Online petition calls for gun ban at Clemson Gold’s Gym

More than 100 people have signed a petition calling for Gold’s Gym to ban concealed weapons in gyms that have child care facilities.

The petition follows an incident in Clemson two weeks ago in which a member accidentally fired a handgun in a Gold’s Gym manager’s office, which was two rooms down from the child care center.

Rob Harrell, the location manager who was showing one of his guns to a member when it discharged and blew a hole in his desktop, referred questions to the corporate office of Gold’s Gym.

Attempts to reach a corporate spokesperson have been unsuccessful.

“The gym and Gold's Gym Corporate tried to claim the event was inconsequential since concealed firearms are legal, the shot was accidental, and there are no weapons policies for franchised gyms,” the petition says.

“We ask that Gold's Gym Corporate BAN CONCEALED WEAPONS from all gyms with childcare centers, corporate or franchise, so that no one has to fear for their safety or the safety of their children while at a gym,” the petition says.

Marissa McFarland, a member of the gym who helped start the petition on Change.org, said petitioners have been told by the manager that the gym has a too many police officers and ex-military members for the gym to ban concealed weapons.

“Our response is people don’t need guns to work out with,” McFarland said. “We’re very frustrated.”

Clemson Police Chief Jimmy Dixon has said he didn’t anticipate any charges being filed for violation of the city’s law against firing weapons in the city limits since it was an accident.

City officials said the city can’t require the gym to change its policy.

McFarland said the petitioners aren’t asking for anyone to be charged or fired. They just want the gym to be safe.

The petition organizers say they’ve been told by Gold’s Gym corporate officials that the company bans firearms in locations it runs, but franchisees, such as in Clemson, can make their own choice about gun restrictions.

Harrell said he isn’t authorized to talk about the issue, but previously, he told The Greenville News that he had brought two handguns to the gym on July 1 to show to a member who was an ex-military gun enthusiast.s

He said he told the member there were no rounds in the chambers of the guns but that the magazines had bullets in them. After dry-firing one of the guns with the magazine removed, the member picked up the other one and didn’t realize it had a live round in it. He fired it before Harrell had a chance to warn him, Harrell has said.

The bullet went through the desk, in an office just off the workout area, and lodged in a plastic dolly on the floor, he said. No one was injured.

The petition had 110 signatures within 18 hours and 109 by 4 p.m. Wednesday.