Anybody ever "set off" primers or powder with a cell phone?

[Land_Owner]

I was inside a small local gun shop with a front door posted policy of No Cell Phone Use Inside the Store (but I missed that on the way in), got a call, answered it, and the Owner had a conniption.  His "concern" was the posted cell phone instructions that state it could ignite powders and/or primers.  I complied, immediately hung up, and continued to shop his store.  I have pondered his "concern" since.

Has Myth Busters uncovered this one?

[PowPow]

His fear is probably an extension of the concern about using the cell phone while filling your gas tank.

Anytime an operating electrical circuit is opened (shut off), there is an arc (spark); the higher the operating amperage, the bigger the spark.
There are different classes of hazardous environments; combustible vapor (gas fumes), combustible dust (powder floating in the air), and combustible fibers (textile, wood).
I can see not using a cell phone around a gas pump because of the uncontrolled release of vapor and the unknown ignition source.
I can't see how enough combustible dust (powder) would be in the air to cause an explosion in a gun shop from a cell phone.
Or rather, I can't see how the fire marshall or his insurance carrier would allow commercial occupancy if that kind of hazard were present and the only safegaurd was a sign that said "no cell phone use". If there was enough ignitable dust to cause ignition by a cell phone , it would have already happened from his regular phone, his light switches and any plug-in appliances in the store.

But, hey, its his house...


here is a reference the the various hazardous classifications:
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/hazardous-areas-classification-d_345.html

[Old Syko]

I would assume he has no land line phone, computer, or electric lights in his store which would all create a greater likelihood of hazard.         Or he's an idiot.   

[YRUpunting?]

I agree it's his house.  Here in Indiana I'm more concerned about a shark attack than my cell phone blowing up my reloading bench.

[spruce]

My guess is he doesn't like the distraction of people talking on their cell phones in his store.
 
Which is fine - his house, his rules.

[Old Syko]

My guess is he doesn't like the distraction of people talking on their cell phones in his store.
 
Which is fine - his house, his rules.

BINGO!  The only problem is, he's not an honest man or he would just say so.  For that I would respect him and even agree to a certain extent, but to make up stories using false information would have me shopping elsewhere.

[Land_Owner]

I suspect it may have something (also) to do with retail price checking against some far away and unknown competitor.  But then, point well made...it is his house.  I respected the man for his wishes and complied.  His methodology though left something to be desired.  With a store full of a 1/2 dozen customers, his mouth glued to his land line awaiting NICS checking for three handgun purchases, he used a canned air horn in a very small store, splitting ears of all inside, just to get my attention.  That was kind of over the top.  It worked though...got to grant him that, although I think his excuse isn't well founded.  Tough to go back.  He isn't very personable either when I have been there before.  guess I should shop elsewhere or give the man his due.

[Dave in WV]

My guess is he doesn't like the distraction of people talking on their cell phones in his store.
 
Which is fine - his house, his rules.

I agree with you "which is fine-  his house, his rules" but in the long run it could cost him business. I wonder how many times people have walked into a gun shop and saw a firearm someone they knew was searching for? No phone, maybe no call to person looking for that firearm.

[necchi]

I'd also respect his wishes, I too have found some peoples public use of a Cell Phone offensive,
But at the same time I'd never set foot in his store again.
 
Canned Air Horn? Spark from a Cell Phone?
A bit too eccentric for me.
It wouldn't matter to me if he had Varget powder for $10 a pound, or a Handi Rifle for $50,,
The fruit cake wouldn't see a single penny of my money. Ever.
 
I might get an air horn myself and keep it handy, if I saw him on the street I'd give him a blast,,

[MSP Ret]

I'd also respect his wishes, I too have found some peoples public use of a Cell Phone offensive,
But at the same time I'd never set foot in his store again.
 
Canned Air Horn? Spark from a Cell Phone?
A bit too eccentric for me.
It wouldn't matter to me if he had Varget powder for $10 a pound, or a Handi Rifle for $50,,
The fruit cake wouldn't see a single penny of my money. Ever.
 
