Ed Levine, Founder of Virginia Open Carry and an Executive Member of the Virginia Citizens Defense League saw the above sign at a gun store called Absolutely Outdoors in Virginia, so he decided to email the owner about the policy and posted the resulting conversation to Facebook. According to a post on the Virginia Citizens Defense League Facebook page as well as a press release on AmmoLand.com, this is how that conversation went down:

On Jun 30, 2014 10:04 AM, [Ed Levine] wrote: Hi – Someone told me that you guys have a sign on your door that prohibits the lawful carry of firearms by customers (unless they are law enforcement). I just wanted to confirm that before I put the word out to 30,000 Virginia gun owners. Thanks, Ed Levine

Founder – Virginia Open Carry

Executive Member – Virginia Citizens Defense League

NRA – Life member and Instructor

GOA – member

On Jun 30, 2014 11:16 AM, [Absolutely Outdoors] writes: You need to add to your list of titles:

Loser

Idiot

In desperate need of a life

life long member of the tiny dick club

Just plain stupid Now that better describes you. [Redacted], owner

I’m usually there everyday so you should drop by and see me little man.

Granted, I do think Levine came off a little combative in the initial email, but the response by the owner is an example of what you DON’T do as a small business owner, especially in the gun community. We sent an email to the store’s address, but haven’t received a response (guessing the mailbox is pretty full). If anyone from the store wants to give a statement to add to the story, please email admin [at] gunssavelives.wpengine.com.

UPDATE: Here is a screenshot of the email exchange sent to use by Ed Levine. Emails redacted to protect privacy and prevent spam (contact info is out there if you want to find it).