Converting the Non-Believer:

[SemperFiGuy]

Mrs. SFG and I went to the huge Nebraska Furniture Mart complex yesterday.   (I'm her designated duty driver.)

While there we saw this big, tall fellow with a handgun conspicuously and openly carried in a RH OWB manner.   Being a nosy, curious sort, I mentioned it to the NFM Security Guard by whom we were standing.

Guard sez, "Oh, that's our Chief of Security."

It appears that NFM wishes to make a clear and public point that security is strong and strongly armed at NFM.

We all recall that just a coupla years ago, NFM doors were all conspicuously posted with "No Handguns" notices.   Then they had some kind of in-store incident and had to wait for the Omaha Police Department to appear on the scene to resolve it.

But no more "No Handguns" signs.   They have come to realize the essential truth of the adage, "When seconds count, the police are just minutes away."

I imagine that other handguns were in the store, as well.   Perhaps just not openly carried.

The Non-Believers have seen the Light.

sfg

[greg58]

If I owned a retail business, I would certainly be armed!
Glad they are seeing the light.

Greg58

[Lmbass14]

I heard/read something like the conceal carry started in the Texas store, and they wanted all the stores the same.  Glad they did.

[GreyGeek]

Experience is a harsh teacher - she gives the test first and then the lesson.

[bullit]

The REAL reason they assuaged was the opening of their TX store ... They'd have gone down in flames real quick ...

[AAllen]

Actually both issue played into the decision, as well as some public pressure.  They had been ignoring public pressure to change the rule for several years, unfortunately our side does not do a great job of applying pressure possibly because we agree they have a right to disagree with us and respect others having a different viewpoint. but at the time they were preparing to open a store in Texas and the discussion that brings about on store policies ect. there was an incident with an armed robber here in Omaha if I remember correctly.  At that point some of the things that those on our side of the isle had been saying started to make sense, and their Chief of Security supported the position (I believe a consultant from Law Enforcement did as well) of allowing lawfully carried firearms into the stores.

This really is a culmination of several factors, public pressure, review of policies due to operating in a new market, an incident that caused concern and someone being in the right position to support our side when it was needed.  Sometimes it take a perfect storm to make changes happen.

[MartyB]

The policy change was more broad than just allowing customers with permits and security staff to carry.

Here's a link to a story that ran on Kansas City news in early 2013: http://fox4kc.com/2013/04/12/nebraska-furniture-mart-to-allow-employees-customers-to-carry-guns/

[Randy]

This policy was enacted before the Texas location was opened.