Levis and Guns

[Ben]

Levis CEO asks customers to leave guns outside store when shopping for jeans:

http://fortune.com/2016/11/30/levis-guns/

So, I don't normally do boycotts, but Levis is the one brand that I have boycotted since their big anti-gun stance announcement I don't know, maybe 15-20 years ago now?

However, I have to step back and ponder this recent announcement. I'm inclined to take the CEO at his word that this is not anti 2nd Amendment, but rather safety concerns for his customers. This is one place where I can see knuckleheads with zero retention awareness nor training (or awareness of the 4 rules for that matter) potentially causing safety concerns. Not just in Levi stores of course, but anywhere with dressing rooms. It falls back to the responsible people being hampered by the lowest common denominators among us.

Kind of like when I used to go on group bird hunts, there were certain people I didn't want behind me with a gun in their hands.

[Jocassee]

Since they are asking nicely and aren't being dicks about it, in addition to the fact that this comment follows an actual episode where an ND occurred, and isn't just emotional hand wringing, I would be *inclined* to comply with the request.

[lee n. field]

Levis CEO asks customers to leave guns outside store when shopping for jeans:

Whatever pants I get need to accomodate both pocket carry of a snubby, and IWB.  Bee nice to test that.

http://fortune.com/2016/11/30/levis-guns/

So, I don't normally do boycotts, but Levis is the one brand that I have boycotted since their big anti-gun stance announcement I don't know, maybe 15-20 years ago now?

However, I have to step back and ponder this recent announcement. I'm inclined to take the CEO at his word that this is not anti 2nd Amendment, but rather safety concerns for his customers. This is one place where I can see knuckleheads with zero retention awareness nor training (or awareness of the 4 rules for that matter) potentially causing safety concerns. Not just in Levi stores of course, but anywhere with dressing rooms. It falls back to the responsible people being hampered by the lowest common denominators among us.

Kind of like when I used to go on group bird hunts, there were certain people I didn't want behind me with a gun in their hands.

[Ben]

Whatever pants I get need to accomodate both pocket carry of a snubby, and IWB.  Bee nice to test that.

Testing for both of those requires an unloaded weapon, no?

[brimic]

Did the alleged accidental shooting actually happen? I can't find anything on the internet about it other than in the CEO's statement....

Not going to boycott Levis- I would actually have to wear and own Levis in order to boycott them.

[BobR]

“You don’t need a gun to try on a pair of jeans,” CEO says.

Why yes, yes I do.

Whatever pants I get need to accomodate both pocket carry of a snubby, and IWB.  Bee nice to test that.

That.

Plus leaving my gun outside would require me to secure it in my car or on my bike. I may as well leave it at home and join the countless thousands of others who rely on the local Po-Po for protection. If I am out shopping, even for jeans, I doubt that will be my only stop of the day. I have always considered the most secure place for my gun outside of being locked in a safe is in my possession not in an unattended vehicle.

bob

[Hawkmoon]

Since they are asking nicely and aren't being dicks about it, in addition to the fact that this comment follows an actual episode where an ND occurred, and isn't just emotional hand wringing, I would be *inclined* to comply with the request.

Since he is asking nicely and not being a Richard Craniuum about it, I'd be inclined to ignore him. Shootings happen in malls. Levis stores are mostly located in malls and outlet centers (strip malls). If I want protection when shopping at a mall (an unlikely circumstance at best), what am I supposed to do with my gun? Do they provide a gun check service at the entrance to their store?

In reality, Levis are so grossly over-priced these days there's virtually no chance I would be in one of their stores anyway.

[MechAg94]

I used to wear Levi's all the time.  I never bought any at a Levi's store.  Yes, they are overpriced compared to Wranglers and others. 

I got some new jeans last weekend as Tractor Supply had 20% off.  They had Levis, but I declined to buy them.  I haven't worn in several years.

[Perd Hapley]

“You don’t need a gun to try on a pair of jeans,” CEO says.

That's not how any of this works.

[Ben]

That's not how any of this works.

To be clear, I'm not supporting the guy. I'm just trying to take step back and view it as a genuine non-political decision, whether misguided or not. If I'm not part of the gun culture and I have someone come into my place of business and have an ND, I might be inclined to make a "safety decision" with no political overtones (not that they don't end up creeping in).

I'm actually quite surprised that we don't hear about more NDs in dressing rooms, public restrooms, etc. where people are dropping trou.

