Mills Fleet Farm DOES NOT ALLOW OPEN CARRY!

I just bought a new gun from Fleet Farm, and while the assistant Manager, Steve L, came to double check the paper work I asked him about open carry. I said I was questioned by a loss prevention employee, but was not asked to leave, and he replied, "Well, in the past we kind of looked the other way, but we ask that from now on you stop at the service desk and check your weapon. We dont want it loaded." So I said "So you're not open carry friendly? Is this what your telling me?"

His reply, "No. Sorry. WEre not sure how were going to go with conceal carry. Nothings come down from corporate yet."

I replied I was sorry to hear that and that I will probably be bringing my business else where from now on.

Again this is Mills Fleet Farm on Shawano Ave in Green Bay.

West bend is the same way. I popped in there this afternoon to grab some ammo. Real quick in and out, so I didn't grab my piece. Assistant manager "flipped" because I had my holster on ( shirt was covering the top of holster, no weapon)

He came at me yelling about guns not being allowed. Literally yelling at me. Apparently they don't even allow empty SERPA holsters either.
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After showing him and everyone else that I did not have my weapon on me, I reminded him that a sign should be posted at the door. Since I was not there for repairs, I would not have checked my weapon.

I will not be back there, except to drop off literature. Its a shame too, since they had a pretty good deal on ammunition and another deal on a 30-06 rifle that I was going to get.

The assistant manager massively overreacted and caused a huge scene. Completely unprofessional. I'm sending a letter to the corporate office informing them of what happened this afternoon, and asking them to clarify there position. Not that it will matter to me, because I will not be going back there.

normally the rule of thumb is - when in doubt don't ask..if no sign is present on the doors when you walk in , just open carry. I have OC in that store many times , never an issue but I never had asked what their policy was, I just did it... oh well


Now that they sell HAND GUNS..THEY ARE GOING FULL RETARD ON PEOPLE WHO OPEN CARRY now ??....THEY BETTER CHECK THAT CRAP AT THE DOOR OTHERWISE TheY ARE GOING TO RUIN IT FOR THEMSELVES... BUT THERE WILL STILL BE PEOPLE FROM THIS FORUM THAT SHOP THERE...

Tom Maassen said:

West bend is the same way. I popped in there this afternoon to grab some ammo. Real quick in and out, so I didn't grab my piece. Assistant manager "flipped" because I had my holster on ( shirt was covering the top of holster, no weapon)

He came at me yelling about guns not being allowed. Literally yelling at me. Apparently they don't even allow empty SERPA holsters either.
Weap
After showing him and everyone else that I did not have my weapon on me, I reminded him that a sign should be posted at the door. Since I was not there for repairs, I would not have checked my weapon.

I will not be back there, except to drop off literature. Its a shame too, since they had a pretty good deal on ammunition and another deal on a 30-06 rifle that I was going to get.

The assistant manager massively overreacted and caused a huge scene. Completely unprofessional. I'm sending a letter to the corporate office informing them of what happened this afternoon, and asking them to clarify there position. Not that it will matter to me, because I will not be going back there.

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Was that a Farm and Fleet, or a Fleet Farm? Mine was a Mills Fleet Farm.

I did have my empty Serpa holster on, and he didnt say anything about it. Its really sad if that is their position, because I have been going to Fleet Farm for 30 some years. I will not go back unless they say they allow open carry, and I did send an email to them explaining that I was honestly saddened by this. Fleet Farm is like a tradition in my family. Everytime you ask someone in my family what they're doing this weekend, it will usually either start or end with "going to Fleet Farm"

The assistant manager was mistaken. He really needs to learn what their policy is. Talk with the manager and find out and keep going up the chain.

The assistant manager is in error unless Mills Fleet Farm has changed their policy. He should be disciplined for his reaction and lack of knowledge.

I OC and the Fleet Farm in Beaver Dam evertime i go there...never been questioned...and i also do it at the Farm/Fleet on Stoughton Rd in madison...theres nothign posted..and antying i read on here is here-say

protias said:

The assistant manager was mistaken. He really needs to learn what their policy is. Talk with the manager and find out and keep going up the chain.

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HELL YEAH find out and keep going up the chain. I will work on this too.

IF and I say IF they ban firearms carry I will NEVER step foot in there again either unless they change their policy.

BUT..............
Theres gotta be some sort of 12 step program for this, I mean come on.
I can feel the shakes a' comin' on now.
Mans Mall withdrawls
Rapid heartbeat, cold clammy sweats, uncontrollable shaking, even developing a tic.
Mood swings, fantisizing about walking up and down the aisles.
No appetite, feelings of low self esteem, sleepless nights, withdrawing from family and friends.

