1st BAD Open Carry experience

[Firefighterchen]

What a horrible story. I'm sorry the OP went through this. It would have burned me up. The stupidity of some people ...

Now I thought that my local Walmart had a sign posted stating that no guns were allowed on the premises. I could be wrong ... never paid attention to it much, because if you are truly carrying concealed, it shouldn't be an issue, right? :tongue: I've just run into so many places lately with big, ugly signs posted out front prohibiting your Second Amendment rights. It's no wonder people are confused about it these days. Honestly, I'm afraid to open carry because of all the ignoramuses out there. I don't want the hassle when I'm just going out to pick up a gallon of milk.

From what I have read on here before, it seems WalMart's policy is to follow state and federal law. So if your state allows open carry, wal mart allows it. The walmarts here (WA) have had no issue with me open carrying, and no signs are posted.

You may think concealing equates to having no problems...or that the hassle is not worth it...but the problems still exist whether or not you want to notice it or hide from it.

 

[crb]

Where was this store located? Great to know where, and maybe even organize an "open carry" event to help educate the employees as well as the general public.

Store is located in Salem, OH. Open Carry is legal in Ohio without a permit except in vehicles once in a vehicle it is considered concealed and a permit is required. My regular dealer suggested a open carry event also. I didn't feel the need for a big event walmart's district manager says they will retrain them. If it happens again, then by all means I will support an open carry rally!

 

[crb]

You need to get an email from the district manager by name and go back to that Wal-Mart

I will visit that walmart again as it's my local walmart. We won't be doing our grocery shopping there for a bit, as my wife found a smaller grocery store that is friendlier and actually loads the groceries in the vehicles. My wife talked to the store manager at the smaller store about open carry while he loaded her groceries in the truck. He will be getting back in touch with her to insure that they don't have any policies against carry. He was unaware that open carry was legal. We are also educating multiple people apparently.

 

[ohiocycler]

I am a retail manager with 32 years in the business. I am also a CCW permit holder. I am a little torn here. If you take away the fact that they have or could lose a customer. They really have the right to ask you pretty much what they want. You are on private property. Again, the line of questioning would alienate most open or concealed carriers. I just fear that we (gun owners and carriers) may sometimes come across as fanatical. Not you, but some. I guarantee you that the break room conversation was about "the crazy guy with the gun". There won't be a reprimand. They were simply doing their best at damage control. Not saying that I agree with Walmart. Just looking at it Tom both sides I guess. Use your right not to shop there as your weapon!!! Be good.

 

[Wesco]

In my honest opinion. Should have just said yes I have a permit, shown it to them, advised you were exercising your open carry rights but given that its private property, if there had been a complaint I'd be happy to cc while shopping in your stores in the future. Probably would have had a different outcome perhaps. I'm glad you stood up for your rights. You handled it well.

 

[crb]

In my honest opinion. Should have just said yes I have a permit, shown it to them, advised you were exercising your open carry rights but given that its private property, if there had been a complaint I'd be happy to cc while shopping in your stores in the future. Probably would have had a different outcome perhaps. I'm glad you stood up for your rights. You handled it well.

Did explain that I had a permit. I offered to leave because my shirt was tucked in and I didn't want to fiddle with my shirt. I also didn't think they would approve of me going to the restroom to untuck my shirt. At that point she had already addressed me in an aggressive tone and stance. My wife was done at that point, and she usually isn't like that. A

 

[SGB]

In my honest opinion. Should have just said yes I have a permit, shown it to them, advised you were exercising your open carry rights but given that its private property, if there had been a complaint I'd be happy to cc while shopping in your stores in the future. Probably would have had a different outcome perhaps. I'm glad you stood up for your rights. You handled it well.

Personally I'd have told them my license was none of their business and when confronted by the assistant Mgr I would have explained her corporate policy to her then I would comply with her request to leave while noting to her that I would be filing a complaint against her with her corporate Office. As part of the complaint to corporate I would have requested an apology from the assistant manager.

 

[Almost_Blameless]

Well, irregardless of how they treated you, or their rational for doing so, you seem to have handled the situation quite righteously without screaming or head-banging.....thanks for maintaining your composure in a difficult/embarrassing situation.... it helps us all in the long run.

 

[Glock Fan]

Store is located in Salem, OH. Open Carry is legal in Ohio without a permit except in vehicles once in a vehicle it is considered concealed and a permit is required. My regular dealer suggested a open carry event also. I didn't feel the need for a big event walmart's district manager says they will retrain them. If it happens again, then by all means I will support an open carry rally!

