Secret Service and CCW's

Unless they have x-ray vision, they won't be sure unless they really search everyone and monitor all the entrances.

Either security isn't as tight around the First Lady, or more likely, the entire thing is a publicity stunt to try to make her look like an average joe.

The secret service doent reveal their procedural protection polices for potus never mid WOTPOTUS. Anything we speculate may be true or not.

The "photo-op" didn't look like it was supposed to be high profile so I don't think the SecSvc was strip searching anyone. My guess - they'd probably keep a discrete eye on you to make sure you didn't get too close to FLOTUS, but I doubt you'd know you'd have been 'made' or that they were there. If you happen to get too close, they'd probably run passive-aggressive interference so that you didn't know what it was about. That's how I'd handle it anyway.

Its Virginia.

What about an open-carrier?

Nothing is random with these guys. Everything is planned, prepared, and carefully orchestrated. But I don't believe there's any set procedure to search and detain CCW holders before the First Lady goes shopping. Their measures are a lot more subtle and sophisticated than that.

Don't forget, VA is an open carry state.

There is ZERO possibility that she would have been allowed in a store with potentially armed citizens. Each of the "customers" would have had to be screened, if they were customers at all. I suspect three things: First, the "customers" were secret service or otherwise employees of the WH; second, that Target likely contributes heavily to the DNC in order to get this "plug", and third, the specticle of very expensive vacations and very expensive jewelry and the general exeberance of this family does not poll well, hence the "I'm an everyday American" photo op.

Do you think they would detail an agent to watch said CCW

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Oh you can bet it would be more than one. The person who was C/C may very well be asked to leave the store.

Here is a factual story about the secret service and protection of the vice president that may help figure out what the secret service is likely to do in this scenario.

When I was in Afghanistan (2004-2005), VP Cheney came to Bagram and I was volunteered to go to the dining facility to eat with the VP and probably a couple hundred other soldiers who had been chosen by their units to participate. We were not allowed to bring our weapons to the dining facility and had to leave them in the care of another soldier or arms room. To my knowledge the only persons allowed to have weapons in the vicinity of the VP were secret service, senior officers and their personal security.

I would assume that the secret service would be the same at a Target store and ensure no one had a weapon in close proximity to the first lady.

There is ZERO possibility that she would have been allowed in a store with potentially armed citizens. Each of the "customers" would have had to be screened, if they were customers at all. I suspect three things: First, the "customers" were secret service or otherwise employees of the WH; second, that Target likely contributes heavily to the DNC in order to get this "plug", and third, the specticle of very expensive vacations and very expensive jewelry and the general exeberance of this family does not poll well, hence the "I'm an everyday American" photo op.

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This.

Can you even get near the First Lady without passing through a metal detector first? Forget the CCers/OCers in VA, many if not most of the typical customers in Target would have knives on them. Target has knives on the shelf where anyone can grab them for that matter. IMHO having the FLOTUS walk into your typical Walmart or Target would be a security nightmare. They'd have to screen the whole building for explosives first, then what, shut the store down until it's time for her visit (to include deliveries), then have every customer and employee walk through a metal detector on the way in for the photo op.

Or they'd have to screen the store, then screen every customer, employee, and delivery that came in from that time up until her visit.

I'm thinking it was probably staged.

secret service vigilance

I don't think the Secret Service can be as infallable as you give them credit for. Who knows what will happen? Bill Clinton came into Hot Springs Ar to deliver a eulogy for his step father at the convention center. This was the same day as the iconic long running South Hot Springs Lion's Club Gun Show in the same building. It was something of a mess but the Secret Service seemed to handle it quite well. I had a Winchester 94 over my shoulder while I shared a laugh with four guys in suits and sunglasses. They're were hundreds of guys and gals with guns and conservative views in the same building with a liberal ex-president. What a country!

Hmmm....I think I was at that Target. The questions weren't too bad but the strip search was a little embarassing. The agent should have warned me about the body cavity search though...in my shock I think I nipped the tip of his glove off now everytime I try and get it out the mirror fogs up and my wife keeps hiding the tweezers from me.

(note the sarcasm...I was not really there)

Very funny! ^^^^^ Thanks!

I don't know but it seems like they'd set up metal detectors at the entry points...

I would think it a random, duck in & grab what you need and blow out as quick as you can.

Probably had an agent or two go in and scan the store for anything really funky going on and then it was stay low and move fast. The whole shopping expedition was low profile.

I don't know, but that makes sense to my simple mind.

Q

I don't know but it seems like they'd set up metal detectors at the entry points...

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Or just seal off the store after she enters.

They will also sweep the place before she enters very thoroughly.

Only folks they allow will remain inside.

there was that guy carrying his rifle on his shoulder in new hampshire while obama was at a town meeting nearby a year or two ago. the secret service did not disarm him because he was breaking no laws, but you can bet all eyes (and scopes) were on him lol

A little common sense here folks. When POTUS or members of the First Family step out of the White House and into a public area, does the SS run around and strip search everyone who happens to be nearby? No.

The SS is well aware that VA is an open/concealed carry state. When POTUS or the First Lady make an impromptu public appearance (such as the President's famous trip to Five Guys burgers), the SS is going to do what they are paid to do -- watch the crowd carefully and be prepared to take action if anyone acts in a suspicious or hostile manner. They're not going to run around feeling up everyone in the store on the off chance that someone may be carrying a gun. The chance that the Prez or the First Lady are going to encounter anyone with hostile intent while making a completely impromptu public appearance is extremely remote.

If the principle wants to go somewhere you go. You might advise them that's it's not the best time to do so from a security stand point, but you never tell them no. If you start saying "No" you will be replaced with someone who will say yes. This applies to the any protective detail from celebrities and business men to the president. The best you can hope for is they listen to you advice, or at least give you sometime to do an advance sweep.

In general when the principle wants to go some where off the itinerary, it makes things both more difficult, and easier. More difficult because you don't have time to plan, marshal your resources, get your people in place, etc. Easier because the bad guys don't know your going there, so they also would have to scramble to do something. You have to fall back on your training, and hope that everyone is on their game. If possible get some additional folks, to have some extra eye balls, and hope for the best.

In regards to dealing with a CCW'er, so long as they don't go for their weapon or threaten the principle it doesn't really matter. Someone with a fountain pen can do a lot of damage when you're at rope line distance, so a pistol is simply bigger and easier to spot and recognize as a threat.

-Jenrick

This was in Alexandria, VA. Probably the most liberal Democratic city in the state and certainly not a haven for CCW'ers. Now if it had been in Roanoke it might have been a different story.