This is something that I truly do not understand. I am hoping maybe that a business owner that reads this can explain it to me.
Here’s the question:
What is the purpose of the “no guns allowed” signs on places of business?
· Is the goal to be safer?
· Is it virtue signaling?
· Is it to appeal to a specific customer base?
· Insurance requirement?
· Something else?
The way I look at this is very simple. The only people that would pay any sort of attention to that sign and be impacted would be law-abiding, gun-carrying citizens. I can’t imagine that a criminal would pay any sort of attention to it.
In fact, were I inclined to commit a crime, I would see that sign as a great thing because then the odds of anyone in that business being able to stop me from committing my crime would be much lower than a business without that sign.
The assumption here is this:
· Store 1 (has a “no guns” sign): Odds of law-abiding, gun-carrying citizens having a gun are arguably lower.
· Store 2 (does not have a “no guns sign): Odds of law-abiding, gun-carrying citizens having a gun would be arguably higher.
So…unless you have your own armed security (which is very rare), why would you want to increase the odds of someone targeting your business for a crime?
Now, to be fair, three important points:
1. I am not a criminal
2. I have not participated in any crime planning
3. I do not own a business that is open to the general public, so am not in a position to decide whether or not I should post a sign like that on my business.
That said, when I walk into a business that has that sign up, I always rack my brain trying to figure out why.
LET ME BE CLEAR — I do not have any other motive here other than to understand, from a business owner’s perspective, the benefit of putting that sign up.
If you are not a business owner that has made the decision to do this, please keep your comments to yourself. Not interested in speculation — anyone could do that. This is a genuine question about something that has always confused me.
Thanks!
NOTE: I am well aware that different States have different laws when it comes to the enforceability of this sign. In IL, for example, that sign is legally enforceable. Regardless of the laws in your State, my question still stands.