I've been to my share of OC events in the great state of UT. Needless to say, they were a lot of fun, met a bunch of wonderful people and did a lot for the cause by educating members of the general public.

 

[NavyLCDR]

I have never had any problems with carrying concealed in Wal-Mart

I've never understood that comment. Why would any person every have any problems carrying concealed anywhere that doesn't have metal detectors or frisks patrons at the entrance? Doesn't concealed mean no one but who you tell knows you have a gun? How can something that someone does not know about be a problem?

 

[rilkil23]

I bought my son a BB gun when he was about six and the Walmart employee asked me if what I was doing was a good idea. I told her to mind her own business and leave her personal feelings out of my transaction. She wanted to bark back but held her tongue. Walmart is an interesting place when you're shopping for milk let alone buying gun related items and carrying your gun. Good times.

 

[CapGun]

I bought my son a BB gun when he was about six and the Walmart employee asked me if what I was doing was a good idea. I told her to mind her own business and leave her personal feelings out of my transaction. She wanted to bark back but held her tongue. Walmart is an interesting place when you're shopping for milk let alone buying gun related items and carrying your gun. Good times.

Were you wearing your proper shopping attire?

 

[rilkil23]

I bought my son a BB gun when he was about six and the Walmart employee asked me if what I was doing was a good idea. I told her to mind her own business and leave her personal feelings out of my transaction. She wanted to bark back but held her tongue. Walmart is an interesting place when you're shopping for milk let alone buying gun related items and carrying your gun. Good times.

Were you wearing your proper shopping attire?

You better believe it. Cut off shorts, muscle shirt, and work boots. I always dress up for my Walmart outing.

 

[CapGun]

Two answers to the clerk's question come to mind. The first would be no. Then I would smile and wait for the fun except I would be lying.
The second answer would probably be what I would say to "do I have a permit"? >>>>> "Do I need one?" Ball back in her court!

 

[Domineaux]

Kudos for handling the situation well if for no other reason than showing a good example of a responsible well mannered gun owner.
The employee who caused the situation probably complained to others about that "gun nut" and hopefully had responses like "seemed like a good guy to me" from the more level headed employees (if Walmart has any of those).

 

[wuzfuz]

Two Experiences

I have had two different experiences with WalMart, one in Casa Grande, AZ and one in Lacey, WA. I was a deputy, and normally went about with my .45 auto on my hip and my badge on my belt. I was braced one day by someone I assume was a manager, and informed I could not wear a weapon in WalMart. I asked for his name and postion, and he asked what for. I told him I needed it for the subpoena list when I sued him and WalMart because I was injured because I was deprived of my defense tools. The second, in Washington was much better. A friend had purchased an old French revolver that apparently took an odd caliber ammo During the conversation, the sporting goods manager mentioned that open carry was illegal in Washington. I got the information from USACarry and USCCA sites that Washington is an Open Carry state. He stated he had been unaware of that, and thanked me for the information. He, at least, took the correction a lot better than a Pierce County deputy who, according to KIRO Ch. 7, arrested a man for disorderly conduct after the deputy demanded to see his ID in a Starbuck's. The sheriff's office denies that anyone was arrested, but KIRO stands by it's story. Obviously, some officers haven't gotten the memo yet.

 

[Treo]

Why is that? If what jlr says is true...I could not live there myself...

New Mexico is beautiful, under populated, and I don't shop, hang out in bars or open carry anyway.

They also have this thing called sun shine that you probably aren't familiar w/ living in Washington

 

[Stan45]

When reading this thread I keep seeing images of the WalMart pictures that are passed around in e-mails.
Were any of you guys in thoses pictures?

 

[Firefighterchen]

Why is that? If what jlr says is true...I could not live there myself...

New Mexico is beautiful, under populated, and I don't shop, hang out in bars or open carry anyway.

They also have this thing called sun shine that you probably aren't familiar w/ living in Washington

I'll give you beautiful if its anything like Arizona, as I enjoy desert scenery a lot. New Mexico does fit you well though...it just doesn't fit me with some of their funny laws.

You are wrong about sunshine though, as I live on the east side, with 320+ days of sun a year.

 

[Treo]

You are wrong about sunshine though, as I live on the east side, with 320+ days of sun a year.

I spent quite a bit of time at the Yakima Firing Center when I was stationed at Ft. Lewis I wouldn't mind living there either