Steamtown Security came to my Office... Woot.

[msquaredserver]

So, as per my usual routine at work, I took a stroll over to the Steamtown mall. The food court is decently close, and they have a decent selection (albeit awful prices) of food. Everyday, especially in the warm weather, I OC. And every day I OC in the Steamtown mall. Today will probably be the last day I patronize that mall.

I walked in, got some food, and left, as I usually do. When I got back to my office, I finished my food while talking with my partner and intern about a clients project. A few minutes after I finished my meal, someone knocked at our door. A man wearing a light brown suit and a security guard walked into the office. Being the only one strapped, I took an educated guess that they were there for me.

Here's how the conversation went, roughly:

Brown Suit: Hi, I'm so and so [I forgot his name], from the Steamtown mall.
Me: Hi, Michael Marcos, Bravegamer.
BS [I like that acronym]: So you just visited the Steamtown mall for some Subway?
MM: Yep, just got back [1911 still plainly in view].
BS: Well I just wanted to let you know that we have a no firearm policy at the mall, you might not have seen it, but there is a sticker on the door.
MM: I'm sorry, I didn't catch that.
BS: Yeah, well for future purposes, please don't bring firearms into the mall. We got a bunch of calls this time around from concerned parents and the like.
MM: Wow, I'm sorry. I didn't notice that anyone was uncomfortable. Not to self-incriminate [actual phrase, not sure how smart that was], but I carry there almost daily, and no one's given me much more than a stink eye. I can't believe it raised this many problems this time.
BS: Well it does, but usually you run in, get your food, and get out, so we haven't been able to confront you.
MM: Well I'm sorry, I won't carry in the mall anymore [or shop there either].
Security Guard: Thanks.
BS: So do you carry for work here? Or...
MM: I'm a web developer, so it's not like I need it for my job or anything, just part of my routine. Everyday thing.
BS: God bless ya.
MM: Thanks, have a good day.

They both left after that. My partner and the intern laughed. Apparently, the intern won the pool on when I was going to get confronted about the gun at work. The only reason they actually came into my office was because Steamtown mall security provides security over here at the Scranton Enterprise Center, where we have an office.

Soooo yeah. All in all, everyone was polite, just a friendly reminder from them, and a polite acceptance from me. This thread is a warning to those that plan on shopping at the mall, because something tells me they didn't get any calls (no one gave me as much as a glance this visit), but they saw me on the malls, and my office buildings, cameras.

[HiredGoon]

So, did you actually tell them you wouldn't shop there anymore...wasn't clear the way you had it: [or shop there either]

[unclejumbo]

I always wonder if management and security will walk up to an active mall shooter and advise him of a no gun policy. Me thinks no.

[TaePo]

Bummer,

I would have referenced that I would tell my gun carrying friends from the internet not to shop there either.

BTW, was the security guy visibly armed?

I would have told him my workplace has a no weapons policy*, so could you put it in your car and come back in?

ETA = * Or you could say you are uncomfortable with them being armed...

[kurt 10/22]

All in all, everyone was polite, just a friendly reminder from them, and a polite acceptance from me. This thread is a warning to those that plan on shopping at the mall, because something tells me they didn't get any calls (no one gave me as much as a glance this visit), but they saw me on the malls, and my office buildings, cameras.

So it took two of them to drop by and give you a friendly reminder ?

I know it would not hold any weight in court, but I think that I would have asked for both of their cards, and or, name, and position. I would then explain that my lawyer likes to have such information on hand, if there should be an instance where you where told, you had to be unarmed, and anything happened to you. You know, for possible future civil suits, and what not.

[JoeWilliams]

Since they came to your office, and took up your work time, send them a bill for your time.

Just for shits and grins.

[kurt 10/22]

Since they came to your office, and took up your work time, send them a bill for your time. Just for shits and grins.

And what if the OP had not been a partner in his business, would these private security guards maybe have jeopardized his job ?

How far does a private security firms authority extend ? I am serious, I don't know what the limits of this, or any other private agency are.

Anyone ?

[msquaredserver]

So, did you actually tell them you wouldn't shop there anymore...wasn't clear the way you had it: [or shop there either]

[authors comments] Sorry I didn't clarify.

I always wonder if management and security will walk up to an active mall shooter and advise him of a no gun policy. Me thinks no.

What do you mean by shooter? Like.. gun owner? Then meknows yes. Like.. gun owner thats actually shooting in a mall? Yeah, the meagrees no.

