Boycott Autozone

[crewchief888]

i'm pretty sure AZ like a LOT of other businesses have a policy about weapons on the the premesis. i know every[place i've ever worked had them.

6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other.

carry it concealed at work, get caught, terminated
leave it in the car, use it to stop a robbery, also terminated.

i'm glad he did what he did, when he did it.
we may be reading about 2 AZ employees that were shot during a robbery

am i armed at work?

no comment

but i do have to go to some places that i should be....

 

[lt1driver]

irresponsible action by that kid, fire him I would also...being or having been a veteran you go by the rules not take things into your own hands and maybe endanger others....autozone was right and I will still shop there....to each their own however, oh I am a veteran with 21 years service.

 

[justanengineer]

After reading the above posts, It's hard to decide what is really the RIGHT response...
I also cringed when I thought "What if Auto Zone eliminated their no-weapons policy?" and read the guy's post describing a bunch of untrained, uneducated, knuckleheads breaking out their own weapons and starting a shootout inside of the store

That is the rub of it, in these situations there are so many different factors to consider quickly which even after the fact many cannot. A former squad leader of mine in the Army used to say, "once you squeeze the trigger you own that round for better or worse. Dont let that round own you." Realistically, **** happens and even the best shooter misses, and they need to be prepared for the backlash. Legally, if someone misses even with the best of intentions but hits a bystander, they can be held responsible in many areas. Also, if someone starts shooting at a bad guy someone else may perceive them as the threat and very quickly end things tragically. In situations like these, I always highly recommend getting out, staying out, and letting the authorities do their thing....

I wont overanalyze the situation here bc I dont feel its right. But....I also cant blame AutoZone for standing by their own policy. ****** situation, no winner, sounds very familiar.

 

[buildmyown]

Worked part time at autozone for awhile number one thing if some tries to get the cash hand it over and dont try to fight. Just like every other retailer out there has the same policy. They also have a no gun rule just like most major companies. The company i work for now if you even get caught with a gun in your car while on company property you are terminated.

What did he do he broke 2 major rules and was terminated for it. I really dont see the problem here.

 

[ford33]

Autozone did the right thing. No employee in possesion of a gun is allowed on the premises is their policy. It is a good policy. I'll continue to shop there.

 

[ddawg16]

That is the rub of it, in these situations there are so many different factors to consider quickly which even after the fact many cannot. A former squad leader of mine in the Army used to say, "once you squeeze the trigger you own that round for better or worse. Dont let that round own you." Realistically, **** happens and even the best shooter misses, and they need to be prepared for the backlash. Legally, if someone misses even with the best of intentions but hits a bystander, they can be held responsible in many areas. Also, if someone starts shooting at a bad guy someone else may perceive them as the threat and very quickly end things tragically. In situations like these, I always highly recommend getting out, staying out, and letting the authorities do their thing....

I wont overanalyze the situation here bc I dont feel its right. But....I also cant blame AutoZone for standing by their own policy. ****** situation, no winner, sounds very familiar.

That pretty much reflects my opinion as well.....

Allow me to provide a comparison....

I can carry a concealed weapon in all 50 states......but, if I walk through airport security without the 'special papers' with my weapon....my *** will be in jail so fast that fast drying paint will still be wet....

Do I want to take a gun on an airplane? No. Am I as risk to passengers? No.

At the end of the day I suspect the above will work out....the right employer will see the potential in the guy and give him a better job....And Autozone will wish this never happened....

 

[Nosferatu]

I think some of you are missing a main plot point in this story; This wasn't just a quick "give me the money and get me outta here" robbery. As soon as he rounded up employees and stashed them, it became a hostage situation. He had bigger plans than just a grab and go. I think the employee felt his and his co workers lives were in danger. I applaud him for what he did.

 

[nti06]

I have been around long enough to know that the law doesn't have to make sense. I do wish that some provision be written into law that excludes the influence of company polices during life threating criminal events.

When that suspect walks through the door with a loaded gun out and ready to rob the place, that is instantly a matter of life vs. death. Now this unstable and unpredictable individual(s) decides if the employees in that building will go home alive. A violent crime has now been visitied upon people who did nothing more that wake up and go to work. What those people choose to do to guarantee they make it home is now up to them. They can be complacent, give the money and maybe eveything ends well. Maybe not. By no means should they defend the company money. Screw the money. What im talking about is the unspoken threat to their lives made by the suspect pointing the muzzle of a gun at them. If it takes one of them killing the suspect to insure their survival, they did what they had to do. Suspect should have already contemplated the hazards of his chosen profession.

It unfortunate that the guy working there was fired. He was probbably working part time while in school on the GI bill. However, its a blessing in disguise since he isn't working a dead end job in retail anymore.

