Staples’ employees were in shock this morning when a concealed gun case was discovered near the register.

Inside that case was a pistol along with its magazine.

“What if a child found it, and thought it was a play toy,” shopper Shari Withey said.

“Luckily it didn’t get in the wrong hands,” shopper Holly Lewis said. “There are lots of kids (in the store), and they might be curious.”

After leaving the gun by accident yesterday, the gun’s owner returned to the store early this morning. State Police found that the gun was legally registered to the man, and he did have a permit to carry. No arrest was made, and the pistol was returned to the owner.

“You don’t take them in the store,” shopper Carol Doland. “He needs to be responsible to keep track of it any way. But, it shouldn’t have even come out of his vehicle.”

“Even with permits, it shouldn’t be out in the open like that or even on the shelf,” shopper Richard Johnston said. “That is crazy.”