Bummer,

I would have referenced that I would tell my gun carrying friends from the internet not to shop there either.

BTW, was the security guy visibly armed?

I would have told him my workplace has a no weapons policy*, so could you put it in your car and come back in?

ETA = * Or you could say you are uncomfortable with them being armed...

I didn't bother telling them that, I was still pretty amazed that they followed me back from the mall to my office building. The security guard wasn't armed, and if it would have sounded incredibly hypocritical and douchy if I asked him to disarm himself while proudly displaying my gun. I set the tone in the beginning by standing up, saying "Michael Marcos, Bravegamer" and being polite, I didn't want to turn it into an incident.

I know it would not hold any weight in court, but I think that I would have asked for both of their cards, and or, name, and position. I would then explain that my lawyer likes to have such information on hand, if there should be an instance where you where told, you had to be unarmed, and anything happened to you. You know, for possible future civil suits, and what not.

Probably a good idea. But I was taken by surprise when I saw the security guard, so I wasn't thinking in the "promote OC" mindset. I was going for more "minimize fallout from neighboring businesses/building administrators."

They didn't threaten legal action, they didn't say they would call the police if I did it again, they just politely asked me not to. It was a civil meeting. Should have said that instead of friendly. They didn't say anything insulting or demeaning to gun owners / carriers. I'm all for promoting gun rights, but in this case, they were just doing their job. I wasn't going to harass them and ask for ID/name/rank/serial number because they asked me to leave my gun at home. If they had come in spewing anti-gun rhetoric, I would have most certainly retorted with an "Excuse me for a moment while I get our lawyer on the horn."


To clarify: Steamtown mall has a no gun sign. My office building has no policy on firearms (so, I assume, defacto permitted, especially considering most everyone has seen my carrying on the floor). Steamtown mall security apparently works for my building as well, which is why I think they were able to walk in, find me, and talk to me.

[Pa. Patriot]

I always wonder if management and security will walk up to an active mall shooter and advise him of a no gun policy. Me thinks no.

No shit, eh?

As for the "visit". I'm pretty surprised they are so bold as to go to your work place. That was pretty self important of them. Wow.
I would have been tempted to have some fun with them.... "Well, we have a no stalker policy here..." Or "We have a no BS policy here, so you'll obviously have to leave".



Kidding of course about being a jerk to them but honest about the rest. What a bunch of a-holes going to your work after you. I'm still trying to wrap my head around that.

[msquaredserver]

And what if the OP had not been a partner in his business, would these private security guards maybe have jeopardized his job ?

How far does a private security firms authority extend ? I am serious, I don't know what the limits of this, or any other private agency are.

Anyone ?

One way or another, whatever my position, I would have asked someone if I could carry during work. My partner had no problem with it (I've almost got him hooked to buy an H&K USP Compact and start carrying so he doesn't have any problems with guns) so I carry. If I had lost my job because a security guard and manager came in and reprimanded me, I'd have a lawsuit against the company and security company for wrongful termination and harassment (I'd imagine, at least).

I believe (and this is solely what I think) that they were allowed to at least come in and address an issue because they provided security for my building. If they told me to disarm myself, that would have prompted a "get lost" because as a tenant, our lease, and the buildings regulations, does not prohibit firearms.

I don't know, it was just kind of a weird situation. What I'm trying to figure out is how they figured out where I worked. I'd imagine that the security cameras here are viewable by the Steamtown security, but how they figured out which office I worked in is kinda worrying me. There aren't any cameras in the hall I work on, and it has about 12 offices. They didn't know my name, they didn't know where I worked, so I can see these two people walking around the office asking everyone "hey, have you seen a kid with a gun walking around?" I'd imagine Monday when I come in I'm going to have to explain to the receptionist why a security guard and guy in a suit were looking for me.

Kidding of course about being a jerk to them but honest about the rest. What a bunch of a-holes going to your work after you. I'm still trying to wrap my head around that.

If they didn't technically work for the building, there's a pretty distinct chance I wouldn't have been as friendly. And honestly, I'm kind of glad it happened this way, in my situation. At least I was confronted in private, as opposed to being escorted out of the mall by security. That would have sucked.



This makes a total of 2 OC "Please don't do that" conversations. The first incident, I told a waitress the whole spiel about me being able to cover up, but some others might not be able to and would have to leave by law. This one, I mean, it caught me off guard. I thought they might be coming here to tell me I couldn't carry at work, so I guess I was a little relieved to at least still have that right.