 

[mothgrey]

Sooo....you're running a national business and instead of instructing your thousands of employees to hand over the $1,200 from the register, you would rather ask them all to start a shootout....potentially with no training, guidance, skill, etc.? Have you seen some of the people that work at these stores? You would rather put your employees and your customers at greater risk rather than handing over the $1,200? It's not worth a life, man.

It's also a pretty safe bet that drawing a second weapon would lead to more carnage and chaos than just handing over the cash.

I agree however the young man just had a gun shoved in his face. He was not thinking about the company policy that states you can't protect yourself and the other workers. He had the presence of mind to not fire the weapon when he confronted the thief but let him run out. He was thinking about the life of his friend. This is something you can do a disciplinary documentation for not fire him. Yet sadly enough most any company will do the same as they also are concerned with the lives that could be in jeopardy. Bad situation all around.

 

[blk00ss]

Autozone did the right thing. No employee in possesion of a gun is allowed on the premises is their policy. It is a good policy. I'll continue to shop there.

Lol. Coming from a guy living in Chicago Illinois. A place with some of the strictest gun laws and highest crime rate. Here's your sign.

 

[mossy66]

Basically, the employees were in a situation where their lives were in danger. The guy who ran out to get the gun was already outside and safely away, and could have stayed out there and called the police. I wonder if he did call.

He then chose to go back and try to help the other guy. Whether it was the right decision or not, that took guts. I don't know anything about the military training he had, and how that may have influenced his decision , but he seemed cool and in control when he came back in. He didn't go in blasting away, or shoot the guy in the back.

It seems to me that he made the right decision, because everything turned out OK, except for him getting fired. Sometimes life is like that, it's not always fair. I wonder how he'd have felt if the manager had been killed, and he didn't try to help.

I hope that I would respond the same way if I was in that situation.

I hope the perp enjoyed looking down the barrel of a pistol aimed at him. Maybe he'll think twice about trying it again.

 

[Silver Heels]

I think you all overestimate the use of the gun in a gun crime. In most circumstances the gun is used to establish power and to coerce cooperation. Brandishing a weapon and actually using it are two incredibly different things and your average burglar knows the difference.
They know the score. As some of you said, your safety isn't worth the $2000 they might get. The criminal also knows that same $2000 isn't worth them spending the rest of their life in prison. A conviction for burglary and a conviction for murder 1 are two completely different things.

You said all when you said "most circumstances..." When a weapon is drawn, it should be assumed that the criminal WILL use it. Maybe he will, maybe he won't but I am not about to analyze what's going on in the criminal mind. When I was in the service, they told us "better to stand in front of twelve than be carried by six"

 

[t100]

really? does it matter if I can keep my $9/hr job if you pointed a gun at me or my family intended to do harm.

 

[JimVonBaden]

really? does it matter if I can keep my $9/hr job if you pointed a gun at me or my family intended to do harm.

That is what I keep thinking. If you did what you thought was right, **** them if they fire you from a ****** job. At least you are still alive.

Jim

 

[SIDECAR BOB]

If more people were like this young man veteran or not, but someone that did stand up for what is right against a thief, our country would be a better place. I do not understand the it aint mine I don't care , oh insurance will make it right crowd . Not that many years ago people were expected to help other in need stand up to thieves or other criminals. And you kids could play outside safely, you could walk through most neighborhood without fear.
More people willing to stand up to thugs like this man did would solve a lot of todays problems.

 

[ozyborn]

More proof there are way to many lawyers in the world. a 95% cut in their numbers would be a nice start.

 

[ozyborn]

Lol. Coming from a guy living in Chicago Illinois. A place with some of the strictest gun laws and highest crime rate. Here's your sign.

If it was not for Chicago and their **** *** ideas. Illinois would be a far better state to live in. Plus we would also be aloe to carry concealed.

 

[blk00ss]

If it was not for Chicago and their **** *** ideas. Illinois would be a far better state to live in. Plus we would also be aloe to carry concealed.

I feel sorry for you guys who live in commie states.

 

[kams1973]

More proof there are way to many lawyers in the world. a 95% cut in their numbers would be a nice start.

Ding, ding, ding......you're the winner!!

 

[1948]

one reason im moving OUT of IL!!! i cant wait to get the hell out of here. gas is more expensive, and taxes are astronomical! just 5 minutes away is WI, oh how i love thee, and i can carry a gun without fear of being arrested!

 

[Seanbev24]

Sure, MOST of the time an armed robber doesn't shoot anyone. That doesn't mean he won't. The money doesn't matter. What matters is the kid only went back in because his coworker was being held at gunpoint. That took balls. In my opinion, the only mistake he made was not shooting the guy. Seeing another gun could've easily made the robber panic and start shooting.

