I wish I could give no stars…read more
First, I want to be very clear: I have lived in Oklahoma my entire life, and while I have experienced racism throughout my life, I have also experienced love, respect, and hospitality from many wonderful people of all backgrounds. My late grandfather was a white man, and he never treated me as anything less than HIS. That is why this experience hurt me so deeply. More than anything, I am disappointed and saddened. I cried on the ride home.
My husband and I came into this business on Saturday and purchased two firearms totaling $435. Mike, informed me that my background check had not come back yet and that I would have to wait, even though we were initially told I would not have to. The following Monday, we called to check on the status because no one had called us to let us know whether the firearms were ready for pickup. We came by each day until Wednesday before 7 PM, only to find the store closed. We had called ahead because I do not get off work until 6 PM & were told they are a private company & can close whenever they feel like closing.
When we arrived to pick up the firearms, the owner, Mike, who I understand is a retired police officer, told us he had "bad news." He then accused my husband and me of attempting a "straw purchase" and suggested we were planning to do something illegal with the firearms. He also threatened that we could face serious federal time.
I want to be very clear: I have never been in trouble in my life. My family has been a staple in Midwest City for over 50 years. My husband is from Miami and recently moved here because of me. Neither of us are felons, and we did not do anything illegal.
The reason we were purchasing the firearms was for protection. I have Lupus and several other health issues, and there have been strange people knocking on our door while I was home alone. My husband did not want me to be at home underprotected. He is a gun enthusiast and an NRA member, and he was excited to take me to the range and teach me how to safely use my own firearms -- one for home protection and one to keep with me.
We explained the situation, who we are, that we are not criminals but hardworking, God fearing people to Mike, and after everything, he said he still wanted to earn our business. I told him plainly that we would not be returning because of how poorly we had been treated.
I understand that people of all races and backgrounds do wrong every day. However, that is not a valid reason to judge hardworking, law-abiding people based on assumptions, prejudice, or preconceived ideas. I noticed there are not many Black people in the reviews, and after this experience, I understand why there were none in the store. I also now understand why several of my family members, including my white brother-in-law, who is also a gun enthusiast, told me not to come here.
Mike did refund our money by writing a check, but the damage from the experience and the mistreatment cannot be undone. The feelings he left us with have no tangible or financial justification or rectification.
I will continue to pray for people like him, but I will also be honest about my experience. I will be sharing the truth with others, including people connected to my husband's gun safety and training class, as well as my online community. We had planned to bring others in to make purchases & for my husband to teach them how to safely use them.
No customer should be treated this way, especially when they have done nothing wrong.