I might get an air horn myself and keep it handy, if I saw him on the street I'd give him a blast,,

Good ideas all. I'd find another place to shop as well....<><....

[Larry L]

I've read this post a few times and I guess the guy was lucky it was you and not me. I would have hollered back at him just how many people that conceal carry have blown themselves up with their firearm under their armpit and a cell phone in their ear. You really need to mark this nut case off of any buying list you might have- I think he's a psycho and a gunshop owner no less. My money says yer gonna see him on the evening news...and it ain't gonna be good.

[charles p]

Think about all the radio and radar transmissions on a naval ship.  Don't set off their primers.  Ever heard of a policeman being shot in the foot when he got a call on his radio?  Me neither.

[Old Syko]

It may be "his house" but it is still open to public availability as long as he is in business.  Being his house doesn't give him the authority to do as he pleases.  Shouldn't be a problem for long though since his doors will be closed soon.

One final thought on this thread.  Someone needs to inform this guy he should keep his air horn well lubricated for the time when he pulls this stunt on someone who is willing to get even and worry about the consequences later.

[Doublebass73]

I'd also respect his wishes, I too have found some peoples public use of a Cell Phone offensive,
But at the same time I'd never set foot in his store again.
 
Canned Air Horn? Spark from a Cell Phone?
A bit too eccentric for me.
It wouldn't matter to me if he had Varget powder for $10 a pound, or a Handi Rifle for $50,,
The fruit cake wouldn't see a single penny of my money. Ever.
 
I might get an air horn myself and keep it handy, if I saw him on the street I'd give him a blast,,

Good ideas all. I'd find another place to shop as well....<><....

Same here, I would have turned around and told him he'd never see me again. That guy is definitely a tool if he really believes a cell phone can set off a primer or cans of gunpowder.

[charles p]

Our Air Force has a fighter jet modified to jam radar.  It is an F-15 I think.  It's called the Wild Weasel and it flys with other jets that are highly armed with automatic cannon shell, rockets, bombs, you name it.  The Wild Weasel may have some fire power of its own.  It generates hightly intense radio and radar beacons that jam enemy systems.  Is does not set off rockets, bombs, gunpowder or primers on the ground or in the air.  I expect it is many many times stronger than all the cell phone in a county turned on at once.
 
Does this guy also use his cell phone to unlock his car!
 
Bet our CIA would like to get a cell phone that would disarm the enemy.  Bet our enemies would like one also. 
 
Imagine working as a bank teller and a robber comes in the bank.  Someone could make a call from their superphone and disarm the rober by firing all his ammo at once.

[MSP Ret]

Please, please, please, post the name, address, and phone number of his shop....<><....

[dave29]

Good lord! Air horn?! 

I wouldn't shop there anymore, even if he was the only shop in town.

[Blackhawker]

There is a gun store local to me and they have a "no cell phone" policy.  They don't allow cell phones in order to prevent illegal sales of firearms.  They also have signs posted stating no speaking languages other than English or you will be asked to leave.  (personally, I think that's great!)  Keep in mind, this is an Illinois store so illegal sales could be sales to non FOID people as well as non citizens, prior crminals etc. 

I have this idea that the store owner mentioned on this thread may have his signals crossed.  There should be NO CELL PHONES for illegal sales, not so that the ammo and loading equipment goes off.   

[shot1]

New tactic. A soldier belly crawls up to an enemy bunker flips a cell phone inside and crawls away and calls that phone with another and BOOM the enemy bunker goes. 

Where do people come up with such non-since?

[JustaShooter]

How does a ban on cell phone use prevent illegal sales of firearms?   

Just a (confused) Shooter

[45-70.gov]

DON'T YOU EVER USE YOUR CELL PHONE AROUND  MY SHOP


I HAVE A BULL HORN  FOR PEOPLE LIKE YOU

[Land_Owner]

Ha Ha.  I will come up there and make you laugh.  Break a House Rule or two.  Seems that "100-minutes of heart stoppage" has been good for your sense of humor.