The agony of it all. Pleeeeeeeeeeeze find me a support group or chain me in the basement until this passes

................AGONIZING Po-lock

Tom Maassen said:

After showing him and everyone else that I did not have my weapon on me, I reminded him that a sign should be posted at the door.

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Please don't put the thought in anyone's head about posting a sign. I know that's the first thing to come to mind when someone doesn't want you to carry, but please resist the urge to tell them.

Some places have a policy against carry but haven't yet posted even though a few have been asked to leave, I'd rather others could conceal there even though I personally wont give them anymore business.

I'm not pointing you out but I just wanted to post it so others could read it too.

Da Po-lock said:

HELL YEAH find out and keep going up the chain. I will work on this too.

IF and I say IF they ban firearms carry I will NEVER step foot in there again either unless they change their policy.

BUT..............
Theres gotta be some sort of 12 step program for this, I mean come on.
I can feel the shakes a' comin' on now.
Mans Mall withdrawls
Rapid heartbeat, cold clammy sweats, uncontrollable shaking, even developing a tic.
Mood swings, fantisizing about walking up and down the aisles.
No appetite, feelings of low self esteem, sleepless nights, withdrawing from family and friends.

The agony of it all. Pleeeeeeeeeeeze find me a support group or chain me in the basement until this passes

................AGONIZING Po-lock

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You can do it! I think it is a miss understanding and Fleet Farm will still be good to go but, if I could give up Farm and Fleet you could give up Fleet Farm if you have to . Just don't do it cold turkey it will call out your name in your sleep.

deadlifter said:

I just bought a new gun from Fleet Farm, and while the assistant Manager, Steve L, came to double check the paper work I asked him about open carry. I said I was questioned by a loss prevention employee, but was not asked to leave, and he replied, "Well, in the past we kind of looked the other way, but we ask that from now on you stop at the service desk and check your weapon. We dont want it loaded." So I said "So you're not open carry friendly? Is this what your telling me?"

His reply, "No. Sorry. WEre not sure how were going to go with conceal carry. Nothings come down from corporate yet."

I replied I was sorry to hear that and that I will probably be bringing my business else where from now on.

Again this is Mills Fleet Farm on Shawano Ave in Green Bay.

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I've OC'd at the Mills Fleet Farm in GB Appleton,Point,Waupaca,Clintonville(today)Oshkosh with no ?'s aked. Their policy and posting is to check firearms comming in for repair

I've carried in the Germantown FF since I started carrying, with absolutely no problems from anyone.

Their webpage says they have stores in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, & N Dakota, 3 of which already allow cc, so it'd be stupid of them to have a "no (legal) guns" policy.

After over 50 years in business, Mills Fleet Farm has become the region's most trusted name in retail with 31 locations across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and North Dakota. Now in our third generation of family ownership, we remain committed to our founding values: honesty, integrity, hard work, service and loyalty to our customers and partners.

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I think it's a couple of uninformed employees causing problems, & probably when corporate hears about it they will be retrained. With vigor. Especially the one that was yelling at a customer.

Tom:

they had a pretty good deal on ammunition and another deal on a 30-06 rifle that I was going to get

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Be sure to mention that in your letter or email, along with the part about the manager yelling at you.

They have to know they've lost money. They don't care so much about rights, or even customer safety. They care about money.

If they really have changed their policy, it should be widely publicized so nobody accidentally tries to shop there while armed, or if they support civil rights.

According to that diamond store in the Milwaukee area, since he announced his new "no (legal) guns" policy he's lost a substantial amount of business. (IIRC, it was something like 12%, but I'd have to go look at that thread to be sure.)

Here's their "contact us" phone # (1-877-633-7456) & page http://www.fleetfarm.com/company/emailUs.jsp

deadlifter said:

Was that a Farm and Fleet, or a Fleet Farm? Mine was a Mills Fleet Farm.

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Mills Fleet Farm as well.

Jason In WI said:

After showing him and everyone else that I did not have my weapon on me, I reminded him that a sign should be posted at the door.
Please don't put the thought in anyone's head about posting a sign. I know that's the first thing to come to mind when someone doesn't want you to carry, but please resist the urge to tell them. I'd rather others could conceal there even though I personally wont give them anymore business.

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There current sign says something along the lines of all firearms for repair must be checked, not all firearms must be checked. If they don't allow weapons, that needs to be posted. This guy was 2 steps from nuclear, and I'm very surprised the cops didn't get called by a customer or another employee. It was already in his head about a sign because of the sign on the door, so I didn't put anything new in his head except that his sign is crap and doesn't tell me anything except "ignore this unless you're here for repair".

MKEgal said:

If they really have changed their policy, it should be widely publicized so nobody accidentally tries to shop there while armed, or if they support civil rights.