It's totally understandable that a company doesn't want employees carrying guns in the store. There's a big difference between that and what this guy did. Autozone's parts are **** anyway, but I'll drive the extra block to O'Reillys the next time I need a jug of oil.

 

[brownbagg]

with the way the laws are about liablity and the fact that most autozone employees are 19-25 years old, hell yea I would have a law about bringing guns to work, those who complaining about boycotting a business because of it on not running on all four cylinders. As long as a company turning out a product that meets the demand. Now if you want to boycott your welcome to. but you not in your right mind.

 

[t100]

WTF but true story.



in short: Feb., 2012, a guy went in Kroger(supermarket chain) intended to rob the store by forcing a female employee into the office area pretending he had a gun. the 24 years old store manager pulled out his CCW shot the wannabe robber in the face, then later died at the hospital.

the DA cleared the shooter of any wrong doing, the store offered him to come back but he opted out.

fast forward July 2012, the dead robber's mother is suing Kroger.

http://www.indystar.com/article/201...spect-s-fatal-shooting-during-robbery-attempt

early six months after Jeremy Atkinson was shot and killed by a Kroger store manager during an attempted robbery, his mother is seeking more than $75,000 in damages in a wrongful-death lawsuit filed against the supermarket chain. The complaint filed July 13 in U.S. District Court argues that Kroger neglected to enforce its own policy that prohibits employees from carrying firearms while on duty. Experts are saying this could be a tough battle for the plaintiffs to win.

 

[Metalmole]

If you really believe what you posted you need to take off those rose colored glasses.

Do you ever read the local paper about the kind of folks that are caught and what they have done to get sent to prison? Long term critical thinking skills are not one of their strong suits and never will be for the type of folks that commit violent crimes.

Oh, and how all of of them claim at trial that "man, I was just really messed up on *** and *** plus drunk and hadn't slept in three days" so I should not be held responsible for whatever I might have done in that condition.

Also this was a robbery not a burglary. Burglers do at least try to avoid confrontion with the folks they are stealing from. Robbers on the other hand, choose to use the one on one confrontation.

Well said Imcrazy.....One big question for all yall naysayers....If you had been that store manager with a gun pointed at your head would you be thinking ..ok he's not going to shoot me...he knows the rules...if he gets the cash he's not suppose to shoot me....so do people do unpredictable things these days...is that a chance you would wont to take....I think not....wake up folks, people are crazy........no pun Imcrazy..

 

[holdover]

the robber gave up his right to life when he pointed the firearm at someone. If an off duty armed police officer was in the store the guy would be told to drop it or be shot, and maybe not in that order. The employee showed restraint in not drilling the robber. All you who have said let them take the money and go , that was what I was told when I was hired to work in a gas station many years ago, only the robber had other ideas, and stabbed me in the right side, that is when I picked up a tire iron and near killed him. never again

 

[GTVSaviour]

It's already been said - but that kid had the guts to go and try to make sure his colleague was going to be OK..... the calm manner he ensured the perp got the hell out yet didn't go dirty harry chasing him shows way more common sense than the corp office in firing him.
I understand the liability side too - so understand the 'policy' - but there are always exceptions to the rules.... and this is one of them.

I'm personally of the belief that all those naysayers are just lining themselves up to be the next staring down the muzzle of a crack-heads weapon or on the receiving end of a shank...... Karma is exactly as they say - a ***** - and as some of these guys/girls lay bleeding out or are afraid to come out of their own home after the trauma of an attack we need to ask them to re-iterate their "let 'em have it - it's not mine" attitude.
It may not be your money - but it's your heart racing and your brains that'll be left all over the floor/wall as the attacker sees fit.

It's plain old common sense! Jeez.........

Well done son....... If I were over there you'd have a job no question.

 

[mikeceli]

#1 He didn't fire the gun

#2 He was trying to save his friend, not a corp.

I agree!

IMO the worker responded correctly, to prevent the loss of life or limb. Once the threat ended, he acted correctly by being a good witness.

AZ is wrong.

 

[Delta74]

ok, I have to call out a few members here, PULL YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR ***'S, no one suggested arming the staff, and corp will not put a gun under the register, the guy went to his car got HIS gun and returned to the store to protect his friends, not the cash, not the items in the store, but his friends. the suggestion that the staff will start a shoot out is bull ****, the guy was military, I think it is safe to bet that he knows how to use it, and will likely hit his target if it went bad.

he did not escalate the problem, the little pissant saw the gun said screw it and ran off, hopefully the idiot will think twice before robbing the next place. our hero could have been hopped up on adreneline, and shot the guy, but was thinking straight and chose to let the crook go after it was determined that his friends were ok, ( screw the store ) it was safer for everyone to just let him go, that you idiots is a smart rational man, he picked his risks, and when the threat was gone he did not persue it.

for all you anti gun nut cases, news flash crooks dont give a rats *** about laws, let alone gun laws, they want you idiots un armed so you will be defensless,and they can come take everything of yours. the man is a hero, and a personal thank you for your service, even if you are american, as you do help protect MY way of life.

now should he have been fired? I would say no, however he did break company rules by entering his employment with a firearm ( after a robbery was happening ) I think its BS since he did not have it all shift, however a unofficial reprimand of dont do it again, but a warm heart felt thank you, should have been the result.

thats my 2 cents, if you take offense to any of my comments I dont care, as you likely are one of those bleeding hearts that gave the crooks more rights then I do, if you agree with me, thanks.

