FrayedString
Regular Member
Well I had my first encounter about 25 minutes ago. My wife and I were out for an evening walk as we often do and she mentioned that she would like some orange juice, so we adjusted our walking route to take us to the Safeway in East Wenatchee. As always, while we were there she thought of several other items she wanted to pick up so we walked around the store. Being after 9:30 the store was pretty empty, but there were a few other customers. I was OCing my Ruger SR9c in my Fobus paddle holster. We wandered from end to end of the store a couple times before I was approached by two employees.
One of them was named "George K." and his name tag had "Supervisor" printed on it below his name - he is the only one who did any talking. He first greeted us politely as he walked past so I turned and greeted him as well. He then asked me if I "had a permit for that." I informed him that I did not need a permit to carry my firearm openly. He then asked me if I could put it in my car or cover it up. I informed him that we had in fact walked to the store so I could not comply with putting it in my car, and asked him why I needed to cover it up since my impression was that Safeway's corporate policy was to follow state law, and that the open carry of a firearm is perfectly legal in Washington state.
George replied by saying that I needed to be considerate of the other customers and that he had had four customers come tell him that there was a man walking around with a gun. I again reminded him of state law as well as my understanding of Safeway's corporate policy, but he reiterated that he would like me to cover up. I went ahead and covered up as I did have my CPL in my wallet and we purchased our items and walked home. I know there has recently been another Safeway encounter so I was wondering if anyone had any advice before I simply print the Safeway policy email from 2010 from NWCDL and take the store manager an OC pamphlet.
Thanks,
Alan
One of them was named "George K." and his name tag had "Supervisor" printed on it below his name - he is the only one who did any talking. He first greeted us politely as he walked past so I turned and greeted him as well. He then asked me if I "had a permit for that." I informed him that I did not need a permit to carry my firearm openly. He then asked me if I could put it in my car or cover it up. I informed him that we had in fact walked to the store so I could not comply with putting it in my car, and asked him why I needed to cover it up since my impression was that Safeway's corporate policy was to follow state law, and that the open carry of a firearm is perfectly legal in Washington state.
George replied by saying that I needed to be considerate of the other customers and that he had had four customers come tell him that there was a man walking around with a gun. I again reminded him of state law as well as my understanding of Safeway's corporate policy, but he reiterated that he would like me to cover up. I went ahead and covered up as I did have my CPL in my wallet and we purchased our items and walked home. I know there has recently been another Safeway encounter so I was wondering if anyone had any advice before I simply print the Safeway policy email from 2010 from NWCDL and take the store manager an OC pamphlet.
Thanks,
Alan
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