[orangevol]

Since open carry is legal in Tennessee I exercise that right quite often and tonight was no different. I was dressed in jeans, a golf shirt and openly carrying my Glock 27 strong-side with a spare mag on the left next to my CrackBerry. After dinner, my wife and daughter went on to the house while I stopped by Walmart for about an hour to grocery shop. I have open carried in our Walmart several times without incident, but tonight was different.

After I had been there a while trying to find everything on the list, a lady who was shopping with her daughter approached me in one of the aisles and asked me if I was a policeman. I responded; no...why? She said she worked there part-time and she and the store manager along with several other employees were questioning each other whether I was a cop. I stated I had a permit to carry. She went on to say she hoped I wouldn't shoot anyone. I responded I have no reason to shoot anyone unless my life was threatened. I told her to have a good evening and headed toward produce. As I rounded the corner I was approached by the store manager and this is where it gets really interesting.

He came over to me and asked me if I was a policeman, to which I gave him the same response as the previous :sheep:

He then proceeded to tell me I could not carry a gun in Walmart. I stated I did not see a no-gun sign when I entered and I was not aware of a policy that prohibited me from carrying in his store. He then started telling me how dangerous it was for me to have a gun in the store around little children and women and that he knew Tennessee passed the bill to carry in restaurants where alcohol is served, but that did not make it legal to carry in Walmart. He also said if you had to shoot at someone you might hit an innocent bystander. I replied by explaining my confidence through training makes me proficient with my firearm and what exactally did the TN restaurant bill have to do with carrying in other businesses? He went on to say we just can't check everyone that comes in the store to see if they are legal to carry and he would check with corporate to get signs banning guns in his store. I replied, you will never know about the illegal carrier who brings a gun into your store, yet you want to ban me and other legal carriers who are no threat to you or your customers. He said we have people and policies to protect our customers. I said my son-in-law is a local policeman, but I can't carry him with me all the time to protect me...that is why I carry a gun...the police cannot be everywhere. What would happen if you prohibit me from carrying in your store and someone jumped me in the parking lot? Would you be there to protect me? He replied we have people watching all the time and it doesn't take the police long to respond.

As we parted ways I asked if he was familiar with the shooting last week just across the river at the Walmart in West Memphis, Arkansas. He said no. I explained that a domestic dispute broke out between two people in the store entrance and two shots were fired by the man who was illegally carrying a firearm...again that's why I carry a firearm...you never know where you may need to protect yourself. He wished me a good night and I finished my shopping and headed home.

I have mixed emotions about what happened tonight whether I should contact Walmart's corporate office realizing this could trigger a panic store wide gun ban at all Walmarts or just blow it off knowing I dealt with a bunch of Sheeple. What would you do?

 

[spooter66]

I would contact WalMarts corporate office. I believe their policy is for their stores to follow the gun laws of the state the store is in. Since OC is legal in TN this manager may get educated by corporate.

 

[mengel4228]

I have mixed feelings about the subject. I believe they have the right since it's private property but also I have the right to defend my life. So I say do what you feel is right. Personally I have open carried in the past because I was too young to CC but I would never go into Walmart OC'ing because I know their stance is against weapons.

 

[NavyLT]

He replied we have people watching all the time and it doesn't take the police long to respond.

A great way to respond to that would have been, "I'll tell you what, call the police now and tell them there is a man in your store with a gun and let's see how long it does take them to respond! Here, use my cell phone."

It just baffles me that managers think that a no firearms sign on the front door is going to keep the criminals from bringing their guns.

 

[RETSUPT99]

I would contact WalMarts corporate office. I believe their policy is for their stores to follow the gun laws of the state the store is in. Since OC is legal in TN this manager may get educated by corporate.

I agree with this route. You did nothing wrong and were completely legal. It might be time for a little manager 'enlightenment'.:yup:

 

[NavyLT]

I agree with this route. You did nothing wrong and were completely legal. It might be time for a little manager 'enlightenment'.:yup:

:hand5:How do you know the manager was little? Did the OP ever say the manager was little? :image035:

 

[varob]

Quick note on Walmart and guns. I spoke to a MOD at my local WM yesterday and he told me that Walmart was getting out of the gun selling business. He said there were only about 500 WM's that still sold guns, but they planed on still selling ammo..

I have always thought of WalMart as a friend to gun owners but, I guess times are achangin.:frown:

 

[Supertac45]

If you'll check, I believe you'll find Walmart has no policy against concealed carry under state law. It does ban open carry which is their right, I'm no lover of Walmart; but, it is private property, and they allow concealed carry. I still shop their because of this decision. Open carry isn't a concern to me and in an area with a lot of people around me, I wouldn't reccommend it it.

