Recently carried into Cabelas in Kearney close to where I live, and was asked to check my gun in, or leave it at the vehicle. I asked to speak with a manager. I spoke with him regarding the "No Open Carry" policy as politely as diplomatically as I could, but naturally, he was in no position to change the policy. Ironically, I was carrying the Kimber pro carry I had purchased there, loaded with ammo I had purchased there also. I am writing an email currently to send to them regarding the policy they have. Apparently we are good enough for them to take our money for the guns and ammo, just not good enough to exercise our state constitutional right to open carry. Just thought you should have a heads up on this issue and add them to the "BLACK" list. I also sent a letter to the manager's boss who I was told had the authority to change policy. Copy of letter:
Dear Mr. Sukraw,
I am writing you today regarding a September 20th visit to your Kearney Cabelas retail store. As an avid outdoors man and firearm enthusiast, I frequently open carry where ever I go, and have never been asked to leave any establishment I have ever been in this state. That was until this visit.
I understand and respect the State's open carry rights outlined in our state's constitution, and strictly adhere to provisions outlined by our state attorney general Jon Bruning. However, on Sept. 20th, when entering the Kearney Cabelas while open carrying my Kimber pro crimson carry loaded with magtech ammo, both of which I had purchased there, I was stopped at the store by a greeter. I was asked to check my firearm in, or leave it out in my vehicle. I informed the greeter that I did not intend to remove the firearm from the holster because I was open carrying the pistol, not trading it. The greeter told me that the store had a "No Open Carry" policy. I then requested to speak with the manager on duty. The young man I spoke with was polite and receptive to my suggestions, but understandably informed me he was not in a position to change policy, only to enforce it. I asked him who I could write to or speak with regarding this issue. That sir, is how I acquired your email address.
I wanted to express my concern with your store's position on open carry, and hopefully pursued you to reconsider. Open carry is a constitutional right of every Nebraska citizen aloud to own a sidearm. It was common knowledge throughout the history of this state and country that the freedom loving, upstanding law abiding citizens wore their sidearm in plane view to let those who would threaten the life of themselves, or another helpless innocent by standard that they would have the capability to protect themselves and the innocent if threatened. Concealed carry has always been illegal because only those with sinister intentions would deem it necessary to hide the fact that they had a firearm. That reason is why one must obtain a special permit to conceal carry. Unfortunately, this sets the precedence to the public, when someone does open carry that they need to be law enforcement, or they need a special reason to. You might recall a tragic incident involving a young girl a few years back, being abducted by a man hear in Kearney, and taken to Montana to be assaulted. More than 10 by standards witnessed the man drag the girl through the parking lot, kicking and screaming, and did nothing to stop it. Not so much as a license plate number was taken, and the psychopath was able to reach Montana, and scar the girl for life. The anti-gun policy/no open carry policy did nothing to stop the Von-Maur shootings. When seconds counted in these two events, the police were only minutes away. Sometimes citizens need to act to save themselves and the lives of others. Even if you may have personal reservations on open carry, I think it sends the wrong message to the Nebraska public, the same groups of citizens that supported a young fly-tier in a garage, worthy of purchasing firearms, ammo and other shooting supplies from the company you represent, but not worthy of excersizeing their state-given constitutional right to bear those arms openly. A store policy allowing concealed carry but not open carry I believe conditions the general public to be taken back and defensive when they see someone open carrying, and conditions one to think you must obtain a special permit to open carry, or that it is illegal.
Many others share my views. I have notified the Nebraska Firearms Owners Association of this selective enforcement, and non-tolerant firearm policy, and have submitted a request to place the Kearney Cabelas Retail Store on the "Black List". Many other supporters of our rights as Nebraska citizens, along with myself, will be expressing our concerns with our dollars. I have been a loyal customer for many years and spend more money at your store on an annual basis than I care to admit, and was on my way to purchase a new eotech ar site when stopped that day. I did not return afterward, and do not intend to until said policy is ratified.
I hope to see change on the horizon for the Kearney Cabelas regarding this issue, allowing myself and others to continue our patronage. I look forward to your feedback, and hope in the near future I will be able to post the Kearney Cabelas Retail Store as an open carry supporter, encouraging everyone to show their appreciation with their business. I thank you, and everyone else who take the time to read this letter and spend on this issue. I look forward to future correspondence.
Sincerely,
Aaron from Nebraska
