BROKENSPROKET
Regular Member
imported post
Just to note, as of Jan 10th, 2010, I OC EVERYWHERE I can do so legally.
After working the Wisconsin Carry Inc. booth all day at the 2010 Northern Wisconsin Whitetail, Outdoor & Ice Fishing Expo, my son and I went to Jade Garden to eat before stopping at Wal-Mart on our way out of town.
So, we were in Wal-Mart for more than an hour and had close to $300 worth of merchandise in our cart, very few of which were groceries, because I plan to stock up next week at Woodman's in Onalaska to say thank you from a Wisconsin Carry member. We were done and were heading to the registers when a CO-MNGR(that what is said on his name tag) approach me blindside and asked "Sir, can I ask you about your pistol?"
I turned to him and asked, "What do you want to know?"
He asked, "Why do you have it? Guns are not allowed to be brought back into the store. That's store policy".
At this point, I did not respond, I was a little dumbfounded and was contemplating what to say, and it must have showed on my face because after a pause, he went on to explain that they had a situation earlier in the week that was discussed in a Managers Meeting, where a customer had brought a .22 rifle into the store in an attempt to return it. But Wal-Mart has a policy that all firearm sales are final and that returns need to be handled with the manufacturer. I must have really looked dumbfounded at this point, as I may trying to figure out just HTF this applies to me. Then he gets to saying that during this meeting that is was reiterated that no guns, for whatever reason were not allowed in the store.
I was not going to debate this with him, I just simply said,"Before I leave, can I get the name and contact information for the Regional Manager?'
He said, "Certainly, I can try to get that information for you, I am sorry for your trouble, but it is our store policy that guns are not allowed?"
At this point, I decided to debate the issue with him. I responded, "From what I understand, Wal-Mart does not have a corporate policy. They delegate the responsibility to set that policy to the Regional Manager with regard to the laws in their region". I went on to say that I have OC in Wal-Mart in Onalaska and La Crosse and in this very store three times this month. I know of guys who OC in Wal-Marts all over the state.I do not believe that what you have stated is official store policy."
He said, "I will check on that. I will ask one of the other managers who has alot more experience in this store than I do"
I cut him off and said, "Please do. I will wait RIGHT HERE until you get back."
He took off in a hurry and came back in about 5 minutes and said,"The other manager is trying to reach the Regional Manager right now."
I took this time tosay that the right to bear arms is protected under the US Constitution and wasadded toour stateconstitution in 1998. I went on to add that Governor Doyle stated publicly that if you are going to carry a handgun, wear it on your hip. I then went into howWisconsin is one of only two states in there entire union where CCW is completely illegal. One CANNOT get a permit in WI.I pointed at my gun without touching it, saying that this is the only way we can legally carry in WI. I went on to list the 5 types of places that we cannot OC in WI. Then we went into the private property issue. He states this is private property. I agreed, that in thelegalsense, he is correct, but what makes Wal-Mart different is that it is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Wal-Mart has the legal right to have a no gun policy, but to do so would be discriminatory against the constitutional right of its customers, and that will not play out well.
At this point, the Asset Protection Manager approached theCo-Manager and said. "It is OK'.
The Co-Manager began to apologize for the situation and my inconvenience and for 'not doing his homework'. I said, "No, you did your homework and took the time to find out what the official store policy is BEFORE you kicked me out of the store and I truly appreciate that." We shook hands and my son and I were on our way.
I must say that the Co-Manager that approached me was always polite and respectful, with a genuine customer service smile on his face. I can only fault him for being misinformed, and that may have not been his fault, but anyway, that is now taken care of. Another Wal-Mart Manager has been educated.
CARRY ON!
Just to note, as of Jan 10th, 2010, I OC EVERYWHERE I can do so legally.
After working the Wisconsin Carry Inc. booth all day at the 2010 Northern Wisconsin Whitetail, Outdoor & Ice Fishing Expo, my son and I went to Jade Garden to eat before stopping at Wal-Mart on our way out of town.
So, we were in Wal-Mart for more than an hour and had close to $300 worth of merchandise in our cart, very few of which were groceries, because I plan to stock up next week at Woodman's in Onalaska to say thank you from a Wisconsin Carry member. We were done and were heading to the registers when a CO-MNGR(that what is said on his name tag) approach me blindside and asked "Sir, can I ask you about your pistol?"
I turned to him and asked, "What do you want to know?"
He asked, "Why do you have it? Guns are not allowed to be brought back into the store. That's store policy".
At this point, I did not respond, I was a little dumbfounded and was contemplating what to say, and it must have showed on my face because after a pause, he went on to explain that they had a situation earlier in the week that was discussed in a Managers Meeting, where a customer had brought a .22 rifle into the store in an attempt to return it. But Wal-Mart has a policy that all firearm sales are final and that returns need to be handled with the manufacturer. I must have really looked dumbfounded at this point, as I may trying to figure out just HTF this applies to me. Then he gets to saying that during this meeting that is was reiterated that no guns, for whatever reason were not allowed in the store.
I was not going to debate this with him, I just simply said,"Before I leave, can I get the name and contact information for the Regional Manager?'
He said, "Certainly, I can try to get that information for you, I am sorry for your trouble, but it is our store policy that guns are not allowed?"
At this point, I decided to debate the issue with him. I responded, "From what I understand, Wal-Mart does not have a corporate policy. They delegate the responsibility to set that policy to the Regional Manager with regard to the laws in their region". I went on to say that I have OC in Wal-Mart in Onalaska and La Crosse and in this very store three times this month. I know of guys who OC in Wal-Marts all over the state.I do not believe that what you have stated is official store policy."
He said, "I will check on that. I will ask one of the other managers who has alot more experience in this store than I do"
I cut him off and said, "Please do. I will wait RIGHT HERE until you get back."
He took off in a hurry and came back in about 5 minutes and said,"The other manager is trying to reach the Regional Manager right now."
I took this time tosay that the right to bear arms is protected under the US Constitution and wasadded toour stateconstitution in 1998. I went on to add that Governor Doyle stated publicly that if you are going to carry a handgun, wear it on your hip. I then went into howWisconsin is one of only two states in there entire union where CCW is completely illegal. One CANNOT get a permit in WI.I pointed at my gun without touching it, saying that this is the only way we can legally carry in WI. I went on to list the 5 types of places that we cannot OC in WI. Then we went into the private property issue. He states this is private property. I agreed, that in thelegalsense, he is correct, but what makes Wal-Mart different is that it is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Wal-Mart has the legal right to have a no gun policy, but to do so would be discriminatory against the constitutional right of its customers, and that will not play out well.
At this point, the Asset Protection Manager approached theCo-Manager and said. "It is OK'.
The Co-Manager began to apologize for the situation and my inconvenience and for 'not doing his homework'. I said, "No, you did your homework and took the time to find out what the official store policy is BEFORE you kicked me out of the store and I truly appreciate that." We shook hands and my son and I were on our way.
I must say that the Co-Manager that approached me was always polite and respectful, with a genuine customer service smile on his face. I can only fault him for being misinformed, and that may have not been his fault, but anyway, that is now taken care of. Another Wal-Mart Manager has been educated.
CARRY ON!
