Run in at Wal-Mart

[altitude_19]

Someone said bars are out but other places of business ("Wal-Mart") were okay. I open carried late one night in Wal-Mart (Cheyenne, WY) once and was hastily advised by the manager (rudely) that it was illegal to carry in a department store. I had never heard of such legislation but agreed the authorities ought to be contacted to sort the matter out. Three gentlemen from Cheyenne PD arrived and one wasted no time berating the decision to open carry my firearm (his two partners were considerably more pleasant about things, even going so far as to make small-talk). I reminded the good officer he was not there to dole out advice, but to determine the veracity of the manager's claims (I was pushing my luck, but only because of frustration at being held up by a department store manager who thought he was a lawyer and a LEO on a power trip). The officer was then kind enough to confirm there was NO law against carrying in a department store (I'm sure the good people of the Wyoming state legislature have bigger fish to fry). The manager then advised (and I have my doubts as to the veracity of this claim as well) that there was a store policy against carrying firearms inside, despite the fact there are arms and ammo sold in the store. The funny thing is, following a late night out in the boonies where one feels obligated to protect oneself, I was actually there to buy ammo. I decided I could get fuel for the 30-06 later and took my business to the local gunshop the next day. So, does anyone know if there's any truth to Wal-Mart barring customers from carrying on the premises?

 

[smee781]

Good question?

 

[OMGWTFBBQ]

As a matter of corporate policy they respect local and state laws concerning carry, meaning that if it's legal, they allow it, or atleast that's what I've always heard, and I've never seen any Wal-Mart posted before.

 

[altitude_19]

Which brings me to my next point...HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW? I made sure to check for a poster on my way out and couldn't find one for the life of me.:banghead: As time passes, I find myself more apt to believe that guy was just pulling me leg.

 

[FieroCDSP]

The guy was mis-informed, both on the actual law and on company policy. Get the store number and the manager's name and call their corporate office. Explain what happened and ask that they politely remind that manager of what the policy is.

 

[wristtwister]

In South Carolina, a store must have a specific sign posted that prohibits the concealed carry of weapons, and it must have specific dimensions, etc. in order to comply with state law. Otherwise, you can carry anywhere except places where alcohol is served or specific sites as spelled out in state law. We don't have open carry except while hunting.

You may not, however, smoke in a public building... so it's okay to carry my gun into a department store, but not a pack of cigarettes and burn one within 10 feet of the front entrance. You're lucky you didn't have a cigarette hanging out of your mouth, or you'd have been busted!

It just shows how far the smoke nazis have come in this PC society... I don't even smoke, and hate to see this kind of stupidity.

By the way... Wal Mart has a "compliant" "NO SMOKING" sign on their front doors... so I might shoot you, but I'm going down if I blow smoke in your face...

WT

 

[feedthehogs]

As a pilot, you don't wait till there are 4 F16's waiting to escort you from doing figure 8's over the DC capital to know that it is against the law.

The same goes for carring a gun. Its your responsibility to know the open and concealed laws in your state. It is also your responsibility to know that if a store prohibits carrying guns inside that they need to display a sign in the window or if not required by law, a silent corporate policy.

With the advent of telephones and Al Gores internet it is about as easy as it gets to find that information out. Knowing the laws and being able to recite them when confronted can and will save you a whole bunch of hassle from anti gun store employees and police.

Never, ever depend on "some guy told me". There are never so many 1st year attorneys and junior g men that are gun owners.

As a 25 year gun instructor I have never seen so many, know so little.

There is quite the satisfaction when the "authorities" have no clue as to what the law states and when you explain it to them and they realize your right, the smile that comes over your face is infectious.

 

[Robert Hairless]

Never, ever depend on "some guy told me". There are never so many 1st year attorneys and junior g men that are gun owners.

As a 25 year gun instructor I have never seen so many, know so little.

And have such remarkably high self esteem.

 

[F4GIB]

8 8 8

 

[F4GIB]

Wal-Mart has no problem with legal concealed carry.

Wal-Mart does, for obvious reasons, HAVE a problem with open carry.

It upsets some other customers and that hurts business, so (if they spot you carrying openly) they will politely ask you to cover it up or leave. Your choice. In most states, they can ask you to leave their store for any reason at all ("no shirt, no shoes, no service). Some states, like Texas, require a special sign, etc.

Target, BTW, has the same policies. They make good sense from their POV.

No state (that I'm aware of) has a LAW specifically against carry in department stores. It is just a store policy.