[Fly320s]

I'm actually quite surprised that we don't hear about more NDs in dressing rooms, public restrooms, etc. where people are dropping trou.

Maybe that doesn't happen very often.  Maybe people who try on jeans accidentally cut themselves much more often.  Or forget about their child in the dressing room.  Or leave a used syringe in a pile of clothes.  Or etc.

In other words, it aint the gun, it is the stupid.  Good luck keeping stupid people from doing stupid stuff.

[RoadKingLarry]

I gave up on Levi's when they moved production of an "American Icon" to china.

[KD5NRH]

I used to wear Levi's all the time.  I never bought any at a Levi's store.  Yes, they are overpriced compared to Wranglers and others.

I only buy them at outlet stores or occasionally Goodwill.  Don't think I've paid more than $25 for a pair.  (New 514 stretch at the outlet.  Goodwill, I only buy the like-new ones.  I have plenty of should-have-already-tossed-them jeans for painting and such.)

[wmenorr67]

We know that the presence of firearms in our stores creates an unsettling environment for many of our employees and customers.

This line here makes it "Political" for me.

Plus I am curious as to him be a vegan has anything to do with this?

[RocketMan]

I don't believe him for a minute.  His statement is political (see the line quoted in wmenorr67's post above).  The ND story is likely just that, a story, and he's using it for cover.
But it is no skin off my nose.  I don't buy Levis as they are overpriced for what you get.

[Perd Hapley]

We know that the presence of firearms in our stores creates an unsettling environment for many of our employees and customers.

LOL, no. No, it does not. If people were really worried about folks carrying guns, we'd see a LOT more no-gun signs at stores. A lot more.

[HankB]

Did the alleged accidental shooting actually happen? I can't find anything on the internet about it other than in the CEO's statement....

If the alleged negligent discharge was by an LEO . . . it would probably be deemed NOT newsworthy.

[French G.]

I gave up on Levi's when they moved production of an "American Icon" to china.

I gave up on Levi's when the first antigun crap happened years ago. That said, what brand to buy? I only buy US made merino socks, but good luck finding jeans. When I was a kid Wrangler had a plant in my town. Mexico now. Silk mill was one town over, also defunct.

[Ben]

I gave up on Levi's when the first antigun crap happened years ago. That said, what brand to buy? I only buy US made merino socks, but good luck finding jeans. When I was a kid Wrangler had a plant in my town. Mexico now. Silk mill was one town over, also defunct.

I knew this would eventually turn into a "what jeans to buy?" thread. 

I switched to Cabelas jeans for a while when I gave up on Levis, but then started buying Costco jeans which were a great bang for the buck and fit like they were bespoke. Then last year Costco switched from a Mexican plant to a Chinese plant, and the new jeans are just awful.

I'm now buying Wrangler and Faded Glory (sold at Walmart) jeans. I really like the Faded Glory for doing work / kicking around. Can't be beat at around ten bucks a pop, and the relaxed fit jeans fit me very well. I still buy the Cabelas indigo jeans as "dress jeans" to go with a sport coat.

[Perd Hapley]

I'm now buying Wrangler...

Same here. My Wal-Mart Wranglers are holding up pretty well. (I'll not rehash again the baleful story of the Carhartt fall-apart jeans.)

[Fly320s]

Same here. My Wal-Mart Wranglers are holding up pretty well. (I'll not rehash again the baleful story of the Carhartt fall-apart jeans.)

Got any stories about Carhartt coats?

[charby]

Got any stories about Carhartt coats?

Not as durable as they used to be. I wouldn't buy a new one.

[Hawkmoon]

Same here. My Wal-Mart Wranglers are holding up pretty well. (I'll not rehash again the baleful story of the Carhartt fall-apart jeans.)

Wal-Mart also sells another brand (Rustler) that seems to be a store brand, and also sells for around $10 a pair. They fit me much better than Wranglers or Faded Glory,and they last me as long as I vaguely remember Levis lasting.

[Perd Hapley]

Got any stories about Carhartt coats?

Only one.

[RocketMan]

Wal-Mart also sells another brand (Rustler) that seems to be a store brand, and also sells for around $10 a pair. They fit me much better than Wranglers or Faded Glory,and they last me as long as I vaguely remember Levis lasting.

Rustler can be found at a number of outlets besides WallyWorld.  I've been buying them for years. Inexpensive and they hold up pretty well.