On Saturday, the Nashville and Franklin Armories announced on social media that the company has banned the wearing of masks and hooded sweatshirts by customers seeking to purchase firearms or use the firing ranges at their locations.
“Effective immediately: The wearing of masks and hoodies are strictly prohibited and you will not be permitted in the store. If you are fearful for health reasons, we will have an online store available Mid September. If you have any concerns, please email [email protected],” the company said in a statement.
“Prior to March 2020, from the time we opened the doors in 2012, we had a very strict no mask no hoodies policy. It is still technically against the law to carry a firearm with a mask on. We made concessions to accommodate people during the there we go one ‘pandemic,'” Nashville Armory continued. “Here we are nearly 2.5 years later. If it were up to me, this would’ve happened a year ago.”
“This is 100% about the security of MY customers and MY staff,” added the general manager, identified as Jason.
“I will reiterate the original post – if there are legitimate concerns, please address with management. We will take into consideration the individual with the request. If we feel a legitimate concern, we will request a form of identification, verify the identification, and get on with our day(s). If a person is looking at firearms at our retail counter, we will retain the ID until the completion of the visit,” he said in another post.
It is unclear as of press time if any other Middle Tennessee firearms ranges and gun stores will follow suit in banning the wearing of masks or hooded sweatshirts by customers.
According to their website, “Armory Ranges is the hub for the two premier shooting facilities in Tennessee, Nashville Armory and Franklin Range. Each store offers an impressive retail showroom, classrooms, and state of the art indoor shooting range. Our facilities rank as one of the largest and most advanced firearm facilities in the country. Nashville Armory and Franklin Range’s retail shop offers a full line of firearms, accessories, ammunition, apparel, and knives. Our range features climate-controlled pistol and rifle rated bays and our training center offers a wide variety of classes for any skill level lead by our multi-level certified instructors.”
– – –
Aaron Gulbransen is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]. Follow Aaron on GETTR, Twitter, Truth Social, and Parler.
Photo “Mask and Hood” by Evan Velez Saxer.
