imported post
Was running a few errands in the West End with my girlfriend earlier today, OC'ing. We ended up at Regency Mall, and since I couldn't remember it being on the VCDL gun-unfriendly mall list and there was nothing posted at the entrance I figured I would be fine OCing inside.
Spend about 15 minutes in Sears, then walked around the mall and various stores for approx. 15 more minutes. I was dragged into Victoria Secret by the gf, and about 10 minutes later a mall cop approached me and asked to speak outside. I actually was glad for the excuse to get out of Victoria Secret. She was fairly polite and informed me that the mall had a no firearms policy. She wore a badge that said "Security Supervisor." I said no problem, I'll leave, but asked if there was a manager I could speak to or if she had contact info. I basically wanted to make sure this was actually corporate/mall policy, and not just her own policy. She said that he was already on the way with Henrico County PD.
That made me a little worried, I don't think it was necessary to call the cops before even speaking to me, but I'm sure they have their policies. But hey, I had the confidence of innocence.
The manager, Mr. Dennis Rainey (his title is Director of Public Safety) showed up within the minute along with Officer Brand of Henrico PD. Mr. Rainey informed me of the mall policy, at which point I asked if the policy was posted at any of the entrances. (There was nothing at the Sears entrance) Officer Brand cut in and said it was private property and they could make any rules they like (duh). I again asked Mr. Rainey because I was curious, and he told me they didn't want to post it because a "no firearms" sign would make people think the mall had a problem and was unsafe. He also told me about how he was a gun guy and had a few at home. Officer Brand spoke up again and said that I would have to leave my gun in the car (no thanks). I didn't feel like arguing either of these points (mall safety or the wisdom of putting my gun in a glass box).
Mr. Rainey then made the comment about how he noticed I was carrying my gun "ready to go" and that someone could come by and knock it and it could go off (I was carrying my Springfield 1911, cocked and locked, in a serpa retention holster). I couldn't let that one go and told him that "cocked and locked" is the only safe way to carry a 1911 pattern pistol. He also told me that Stoney Point Fashion Park had the same policy, even though there was nothing posted there either.
At this point I thanked everyone involved for how they handled it, got a business card from Mr. Rainey, and asked if I could leave by the entrance I entered, which involved walking back the length of the mall and thru Sears to where I was parked. Mr. Rainey said no problem and to my suprise nobody even followed me out.
Overall everyone involved was very polite and professional. It was a waste of Officer Brand's time to be there, and it was evident by the way he acted initially. After he realized I was a reasonable and polite person he shut up and allowed me to have a conversation with Mr. Rainey. Actually right before I left, Mr. Rainey asked me what model handgun I was carrying.
Regency Mall apparently doesn't create this policy, they contract with IPC International Corporation, which provides loss prevention and public safety services, and sets the mall security policies.
The only thing that bothered me was that the mall policy was no weapons on mall property, but the officer advised me to leave in my car in the mall parking lot. I wasn't thinking fast enough at the time to point this out.
I am considering sending an e-mail to Mr. Rainey thanking him for his courtesy, requesting a copy of the policy, and asking him his opinion on concealed carry in the mall.
Also I think VCDL should add Regency and Stoney Point to the gun-unfriendly mall list, because even though they are not posted they quite clearly don't want their shoppers to be able to defend themselves. (Btw the mall security is unarmed) As for me, I won't be shopping at any area malls for a while.
As a side note, I OC'ed in Party City earlier in the day, and it was a zoo. However outside a lot of crazy stares and mumbling from some soccer moms, there was no problem.
If anyone is interested in the contact info for Mr. Rainey or IPC, let me know.
Was running a few errands in the West End with my girlfriend earlier today, OC'ing. We ended up at Regency Mall, and since I couldn't remember it being on the VCDL gun-unfriendly mall list and there was nothing posted at the entrance I figured I would be fine OCing inside.
Spend about 15 minutes in Sears, then walked around the mall and various stores for approx. 15 more minutes. I was dragged into Victoria Secret by the gf, and about 10 minutes later a mall cop approached me and asked to speak outside. I actually was glad for the excuse to get out of Victoria Secret. She was fairly polite and informed me that the mall had a no firearms policy. She wore a badge that said "Security Supervisor." I said no problem, I'll leave, but asked if there was a manager I could speak to or if she had contact info. I basically wanted to make sure this was actually corporate/mall policy, and not just her own policy. She said that he was already on the way with Henrico County PD.
That made me a little worried, I don't think it was necessary to call the cops before even speaking to me, but I'm sure they have their policies. But hey, I had the confidence of innocence.
The manager, Mr. Dennis Rainey (his title is Director of Public Safety) showed up within the minute along with Officer Brand of Henrico PD. Mr. Rainey informed me of the mall policy, at which point I asked if the policy was posted at any of the entrances. (There was nothing at the Sears entrance) Officer Brand cut in and said it was private property and they could make any rules they like (duh). I again asked Mr. Rainey because I was curious, and he told me they didn't want to post it because a "no firearms" sign would make people think the mall had a problem and was unsafe. He also told me about how he was a gun guy and had a few at home. Officer Brand spoke up again and said that I would have to leave my gun in the car (no thanks). I didn't feel like arguing either of these points (mall safety or the wisdom of putting my gun in a glass box).
Mr. Rainey then made the comment about how he noticed I was carrying my gun "ready to go" and that someone could come by and knock it and it could go off (I was carrying my Springfield 1911, cocked and locked, in a serpa retention holster). I couldn't let that one go and told him that "cocked and locked" is the only safe way to carry a 1911 pattern pistol. He also told me that Stoney Point Fashion Park had the same policy, even though there was nothing posted there either.
At this point I thanked everyone involved for how they handled it, got a business card from Mr. Rainey, and asked if I could leave by the entrance I entered, which involved walking back the length of the mall and thru Sears to where I was parked. Mr. Rainey said no problem and to my suprise nobody even followed me out.
Overall everyone involved was very polite and professional. It was a waste of Officer Brand's time to be there, and it was evident by the way he acted initially. After he realized I was a reasonable and polite person he shut up and allowed me to have a conversation with Mr. Rainey. Actually right before I left, Mr. Rainey asked me what model handgun I was carrying.
Regency Mall apparently doesn't create this policy, they contract with IPC International Corporation, which provides loss prevention and public safety services, and sets the mall security policies.
The only thing that bothered me was that the mall policy was no weapons on mall property, but the officer advised me to leave in my car in the mall parking lot. I wasn't thinking fast enough at the time to point this out.
I am considering sending an e-mail to Mr. Rainey thanking him for his courtesy, requesting a copy of the policy, and asking him his opinion on concealed carry in the mall.
Also I think VCDL should add Regency and Stoney Point to the gun-unfriendly mall list, because even though they are not posted they quite clearly don't want their shoppers to be able to defend themselves. (Btw the mall security is unarmed) As for me, I won't be shopping at any area malls for a while.
As a side note, I OC'ed in Party City earlier in the day, and it was a zoo. However outside a lot of crazy stares and mumbling from some soccer moms, there was no problem.
If anyone is interested in the contact info for Mr. Rainey or IPC, let me know.