Bass Pro Range - No Longer CHL Friendly - SCRATCH THAT!!!

Braden · Post by **Braden** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 12:48 pm

Nevermind. This thread was started solely because of a single Bass Pro Shop associate who had a misunderstanding of company policy.

Bass Pro Shop in Texas is CHL FRIENDLY.

HighVelocity · Post by **HighVelocity** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 1:09 pm

Thanks for the heads up. I had planned on visiting their range, now I won't.

RatMan · Post by **RatMan** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 1:19 pm

Thanks! Looks like yet another reason not to go to Grapevine. The Mills Mall is another.

Braden · Post by **Braden** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 1:44 pm

FYI, I sent an e-mail to the manager of the store telling them that I would not return to their range (or their store) until they change their policy.

wrt45 · Post by **wrt45** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 2:15 pm

I think I understand why they are doing this, even if I think they're going too far. I think they are saying CHL's are welcome, but the gun(s) they plan on shooting at that session must be brought through the gallery and into the shooting bays unloaded and subject to visual inspection by the range master. They may be simply trying to avoid persons retrieving loaded firearms from holsters, pockets, etc. when preparing to shoot.

At least, I suspect that is all they're trying to do.............

Let's see how the management responds to the emails. Then I'll know if I have to go somewhere else next time I'm in DFW...........

gigag04 · Post by **gigag04** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 2:22 pm

Sent this:

I was recently informed that your store no longer allows people with a valid Texas Concealed Handgun License to carry in your store. I think it's absurd that a sports store would go to such lengths to limit 2nd amendment carry rights for proven, law abiding citizens. Many outdoor sportsmen are CHL holders and users, and I hope that you and your superiors will re-evaluate this costly policy.

Sincerely,

Nick

Ditto with what 45 said though, my range wont let you shoot your concealed pistol, but you can still carry there. Keep it hidden.

Braden · Post by **Braden** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 2:27 pm

wrt45 wrote:I think I understand why they are doing this, even if I think they're going too far. I think they are saying CHL's are welcome, but the gun(s) they plan on shooting at that session must be brought through the gallery and into the shooting bays unloaded and subject to visual inspection by the range master. They may be simply trying to avoid persons retrieving loaded firearms from holsters, pockets, etc. when preparing to shoot.

At least, I suspect that is all they're trying to do.............

Let's see how the management responds to the emails. Then I'll know if I have to go somewhere else next time I'm in DFW...........

To clarify, up until now their policy has been that CHL holders and LEO's did not have to check their CARRY guns that they are WEARING. Any guns in the range bag still had to be locked.

I have no problem with them locking guns that are in range bags just for the reasons you mentioned. Not only that, there is always a chance that a range bag might be set down or taken while in the store. I do NOT think that guns worn on the body by a LEO or CHL holder should be locked though...as long as those folks keep them in their holster until they get on the firing line.

Braden · Post by **Braden** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 2:30 pm

gigag04 wrote:Sent this:

I was recently informed that your store no longer allows people with a valid Texas Concealed Handgun License to carry in your store. I think it's absurd that a sports store would go to such lengths to limit 2nd amendment carry rights for proven, law abiding citizens. Many outdoor sportsmen are CHL holders and users, and I hope that you and your superiors will re-evaluate this costly policy.

Sincerely,

Nick

Ditto with what 45 said though, my range wont let you shoot your concealed pistol, but you can still carry there. Keep it hidden.

More clarification...you can carry in their store all you want to. They do not have a 30.06 sign posted. The only time they want to put a lock on your gun is during the short walk from the front door to the range.

That is part of why this policy seems so stupid to me. You can shop all day long while carrying and they don't have a problem with it (as long as you keep it concealed), but if you come in to use the range they want to lock it up.

This is the ONLY range I have ever been to that wants to put a lock on my gun.

