Charlottesville Wal-Mart

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I usually try to do my shopping at target and have OC'd there once before without incident. However, I'm in need of a new watch and my only local option is wal-mart. After reading http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/forum54/184.htmlI'm scared of what might happen if I OC there. I'm only 21 and get enough looks and questions to last a life time. I bought a gun there once and they had one of the managers escorted me out with him holding it(very securely I might add) and walked at least 2 steps away from me at all times. IF something like the article above were to happen, how should I handle it. Should I print out some type of literature explaining the law or what? If so, where can I find this information. Wal-Mart has stuff that target doesn't and if they don't allow me to OC (I don't have a CHP) then I'm not going to give them my buisness. I just don't know what to do if someone freaks out like the guy did in the story above. If someone just casually asks me why, I've got that covered but if someone freaks out, I just don't know what to do. Please give suggestions. Thanks.

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There are several other posts in which folks have shared mostly positive experiences regarding carry in different Wal-Marts. In fact, the incident at the Hampton Wal-Mart, one in Lynchburg, http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/forum54/173.html and one I had in a rough part of Richmond a while back http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/forum7/241.html (about halfway down the page) are the only significantly negative reports that I have heard about. It is very unlikely that anyone will "freak out". In fact, unless you act in a manner that calls attention to yourself or to your weapon, most folks probably won't pay any attention.

It is my understanding that Wal-Mart's corporate policy is to follow the laws of the jurisdiction where their stores are located. Since OC is legal in VA, WM corporate doesn't have a policy against it. Sometimes you may run into a local manager that doesn't know or follow corporate policy, but they will normally back down and apologize after corporate calls them.

I've OC'ed at Wal-Mart dozens of times in Mechanicsville, several times in Waynesboro, once or twice in Madisonville, KY, and a couple times in Laramie, WY, all without incident.

Dress appropriately, carry yourself in a normal, professional manner, and you shouldn't have a problem. If you do, be cooperative, not argumentative. Do as they ask, but get the name of the person you dealt with, and contact corporate with an accurate report of the incident after you get home.

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Yep, what he said!

Odds are no one will even notice.

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Wal-Mart is a pro second amendment company. The incidents described on this site are probably due to managers who don't know corporate policy. In the event that you run into one of these managers, just be kind andcourteous and ask for their corporate contact info. I have open carried more times than I can remember at the Wal-Mart in Springfield (Northern Virginia) with no questions or problems of any kind. I think it is policy for employees to carry guns out of some stores, I had the same thing happen at Gander Mountain when I bought a shotgun. I was carrying concealed at the time, which I had already discussed with the manager (due to a sign that stated "all guns brought into the store need to be unloaded"), she assured me that it was no problem to carry concealed. I know, I know I should have asked about open carry but I didn't! Sorry guys and gals!

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I had OCed a dozen times in Wal-Mart Forest Hills Ave, Richmond... Never had a problem... Even bought .45 ammo. while OCing... No one freaked out...

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I have OC'd numerous times in the York County Wal-Mart, with never a comment from staff or patrons. It does appear to be standard policy for staff to carry firearms out of the store after a purchase (Wally World did this when I bought a .22 rifle for my daughter this year). As I recall, K-Mart did the same thing too.

Please keep in mind that what you are proposing to do is PERFECTLY LEGAL . In the highly unlikely event someone makes a fool of himself by "freaking out", keep in mind that you have the law on your side. As others have said, if management mistakenly hassles you, be self assured and assertive without being confrontational.

And remember, you're in Virginia, not Massachussetts or Illinois!

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I would be willing to bet that they escort you to the front of the store as a last ditch effort against a straw-man purchase. As long as they see you leave the front door with it in your hand they can't be held responsible if you give it to someone else in the parking lot.

Just a guess...

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Your understanding about Wal-Mart policy is slightly off. They allow firearms that follow state laws as long as it doesn't upset the customers. So if your open carry upsets the customers, they will ask you to make it disappear, either back to your car or making it concealed (assuming it's legal for you to do so). Conceal carry is fine because no one else knows. Out of sight, out of mind for Wal-Mart.