Rural King
Family-owned retail chain offering rural goods
Firearms Associate
About the job
- A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
- Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding firearms sales and transfers is required.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills are required to engage customers effectively.
- The ability to actively listen, ask relevant questions, and provide thorough and articulate responses is required.
- Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills are required.
- The ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and maintain a high level of attention to detail is required.
- A proven track record of consistently producing error-free work and meeting quality standards is required.
- Proficiency in using computer systems for transaction processing and record-keeping is required.
- A strong commitment to maintaining a safe and secure shopping environment is required.
- Integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality are required.
- The ability to stand for prolonged periods is required.
- The ability to lift, push, and/or pull a minimum of 30 pounds repetitively and 31–50 pounds intermittently is required.
- The ability to communicate verbally and effectively with others in person and via electronic devices is required.
- Close visual awareness is required.
- The ability to use a ladder and/or pallet jack is required.
- Greet customers entering the firearms department and create a welcoming shopping environment.
- Engage customers to understand their needs, preferences, and budget constraints using the customer engagement model.
- Provide expert guidance and unbiased product recommendations based on customer requirements.
- Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations pertaining to firearms sales and transfers.
- Complete required firearm compliance training and demonstrate understanding of the Firearms Standard Operating Procedure.
- Assist customers in selecting ammunition, accessories, and related products.
- Maintain an organized and visually appealing firearms display area with accurately labeled and priced products.
- Process transactions accurately and efficiently, including payments and required documentation.
- Stay updated on firearm trends, models, and industry news to provide informed recommendations.
- Address customer questions and concerns promptly, provide resolutions, or escalate issues to a supervisor when required.
- Establish and maintain long-term customer relationships to generate repeat business and referrals.
- Demonstrate product features and benefits, conduct product demonstrations, and explain technical specifications as needed.
- Use upselling and cross-selling techniques to maximize sales and increase average units per transaction.
- Promote exclusive offers, the RK Firearms Plus Protection Plan, and the store loyalty program.
- Process special orders, operate the point-of-sale register, and resolve return issues as needed.
- Contribute to visual merchandising by zoning product displays, maintaining proper signage, and keeping the sales floor clean, safe, and attractive.
- Participate in cross-training for flexibility across departments and responsibilities.
- Participate in training programs, workshops, and webinars to acquire knowledge, refine skills, and stay current on developments.
- Provide friendly, proactive, and professional internal and external support by addressing inquiries, concerns, and issues promptly and effectively.
- Demonstrate behaviors reflecting Rural King's values of People First, Integrity, Attitude, Initiative, Teamwork, Accountability, and Continuous Improvement.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Use a ladder and/or pallet jack as part of essential job functions.
- Additional education or training in firearms safety is a plus.
- Previous experience in firearms sales or a related field is preferred.
About the company
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Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
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Founded
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Get referred to Rural King
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Elmira opened September 25, 2026, marking Rural King's first New York store.
- Henry County approved Rural King's $40 million distribution center for 150 jobs.
- PetMeds launched RuralKing.PetMeds.com on July 14, 2026, expanding recurring pet sales.
What critics are saying
- The Clearfield gun lawsuit keeps Rural King exposed through 2026 federal proceedings.
- A major firearms verdict could force store restrictions, higher insurance, and category pullbacks.
- Discount chains and Tractor Supply copy its assortment while expanding faster nationwide.
What makes Rural King unique
- Rural King spans farm, home, guns, and pet supplies under one value banner.
- Its 2026 Elmira debut proves it converts vacant big-box sites into destination stores.
