Simon says "NO GUNS!"

 You probably heard about the mass shooter who was stopped in 15 seconds by hero Elisjasha Dicken. More details on the chain of events will surely be released as law enforcement completes their investigation. 

Simon Property Group, owner of Greenwood Park Mall, has long posted their properties against weapons. Depending on the state, their weapons ban may or may not carry the force of law. In Indiana, according to several sources, their ban does not carry the force of law; whereas Tennessee bans do, if properties are properly posted. 

In view of the fact that Mr. Dicken was almost universally praised for his heroic action and remarkable marksmanship, I reached out to  Mr. David Simon of Simon Property group, urging him to reconsider their ban. After receiving no reply to an email, I sent Simon a snail-mail letter, reproduced below.* To date, I have not received a reply from him. . . .

I decided to contact Simon Property Group through their web site to a) clarify their weapons policy, and b) ascertain if there is any thought to changing the policy. My correspondence, edited for brevity is included below.**

Sep 12, 2022 -- I have received NO response to my last two emails to Ms. Pitts of Simon. 

Sep 18, 2022 -- There you have it. Simon has not responded to either my snail-mail letter or my latest email query. 

Conclusion - Perhaps for perceived liability purposes they do not wish to change their rules.

What do you think?

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*July 27, 2022

Mr. David Simon

Simon Property Group, Inc.

225 West Washington Street

Indianapolis, IN 46204

Dear Mr. Simon:

I recently saw the story of Elisjah Dicken stopping the Active Killer in the Greenwood Park Mall. Seeing that story reminds us of the fact that from the moment the killer takes his first shot, the clock starts ticking. The graphic in this link (https://bit.ly/3oAs7Yd) shows the total deaths difference, on average, of an armed citizen vs a police officer stopping the killer. Police officers, with some exceptions, get there as quickly as they can, and intervene as quickly as possible, but simply can’t be on the scene instantaneously as was Mr. Dicken.

The hard truth is that it takes too much time between the 911 call and police arrival. That means the body count increases as the clock ticks. These acts (of mass murder) can’t be prevented by signs, but can be mitigated by quick intervention.

Your signs prevent honest, lawfully armed citizens from doing business on your properties unless they violate your policy as did the hero Mr. Dicken that day. The same hero that your manager praised for his heroic action! Yet your signs tell us that we who lawfully carry firearms are not welcome in the stores in your facilities.

I would hope that you will reconsider this policy. If not, you are placing your customers and employees at a greater risk, for by posting, you are notifying the criminal element that you are creating a low risk workplace for the armed felon.

There is a lesson to be learned from the attacks in malls, schools, government buildings, etc. The lesson is that felons will be happy to see your signs if they decide to target your malls. The odds will be in their favor.

Again, I urge you to reconsider this policy. I would like to be able to tell all my friends and readers that they are welcome at your malls.

Respectfully,

Liston Matthews

goodhillpress.com

** INQUIRY

What is Simon's policy regarding handguns on your mall properties? Where can this information be found on your web site? Thanks, Liston Matthews

Darlene Pitts (at Simon)

Mon, Aug 29, 10:03 AM 

Good morning,  In reference to your request:

https://www.simon.com/legal/code-of-conduct

Mon, Aug 29, 3:56 PM 

Thank you for your response. I still can not find on any of your other web pages, e.g. https://www.simon.com/, a link to the page you provided. 

Darlene Pitts

Mon, Aug 29, 4:38 PM 

Mr. Liston: This is on the link I sent you.

https://www.simon.com/legal/code-of-conduct

Last Updated: April 30, 2020

Thank you for choosing a Simon shopper center. . . .

. . . . No weapons. . . .

Any exceptions to this code of conduct will be determined by local center management in its sole discretion.

Mon, Aug 29, 5:19 PM

Yes, thanks, I saw that. But I can't find another page that links to that page.

In other words, when I went to Simon.com, and searched, there was nothing at your site that had a link that led me to the page you sent. The only way I could get it was by asking. 

Thanks..

Clicking any of the linked items in the Copyright message at the bottom of any page on the Simon website navigates to the Legal page, and the Code of Conduct is included on the Legal Notices list along the left-hand side of the legal page.

You can google “Simon Code of Conduct” and it is the first link that appears in the Google search results. 

Respectfully,

Darlene Pitts

Wed, Aug 31, 5:36 PM 

I appreciate your taking the time to follow up with me. I have one more question, please.

In light of Mr. Dicken's heroic saving of lives at Greenwood Park Mall, is Simon considering changing the policy to permit those who are lawfully carrying a firearm in your properties?

Thanks so much,

Liston Matthews

Sep 11, 2022, 2:21 PM

You may have missed my last email. Could you please tell me if any consideration has been given to rescinding the ban on weapons in your properties. Current policy disarms those who wish to comply, while being ignored by violent felons.

Thank you,

Liston Matthews