 

[paramedic70002]

It is well settled in this and other forums that Wal Mart's official policy is to follow state law. You should suggest to the manager that he differentiate WM's policy for employees, their policy for customers, and his personal biases. Challenge him to show you WM's policy, and to confirm it with his supervisor. Search the forum for more info (I am too lazy and it is too late).

 

[kellyII]

sounds like it may be time to send an email to corporate, or just let it be and continue to carry. either way youre within your rights

 

[SubNine]

I had a similar situation at a Wal-Mart store here in Anchorage. I was being told by the Sporting Goods department manager that I could not open carry inside the store, and that I had to conceal it. I told them that open carry is legal here in Alaska, and they said regardless I still had to conceal it. After I got home I sent an email to their corporate office and I guess they forwarded it to the store manager here. I got a call from the store manager and he apologized for the way I was treated and that I could continue to shop there. He told me he was a strong advocate of the 2nd Amendment and an NRA member. I asked him if they banned open carry inside the store, and he told me no manager or employee could say anything unless there was a complaint made by another customer. Which I find to be interesting because I could just as easily complain about a customer dressed in a wife beater shirt, torn jeans, and smell like they haven't bathed in weeks, and they probably can't do anything. I open carried there a couple more times without further incident, even walking past the sporting goods manager that told me I had to conceal my gun.

I too was under the impression that Wal-Mart had to follow state law.

 

[TN_Mike]

If you'll check, I believe you'll find Walmart has no policy against concealed carry under state law. It does ban open carry which is their right, I'm no lover of Walmart; but, it is private property, and they allow concealed carry. I still shop their because of this decision. Open carry isn't a concern to me and in an area with a lot of people around me, I wouldn't reccommend it it.

WRONG. Walmart's corporate polocy is to allow that which the state that the store is in deems legal. Hence, Concealed carry AND Open Carry are completely OK in Tennessee Walmart stores.

Orangevol, call and email the corporate Walmart in Arkansas. Get the managers name. Tell them how you were treated, make sure that you point out you were completely legal in Tennessee and that you shop there often. Make a point to tell them you are considering taking your business to a competitor in the area, one that will not harass you for doing nothing wrong.

 

[NavyLT]

If you'll check, I believe you'll find Walmart has no policy against concealed carry under state law. It does ban open carry which is their right, I'm no lover of Walmart; but, it is private property, and they allow concealed carry. I still shop their because of this decision. Open carry isn't a concern to me and in an area with a lot of people around me, I wouldn't reccommend it it.

As stated above, numerous times, Wal Mart's policy is to follow state law. IF they receive multiple complaints from customers about a particular customer, they will attempt to remedy the situation, which, if the manager is :sheep: will be to ask the OC'er to conceal or leave.

And I would highly recommend open carrying, regardless of the number of people around.

 

[youngda9]

orangevol, next time ask the store manager how many times could he bend his trigger finger before the police officer would show up at the store.

 

[TerriLi]

Wal-marts corp policy is to follow the state laws. They do perfer customers CC, instead of OC, but they are not to cause and issue unless the person is threatening. Then the policy is to contact LE, not to confront the person directly.

 

[Wiggy]

I've seen people OC here at the Milan walmart, but I also usually see a patrol car pull up to check their permit right as they leave the store.

Their policy is to follow state law, which is great, but their managers aren't usually trained very well.

 

[Wyoming]

E'town Kentucky Wal Mart

Two experiences -

First one was as I was checking out in the express lane while CC. My shirt rode up a tad and a boy of about 5 or 6 caught a glimpse of the muzzle. He tugged on his mom and said in a loud voice "look mommy that man is a policeman, he has a gun" to which I simply smiled and finished checking out with no problems.

The second was in the same store a couple of weeks ago. There was a young man, probably 25 -27 OC in the shoe department. I watched for several minutes and not a comment or glimpse by any employee. I saw him later in the parking lot as he was loading his car with groceries and he was still OC so obviously nothing was said by anyone that caused him to leave.

 

[BaserRonin]

TN Mike and NavyLT nailed my response. Go ahead and give corporate a call. The store manager overstepped his bounds and they will likely notify him of that. I am a fan of OC and do it frequently. I recommend getting it resolved so you continue to feel comfortable with OC.
It does sound like you handled the situation reasonably well. Probably better then I would have.

 

[TucAzRider]

I would contact WalMarts corporate office. I believe their policy is for their stores to follow the gun laws of the state the store is in. Since OC is legal in TN this manager may get educated by corporate.

I agree with this.. Call them for sure.. Walmart isn't likely to change anything anytime soon.. Many people have got there "walmart managers" corrected on this..

 

[mr.stuart]

As I have mentioned before,I have a relative who retired 5 years ago,after 28 years as a district manager with Wally World. From what he tells me, Wal Mart follows each states law, as far as he recalls. Call Wal Mart HQ and ask if they have a policy. Wal Mart's main concern is money, never forget that.