Any sensible combatant attempting to hold territory against an enemy has a fall back positon. A place where to which they can retreat, regroup and renew their defense. Castles have ’em. So do gun control advocates. Now that gun rights groups have successfully liberalized (ironic word choice eh?) the concealed carrying permitting process in state after state, city after city, their opposition is trying to ban CCWs from as many specific locations as possible. Like . . . busses. It’s not a bad strategy; private landowners (i.e. employers and businesses) are free to do so without legal repercussions. Whether or not Toys R Us bans concealed carry out of misguided corporate conviction or political correctness is an open question. But their ban on open carry at their stores is not open to question. Well it kinda is and and kinda isn’t, as this email to a CCW holder over at usacarry.com reveals . . .

Recently you requested personal assistance from our on-line support
center. Below is a summary of your request and our response.

Subject
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FW: Cranberry Twp Store 16066

Discussion Thread
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Response – 02/15/2011 07:10 PM
Dear Robert Bondi,

Thank you for taking the time to share your comments with us. We value all your feedback, positive and negative, as it helps us to understand how our guests feel and gives us an opportunity to evaluate any possible issues.

At Toys “R” Us, Inc., the safety and security of our customers and our employees is, and always has been, our highest priority. As a retailer that welcomes millions of kids and families into our stores across the country each year, we take our responsibility to create only the safest shopping environment very seriously. While we respect citizens’ rights to carry firearms in public areas according to certain state laws, our company policy prohibits customers from doing so in any of our stores out of an abundance of caution for the safety and protection of the children and families shopping with us.

Sincerely,

Nathan Pavlish
“R” Us Guest Relations

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

20 COMMENTS

    • Interesting. Here in Alexandria, VA the Toys ‘R Us and Babies R’ Us both have giant signs on the front doors.

  4. Thanks Sean,
    Excellent cards. The only thing I have to ad to the argument is that I would LOVE to see someone who gets injured in a ‘Defense-Free Crime Zone’ sue the CRAP out of some corporation for insisting on disarming folks and failing to provide total protection. Does anyone know of an instance of that happening, with either a good or bad legal outcome?

    • dead center, I believe there was an incident in a Walmart store that banned ccw where customers were hurt because no one could defend them and the company was sued. I am not sure about this and tried to google it but couldn’t find the answer. my understanding is from then on they allowed concealed carry.

      when one sees a no guns allowed sign on the door to an establishment, that translates into honest people leaving their guns in their cars and criminals who don’t obey the law anyway bringing their guns in. That tells the criminals that they can do whatever they want and no one will be able to stop them.

      I feel much safer in a crowd of friends who carry then in a crowd of friends who don’t.

  5. …our company policy prohibits customers from doing so in any of our stores out of an abundance of caution for the safety and protection of the children…

    Remind me of that the next time we here about an “abundance” of lead (or cadium, or name-your-poison) in kids toys.

    • Here’s your “Babies R us” info !!

      Two Strangulation Deaths Prompt Summer Infant to Recall Video Baby Monitors with Cords; Firm to Provide New On-Product Label & Instructions
      Friday, February 11, 2011 – The cords can present a strangulation hazard to infants and toddlers if placed too close to a crib. Because of this serious strangulation risk, parents and caregivers should never place these and other corded cameras within three feet of a crib.
      More…
      Rechargeable Batteries in Video Baby Monitors Recalled to Replace by Summer Infant Due to Burn Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Babies R Us
      Friday, February 11, 2011 – The battery in the handheld video monitor can overheat and rupture, posing a burn hazard to consumers.
      More…

  6. In my neck of the woods they have been putting up signs for some time now. It was hit or miss if the signs were legally binding as per my state’s laws about posting. I carried at the ones that did not have the proper signage, but now I am totally done with them as a company. And so are my other gun buddies who have kids too.

    Vote with your wallets, people!

  8. Here’s the email I just sent. feel free to copy and paste:

    Dear Toys R Us Inc.

    I’m sending this message to you today because I just learned you don’t allow the concealed carry of firearms by licensed, law abiding civilians in your stores. I find it ironic that you claim to do this “out of an abundance of caution for the safety and protection of… children and families,” since those are the very reasons that I choose to carry a concealed firearm.

    It’s your store and you’re free to put in place whatever measures you see fit, as I’m free to shop in or boycott whichever stores I see fit. I think you can see where this is going. As a father and uncle to many more, I can assure I will not break your rule by carrying a concealed handgun into one of your stores, I will go so far as to pledge that I won’t even carry a concealed handgun while visiting your website; and since concealed carry is an important daily routine for me, I guess I’ll have to start shopping exclusively with your competitors. Moreover, I’m urging all of my friends and relatives to do likewise.

    Thank you and good luck to you.

  9. I’m with Toys R Us on this one. There have been many reports of children as young as the age of eighteen months who have wrestled guns away from their rightful owners. As a result, the poor kids have suffered from a form of lead poisoning never contemplated by this purveyor of Chinese toys. I strongly believe that, as the property owner, only Toys R Us has the right to kill or maim children on their premises, and we should respect that.

  10. I think Starbucks took the right approach in dealing with CCW in their stores. If it’s a legal activity where the store is located then it’s allowed in the store. This made the argument less about supporting/opposing gun rights, but supporting all rights.

  11. If your carrying a concealed handgun properly, they won’t even know you have one. Ralph is correct about the Chinese trying to kill our kids with lead tainted toys, these kids are far more likely to be injured or die from these dangerous toys than from any handgun. I’m willing to bet that they will soon ban all toy guns because they may encourage kids to want the real thing someday.

  12. I was recently made aware of this policy when I went to the Olympia, WA store and was confronted by a large new “No Firearms Permitted” sign. I immediately left and bought what I wanted at Target instead. It actually turned out to benefit me since Target had it on sale for $20 less than Toys R Us. Until they remove this misguided policy, I will shop elsewhere.

    • I believe Target doesn’t allow concealed carry either. At least the store in my area. I don’t shop there anymore.

  13. This sign is up on our Toys R Us in Texas. But according to state law, I feel we don’t need to acknowledge it a. TX penal code 30.06 states the following, and if they don’t comply, then it’s not a valid sign in my opinion. I don’t see 1″ letters in either/both languages. I don’t see wording as required by and found in section (A) below.

    (A) a card or other document on which is written language identical to the following: “Pursuant to Section 30.06, Penal Code (trespass by holder of license to carry a concealed handgun), a person licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code (concealed handgun law), may not enter this property with a concealed handgun”; or
    (B) a sign posted on the property that:
    (i) includes the language described by Paragraph (A) in both English and Spanish;
    (ii) appears in contrasting colors with block letters at least one inch in height; and
    (iii) is displayed in a conspicuous manner clearly visible to the public.

    Anyone else w/ me on this one?

  14. Everyone knows we’re headed for armed guards at all public establishments. We’ll have more and more guns and shootouts, with and without police. These will come despite and perhaps because of bans. It’s just what happens when minorities of a population attempt to force their agendas.

  15. As someone who frequents Toys R Us, I can understand why they would take such a cautious approach. While it may seem unexpected to associate a toy store with discussions about concealed carry, safety is paramount in any public space. By banning concealed carry, Toys R Us is prioritizing the well-being of its customers and employees. It’s a proactive step to create a welcoming environment where families can feel at ease while shopping for toys and enjoying their time together.

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