- Free popcorn, RK Rewards, and aggressive pricing deepen loyalty in rural markets.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Mental Health Support
Wellness Program
Company News
'Awesome prices.' Rural King opens first New York location in Elmira. Illinois-based retailer Rural King held a grand opening ceremony Friday, Sept. 25 for its new store at the former Tops Friendly Market site in Elmira. Elmira Star-Gazette Sept. 25, 2026, 3:02 p.m. ET An Illinois-based farm and home retailer chose Elmira to make its New York state debut, and when its new store officially opened Friday, people couldn't wait to see what all the buzz was about. Rural King Farm and Home Store, founded in 1960 in Matoon, Illinois and still headquartered there, held a ribbon-cutting and grand opening ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 25 for its latest outlet at 299 S. Main St. in Elmira, the former Tops Friendly Markets plaza. Local officials, business leaders and others gathered in front of the building - vacant since Tops closed that location in 2018 - for the occasion, which featured third-generation Rural King owner and Chairman Alex Melvin. Rural King has more than 160 outlets in 18 states, including Pennsylvania. When looking for new areas to expand, Elmira looked like a perfect fit, Melvin said. "We saw an opportunity with the building here, and we plugged the numbers into our data, and it said that we could do really good business in this market, and you know they didn't lie," he said. "The numbers were right and we got a lot of great rural Americans that need our supplies, and response has been great." Rural King isn't just a farm store, Melvin said. It carries everything from sporting goods and power tools to products for livestock and pets, he said. "We've got everything that you could imagine. Even for those that live in town, we've got a great lawn and garden section for the springtime," Melvin said. "We've got birdseed, we've got guns and ammo, we've got dog food, we've got feed, we've got workwear and clothing. "It's a rural America store for not just those that live in the country but those that live in rural America in towns," he said. "So come on down. We've got awesome prices." While Melvin believes Rural King is a perfect fit for Elmira, local officials enthusiastically agree. "They came right in and cleaned this place up. I've been inside. It's amazing," said Elmira Mayor Dan Mandell, who said the new store is expected to have at least 60 employees. "Taking a building that's been vacant for years and putting it back online, it's huge for our community," added Joseph Roman, president of Southern Tier Economic Growth. "Everybody lined up to help this project." Hundreds of shoppers poured into the new Rural King outlet after the grand opening ceremony to check out the wide variety of items. Among the consumers was Dave Miller, of Waverly, who was excited to hear Rural King was coming to Elmira. "We've been to them before. They have some stores in Pa. We were in one a while ago," Miller said. "It's good they're coming in here. Their prices are good. They do have a lot of good things."
Rural King to open first New York store in Elmira. With a legacy spanning more than six decades, Rural King has established itself as a cornerstone of the communities it serves September 21, 2026. 8:01 AM MATTOON, Ill.- Rural King, a family-owned retailer dedicated to the rural lifestyle, announced the opening of its first New York store in Elmira, marking the company's entry into the state. Grand opening festivities will take place Friday, Sept. 25, through Sunday, Sept. 27, featuring Rural King specials and competitive prices on items throughout the store. New customers who enroll in RK Rewards at the Elmira store during grand opening weekend will be automatically entered to win one of four $500 Rural King gift cards. Customers can also enjoy a complimentary bottle of Rural King water during their visit. With a legacy spanning more than six decades, Rural King has established itself as a cornerstone of the communities it serves. The new Elmira location at 299 S. Main St. includes updates designed to enhance the shopping experience, including mobile and self-checkout options, while maintaining the personal touch that defines Rural King's customer service. "Opening our first store in New York is an exciting milestone for Rural King, and we're proud to become part of the Elmira community," said Rural King Senior Vice President of Merchandising Susan Samuelson. "We look forward to introducing customers throughout the area to the wide selection, everyday value and friendly service Rural King has been known for more than 65 years." The Elmira store carries brands including Carhartt, Stihl, Ariat, Wrangler, Black Rifle Coffee Company, Walnut Creek Foods and Henry Rifles. To serve a wide range of customer needs, Rural King offers products for livestock, pets, birds, automotive needs, power equipment, power tools, grilling, food and snacks, and cleaning products. As the seasons change, customers can find heating and cooling items, outdoor patio décor, pools, toys, home décor and sporting goods. As a community-oriented retailer, Rural King is committed to supporting its communities, including youth organizations such as 4-H and FFA, as well as veterans and first responders through partnerships with organizations such as the Gary Sinise Foundation. The company's commitment to fostering meaningful connections extends beyond its storefronts, embodying its core values of teamwork, integrity, and continuous improvement.
