For many new and prospective gun owners, the first trip to a gun store in Olathe, KS can be an interesting experience. Many people feel right at home when they walk in, admiring the rows of ammunition, numerous firearm accessories and the selection of guns kept safely behind the counter. For others, however, it can feel unnerving to try and navigate a gun shop and you might even feel as though you’re doing something wrong, when in fact, everything is completely regulated!
Regardless of who you are or what business you have in a gun shop in Olathe, KS, it’s important to remember that you’re a welcome customer and that the person behind the counter is always there to help you, providing knowledge and assistance whenever it’s needed.
Basic etiquette
As is the case with any commercial place you’ll visit in your lifetime, there’s a certain amount of etiquette that must be observed when entering a gun shop in Olathe, KS. Even if you’re a seasoned gun owner, be sure to always observe these basic rules:
- Treat every gun as if it were loaded.
- No gun should ever be loaded in a gun store, by you or an employee.
- Never point a gun in a gun store, even if it’s not loaded.
- Do not dry fire any gun.
- Do not disassemble a gun—a clerk will do this for you.
Basically, it comes down to maintaining a combination of basic gun safety rules and ownership guidelines. Guns are weapons and should always be treated as such, even when you know the gun is not loaded. Likewise, remembering that you do not own the gun you’re looking at will serve to ensure that you treat it properly.
Maintain clear communication
A gun shop can be a place that’s brimming with information, however it can also be a hotbed for opinion. Make sure that you’re polite to everyone you talk to—whether they’re a sales associate or another customer. Remember that opinions are opinions and they’re not worth arguing over when it comes to firearms—everyone has their own and sometimes people disagree.
If you’re looking to learn more and want to strike up a conversation with someone, always be mindful of presence. You don’t know others and they don’t know you… and around guns and the topic of firearms, this can be a daunting prospect. Though safety is always observed within reputable gun shops, it’s the last place that you want to give someone a bad impression!
Know your place
A few final key points to remember about your time in a gun shop are these:
- A gun shop is not a place for children.
- Gun shops want to work with you, not against you.
- It is never acceptable to talk about harming anyone using your firearm, even jokingly.
For those people who follow the basic etiquette guidelines of a gun store, your experience is bound to be an informative and pleasant one. For those who believe themselves to be above the rules, you likely won’t be welcome back at your local gun store until you can behave like a responsible, adult gun owner.