Dave and Buster's is ANTI-GUN

[pacmanfan1977]

Hey all-
I went out with my finacee tonight to Dave and Buster's in Plymouth Meeting PA today. (3-14-09). As we entered Dave and Buster's we were stopped by one of their attendents, and were asked to provide ID. As per their request for ID, I had unzipped my sweatshirt to gain access to my wallet. While reaching for my wallet, my firearm must have be exposed briefly. My fiancee and I gave him our ID's and we were allowed to proceed into the arcade. As we walked down the steps to the arcade, I noticed another attendent following us down the steps. I saw him glancing over at us several times. At that point, I knew the guy who carded us, must have seen my firearm, and called security. We browsed the arcade for a few minutes, and even entered the gift/ prize redemption area, to see what we wanted to try and win. We then left the prize area, and proceeded to the self service card charger. As we were waiting in line to use the card charger, I spotted 4 men, off to the side. I made eye contact with one, and he immediatley looked away. 20 seconds later, I was approached by a man, he asked me to step outside in the mall to speak with him.
We walked into the mall entrance, and he told me his name. He then asked me if I had a firearm on my person. I responded "Yes". He then asked me "Are you on the job? I responed "No" His next question was "Do you have permit for the gun?" I responded, "Yes I have a permit for my firearm" He then asked to see my permit, to which I said "NO". He then asked "No you don't have a permit?" I then asked him if he was a LEO, and he replied YES- He then exposed a badge on his belt.
I said- "OK"- I figured, he's a cop, and I am concealing a firearm, so I showed him my permit. He glanced it over, and thanked me. A attendant for Dave and Buster's also joined us at this point. The LEO told the attendant that I was licensed, and legal to carry my firearm.The LEO just asked me to be careful, and safe, and then escorted my fiancee and I back into the arcade area. As we walked into the arcade, I then proceeded back to the self service card charger. I inserted $23.00 into the card charger, to obatain points to play some games. At this point I thought, everything was fine. We played two games, and were about to play another, when I was again stopped by the Senior Area operations manager- Paul McCrae. He spoke to me, and said- "We are fine with you being here, but we ask that you take your firearm out to your vehicle, and leave it in there." I told him "No I cannot do that" "I am a responsible gun owner, and I will not leave my firearm unattended in my vehicle in the mall parking lot" I also told him that I take the responsibility on protecting myself, and my fiancee very seriously, so leaving my firearm in the car is not an option. I also explained to him that I was licensed to carry and the LEO had checked my LTCF. He then asked if I wanted him to check with mall security, to see if they would hold it for me. I almost laughed at his suggestion.....I kept it profeesional, I responed that I cannot leave my firearm in the hands of someone else. I said, that my firearm is not leaving my person, and if you are asking me to not have possesion of my firearm, you are basically asking me to leave. He seemed somewhat uncomfortable with the situation, and responed that he is NOT sure what the corporate policy is on firearms. He said he believed that they are not allowed. I repeated back to him- you believe or you know? He said he believed, and that he would rather error on the side of safety.
(I thought certainly not my safety, or my fiancee's safety, asking me to disarm myself)
I said simply asked him to refund my money that I had just placed on my card. He obliged and gave me my money back. We then walked out the front door. I had no problem leaving the building, and I felt that I handled the situation well. Any suggestions on how I should follow up on this incident? I understand that Dave and Busters is corporate, and I also understand that their buildings are private property, and they can make policies. I think I will contact their corporate, and ask them what is their policy on legally and lawfully owned firearms. You would think that if they would eject you from the building they would have a sign on the door- which they do not!
-Mark

[gnbrotz]

I would politely inquire as to the official corporate position, and what (if any) discretion local manage has to deviate from that.

Make it clear that you absolutely recognize and respect their right to have a policy, and that the reason you are inquiring is so that you can be aware of and respect that policy.

[SIG-Girl1911]

You handled that very well and I dont think how it could have gone any better, I have never been to a dave and buster's now I have no intent on going there. Thanks for your post. As far as their policies they should know it, I know working at Cabelas, Boyers, and Applebees we were well rehearsed on how to handle persons with firearms and their rights at citizens. It is really the companies fault for not educating their employees properly about the law, they should be aware of their states laws and what could possibly happen if they encounter someone

[fingers80002]