[Blackhawker]

Remember back when you were not able to buy alcohol due to your age?  A lot of times, minors have people of age go in a store and buy alcohol for them and give them a little extra $$$ for the favor. 
I guess the same thing happens with people who are dumb enough to buy a gun for someone who can't legally buy one.  I guess phone conversations are made via cell phones to describe what's in the store, price etc.  I don't know what idiot would be stupid enough to buy for someone illegally, but I guess it happens.  There are A LOT of stupid people out there!

How does a ban on cell phone use prevent illegal sales of firearms?   

Just a (confused) Shooter

[45-70.gov]

Ha Ha.  I will come up there and make you laugh.  Break a House Rule or two.  Seems that "100-minutes of heart stoppage" has been good for your sense of humor.

i can laugh  now
how ever some pepper to the nose or pollen and a sneeze can take me down
i actually ran 2 days ago...[sorta....not very far or fast]

[Land_Owner]

I guess the same thing happens with people who are dumb enough to buy a gun for someone who can't legally buy one.  I guess phone conversations are made via cell phones to describe what's in the store, price etc.  I don't know what idiot would be stupid enough to buy for someone illegally, but I guess it happens.  There are A LOT of stupid people out there!

Were I an FFL seller, why would I care if Mr. Customer came into my shop and legally purchased a handgun, had a clean NIC system check, and paid dollars for the purchase (not credit)?  It's all legal in my book.  What he does next is on him - unless I have a clue that something is amiss, then I act on the clue(s).

[Blackhawker]

I think it mostly has to do with the location of the store.  The particular area it's in is under a lot of anti-gun pressure.  They also were robbed about a year ago.  Perhaps they just don't want any possible source of foul play.    When it comes down to it, it's the store owner's right to do as he/she pleases anyway. 

I guess the same thing happens with people who are dumb enough to buy a gun for someone who can't legally buy one.  I guess phone conversations are made via cell phones to describe what's in the store, price etc.  I don't know what idiot would be stupid enough to buy for someone illegally, but I guess it happens.  There are A LOT of stupid people out there!

Were I an FFL seller, why would I care if Mr. Customer came into my shop and legally purchased a handgun, had a clean NIC system check, and paid dollars for the purchase (not credit)?  It's all legal in my book.  What he does next is on him - unless I have a clue that something is amiss, then I act on the clue(s).

[Land_Owner]

i actually ran 2 days ago...[sorta....not very far or fast]

Testing those internal stitches?

[45-70.gov]

I guess the same thing happens with people who are dumb enough to buy a gun for someone who can't legally buy one.  I guess phone conversations are made via cell phones to describe what's in the store, price etc.  I don't know what idiot would be stupid enough to buy for someone illegally, but I guess it happens.  There are A LOT of stupid people out there!

Were I an FFL seller, why would I care if Mr. Customer came into my shop and legally purchased a handgun, had a clean NIC system check, and paid dollars for the purchase (not credit)?  It's all legal in my book.  What he does next is on him - unless I have a clue that something is amiss, then I act on the clue(s).

had a phone call once to buy a gun
not knowing at first it was a 3 way call
but a recording stated ''this is a call from the nassua county jail''
he clamed it was his answering machine malfunction
he got a visit from the ATF at  10PM
the inmate   lost phone privledges for the remainder of his sentence
another time a man came to buy a gun..he walked out when i handed him a 4473 form
i forwarded his tag to the local sheriff.........he was a convicted felon
i don't want to facilitate a crime
the ATF knows me  and how i do business and leaves me alone


been 4 weeks since the surgery
saw the doc today.....AND I CAN DRIVE A CAR NOW....[well i did cheat there too]
i read the repords and talked to the doc some  more
looks like i dodged a BIG bullet
you lucky  i didn't die on your property

[MSP Ret]

Glad your doing OK...
 
Ring---Ring...BOOM!!!!...now that can't be too good for the heart....<><....

[Old Syko]

Glad your doing OK...
 
Ring---Ring...BOOM!!!!...now that can't be too good for the heart....<><....

Sounds like a suicide bomber training malfunction.