OPERATIONAL & SAFETY PROTOCOLS

THE GUN SHOP USA

I. FIREARM HANDLING & SAFETY

Safety is our primary liability and our most important professional standard. There are no "accidents," only negligence. Strict adherence to these rules is a condition of employment.

The Four Universal Rules:

• Treat every firearm as if it were loaded.
• Never point a firearm at anything you are not willing to destroy.
• Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target.
• Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.

Counter Protocol: Every firearm—whether coming from a distributor box, a customer’s holster, or the display case—must be physically and visually cleared immediately upon handling.

Muzzle Discipline: When showing a firearm to a customer, the muzzle must be pointed in a designated safe direction (e.g., toward the floor or a reinforced "safe" wall), never toward the front door, other staff, or customers.

II. ELECTRONIC 4473 & NICS COMPLIANCE

While our 4473 process is electronic, compliance is a manual responsibility. Shortcutting the process is grounds for immediate termination.

Identity Verification: Employees must physically inspect a valid, government-issued photo ID for every transaction. Digital copies or "vouching" for a regular customer is not permitted.

The "Triple Check" Rule:

1. Employee Check: Verify the customer completed all required fields before submitting.
2. Manager/Peer Review: A second employee must verify the NICS transaction number and "Proceed" status matches the 4473 before the firearm leaves the counter.
3. Physical Match: Confirm the Serial Number on the physical firearm matches the 4473 exactly (no transposed numbers).

Straw Purchase Vigilance: Employees are empowered and required to deny any sale that shows "red flags" of a straw purchase. When in doubt, the answer is "No."

III. INVENTORY RECONCILIATION

The ATF requires us to account for every serialized item. Discrepancies put our FFL at risk.

Cycle Counts: A full physical inventory count of all serialized items (firearms, receivers, suppressors) will be conducted at a minimum of every 30 to 60 days.

Discrepancy Reporting: Any serialized item that cannot be located during a count must be reported to John, Sonnie, or the Shop Manager within 1 hour.

Acquisition & Disposition (A&D) Integrity: All firearms received must be "booked in" to the electronic A&D log by the end of the business day they arrived. No firearm is to be placed in the display case until it is officially in the system.

EMPLOYEE CONDUCT & PROFESSIONALISM

THE GUN SHOP USA

I. DRESS CODE & PERSONAL PRESENTATION

As the face of **The Gun Shop USA**, employees are expected to maintain a clean, professional, and approachable appearance at all times.

General Attire: Clothing must be modest, clean, and professional.

Prohibited Items:

• No shorts or mini-skirts.
• No tank tops or sleeveless shirts.
• No "crop tops" or shirts that expose any portion of the midriff/belly.

Hygiene & Health: Due to the high-volume handling of firearms touched by numerous customers daily, employees are required to maintain high standards of personal hygiene.

Hand Sanitizer: Use of hand sanitizer is required frequently throughout the shift, specifically after handling customer-owned firearms, display firearms, or completing a high-touch transaction.

II. PERSONAL PURCHASES & DISCOUNTS

We want our staff to be equipped with the best gear, but shop sustainability comes first.

Employee Pricing: Standard items may be purchased at **5% above cost**.

Formula: cost + 5% = Employee Price

"Hard-to-Get" & Rare Items: Items with limited availability, high-demand "allocated" products, or rare collectibles are excluded from standard employee pricing.

Owner Approval: Any purchase of a rare or high-demand item requires explicit approval from Sonnie before the transaction.

Resale Prohibited: Employee discounts are for personal use only. Purchasing items at a discount to resell for profit is grounds for immediate termination.

III. CELL PHONE & SOCIAL MEDIA USE

When you are on the clock, your focus must be on the customers and the security of the shop.

Personal Devices: Use of cell phones for personal calls, texting, or apps is prohibited during business hours except for emergency situations or during break.

Social Media: Employees may not post to personal social media accounts during office hours.

Shop Representation: Any photos or videos taken inside the shop for social media must be professional and may not disclose sensitive security information or customer privacy. **Videos cannot include any background music.**

LEGAL & COMPLIANCE PROTECTION

THE GUN SHOP USA

I. ANTI-HARASSMENT & NON-DISCRIMINATION

**The Gun Shop USA** is committed to a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We are strictly against any form of harassment, whether based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Reporting Procedure:

If you feel you have been subjected to or have witnessed harassment or discrimination, you are required to report it immediately. Reports should be made directly to John, Sonnie, Nicole, or Angie (one of the 4 owners). All reports will be investigated promptly and handled with as much confidentiality as possible.

II. AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT (ALABAMA)

Employment with **The Gun Shop USA** is "at-will." This means that either the employee or the employer may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, and with or without notice.

Nothing in this portal or any shop policy shall be construed as a contract of employment for any specific duration.

III. DRUG & ALCOHOL POLICY

Due to the inherent risks involved in handling firearms and ammunition, **The Gun Shop USA** maintains a strict "Zero Tolerance" sobriety policy. Our priority is the safety of our staff and our customers.

Strict Sobriety Standards:

• The use, possession, or being under the influence of alcohol or drugs during business hours is strictly prohibited.
• This policy applies to the sales floor, the office, and any shop-related activities.
• Prescription medication that may impair judgment, motor skills, or reaction time must be disclosed to management or one of the owners before beginning a shift.

**Violation of this policy is grounds for immediate termination.**