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Agreed, that's why I reminded him of the sign. It's been there for years, and doesn't reflect any changes in there policies. I'm hoping this was an isolated event, but I won't be back to this location. I'll happily go to Menomonee Falls

Tom Maassen said:

There current sign says something along the lines of all firearms for repair must be checked, not all firearms must be checked. If they don't allow weapons, that needs to be posted. This guy was 2 steps from nuclear, and I'm very surprised the cops didn't get called by a customer or another employee. It was already in his head about a sign because of the sign on the door, so I didn't put anything new in his head except that his sign is crap and doesn't tell me anything except "ignore this unless you're here for repair".

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Tell the manager. No assistant manager should be getting angry over a simple question.

deadlifter said:

I just bought a new gun from Fleet Farm, and while the assistant Manager, Steve L, came to double check the paper work I asked him about open carry. I said I was questioned by a loss prevention employee, but was not asked to leave, and he replied, "Well, in the past we kind of looked the other way, but we ask that from now on you stop at the service desk and check your weapon. We dont want it loaded." So I said "So you're not open carry friendly? Is this what your telling me?"

His reply, "No. Sorry. WEre not sure how were going to go with conceal carry. Nothings come down from corporate yet."

I replied I was sorry to hear that and that I will probably be bringing my business else where from now on.

Again this is Mills Fleet Farm on Shawano Ave in Green Bay.

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OH yea they're really serious about it, I had a scope put on my .22 the other day, i had to check it at the desk and then be escorted back, and then back out, gun had to be locked up, pretty bad.

WisconsinPI said:

OH yea they're really serious about it, I had a scope put on my .22 the other day, i had to check it at the desk and then be escorted back, and then back out, gun had to be locked up, pretty bad.

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Why would you have a retail sales clerk install a scope on your firearm and not a gunsmith?

First, I open carry but for me the issue centered on my wife who is disabled. If you do not have experience with a disabled person you probably don't know how things work. At Walmart, they have motorized carts for those who need them. You walk in the door and pick the cart you want and away you go. This is the same experience one has at most every store I have ever been in. Ever!


Not at Mills Fleet Farm, Nope. At Mills Fleet Farm, You must give your license, your phone number, Show ID, be verified that it is indeed you, be scrutinized by the clerk, fill out a form and then you are issued a key to the handicapped cart. Never seen anything like this before. Was stupefied. Asked clerk, "are you kidding me?" May have uttered some kind of explicative under my breath, and finally expressed my unhappiness and was told well that is just the way it is. Take it or leave it. Hmmm?

I will leave it. Thank you.... Mills Fleet Farm has seen the last of my business as well...

Hardballer, the firearms issue is NOTHING compared to what you have just described.
For anyone to have to LIVE with a disability day in and day out (both your wife and you as a caregiver) is really an act of courage in itself.

To have to even GO through their prosess of getting something so simple as a cart is disrespedtful enough but for some ***** to tell you "take it or leave it" I honestly would have laid him out cold.

Believe me when I tell you this Pard, had I heard this I would have exploded just hearing it.

In the past I have many times went off in stores or just out and about when I heard or saw someone who was challenged being treated badly. I DID get cuffed and stuffed into a squad car once for this at Shopko East in Green Bay, cop cooled me down and let me go with a lecture though.

This changes everything for me now as far as Fleet Farm is concerned. I will be questioning this so called policy when and IF I ever do go into this shithole after hearing of this.

...........SERIOUSLY pissed off Po-lock

I haven't gotten a response from them yet, but it is the weekend.


Hardballer, have you thought about calling one of those scooter places that advertises they'll work w/ medicare (or whatever other insurance) & get you a scooter for free? Then you wouldn't be at their mercy.
But that definitely needs to be complained about to Corporate, esp. the rude clerk.

The intrusive policy is a crock, too. It's not like someone can go joyriding in the thing, & it's pretty obvious when it's leaving the store! They could have one of their "loss prevention associates" push your shopping cart to your car for you, then bring the precious go-cart back inside.

And I'm betting that you'd have to go through that hassle every time; they probably don't keep your info on file, do they?

MKEgal said:

Hardballer, have you thought about calling one of those scooter places that advertises they'll work w/ medicare (or whatever other insurance) & get you a scooter for free? Then you wouldn't be at their mercy.
But that definitely needs to be complained about to Corporate, esp. the rude clerk.

The intrusive policy is a crock, too. It's not like someone can go joyriding in the thing, & it's pretty obvious when it's leaving the store! They could have one of their "loss prevention associates" push your shopping cart to your car for you, then bring the precious go-cart back inside.

And I'm betting that you'd have to go through that hassle every time; they probably don't keep your info on file, do they?

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I don't mean to speak for my friend, Hardballer, but even a free scooter may require a new vehicle to accomedate the scooter.