Rural King opens new Store in Brunswick, expanding Georgia footprint. Sep 14, 2026, 7:00 AM ET MATTOON, Ill., Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Rural King, a family-owned retailer dedicated to the rural lifestyle, announced the opening of its newest Georgia store in Brunswick, marking the company's fifth location in the state. Grand opening festivities will take place Friday, Sept. 18, through Sunday, Sept. 20, featuring Rural King specials and competitive prices on items throughout the store. New customers who enroll in RK Rewards at the Brunswick store during grand opening weekend will be automatically entered to win one of four $500 Rural King gift cards. Customers can also enjoy a complimentary bottle of Rural King water during their visit. With a legacy spanning more than six decades, Rural King has established itself as a cornerstone of the communities it serves. The new Brunswick location at 300 Mall Blvd. includes updates designed to enhance the shopping experience, including mobile and self-checkout options, while maintaining the personal touch that defines Rural King's customer service. "Brunswick is an exciting addition to Rural King's growing presence in Georgia, and we're proud to become part of the local community," said Rural King Senior Vice President of Merchandising Susan Samuelson. "We look forward to serving customers throughout the area with the wide selection, everyday value and friendly service Rural King has been known for more than 65 years." The Brunswick store carries brands including Carhartt, Stihl, Ariat, Wrangler, Black Rifle Coffee Company, Walnut Creek Foods and Henry Rifles. To serve a wide range of customer needs, Rural King offers products for livestock, pets, birds, automotive needs, power equipment, power tools, grilling, food and snacks, and cleaning products. As the seasons change, customers can find heating and cooling items, outdoor patio décor, pools, toys, home décor and sporting goods. As a community-oriented retailer, Rural King is committed to supporting its communities, including youth organizations such as 4-H and FFA, as well as veterans and first responders through partnerships with organizations such as the Gary Sinise Foundation. The company's commitment to fostering meaningful connections extends beyond its storefronts, embodying its core values of teamwork, integrity, and continuous improvement. For more information, visit Ruralking.com, RKguns.com or RKtractors.com. About Rural King, Inc. Rural King, also known as RK Holdings, LLP, planted its roots as America's Farm and Home Store in Mattoon, Illinois, in 1960. Since that time, Rural King has grown to more than 150 stores in 17 states. Rural King offers the lowest prices on a broad range of essential goods, food, feed, seed and other farm and home necessities to the communities we serve throughout Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. We welcome and encourage everyone to enjoy our longstanding tradition of offering free popcorn and coffee every time you visit our stores. SOURCE Rural King NOTE: This content is not written by or endorsed by "KSWB", its advertisers, or Nexstar Media Inc.
Rural King launches Hot Deals program across the Southeast. Sep 02, 2026, 07:00 ET New Hot Deals deliver deep savings on everyday essentials, with a new lineup of deals planned every 60 days MATTOON, Ill., Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Rural King, a family-owned retailer dedicated to the rural lifestyle, is slashing prices across the Southeast with the launch of 10 new Hot Deals, giving new and existing Rural King Rewards members deep savings on everyday essentials for their homes, animals, vehicles and property. The first lineup of Hot Deals launches Sept. 3 at participating Rural King stores in Florida, Alabama and Georgia and will run through Oct. 28. But the savings will not stop there. Rural King plans to introduce a new lineup of Hot Deals approximately every 60 days, giving Rewards members new opportunities to save throughout the year. "At Rural King, we know families are paying close attention to every dollar they spend," said Alex Melvin, chairman of Rural King. "Our job is to make those dollars go further. These Hot Deals are not about saving a few cents. We selected products our customers use and priced them aggressively, at least 25% below normal market, to deliver real, meaningful savings." The 10 Hot Deals include: * Country Road 3-Way Blend Livestock Commodity Mix, 50 pounds - $8.99 * Good Friends Crunchy Bites Adult Dry Dog Food, 40 pounds - $14.99 * Liquid Pool Shock, 4-pack - $14.99 * 