GodGunsnGuts
Regular Member
imported post
Last week, as I was coming home from the gunshow, I decided to stop at the WalMart that's just down the street from the gunshow. Having OC'd numerous times in the past without a hint of objection, I strode through the doors, bid the greeter a friendly smile and grabbed a cart to do my shopping. As I was doing so, a "Cart-getter" employee ran up to me and grabbed my shoulder, swung me around and (in a raized voice) told me "You can't bring that gun in here!" I asked him what his position was...if he was a manager or supervisor. He shook his head no. I asked him to please get a manager . He started shouting for a manager and kept using the term "we gotta man with a gun on over here". Well, what happen next was akin to shouting "Fire" in a crowded theater. People began gawking like most typical rubberneckers and gathered around me like I was a side-show freak or something. After a few moments, an "Asst. Mngr" approached me with a look on his face that reminded me of a deer in the headlights. He asked me why I was carrying a firearm into the store. I responded: "Sir, is there a place less conspicuous we can speak?" We walked to the "Customer Service" area and I explained to him that it's perfectly legal to open carry and then I presented him with the VA Law excerpt that describes the "Open-Carry" law. He just glanced at it...not really understanding the full text. At that point, two of Hampton's finest officers approached and joined the conversation. I explained that I had been at the gunshow and OC'd there and I had also OC'd in this store on many past occassions with no problem, but I understood the position with OC on private property...that, at his request, I would remove my firearm to my truck. I asked if it was WalMart's policy to prohibit OC. He said: "Well sir, when it causes customers to panic and run out of the store...then yes, it become "my" policy" I asked him about future OC in the store...would I receive the same treatment. To my surprise, he said "No problem...it's just when the customers become an issue" I told him (and the officers) I understood and took my gun to the truck.
I apologise for this lengthy note, but I thought people appreciate the story.
Last week, as I was coming home from the gunshow, I decided to stop at the WalMart that's just down the street from the gunshow. Having OC'd numerous times in the past without a hint of objection, I strode through the doors, bid the greeter a friendly smile and grabbed a cart to do my shopping. As I was doing so, a "Cart-getter" employee ran up to me and grabbed my shoulder, swung me around and (in a raized voice) told me "You can't bring that gun in here!" I asked him what his position was...if he was a manager or supervisor. He shook his head no. I asked him to please get a manager . He started shouting for a manager and kept using the term "we gotta man with a gun on over here". Well, what happen next was akin to shouting "Fire" in a crowded theater. People began gawking like most typical rubberneckers and gathered around me like I was a side-show freak or something. After a few moments, an "Asst. Mngr" approached me with a look on his face that reminded me of a deer in the headlights. He asked me why I was carrying a firearm into the store. I responded: "Sir, is there a place less conspicuous we can speak?" We walked to the "Customer Service" area and I explained to him that it's perfectly legal to open carry and then I presented him with the VA Law excerpt that describes the "Open-Carry" law. He just glanced at it...not really understanding the full text. At that point, two of Hampton's finest officers approached and joined the conversation. I explained that I had been at the gunshow and OC'd there and I had also OC'd in this store on many past occassions with no problem, but I understood the position with OC on private property...that, at his request, I would remove my firearm to my truck. I asked if it was WalMart's policy to prohibit OC. He said: "Well sir, when it causes customers to panic and run out of the store...then yes, it become "my" policy" I asked him about future OC in the store...would I receive the same treatment. To my surprise, he said "No problem...it's just when the customers become an issue" I told him (and the officers) I understood and took my gun to the truck.
I apologise for this lengthy note, but I thought people appreciate the story.