Braden · Post by **Braden** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 2:47 pm

I have excellent news. It appears the gentleman at the door was misinformed on company policy. I just received the e-mail below from the store manager:

Let me first apologize for the misunderstanding and clearly state what our policy is for firearms entering the building:

All known firearms entering the building whether for range use or gunsmithing or simple scope mounting are required to be checked to insure the firearm is unloaded and then a trigger lock is placed on the firearm for its travel throughout the building to insure the safety of all customer and associates at Bass Pro Shops. You would be surprised how many customers have claimed their firearm is not loaded and upon checking, it is in fact is! The lone exception to this is if a customer comes in carrying a concealed handgun on their person and is licensed to carry that concealed firearm. We will not ask to see the firearm, because technically it is a concealed gun and we have no right to ask. We will also not check or lock any duty piece a licensed enforcement officer may me carrying as a duty or off duty weapon. Any other firearm that enters the building, other than the previous mentioned exception will be checked and a trigger lock applied as you duly noted for safety reason.

It appears our associate was incorrect in how you were dealt with and we will retrain the associate and correct the problem. Our associate made a mistake, and I again apologize for that. It is our only intention to insure the safety of all people in our building, customers and associates, have the confidence they are in a safe environment.

I hope this clarifies our position and answers any concerns you may have. Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any help or you wish to discuss this more. I can be reached at 972-691-5201.

Sincerely,

David Battye
General Manager
Bass Pro Shops
Grapevine, Texas

stevie_d_64 · Post by **stevie_d_64** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 3:02 pm

I'd still be a bit peeved about this "policy"...

So, if I go there and want to "shoot" my concealed handgun, that I have been carrying concealed all along, I have to divulge that fact I have a firearm concealed on me, draw the pistol, clear it so that someone behind the counter (who may not be familiar with that type of handgun) can touch it, lock it up for the short trip or walk to the range...

Then I get to "unlock it", load it back up, and actually get to shoot it then...

Seems to me to be too much trouble, and too much nannying to me by the "new policy" ownership of that facility...

If they can trust law enforcement, why is it such a leap of faith to trust us???

I think I would be looking for another range that trusts us a bit more, and doesn't nanny us so much...

Kinda reminds me of the City of Houston wanting to know what caliber of weapon I carry when I visit a city facility...What difference does it make???

Which reminds me that I need to make a phone call...

Braden · Post by **Braden** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 3:10 pm

Stevie, I think you misunderstood what he said. Read the part of his e-mail that I put in bold print. If you have a CHL, they will not even ask to see your firearm (assuming you are wearing it).

gigag04 · Post by **gigag04** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 4:31 pm

Yeah, Stevie - even my range here wont let you fire a pistol from concealment, like, break concealment to bring out a loaded pistol from a holseter. If I were to do that I would go to the bathroom, disarm, unload, lock slide, put ammo up, and carry it to the range counter.

FYI - I got a similiar email from the magaer of BPS as well. Seems like a real nice guy that was really alarmed when his email box was filled full of emails threatening his store's lively hood. It's good that he got it corrected and I'm sure that associate at the counter got an ear full from his higher as soon as the flood gates of email rants were opened. The manager supports the 2A and they are a store I would go to knowing what I do now.

-nick

Renegade · Post by **Renegade** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 4:52 pm

Braden wrote:Stevie, I think you misunderstood what he said. Read the part of his e-mail that I put in bold print. If you have a CHL, they will not even ask to see your firearm (assuming you are wearing it).

Correct, but they also expect you to keep it concealed the entire time you are in the store. So that means no shooting it at the range.

The issue here is if you want to shoot your CHL gun, you need to remove/unload it from your person before entering the store.

jimlongley · Post by **jimlongley** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 5:22 pm

Braden wrote:Stevie, I think you misunderstood what he said. Read the part of his e-mail that I put in bold print. If you have a CHL, they will not even ask to see your firearm (assuming you are wearing it).

If they still ask what you are going to shoot, etc, and they don't see a gun box, they may well make the assumption that you are carrying and the bold portion leaves enough "wiggle" room to cause me to think twice about it.

Braden · Post by **Braden** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 5:25 pm

Renegade wrote:Correct, but they also expect you to keep it concealed the entire time you are in the store. So that means no shooting it at the range.

The issue here is if you want to shoot your CHL gun, you need to remove/unload it from your person before entering the store.

I don't think that's the case at all since, prior to today, I have entered many, many times with a concealed and loaded handgun for the sole purpose of going to the range to shoot. It wasn't until today that it has ever been a problem...and that problem was apparently caused by a misinformed associate.

The manager never says anywhere in his e-mail to me that you cannot shoot your carry gun at the range.

What you have to realize is that the context of this message is speaking entirely about going to their range to shoot.