41% Glyphosate Grass & Weed Killer, 2.5 gallons - $42.99 * LED Shop Light, 4 feet, 6,000 lumens - $14.99 * Arm & Hammer Double Duty Clumping Litter, 40 pounds - $15.99 * Bounty Essentials Select-A-Size Paper Towels, 6 double rolls - $7.99 * Providence Non-Chlorinated Brake Parts Cleaner, 14 ounces - $2.29 * Blue Shop Towel Roll, 6-pack - $9.99 * Tidy Simply Liquid Laundry Detergent - $7.99 The Hot Deals were selected to provide savings on products customers regularly need for their homes, animals, vehicles and property. "We want customers to know that when they walk into Rural King, we are fighting to give them more for their money," Melvin said. "Whether you are feeding your dog, caring for livestock, maintaining your property or simply stocking your home, we want Rural King to be the place where your dollar goes further." The Hot Deals are available exclusively to Rural King Rewards members. Rural King Rewards is free to join, allowing customers to access member-only pricing without paying a membership fee. The first round of Hot Deals will be available Sept. 3 through Oct. 28 at participating Rural King locations in Florida, Alabama and Georgia, including Ocala, Zephyrhills, Spring Hill, Leesburg, Bonita Springs, Lake Wales, Crystal River, Gainesville and Sebring, Florida; Dothan and Saraland, Alabama; and Bainbridge, Waycross and Brunswick, Georgia. Rural King will continue the Hot Deals program beyond Oct. 28, introducing a new selection of products at Hot Deal prices every 60 days. Each rotation will feature different items for Rural King Rewards members. Customers can visit Ruralking.com to learn more about Rural King Rewards, participating locations and current offers. About Rural King, Inc. Rural King, also known as RK Holdings, LLP, planted its roots as America's Farm and Home Store in Mattoon, Illinois, in 1960. Since that time, Rural King has grown to more than 150 stores in 17 states. Rural King offers the lowest prices on a broad range of essential goods, food, feed, seed and other farm and home necessities to the communities we serve throughout Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. We welcome and encourage everyone to enjoy our longstanding tradition of offering free popcorn and coffee every time you visit our stores. SOURCE Rural King
Rural King unveils newest Alabama store in Lincoln. Rural King, a family-owned retailer dedicated to the rural lifestyle, announced the opening of its newest Alabama store in Lincoln, marking the company's ninth location in the state. Grand opening festivities will take place Friday, Aug. 14, through Sunday, Aug. 16, featuring Rural King specials and competitive prices on items throughout the store. New customers who enroll in RK Rewards at the Lincoln store during grand opening weekend will be automatically entered to win one of four USD 500 Rural King gift cards. Customers can also enjoy a complimentary bottle of Rural King water during their visit. With a legacy spanning more than six decades, Rural King has established itself as a cornerstone of the communities it serves. The new Lincoln location at 1800 McCaig Road features updates designed to enhance the shopping experience, including mobile and self-checkout options, while maintaining the personal touch that defines Rural King's customer service. "Lincoln is a natural fit for Rural King, and we're excited to deepen our presence in Alabama with our ninth store in the state," said Rural King Chief Operating Officer Michael Ladd. "We look forward to building lasting relationships with local families, farmers, homeowners and outdoor enthusiasts while providing the dependable products, fair prices and welcoming service our customers have come to expect." The Lincoln store carries brands including Carhartt, Stihl, Ariat, Wrangler, Black Rifle Coffee Company, Walnut Creek Foods and Henry Rifles. To serve a wide range of customer needs, Rural King offers products for livestock, pets, birds, automotive needs, power equipment, power tools, grilling, food and snacks, and cleaning products. As the seasons change, customers can find heating and cooling items, outdoor patio décor, pools, toys, home décor and sporting goods. As a community-oriented retailer, Rural King is committed to supporting its communities, including youth organizations such as 4-H and FFA, as well as veterans and first responders through partnerships with organizations such as the Gary Sinise Foundation. The company's commitment to fostering meaningful connections extends beyond its storefronts, embodying its core values of teamwork, integrity, and continuous improvement.