Post from GOSA Facebook page: Robbed while collecting firearm at gun shop. Be careful out there!!

[Nyt Ryda]

A few gunshops I have heard of refuse to let the customers load their new guns in the shop.

Another pro to buying a gun at a shop with a shooting range.

i must be honest. I don't like walking out of a gun shop carrying a gun bag as I'm an easy target. I don't carry a self defense firearm.

If you don't have a firearm on you in SA you're almost always an easy target

I try carry my gun bag in my left hand so my dominant hand is free.

[SoldierMan]

A few gunshops I have heard of refuse to let the customers load their new guns in the shop.

Hopefully they will take heed.

Well that's facepalm worthy.

Sells firearms to protect people from crime in SA..... just not in the shop that sells it.

[wthang]

I don't hangout in gun shops. I handle it like a duck mating. In and out!

Based on the average level of incompetence (for reference I have seen and heard some weird shit by\from staff) I don't blame the principle of not wanting people to handle and especially load guns in store.

Sure there can be better systems put in place like a dedicated hot zone and or an escort (however the escort might have its own negative effect as criminals are smarter than we think 99% of the time).

Remember there is civil and criminal liability.

The owner of the shop (and his staff) can be held vicariously liable and criminal charged for contravening the OSHAct.

[SSP]

Well that's facepalm worthy.

Sells firearms to protect people from crime in SA..... just not in the shop that sells it.

Having worked in a gun shop - I understand the policy.

[Nyt Ryda]

The gun community/dealers :
"Gun owners are responsible citizens, they should be allowed to carry everywhere because a place is safer if there is a good guy with a gun around !"

Also some of the gun community/dealers :
"Sorry we don't trust you, a proficient and competent person, to load your own legally licensed gun in a store."

[Paul]

Another pro to buying a gun at a shop with a shooting range.

Really? THAT's your takeaway from this?

How 'bout: Don't support gunshops who insist their customers walk out unloaded.

You don't need a range to have a safe direction.

[Againstthegrains]

I think the crooks just look out for the guy leaving the shop with that joyful grin and spring in his step after a 1 year wait for a license... you just can't hide it.

I must say, I was quite terrified when I picked up my new firearm for exactly that reason.

[Quattro]

I went to a range here in Durban won't mention names but I loaded my pistol back up after shooting put it back on my hip and left with my empty range bag no one the wiser .i was followed by 5 guys in a beat up golf chasing me from robot to robot checking me out suspiciously .it was obvious what they where doing. I was about to pull into a parking lot that I need to make a stop at still saying to the misses watch they will follow us and kak is going to fly when a unmarked police car pulled them over forced them out the car and on the ground then searched them.

[SoldierMan]

I went to a range here in Durban won't mention names but I loaded my pistol back up after shooting put it back on my hip and left with my empty range bag no one the wiser .i was followed by 5 guys in a beat up golf chasing me from robot to robot checking me out suspiciously .it was obvious what they where doing. I was about to pull into a parking lot that I need to make a stop at still saying to the misses watch they will follow us and kak is going to fly when a unmarked police car pulled them over forced them out the car and on the ground and searched them.

Yeah I always load my pistol after leaving the range, no way I'm going to be an easy target.

You got lucky though it seems....

[Toxxyc]

Having worked in a gun shop - I understand the policy.

This. I know and understand why it's stupid, but I also understand why it's damn smart.

Having seen how some people handle their firearms (think the guy who shot his kid in the shitter at HuntEx one year), it's no surprise they won't allow it. I also wouldn't.