No Guns Allowed!

I am in the market for a new bedroom set so I found myself standing outside the entrance of Bailey’s Furniture in Soldotna. I was carrying my firearm outside the waistband and covered with my jacket. I couldn’t help but notice a big sign on the door to the store “No guns Allowed.”

I sighed with dismay and entered the store. I was approached immediately by the female worker who kindly asked if there was anything I needed. I told her I was looking for a bedroom set and looked around the store. When I found something I liked, I asked her who in management was responsible for the “no guns allowed” sign on the door. She told me it was company policy at all Baileys stores. I asked her how the public responds to the store’s request to disarm their law-abiding customers. She said “there have been some complaints, but not many.” She went on to say “it really is for our protection in the store since we have money here.” I stared at her in shock for a minute, does she really believe a sign on the door of the business will prevent a criminal from coming in with a firearm? For those of you who have trained with us, this is an example of walking in ‘WHITE’: oblivious, unaware and with a feeling of security and safety that isn’t real. I told her I was unable to give her my business because of “company policy” and left the store.
So, did I commit a crime in Alaska by choosing to ignore the requests of the private business owner and carry my loaded firearm concealed into the store? Absolutely not! Any business owner can make such a request but it is not enforceable. What CAN be enforced is possible trespass when you are asked to leave and do not comply.
To repeat: IN ALASKA, YOU ARE NOT BREAKING ANY LAWS BY CARRYING YOUR FIREARM INTO A PRIVATE BUSINESS THAT HAS A ‘NO GUNS’ SIGN ON THEIR DOOR. However, if you are asked to leave the business you must do so or you may be charged with trespassing. This rule applies to our local banks and hospital as well.
As a rule, I try to respect the requests of the business owners by staying off their property and taking my business elsewhere and I suggest you do the same.  We need to let these business owners know that it’s NEVER a good idea to disarm the law-abiding citizens of this Great Country.

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