Why is Walmart Considered 4 A First Carry Initiation?

[Bigpoppa48]

Sorry if it This was a rude question. I couldn't think of a better way to ask it.

So every New CC License holder on the Internet talks about their first walk as a concealed carry member in Walmart. Why is that the case? Because it is the most common retail store in the country? Why not "The Mall" or "The Flea Market". I find those areas to be a higher functioning test since many more people are in your personal space.

Great question, I wondered the same thing when I first got my CHL back in 2009 thanks for bringing it back to my attention.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Fisher10]

For me, the closest wal-mart is eighty miles from away in washington. I live in idaho and washington does not honor my ccw permit, so I can`t conceal carry there. Open carry is legal in washington, but I don`t open carry.

If you frequent WA enough, you should apply for a non-resident WA CPL. We're a shall issue state and I believe our permit is recognized in ID as well as many other states. A Utah concealed carry license would probably work too.

[Texaspaul]

I can't believe nobody mentioned the notorious number of incidents that occur at Walmart or in the parking lot. I swear its a crime magnet. The Wally Walk is a good test because you might be more likely to have to use your ccw! ;)

[tubadude]

I'm not a big Walmart shopper. I did get a pizza and a six pack to go at the pizza place down the road, though.

[retsupt99]

You guys are forgetting the DC Wally World Certificate...available ONLY to DC members and after posting pics of the trek.
It's a 10" x 14" certificate, framed, and signed by one of the mods...usually Sixto.

[Eagleks]

It started out ..... because you can buy ammo (or other gun related things), chips/steak and a carry shirt ..... all in the same place, and everyone has a Walmart nearby somewhere.

[AZJD1968]

You guys are forgetting the DC Wally World Certificate...available ONLY to DC members and after posting pics of the trek.
It's a 10" x 14" certificate, framed, and signed by one of the mods...usually Sixto.

LOL! Is this for real?

[zonker1986]

You guys are forgetting the DC Wally World Certificate...available ONLY to DC members and after posting pics of the trek.
It's a 10" x 14" certificate, framed, and signed by one of the mods...usually Sixto.

cool. That is Zonker with a "Z". Z-O-N-K-E-R.

[Gene83]

Pink's a flattering color. "Prints" badly though.

[acepilot]

The Wally World walk also offers the opportunity to pick up some more ammo and to look for clothing for better concealment.

EXACTLY what I did on my first CCW outing (at Wal Mart, of course).

[deadguy]

WalMart was one of the first places but I do believe the very first place was a gun shop. Heck I can't remember.

[gottabkiddin]

Because, you will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy, you must be cautious.

[ericb327]

Try Whole Foods and see how it goes!

[archer51]

Walmart is someplace everyone knows, and it has a little bit of everything. You can make the rounds to all the different departments and pick up the important things. Ammo, a shoot-em up movie, munchies and drinks for the movie, and of course that much needed new cover garment. Plus Walmart is a gun friendly business. Most malls aren't.

[danwdooley]

Ok, so it's the chicken or the egg thing. Did I go to Wal-Mart because I was newly armed or did I and - this is the real reason, I went armed because I was going to Wal-Mart. Actually I did not go armed because, because of all the Wal-Mart "People" videos and the crime reputation, the area I live in, though probably not completely crime free is generally quite ok and for years before I got my CCW, I've made countless trips to this particular Wal-Mart which is in easy driving distance from our house, and never once encountered a mugging in process or faced a BG. So, no, I did not and do not go armed because I'm going there. I go armed because I now have the license and can go armed most places.

But, it may have been the first time I went there with my wife on one of our almost weekly shopping missions. I did not have a holster yet for my CZ82 so I had it tucked down inside my waistband at about 3 o'clock. Of course I'm a little self-conscious. Am I printing? Is this overhanging tee shirt (yes, at least it's a dark colored one) loose enough to hide any tell-tale bulge? I hope so. I think we tend to walk funny at this time just to try to hide our carry side better.

So what does my wife have me do? Down on my knees in the aisle reaching over to the far inner reaches of the bottom shelf to retrieve six boxes of pizza mix (that's another story) and my back is horizontal to the floor and I can just sense that there is a huge pointed bump sticking out the back side of my shirt and the cops are on the way to investigate the MWAG. Of course there would be other shoppers milling about the same aisle. I'll do my best to keep my carry side up close to the rack of canned goods.

I guess I passed the test. I didn't appear to draw any attention. We made it through the rest of the shopping and were out of there and I know not even my wife was aware of what I had tucked down in the side of my pants.