Cover it up or leave it in your truck.

 

[jwxspoon]

I've always felt that open carry in shopping locations is ill advised, even if legal. Where and when I carry it is my business. I much prefer the concealed route.

jw

 

[WayneConrad]

Those of you who don't like open carry? Good for you. It's very helpful to the original poster, I'm sure, for him to know that.

altitude_19, nice job.

Wal-Mart does not have a corporate policy against open carry. Nor does Target. Can't tell you how much money I've dropped in Wal-Mart, especially.

F4GIB, Language, please?

 

[Deanimator]

Cover it up or leave it in your truck.

There are plenty of Walmarts that don't care. If it's not against the law or corporate policy, there's no reason not to do it.

 

[nodlenor]

I'm not sure what the actual policy is but at the Wal-Mart store I go to when you buy a gun an employee will carry the gun out the door and then hand it to the customer.

 

[P95loser]

I, for one, prefer to keep the attention away from myself. Again going to the idea that I don't want anyone other than my friends and family knowing I have guns (to prevent burglary).

However, I am not aware of any policy against open carry. I believe to substantiate such a policy, they would have to openly post their policy at each entrance.

On another note, Target is so anti, they don't even sell airsoft or cap guns for kids.

 

[savetheclaypigeons]

may not be a bad idea to print a business card sized paper with your local gun laws on it and keep it in your wallet

 

[Ash]

wrist...

If you shoot somebody at Wally World, you'll go down, too. Frankly I hate going through cigarette smoke and consider it pretty darn inconsiderate for smokers to expect non-smokers to endure their habit. It's not like I go into their swimming pools to pee.

As to open carry, these days it makes the sheep nervous - including managers. I would not do it in a store for that reason alone.

Ash

 

[altitude_19]

Thanks to WayneConrad and Deanimator for the backup...let's try to keep it tasteful here, shall we? Now on to the mitigating circumstances I should have mentioned before: When I pulled up (around 0300) a roudy looking bunch in the parking lot noticed I was armed. I decided (and think many of you will agree) that ditching the weapon in the truck, a 76 Chevy with no alarm, would have been ill-advised as I would have likely come out to find it gone and a window busted. That's when I made the call to open carry for a couple reasons: 1.)It was late and populace in the store would be minimal 2.)I was well dressed and posed no menacing image 3.)I only needed a couple boxes of ammo and would just be in the store a few minutes. 4.)Leaving the weapon in the lot would have posed a deplorable hazard to public safety, given its present occupants. I'm willing to go to certain lengths for the sake of another's skitishness, but not at the risk of a stolen weapon that would likely be used in a crime later. I will do my best not to leave anything out, if you will all be so kind as to refrain from assumptions when I momentarily fail to do so.

 

[armoredman]

WalMart out here gives no hassle to open carry gun owners. Places that do find themselves lacking for business a bit.

 

[ZeSpectre]

As a matter of corporate policy they respect local and state laws concerning carry, meaning that if it's legal, they allow it

Remember folks, laws do not make things legal, they make things prohibited, therefore if something is not prohibited it is, by default, legal.

 

[Treo]

I think you made a good call on not leaving the weapon in the truck. Being a non-confrontational kinda guy myself I'd have left as soon as the manager asked me to.

As for the "don't be an ass" thing he wasn't calling you a butt, he was saying you were being a jackass (I.E. stuborn) I don't think it's cussing in that context.

 

[JerryM]

If one desires to OC, and it is not illegal then go for it. However, you must realize that you might be challenged by store or mall managers or others. If you can handle that OK.

Unless I am on the way from the range and stop to get a sandwich I prefer to CC, but I realize some prefer OC, and some just want to make a statement. If you are willing to take the flak and possibly be detained by uninformed police officers or security folks for OC then that is fine with me.

Juist don't be too surprised when it happens. I would not have expected it in Wyoming.

Best,
Jerry

 

[csmkersh]

Altitude_19, you'll find (personal insult removed)
Good show and glad things worked out for you.

As to WM carrying gun purchases out the front door, that's corporate policy. Might be dumb, but blame the lawyers.
​

 

[Mr. Designer]

In South Carolina, a store must have a specific sign posted that prohibits the concealed carry of weapons, and it must have specific dimensions, etc. in order to comply with state law. Otherwise, you can carry anywhere except places where alcohol is served or specific sites as spelled out in state law. We don't have open carry except while hunting.

Can you open carry while fishing?

 

[ZeSpectre]

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