Hey all-
I went out with my finacee tonight to Dave and Buster's in Plymouth Meeting PA today. (3-14-09). As we entered Dave and Buster's we were stopped by one of their attendents, and were asked to provide ID. As per their request for ID, I had unzipped my sweatshirt to gain access to my wallet. While reaching for my wallet, my firearm must have be exposed briefly. My fiancee and I gave him our ID's and we were allowed to proceed into the arcade. As we walked down the steps to the arcade, I noticed another attendent following us down the steps. I saw him glancing over at us several times. At that point, I knew the guy who carded us, must have seen my firearm, and called security. We browsed the arcade for a few minutes, and even entered the gift/ prize redemption area, to see what we wanted to try and win. We then left the prize area, and proceeded to the self service card charger. As we were waiting in line to use the card charger, I spotted 4 men, off to the side. I made eye contact with one, and he immediatley looked away. 20 seconds later, I was approached by a man, he asked me to step outside in the mall to speak with him.
We walked into the mall entrance, and he told me his name. He then asked me if I had a firearm on my person. I responded "Yes". He then asked me "Are you on the job? I responed "No" His next question was "Do you have permit for the gun?" I responded, "Yes I have a permit for my firearm" He then asked to see my permit, to which I said "NO". He then asked "No you don't have a permit?" I then asked him if he was a LEO, and he replied YES- He then exposed a badge on his belt.
I said- "OK"- I figured, he's a cop, and I am concealing a firearm, so I showed him my permit. He glanced it over, and thanked me. A attendant for Dave and Buster's also joined us at this point. The LEO told the attendant that I was licensed, and legal to carry my firearm.The LEO just asked me to be careful, and safe, and then escorted my fiancee and I back into the arcade area. As we walked into the arcade, I then proceeded back to the self service card charger. I inserted $23.00 into the card charger, to obatain points to play some games. At this point I thought, everything was fine. We played two games, and were about to play another, when I was again stopped by the Senior Area operations manager- Paul McCrae. He spoke to me, and said- "We are fine with you being here, but we ask that you take your firearm out to your vehicle, and leave it in there." I told him "No I cannot do that" "I am a responsible gun owner, and I will not leave my firearm unattended in my vehicle in the mall parking lot" I also told him that I take the responsibility on protecting myself, and my fiancee very seriously, so leaving my firearm in the car is not an option. I also explained to him that I was licensed to carry and the LEO had checked my LTCF. He then asked if I wanted him to check with mall security, to see if they would hold it for me. I almost laughed at his suggestion.....I kept it profeesional, I responed that I cannot leave my firearm in the hands of someone else. I said, that my firearm is not leaving my person, and if you are asking me to not have possesion of my firearm, you are basically asking me to leave. He seemed somewhat uncomfortable with the situation, and responed that he is NOT sure what the corporate policy is on firearms. He said he believed that they are not allowed. I repeated back to him- you believe or you know? He said he believed, and that he would rather error on the side of safety.
(I thought certainly not my safety, or my fiancee's safety, asking me to disarm myself)
I said simply asked him to refund my money that I had just placed on my card. He obliged and gave me my money back. We then walked out the front door. I had no problem leaving the building, and I felt that I handled the situation well. Any suggestions on how I should follow up on this incident? I understand that Dave and Busters is corporate, and I also understand that their buildings are private property, and they can make policies. I think I will contact their corporate, and ask them what is their policy on legally and lawfully owned firearms. You would think that if they would eject you from the building they would have a sign on the door- which they do not!
-Mark

I think you did OK.
Get the Corp. policy, in writing.

[Curmudgeon]

I'm always curious, I guess because it has yet to happen to me...

How did your fiance handle it?

You know the situation... it's Saturday evening, you both want to go out finally agree on where to go, what to do. Maybe even "get your heart set on it"...

...then this happens.

I know, speaking for myself, I am already mentally and emotionally prepared for the encounter. I am ready to leave to stand for my rights, as opposed to capitulating in some way.

But what about the other/others? How do they handle it? I have discussed this lightly a couple times, but never really had a 'serious' talk with my wife about it, an any possible disappointments.

Just curious.



P.S: rep sent to OP for starting this thread. Nicely handled, nicely written.

[pacmanfan1977]

Actually my fiancee was totally supportive on this issue. She understands and respects my views. She knows that I take my responsibilty of protecting myself and family very seriously, and appreciates it. We had already gone out to dinner before hand, and Dave and Buster's was just a spur of the moment decision, because we were in the area. I asked her several times on the ride home if she was mad or upset about the situation, and she said absoultely not! I'm glad she understands, because we're getting married next weekend!!
-Mark

[HiredGoon]

Just curious about the "LEO" with a badge on his belt? Anyone can get any kind of badge and wear it on their belt. Did you see what the badge had engraved on it?

Was this supposedly an off-duty LEO working security for the place? or just a D&B security guy?

I would have also asked for some official dept. I.D. to go with the badge before submitting to showing him your LTCF.

Not ragging on you, just saying.

You did handle it well, BTW. Rep sent. Kinda threw a wrench in your fun day though

[ehidle]

Just curious about the "LEO" with a badge on his belt? Anyone can get any kind of badge and wear it on their belt. Did you see what the badge had engraved on it?

I always ask anyone claiming to be an LEO for official ID if there's any question. I do not know whether the law requires they satisfactorily demonstrate their credentials, though.

But, to the OP, nice job.

[wa3ra]

You did it right...let us know what corporate says, so I know if I need to write yet another no guns no dollars letter.

[headcase]

I think you did well. I do remember reading, not too long ago, that someone here was in a D&B's OC and had no problems at all...