Fleet Farm

[clearlyambiguous]

First Post / So, be gentle....

I have a permit to carry - and wear an external waist holster wherever it is permitted. Sometimes I conceal, depending on my mood and attire, but typically I do not.

I was on my way out of town for Deer Hunting 4 weeks ago, and as most of you will remember, it was unseasonably warm (T-shirt, Jeans, No jacket).

I stopped at Fleet Farm in Alexandria, MN - to pick up some extra rounds... I was in the aisle looking for .45 bullets, when an employee came over to me and stipulated that I need to conceal my weapon. I politely told him MN is not a Conceal Carry State - and being as Fleet Farm doesn't "BAN" firearms on the premises, and I didn't have a way to conceal it - I would not be willing to conceal my gun. He became angry at me, but, after persisting that I conceal it, he told me he was done arguing and walked away. (Mind you, I never raised my voice 1db. - nor did I take an aggressive posture. The end result was I told him I would take my business elsewhere.

*There is no sign on the front of the building stating the banning of guns on the premises. (Certainly not one that meets MN requirements)
*There is a smaller sign stating they welcome "CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT HOLDERS"
*I had my firearm fully secured in its holster, with the strap buttoned.
*He stated that it is private property and it is their right to demand concealment.
*I was not wearing clothing that would allow me to conceal my weapon.

So, my question is this; Can a business stipulate HOW (open vs. concealed) I am allowed to carry, when on their premises?

 

[solus]

First Post / So, be gentle....
I have a permit to carry - and wear an external waist holster wherever it is permitted. Sometimes I conceal, depending on my mood and attire, but typically I do not.
I was on my way out of town for Deer Hunting 4 weeks ago, and as most of you will remember, it was unseasonably warm (T-shirt, Jeans, No jacket).
I stopped at Fleet Farm in Alexandria, MN - to pick up some extra rounds... I was in the aisle looking for .45 bullets, when an employee came over to me and stipulated that I need to conceal my weapon. I politely told him MN is not a Conceal Carry State - and being as Fleet Farm doesn't "BAN" firearms on the premises, and I didn't have a way to conceal it - I would not be willing to conceal my gun. He became angry at me, but, after persisting that I conceal it, he told me he was done arguing and walked away. (Mind you, I never raised my voice 1db. - nor did I take an aggressive posture. The end result was I told him I would take my business elsewhere.
*There is no sign on the front of the building stating the banning of guns on the premises. (Certainly not one that meets MN requirements)
*There is a smaller sign stating they welcome "CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT HOLDERS"
*I had my firearm fully secured in its holster, with the strap buttoned.
*He stated that it is private property and it is their right to demand concealment.
*I was not wearing clothing that would allow me to conceal my weapon.

So, my question is this; Can a business stipulate HOW (open vs. concealed) I am allowed to carry, when on their premises?

welcome, sorry one of your first encounters OC was met with an angry employee.

if you search the forum you will discern multiple discussions of what a private business can or can't do along with OCDO's members arguing both yes, the business can or no, they business can't!!

as you have seen, i am not from your state & therefore not familiar with your state's particular statutes on posting, legality of the signage, trespass rights, etc., so shan't proffer any type of oversight...

just a welcome

ipse

 

[davidmcbeth]

<snip>

So, my question is this; Can a business stipulate HOW (open vs. concealed) I am allowed to carry, when on their premises?

Of course, you should have this knowledge already. At least, that's how a court would see it if you would have gotten arrested for trespassing.

Its their property. Under today's law, yes they can.

 

[clearlyambiguous]

Of course, you should have this knowledge already. At least, that's how a court would see it if you would have gotten arrested for trespassing.

Its their property. Under today's law, yes they can.

Fair Answer... However, in this particular case - I did not have the means to conceal. (I know this is a slippery slope) - so, if they don't ban (per se) and they didn't ask me to leave, was I in violation of any law?

I may be too literal in my request, since I am new to this. However, MN has strict guidelines regarding business not allowing firearms on their premises, and in this case, Fleet Farm would have not been in compliance... But again its a Gray Area.

 

[jegoodin]

Why don't you call the manager and ask their policy and detail the conversation you had with their employee. I'd also offer to post their stance on this forum so we can all know not to patronize their establishment. Please do not recommend they post a sign specifically banning any kind of carry.

 

[robdoar]

Of course, you should have this knowledge already. At least, that's how a court would see it if you would have gotten arrested for trespassing.

Its their property. Under today's law, yes they can.

Private property.

They can only allow or ban based on whatever criteria they want.

You wouldn't have gotten arrested for trespassing unless you refused to leave, waited for cops to come, received a $25 ticket, received a trespass notice, and then refused to leave.

No MN Permit holder has ever been cited for failure to comply with business' demand to leave. Please don't be the first.

That being said, I know Stewart Mills, and his father. They would not approve. A call to the manager would be appropriate. Please be polite, respectful, and clear.

 

[Firearms Iinstuctor]

Was this a Mills fleet farm?

 

[Law abider]

Mr Mills is a very strong pro 2A advocate. I OC all the time in their Hudson location. But WI is more of a sort of 2A state bec we can OC here without a permit. Only need a license to conceal. MN you need a permit to bear so that's why maybe the employee who maybe unfamiliar with 2A said what he said Welcome aboard!

 

[Firearms Iinstuctor]

Mr Mills is a very strong pro 2A advocate. I OC all the time in their Hudson location. But WI is more of a sort of 2A state bec we can OC here without a permit. Only need a license to conceal. MN you need a permit to bear so that's why maybe the employee who maybe unfamiliar with 2A said what he said Welcome aboard!

Yes he is I heard the company is up for sale and he is going to concentrate on running for office.

 

[wimwag]

Private property.

They can only allow or ban based on whatever criteria they want.

You wouldn't have gotten arrested for trespassing unless you refused to leave, waited for cops to come, received a $25 ticket, received a trespass notice, and then refused to leave.

No MN Permit holder has ever been cited for failure to comply with business' demand to leave. Please don't be the first.

That being said, I know Stewart Mills, and his father. They would not approve. A call to the manager would be appropriate. Please be polite, respectful, and clear.

Appropriatel advice...call management. I was bothered just once each at rhe Menomonie and Hudson stores and was never bothered again afterwards. I don't see Minnesota being any different.