Went to Dierberg's in St. Charles last night (Zumbehl Road). As I was about to leave I was approached by a woman, presumably the store manager. She asks the most intelligent question in the world - am I a cop? Cops are the only people professional and trained enough to carry firearms, as can be read here: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/education/article_7483eff3-f243-5cc3-b81f-e960aec87e7b.html
I told her no (obviously), and she said that it was company policy, not hers, that they don't allow law abiding citizens to carry firearms in their store. She stated the purpose was for "customer safety" and that they have signs at the doors to inform you of the policy (there are no signs). Everyone knows that law abiding citizens are the number one threat to grocery stores, and that criminals -people who break the law- stop and piss themselves at the sight of a no firearms sign. That's why this store is safer when I don't carry my firearms there.
So I said goodbye keep your crap and went right across the street to Schnuck's. I'm there for about 5 minutes when I see a member of St. Charles Finest (in uniform) walking down the aisle. I get my phone out and start recording. He asks for my ID, I decline. I tell him I'm not breaking the law and he knows it. He says that I knew the cops would be called. In the past I've never had a LEO encounter while OC'ing. We talk about the merits of producing ID for a moment when another cop comes in. He talks to the store manager who says I scared some people. They tell her I'm legal and she says ok then it's fine. She even mentioned that her husband has a CCW permit, so great. Cops walk out of the store.
About 10-15 minutes later I'm walking out pushing my cart. I notice patrol cars on each side of the door, one more further down to my left. All 3 of these officers had deployed and were actively pursuing "lot safety". Two more patrol cars were parked in the far end of the parking lot, undoubtedly combating shopping cart theft. Another patrol car was doing laps.
I proceeded to roll down my windows, turn up some Kesha and drive off into the wild blue yonder. Below is my letter to Dierberg's. I'll post the response when I get it.
Hi, this is "name" writing in regards to your Zumbehl and Veterans Memorial location. I was shopping there last night while openly carrying my firearm. I am writing to inquire if your store has a policy against law abiding citizens from carrying their weapons in your store.
As I was about to check out, I was approached by a woman who was, presumably, this store's manager. She told me that it was your company policy to not allow law abiding citizens to carry their firearms into your store. She also told me that your store has signs stating that they do not allow law abiding citizens to carry their firearms into the store.
That location had no such signs, as I checked when I left. This leads me to believe she may also be lying or about the company policy on not permitting law abiding citizens to carry firearms in your stores.
Needless to say this was a major pain as I had finished my shopping and was ready to go home on a Friday night. Instead, I had to go shopping again. I promptly went right across the street to Schnuck's and spent my money there. Feel free to call me also. Please let me know about your policies.
name
I told her no (obviously), and she said that it was company policy, not hers, that they don't allow law abiding citizens to carry firearms in their store. She stated the purpose was for "customer safety" and that they have signs at the doors to inform you of the policy (there are no signs). Everyone knows that law abiding citizens are the number one threat to grocery stores, and that criminals -people who break the law- stop and piss themselves at the sight of a no firearms sign. That's why this store is safer when I don't carry my firearms there.
So I said goodbye keep your crap and went right across the street to Schnuck's. I'm there for about 5 minutes when I see a member of St. Charles Finest (in uniform) walking down the aisle. I get my phone out and start recording. He asks for my ID, I decline. I tell him I'm not breaking the law and he knows it. He says that I knew the cops would be called. In the past I've never had a LEO encounter while OC'ing. We talk about the merits of producing ID for a moment when another cop comes in. He talks to the store manager who says I scared some people. They tell her I'm legal and she says ok then it's fine. She even mentioned that her husband has a CCW permit, so great. Cops walk out of the store.
About 10-15 minutes later I'm walking out pushing my cart. I notice patrol cars on each side of the door, one more further down to my left. All 3 of these officers had deployed and were actively pursuing "lot safety". Two more patrol cars were parked in the far end of the parking lot, undoubtedly combating shopping cart theft. Another patrol car was doing laps.
I proceeded to roll down my windows, turn up some Kesha and drive off into the wild blue yonder. Below is my letter to Dierberg's. I'll post the response when I get it.
Hi, this is "name" writing in regards to your Zumbehl and Veterans Memorial location. I was shopping there last night while openly carrying my firearm. I am writing to inquire if your store has a policy against law abiding citizens from carrying their weapons in your store.
As I was about to check out, I was approached by a woman who was, presumably, this store's manager. She told me that it was your company policy to not allow law abiding citizens to carry their firearms into your store. She also told me that your store has signs stating that they do not allow law abiding citizens to carry their firearms into the store.
That location had no such signs, as I checked when I left. This leads me to believe she may also be lying or about the company policy on not permitting law abiding citizens to carry firearms in your stores.
Needless to say this was a major pain as I had finished my shopping and was ready to go home on a Friday night. Instead, I had to go shopping again. I promptly went right across the street to Schnuck's and spent my money there. Feel free to call me also. Please let me know about your policies.
name
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