decklin
Regular Member
Today I oc'd to the Target at the south hill mall and through the mall itself with no issues.
Then I went to Sam's Club in Auburn and as I was walking through the door two Auburn Police Officers came in through the other door. As we pass one officer says, "Sir, just letting you know that it's against mall policy to open carry."
I replied with, "Well, good thing I'm not in the mall."
Officer says, "I'm not saying it's illegal it's just against the policy here. I'm just supposed to let you know."
I told him, "Sam's Club has it's own entrance and I've been coming here a couple years now and never had an issue."
He replied with, "I'm working for the mall and I'm supposed to enforce their policy."
I told him I'd like to speak with the manager to which he said, "Of course, he should be in here."
I went in with him and his partner to speak with the Manager at the service desk. The manager was there and greeted the officer by name. I think it was Barnett or something like that.
Officer, "Hi there just wanted to talk to you about this gentleman open carrying. It's against the mall policy to open carry firearms here."
Manager, "Well we've never had an issue before."
Me, "I've been coming here for a couple years now. I canceled my COSTCO membership because of their stance on firearms. I got a membership here because I was assured I wouldn't have any issues."
Manager, "Well our policy varies from state to state."
Me, "Your policy is to follow state law and this is an open carry state."
Manager looking at Officer , "As long as the customers don't complain he should be fine."
Officer, "Ok, I'll go with your discretion as it is your store."
At this point the officer and I walk away from the counter and he starts talking to me.
Officer, "Sorry about holding you up. I actually support open carry and wish more would do it. I myself carry everywhere even when I'm not working."
I just nodded and said sure.
Officer, "Did you know that the Batman shooter in Aurora had 6 different theaters to choose from and chose the one with a no firearms policy? In fact the last 37 mass shootings have all happened in gun free zones except one."
At this point I was a little surprised as I'd never heard a cop say this kind of thing.
We spoke for another minute and then he told me to have a great day, shook my hand and then left.
At no time did he ever ask for ID or try to convince me I was in the wrong. In fact he was very polite.
I would classify this as a positive encounter because it seemed that the only reason he stopped me was because of the mall policy. The same policy that is the very reason why I don't go to that mall.
Then I went to Sam's Club in Auburn and as I was walking through the door two Auburn Police Officers came in through the other door. As we pass one officer says, "Sir, just letting you know that it's against mall policy to open carry."
I replied with, "Well, good thing I'm not in the mall."
Officer says, "I'm not saying it's illegal it's just against the policy here. I'm just supposed to let you know."
I told him, "Sam's Club has it's own entrance and I've been coming here a couple years now and never had an issue."
He replied with, "I'm working for the mall and I'm supposed to enforce their policy."
I told him I'd like to speak with the manager to which he said, "Of course, he should be in here."
I went in with him and his partner to speak with the Manager at the service desk. The manager was there and greeted the officer by name. I think it was Barnett or something like that.
Officer, "Hi there just wanted to talk to you about this gentleman open carrying. It's against the mall policy to open carry firearms here."
Manager, "Well we've never had an issue before."
Me, "I've been coming here for a couple years now. I canceled my COSTCO membership because of their stance on firearms. I got a membership here because I was assured I wouldn't have any issues."
Manager, "Well our policy varies from state to state."
Me, "Your policy is to follow state law and this is an open carry state."
Manager looking at Officer , "As long as the customers don't complain he should be fine."
Officer, "Ok, I'll go with your discretion as it is your store."
At this point the officer and I walk away from the counter and he starts talking to me.
Officer, "Sorry about holding you up. I actually support open carry and wish more would do it. I myself carry everywhere even when I'm not working."
I just nodded and said sure.
Officer, "Did you know that the Batman shooter in Aurora had 6 different theaters to choose from and chose the one with a no firearms policy? In fact the last 37 mass shootings have all happened in gun free zones except one."
At this point I was a little surprised as I'd never heard a cop say this kind of thing.
We spoke for another minute and then he told me to have a great day, shook my hand and then left.
At no time did he ever ask for ID or try to convince me I was in the wrong. In fact he was very polite.
I would classify this as a positive encounter because it seemed that the only reason he stopped me was because of the mall policy. The same policy that is the very reason why I don't go to that mall.