Interesting incidents

Interesting incidents in the shop

www.diffcal.co.uk

We have had some interesting incidents in the shop recently so we thought perhaps that an article was in order. A lot of things reported seem to happen in American gun shops but we are equally 'blessed' in the UK as well. By all means, as a novice do come into our shops and get involved in the sport, but please ask for advice!

My personal favourite this week went as follows

Customer: “Is this knife sharp”

Me: “Of course”

-Customer proceeds to run his thumb along the blade

Me: “Would you like a tissue?”

Seriously this actually happened!

Handling a Firearm in a Gun Shop
 

There are four things you must do when in a gun shop that you can never forget and never fail to do.

Every time, with every firearm, regardless of the circumstances, check to make sure the firearm isn't loaded. If you don't know how, ask.

Point the firearm in a safe direction, down usually being the safest. Unless you intend to kill someone, under no circumstances is it ever okay to point a gun at someone even if it is ‘just an airgun’. Each of our members of staff are now running a tally in our break room on how many times they have been muzzle swept each week. Of course all guns in our shop are unloaded.

Stay with the member of staff. If you have a firearm in your hand, do not walk away from the staff unless you have been told you that it's okay to do so. Doing so will create a real weird -- and potentially dangerous -- situation in a matter of seconds. We had a customer a few weeks ago try and leave the shop with a pistol to show a friend who was outside smoking. (our doors are locked by the way and you can't get in or out without a member of staff)

Above all else, never load a firearm in a gun shop for any reason what-so-ever, never, ever. Please also make sure your gun isn't loaded if you are bringing it in (at least twice a week this happens!), and remember that the short walk from the carpark still demands that your gun is covered (gun bag or bin bag, whatever, as long as it has something over it).

Don't be a...

Clown: Very few things in life are more unnerving than the guy with a gun in his hand -- loaded or not -- that's just acting too excited. Don't be the guy waving the gun around and going, "bang! bang!" with a big smile on his face like he just got his hands on this year's most popular toy. Don't start jumping up and down like someone just handed you a box of puppies. Don't walk into a gun shop wearing a ski mask over your head (Seriously….it’s been done and it isn’t funny!) Asking our staff what they would do if you tried to rob us is also not amusing, we are surrounded with guns and knives.... what do you think the outcome is going to be?

Badasses and Experts: The guy that looks like he's walking in to rob the place, don't be like that either. There's no reason to walk into a gun shop with shades on and the brim of a baseball cap burying your eyebrows. Don't be the guy with his hands stuffed down his pockets that keeps looking over his shoulders as he mumbles and nods, pointing with your nose, "let me see that one there." Want to freak everyone out? Act suspicious in a gun shop.

Equally, don't be a know all... our staff work with this stuff everyday and are active in the shooting industry and sport, we tend to nod along politely (most of the time) with those that tell us how to do our jobs but you should realise that most of us have a background in using firearms be it competitively, ex-army, pest control or private security overseas. Equally there is no need to dress up in full camo gear to come into the shop (unless you happen to be off out shooting). 

Newbie: Don't be the tool that picks up a pistol by the muzzle -- so you're pointing it at yourself -- and then says, "oh yeah," and then turns the gun around so it's pointing at the member of staff behind the counter. Think someone is going to trust you with a gun if you if you act like you don't know your arse end from a hole in the ground? The member of staff is going to be thinking, "yeah, really want to send this guy home with a gun so he can leave it laying around the house for a kid to get hold of." If you aren't sure about UK laws about gun ownership please ask. We are quite happy for children to be in the shop and they are welcome to hold guns etc, but again, please keep particuarly young ones under control.

We Like...

Enthusiasts: Walk in with a smile on your face and visit excitedly, but quietly, ask about a particular firearm you're interested in buying. Don't ask them to pull it out of the display immediately. Ask them to tell you a little about it first. If you know something about the firearm, share with them. When you are asked if you'd like to handle one of the pistols, rifles or shotguns, simply say, "yes."

Serious Gun Owner: It's fine to have a serious demeanour. Being respectful of firearms is a trustworthy quality. If you act normal, a serious demeanour gives people confidence in your ability to handle a firearm. Explain to the staff behind the counter what you want, maybe say why you're interested in a particular model, and ask if they has any in stock. Look them in the eye when you talk and show interest in the information they give you.

Informed Novice: You're not going to turn anyone off by admitting that you know very little or nothing about firearms. By being honest, you'll develop a report with the staff and they will, more than likely, take measures to keep both of you safe as you're handling the weapon. By being mature and forthright, -- even though you lack knowledge -- you're going to learn a great deal more, a great deal faster, about firearms.

Finally, remember we are retailers and need to make some profit in order to still be here next year.... you wouldn't demand discounts from the supermarket so please don't do it with us. We try to keep our prices as competitive as we can and will always throw in some free bits and pieces if we are able to. If you can get it cheaper elsewhere, feel free to do so, shoving your phone in our staff's face with another retailers prices on it is not going to go down well and we simply don't tolerate rudeness from anyone. (again, this has happened this week... you know who you are!)

Thanks to all our customers that have supported us over the years. There is a big announcement coming at the end of the month which I am sure some of you are already aware of. Letchworth is about to get a new exciting facility! Watch this space and our website/facebook page for details. www.diffcal.co.uk