted to background checks, fingerprint collection, and training from State certified instructors on a variety of topics including firearm safety, use of force laws, verbal intervention and de-escalation, and storage and handling of firearms. We must also pass a live-fire range to demonstrate our proficiency with our chosen firearm. LTC holders are safe, legal, knowledgeable, proficient, and pose no danger to the public, and in many documented cases around the country, are actually more likely to stop a dangerous incident before it occurs.
If you had posted only a 30.07 sign, prohibiting open carry, in the interest of serving patrons who are uncomfortable around guns, I would not be offended to this degree. However, since you have opted to restrict concealed carry as well, I am no longer able to protect myself or my family in your store. My wife and I were excited when your store was being constructed because we would have a store just down the street from our home to do business with. I personally have fueled my vehicles and entered your store on numerous occasions while legally carrying my handgun concealed prior to your posting of these two signs. Obviously, I never caused any issues or created an unsafe environment for any of your customers by doing so. This is why your sign posting is most disappointing. There has been some confusion among business owners about the new law that took effect on Jan 1, 2016. Some businesses do not desire to have LTC’s open carrying their handguns inside their business and may have hastily posted both signs thinking this was the way to prohibit open carry when only posting the 30.07 sign would have accomplished this.
Of course, it is your right to make this decision. I am not asking you to change it. However, I want you to know what your decision has cost you. It has cost you my business, and hopefully the business of other law-abiding gun owners. I will not patronize any business who denies my right to self- defense. I have posted your business on websites that inform other LTC holders about your decision to deny them the right to protect themselves and their families. I pray that your store remains free of criminals who tend to seek out businesses that create these gun free zones.
In the future, should you ever decide to remove the 30.06 sign, we will happily bring our business back to your store.
Sincerely,
longhorn86
Hello Mr. longhorn86
Thank you for bringing to my attention about signage at our store.
After inquiring, we realized we had the wrong sign up and have immediately removed the signage.
I apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you.
We hope you will continue to stay a customer of ours.
Thank You,
(name removed)
I drove to the store to confirm this, and indeed the 30.06 is now gone!!
I am a firm believer in this approach, I think there is SO MUCH deceptive and/or misinformation being fed to these businesses that if we do our part to help educate these folks, I feel a good number of these new postings will come down.
