Providence Ranch
New member
I am still waiting to receive a reply from Costco. Wonder if it'll be a form letter...
I am still waiting to receive a reply from Costco. Wonder if it'll be a form letter...
Ok, here's the letter, in it's entirety (names changed to protect the...me!)...
"Dear Providence Ranch,
I am responding to your September 21, 2011 letter to Costco's corporate office.
We are a private membership club, and have the right to make rules that we deem to be in the best interests of our members. We do not believe that it is necessary for our members to carry weapons while shopping with us. On the other hand, we fully understand that members like you may either be off-duty law enforcement officers or have valid permits to carry concealed weapons, and so long as they remain concealed while shopping, would never become an issue. In other words, none of our employees or your fellow shoppers would be aware of the weapon, and therefore you would not be asked to remove it from the building.
Where we have had serious issues in the past is with members who have openly brandished their weapons in a manner that makes other shoppers uncomfortable. It puts us in the position of mediating between a member who claims the right to carry a weapon, and a member who claims to have the right to shop without being intimidated by the presence of firearms. Our decision has been to prohibit the carrying of weapons in all of our locations around the world. The vast majority of our members appreciate this policy. Those who continue to shop while carrying a permitted concealed weapon do not cause a problem for our members or staff because thier weapons are concealed, and their rights never come into question. It seems to work for most people.
Providence Ranch, I trust this letter addresses your concerns."
Ok, so to begin with, don't you just LOVE their use of the word 'brandishing' to describe open carry? Anyway, I am very thankful for what appears to be a personal response, rather than a form letter. I am also thankful that they are apparently cool with those of us who carry concealed continuing to do so, despite the fact that their policy expressly forbids it. I am not sure they are aware that in some states, failure to adhere to this policy is a violation of law, and thereby their policy DOES bring a person's rights into question. Anyway, I'm certain that the more discerning of this forum's readers can identify any of several other issues.
So have at it. What are your thoughts?
I shop at Costco in Lancaster, CA. There are no signs saying NO GUNS. With the above letter I'd say they are just being careful. Why fight it when they don't enforce it.
The Costco warehouse on Plumb Lane, Reno, NV, recently posted a 'no firearms' sign. I emailed their corporate hq, for an explanation. It was pretty much cookie-cutter from letters and emails posted here (and elsewhere) from prior years. Mostly "feel good" stuff, like keeping our customers happy and safe.
Costco only allows members ($50.00) to enter; and relies on the honesty of their members to comply with this policy.
According to their email reply to me, violation of this policy is subject to a stern reminder of the policy, OR cancellation of Costco membership. Wow. That ought to keep violent criminals and the insane from hauling firearms inside.
Like many of my friends, I shall continue to carry concealed.
Have another uncle who is a supervisor at the Costco near indio kommiefornia...I'll message him how his store works as well.