 

[IndyGarage]

Actually after having thought about it, the one thing the guy did wrong was not shoot the robber.

Maybe I'm behind the times, but I was always taught that you don't point a gun at somebody unless you intend to pull the trigger and kill them. Hollering at a guy to drop is gun is just giving him a chance to shoot his gun. According to my logic, If he's pointing a gun at the manager or has pointed it at me, he intends to kill me.

It's time to shoot first and ask questions later. Now, I don't carry a gun and don't claim to know what I would do if I were confronted with the choice, but I know what I was taught.

I also want folks to consider the possibility that the employee had been carrying his gun against policy and just made up the "went out to the truck" portion after the fact. If you were a gunman, and you were taking the manager hostage to the back of the store to open the safe, would you let the other guy go? No way you would. You would march them both to the back of the store.

And if you were then going to run if the other guy came back in with a gun, you would run sooner rather than later.

The "hero's" story doesn't hold water in my opinion.

 

[lasnevas]

I agree

 

[lasnevas]

with Deltas' post

 

[uniballer]

reported that McLean violated corporate policy by leaving the store and returning with a weapon. BS! Im sure there are other parts stores that will definety hire him!

 

[5mall5nail5]

Not sure you can be classed as a "veteran" at 23 unless it means something else in the USA, I'm guessing he'll have served what a maximum of four or five years in the Air force, to me veteran means long service and experience. Firing him is probably a bit extreme though.

Yeah he should only be considered a veteran if he was 60 years old with 25 years in the military...

 

[Lippyp]

I intended no disrespect when I questioned the use of the term veteran, in the UK he would simply be referred to as an ex serviceman, we tend to use veteran to mean someone with long service and lots of experience rather than just anyone who's been in the military.

Again with no disresepect intended to those in the military, for every guy thats been at the sharp end of service in whatever warzone might be current I'm sure there are equal numbers who spent their service time dishing up lunch, pushing paper around or fixing trucks or planes well away from any fighting. That does not neccesarily qualify you to come over all Stephen Seagal in a dangerous situation.

Hell, my grandfather spent WWII in the 8th army............... dishing out new boots and trousers as a quartermaster, I doubt he ever got to shoot his rifle at anyone.

 

[Journaler]

Hmmmmmm

 

[5mall5nail5]

Doesn't much matter man - serving up lunch on a base means you've signed on the line to pick up a gun and defend your country. You're being pretty ignorant.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Doesn't much matter man - serving up lunch on a base means you've signed on the line to pick up a gun and defend your country. You're being pretty ignorant.

I think he meant some guys do many years, never having seen action.....while others do just a few years in recent combat zones. I do not think he judged them, just saying you can get a ton of experience real quick in the military of today.

 

[Lippyp]

And you're being pretty rude but I won't hold that against you! I don't see that I've said anything ignorant at all, not once have I been disrespectful or disparaging about military personnel current or ex.

I'm not disputing peoples commitment to defending their country at all, all I'm saying is the fact he's a "veteran" is pretty irrelevant to this story unless you know his service history, sure being an infantryman or military policeman may well have equipped him to better deal with the situation, being a tech weenie in the airforce spending three years fixing radar sets probably wouldn't have. My dad served in the Royal Air Force doing his national service (conscription) during the cold war, he was a radar operator in Germany for most of it and rarely saw daylight let alone a Russian, I don't respect him any less for that fact but it certainly didn't turn him into an action hero ready to take on an armed intruder.

edit: Buckgnarly said it better than I have been able to, sure some guys can do four years today and see more action than others that have done 20 years but similarly you can do four years and never get near afghanistan or iraq or any war zone, even today.

 

[5mall5nail5]

I think he meant some guys do many years, never having seen action.....while others do just a few years in recent combat zones. I do not think he judged them, just saying you can get a ton of experience real quick in the military of today.

Its regardless to me. As someone in their 20's I have friends in reserves and friends in national guard, etc. They're all performing a service. To discredit someone's ability to call themselves a "veteran" (which is a truncated version of "veteran of war") is asinine based on their age. Hell, years ago you could have been 23 with 7 years of service. It's irrelevant in either way though.

 

[hifi_hokie]

Separated by a common language, indeed