I have one of their cheapest desktops with like third from the bottom tier legs and it’s been going strong for about 8 years because it’s in a low traffic area and only used for a laptop and a few desktop items. Is it made of cardboard and tin and good intentions? Yes. Will it crumble like a stale cookie if I ever damage it in any way whatsoever? Also yes. But so far so good, and for $40, it’s already lasted like 5 years longer thsn i thought it would when i bought it.
On the other end of the spectrum, I used to have their ALEX desk and it was sturdy as hell, and my old JERKER was a fucking tank. Only reason I don’t still have them is I needed to downsize.
You spend bottom dollar, you get junk. But, Ikea’s “junk” will still outlast damn near anything else you can find at the same price point. Like shit, I have some of those cheapass LACK side tables I got in college that are nearly through their teens now and still hanging in there. Not everything has fared as well, and I’m much more discriminating and scrutinous in my purchases because of that, but overall I’d say I’ve been generally satisfied with the longevity:price ratio, and often pleasantly surprised. There are very few stores about which I would say that.
Unless they’re surveilling with the intent of knocking out the bodyguards so they can give the target a stern talking to free of prying eyes, I’d imagine their only thoughts on the matter will be either “they don’t have guns, we should bring guns” or “they have guns, we should bring guns.” And for the firearms being barred portion, that’s going to vary a lot by locale and venue, but there’s always the option of locking firearms up in vehicles.
I think the most compelling reason not to have firearms is that if someone isn’t armed you don’t want them to suddenly become armed thanks to you. I’m just not so sure about the rest.