Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Schnuck's really is ...

... the friendliest store in town!  And now, friendlier yet, allowing concealed handguns!

Exclusive to STLMedia:

With rare exception, all of my grocery shopping has been done at Schnuck's stores for at least the past twenty-five years.  And a few years back, when the concealed carry of handguns became the law in Missouri, the company posted signage at their entrances stating that such activity, legal or not, was not permitted in their stores.

Disappointing, to say the least, to see a major retailer act so regressively.  But somewhere along the timeline someone in the Home Office figured out that the 2nd Amendment and the laws of the State of Missouri trump personal prejudices.  And, coupled with viable stats that have shown that an increase in concealed weapons carry by citizens has, over the past few years, actually resulted in the reduction of crimes-using-guns, made this decision a no-brainer!

We live in an era (and, some of us, in areas) that makes what might happen next impossible to predict.  If a single criminal act or act of terrorism is deferred by a citizen licensed to legally possess and carry a sidearm it's a "chalk one up for the good guys" situation.  The police can't be everywhere all the time and we each have the Constitutionally-provided right to keep ourselves safe.  Missouri's Castle Doctrine and Stand Your Ground laws amplify that.

I applaud the management of the Schnuck's grocery chain for their consideration of this matter and for their decision to end a senseless prohibition.

Secret message to shoppers:  Legally licensed CCW holders have been weapons-trained and FBI-investigated and subsequently cleared of legal improprieties and warrants.  Those who have illegally held weapons have not.  Guess which of these are the most dangerous?  Which of these would you most like to shop alongside?

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