Possmo
Regular Member
Reposting from OCDO
Negative Encounter at Lowes in Columbus, GA
Went to Lowes today to grab some insulation hangers. I usually OC a Springfield XDm in a Serpa. I wasn't in the store more than ten minutes. Found my hangers. Decided I didn't want to wait in the lumber area to check out and headed to the Self Checkout area. Stopped to grab some safety glasses on the way and was greeted by the store manager as I left the aisle.
He gives me the, "How are you today, sir?"
I give him, "I'm doing okay"
Then the real business. He mentions that five people have approached different managers (In ten minutes?) concerned that I'm walking around with a gun. I asked him if it was a problem. He says it is because he has to consider the safety and comfort of the customers. I replied that I was also a customer entitled to the same thing. He then tells me that since people have complained that while I'm in the store he asks that I conceal my gun. I told him that it was not going to happen and that if he wished to dictate the way in which I was to carry then the store did not deserve my business. I asked him if it was corporate policy that I was not allowed to carry openly in the store. He said it was. I told him it that his assertion ran contrary to what I'd understood to be Lowes policy to manage carry in stores in line with state laws. He disagreed.
He then said that since I didn't want to conceal and if I was on my way to check out that he would gladly escort me to the counter. Now I was maybe 15 seconds from hitting self checkout and going on my merry way to sweat for hours in a dirty crawlspace. But, I wasn't about to let him make me feel like I needed to be escorted around like I was doing something wrong. I asked him if the bottom line was that he was not going to let me shop here if I declined to cover up my gun. He said that was the case and I handed him my items, asked for the number to the corporate office and his last name.
Matthew Tew - Store Manager
I dialed corporate on my way out and spoke to Michelle at customer service. I asked her to confirm his version of policy. She quoted that Lowes had a policy to honor Federal, State and Local ordinances. She took my complaint, the managers name and said that District Manager Michael Bowden should contact me regarding the incident in one business day.
What disappoints me the most is that I've had only one occasion in which I've found myself walking into a store open-carrying behind someone else doing the same. It was at this Lowes. Been there many times open-carrying but will not go back until this issue is clarified to my satisfaction. I'm not going back when there's a sticky policy that allows me to open carry until enough customers vote me out.
Ended up spending more for the same items at Home Depot. Worth it.
UPDATE
I'm happy to report that I received a call from the district manager who agreed that I was not doing anything wrong and that the manager made the wrong decision. He reiterated that The position of Lowes is to align their policy with the laws already in place and that he would see to it that his employees are better trained in how to react to these situations.
I requested and am still awaiting an email from him. I'll update when it arrives.
Negative Encounter at Lowes in Columbus, GA
Went to Lowes today to grab some insulation hangers. I usually OC a Springfield XDm in a Serpa. I wasn't in the store more than ten minutes. Found my hangers. Decided I didn't want to wait in the lumber area to check out and headed to the Self Checkout area. Stopped to grab some safety glasses on the way and was greeted by the store manager as I left the aisle.
He gives me the, "How are you today, sir?"
I give him, "I'm doing okay"
Then the real business. He mentions that five people have approached different managers (In ten minutes?) concerned that I'm walking around with a gun. I asked him if it was a problem. He says it is because he has to consider the safety and comfort of the customers. I replied that I was also a customer entitled to the same thing. He then tells me that since people have complained that while I'm in the store he asks that I conceal my gun. I told him that it was not going to happen and that if he wished to dictate the way in which I was to carry then the store did not deserve my business. I asked him if it was corporate policy that I was not allowed to carry openly in the store. He said it was. I told him it that his assertion ran contrary to what I'd understood to be Lowes policy to manage carry in stores in line with state laws. He disagreed.
He then said that since I didn't want to conceal and if I was on my way to check out that he would gladly escort me to the counter. Now I was maybe 15 seconds from hitting self checkout and going on my merry way to sweat for hours in a dirty crawlspace. But, I wasn't about to let him make me feel like I needed to be escorted around like I was doing something wrong. I asked him if the bottom line was that he was not going to let me shop here if I declined to cover up my gun. He said that was the case and I handed him my items, asked for the number to the corporate office and his last name.
Matthew Tew - Store Manager
I dialed corporate on my way out and spoke to Michelle at customer service. I asked her to confirm his version of policy. She quoted that Lowes had a policy to honor Federal, State and Local ordinances. She took my complaint, the managers name and said that District Manager Michael Bowden should contact me regarding the incident in one business day.
What disappoints me the most is that I've had only one occasion in which I've found myself walking into a store open-carrying behind someone else doing the same. It was at this Lowes. Been there many times open-carrying but will not go back until this issue is clarified to my satisfaction. I'm not going back when there's a sticky policy that allows me to open carry until enough customers vote me out.
Ended up spending more for the same items at Home Depot. Worth it.
UPDATE
I'm happy to report that I received a call from the district manager who agreed that I was not doing anything wrong and that the manager made the wrong decision. He reiterated that The position of Lowes is to align their policy with the laws already in place and that he would see to it that his employees are better trained in how to react to these situations.
I requested and am still awaiting an email from him. I'll update when it arrives.
Last edited: