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My first negative OC experience

Have Gun - Will Carry

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 29, 2010
Messages
290
Location
Kenosha County, Wisconsin
Several hours ago I was asked to leave the Super Wal-Mart in Burlington, a place I've carried before without an issue. Wasn't in the store but 5 or 6 minutes when I started hearing radio chatter from nearby employees describing me: "it's in a holster" and a couple minutes later, "he's wearing jeans, jacket and a hat, and it's on his right side."

Near the back of the store I made sure my recorder was running, and soon my wife & I were approached on my weak side by two female employees. One asked if I had a firearm, and I replied yes. She then asked me to take it out of the store and leave it in the car, to which I responded, "You do realize that open carry is legal in Wisconsin, right?"

Her reply was that carrying firearms is against store policy, so I would have to leave. I asked if she was sure about that, and politely asked to speak to a manager, but she said, "I am a manager." I said that I wasn't arguing with her and would soon leave, but informed her that Wal-Mart's corporate policy stated that open carry is allowed in Wisconsin stores. She told us that didn't matter, because store policy does not allow firearms (a policy that likely didn't exist 10 minutes earlier), so I gave up my half-hearted attempt at educating her and we left.

Of course, now I'll probably have to contact someone at corporate HQ to have her straightened out. Where does one begin that process? Or do they allow individual stores the leeway to ban guns? I know I've read about it here before, but I'm too tired to look it up right now.
 

protias

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 18, 2008
Messages
7,308
Location
SE, WI
Of course, now I'll probably have to contact someone at corporate HQ to have her straightened out. Where does one begin that process? Or do they allow individual stores the leeway to ban guns? I know I've read about it here before, but I'm too tired to look it up right now.

I'm sure there is someone that has the contact for the district manager before you have to go to corporate.

If the store is not owned by corporate, they can make their own policy.
 

AaronS

Regular Member
Joined
May 2, 2009
Messages
1,497
Location
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
I'm sure there is someone that has the contact for the district manager before you have to go to corporate.

If the store is not owned by corporate, they can make their own policy.

Protias hit it on the head. Give the store a call, and ask for the contact number for the district manager. Give him/her a call, and ask why this one Walmart is going a different route then Corporate. I am going to guess the woman that threw you out was just acting on her own, with out any idea of the store policy.
 

Have Gun - Will Carry

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 29, 2010
Messages
290
Location
Kenosha County, Wisconsin
I'm sure there is someone that has the contact for the district manager before you have to go to corporate.

If the store is not owned by corporate, they can make their own policy.

Ah, yes, the District Manager - I'll give that a shot first (no pun intended...)

Protias hit it on the head. Give the store a call, and ask for the contact number for the district manager. Give him/her a call, and ask why this one Walmart is going a different route then Corporate. I am going to guess the woman that threw you out was just acting on her own, with out any idea of the store policy.

That was exactly the impression I got - she seemed scared to approach me, but once I cooperated and said I would leave, her attitude changed. Deb says she got very smug or cocky after that, but it didn't seem that way to me - I thought she was just glad we were leaving and couldn't wait to get us out of the store.

This manager told us that the policy was to keep all their customers safe - sounded to me like a typical anti-gun feel-good argument. But yeah, I got the distinct impression that she made up that policy on the spot because of her FEAR of my gun. (I somehow managed to keep it under control though, because it didn't jump out of my holster and shoot up the place all by itself.)
 

protias

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 18, 2008
Messages
7,308
Location
SE, WI
That was exactly the impression I got - she seemed scared to approach me, but once I cooperated and said I would leave, her attitude changed. Deb says she got very smug or cocky after that, but it didn't seem that way to me - I thought she was just glad we were leaving and couldn't wait to get us out of the store.

This manager told us that the policy was to keep all their customers safe - sounded to me like a typical anti-gun feel-good argument. But yeah, I got the distinct impression that she made up that policy on the spot because of her FEAR of my gun. (I somehow managed to keep it under control though, because it didn't jump out of my holster and shoot up the place all by itself.)

You mean you didn't "lose it" and start killing everyone either? Imagine that?! A law abiding citizen with a level head! I bet WAVE members wouldn't have made a scene. :rolleyes:
 

xd40arff

Regular Member
Joined
May 17, 2009
Messages
133
Location
Wisconsin, United States
Basically this same thing happened to me at another store a while back. When I talked to the actual manager (not just some dept manager) I was apologized to and was informed that he needed to have some remedial training with his employees. Never had a problem there since.
 

Snake161

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2011
Messages
78
Location
Wisconsin
With respect, there is no Wal-mart privately owned. It is a corporate chain just like Target, Costco, Sams club etc. Everything is run in house by management, and dictated by a district manager, regional manager and perhaps even corporate in the day to day hiring, firings, decisions, etc. If corporate says they follow all local laws, than that is what must happen. I sincerely hope that you took down this women's name, becasue chances are, she is not a manager at all, but simply an "underling" manager that fills in when the store manager is off. At target, they are known as "team leads". I'm sure that Wal-mart calls them something else. She is probably lucky if she makes 15 bucks an hour, but the power of controlling the store and all the employees goes to her head. Trust me, I have dealt with MANY of these people in my experience in retail.

I should think, and without being too bold, that you should ask for an apology as well. If you politely and collectively say that your money is best spent elsewhere, you may get an apology sent to you from this women if Corporate is worth any salt.


If not, you know what to do. Spread the word, brother.

Let your words sting like hot irons to all who will listen. Tell them of the wrongdoings of this store, and do your best to avoid them in the future.

A right has been trampled, and so we must not stand idle and allow instances such as this to simply transpire, but stand strong against a group that would stand against us.

:shocker:
 

Motofixxer

Regular Member
Joined
May 14, 2010
Messages
965
Location
Somewhere over the Rainbow
Yes it's important to always as for the highest level manager. In retail it's usually a store manager. Then ask for the District Manager's info. There is always someone above the store manager. Even if you don't need to speak with the District manager, it's good to get your point across. If your asking the manager about the policy, it's also a good idea to inquire about the policy. Can you see it etc. But if your just asked to leave, then leave. Don't be belligerent or argumentative.
 

johnny amish

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2010
Messages
1,024
Location
High altitude of Vernon County, ,
Protias hit it on the head. Give the store a call, and ask for the contact number for the district manager. Give him/her a call, and ask why this one Walmart is going a different route then Corporate. I am going to guess the woman that threw you out was just acting on her own, with out any idea of the store policy.

I could not agree more. A couple of years ago we had the same thing happen in LaCrosse and after a phone call all was cleared up, no big deal just an uninformed manager.
 

Wisconsin Carry Inc. - Chairman

Wisconsin Carry, Inc.
Joined
Jan 23, 2010
Messages
1,197
Location
, ,
Just a few thoughts, I suspect if you were there after hours, you probably did not have contact with the "store manager" but rather the "manager on duty".

You might first call the store during the day and find out the name of the store manager. I'm willing to bet it isn't the person who contacted you. Just a hunch.

I'd start with the store manager first (assuming its not the person you had contact with)
 

hardballer

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2009
Messages
925
Location
West Coast of Wisconsin
Ah, yes, the District Manager - I'll give that a shot first (no pun intended...)



That was exactly the impression I got - she seemed scared to approach me, but once I cooperated and said I would leave, her attitude changed. Deb says she got very smug or cocky after that, but it didn't seem that way to me - I thought she was just glad we were leaving and couldn't wait to get us out of the store.

This manager told us that the policy was to keep all their customers safe - sounded to me like a typical anti-gun feel-good argument. But yeah, I got the distinct impression that she made up that policy on the spot because of her FEAR of my gun. (I somehow managed to keep it under control though, because it didn't jump out of my holster and shoot up the place all by itself.)
Wife was probably right. I have utilized my wife's superior attitude analyzer many a time.

Basically this same thing happened to me at another store a while back. When I talked to the actual manager (not just some dept manager) I was apologized to and was informed that he needed to have some remedial training with his employees. Never had a problem there since.
Yup!

With respect, there is no Wal-mart privately owned. It is a corporate chain just like Target, Costco, Sams club etc. Everything is run in house by management, and dictated by a district manager, regional manager and perhaps even corporate in the day to day hiring, firings, decisions, etc. If corporate says they follow all local laws, than that is what must happen. I sincerely hope that you took down this women's name, becasue chances are, she is not a manager at all, but simply an "underling" manager that fills in when the store manager is off. At target, they are known as "team leads". I'm sure that Wal-mart calls them something else. She is probably lucky if she makes 15 bucks an hour, but the power of controlling the store and all the employees goes to her head. Trust me, I have dealt with MANY of these people in my experience in retail.

I should think, and without being too bold, that you should ask for an apology as well. If you politely and collectively say that your money is best spent elsewhere, you may get an apology sent to you from this women if Corporate is worth any salt.


If not, you know what to do. Spread the word, brother.

Let your words sting like hot irons to all who will listen. Tell them of the wrongdoings of this store, and do your best to avoid them in the future.

A right has been trampled, and so we must not stand idle and allow instances such as this to simply transpire, but stand strong against a group that would stand against us.

:shocker:
I agree that they owe you an apology. Further, Walmart did not meet expectations on Wall Street last quarter so your complaint will hold weight. They do not want to lose any customers.

Had a similar experience with Woodman's in Onalaska but in that case, corporate changed store policy once they spoke to enough open carriers including WCI, I think it was Nik they spoke with.
 

Have Gun - Will Carry

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 29, 2010
Messages
290
Location
Kenosha County, Wisconsin
Yes, the wife's a better judge of character than I am, so her impression was probably right. I remained very calm and polite throughout the encounter, but Debbie was beginning to get frustrated because the "manager" wouldn't listen to what we had to say.

This woman "Barb" was definitely a floor manager type, not the store manager or anyone from upper management. It was a Sunday afternoon, so everyone with any authority was enjoying their weekend off.

Tomorrow we'll call and talk to the store manager, and set up a meeting with him/her if needed. If they still tell us the store policy bans firearms, I'll ask to see the written policy. And I'll get the DM's phone number just in case.
 

Krusty

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 11, 2010
Messages
281
Location
Trempealeau County, Wisconsin
I've been in Black River Falls, Onalaska and LaCrosse WalMart stores. NEVER a problem anywhere. The head of security at LaCrosse store is very knowledgeable about OC and related laws.

IMHO, you just found an in between with a tiny bit of authority. I'm sure district will educate the entire staff due to this problem.
 

Max

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2008
Messages
335
Location
, Wisconsin, USA
Just talked to Walmart

I just hung up the phone with the store manager at the Burlington Walmart. The store manager confirmed our understanding of Walmart's corporate policy which is, they abide by the law. The store manager asked me if I could furnish him with contact information for the person ejected from his location as he would like to apologize or the "individual can contact me so that I can apologize to him. He is going to have a meeting with his management team to educate them regarding the issue. The store's managers name is Travis and seems to be a very nice and bright young man. The store's number is 767-9520.
 
Last edited:

AaronS

Regular Member
Joined
May 2, 2009
Messages
1,497
Location
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
I just hung up the phone with the store manager at the Burlington Walmart. The store manager confirmed our understanding of Walmart's corporate policy which is, they abide by the law. The store manager asked me if I could furnish him with contact information for the person ejected from his location as he would like to apologize or the "individual can contact me so that I can apologize to him. He is going to have a meeting with his management team to educate them regarding the issue. The plant managers name is Travis and seems to be a very nice and bright young man. The store's number is 767-9520.

Good job Max. Thanks for clearing this up.
 

Have Gun - Will Carry

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 29, 2010
Messages
290
Location
Kenosha County, Wisconsin
I just hung up the phone with the store manager at the Burlington Walmart. The store manager confirmed our understanding of Walmart's corporate policy which is, they abide by the law. The store manager asked me if I could furnish him with contact information for the person ejected from his location as he would like to apologize or the "individual can contact me so that I can apologize to him. He is going to have a meeting with his management team to educate them regarding the issue. The store's managers name is Travis and seems to be a very nice and bright young man. The store's number is 767-9520.

I'm at work right now, but my wife just got off the phone with Travis too. I didn't see your post until just now, Max - looks like you beat us to the punch!

Debbie had a very similar conversation with him, as he explained that Barb was confusing open carry with Wal-Mart's policy that requires guns brought in for service to be unloaded and encased. (In fact, the greeters will not let you in the store until someone from the gun dept. [as if they had one] arrives to escort you to the service area.)

Travis said he has already talked to Barb about this, but he didn't offer an apology from himself or from her. It would have been nice to hear, and I feel we deserve one, but it really doesn't matter to me as long as this doesn't happen again.
 

SFCRetired

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 29, 2008
Messages
1,764
Location
Montgomery, Alabama, USA
This seems to be a recurring problem with some female Wal Mart management personnel. I got kicked out of the Wal Mart here in Montgomery, Alabama under pretty much the same circumstances.

The manager here was rude, crude, and socially unacceptable to me in front of my wife and the two loss prevention "goons" she had with her. I call them "goons" because they looked like complete dirt bags. She also got a cocky smirk on her face and, with her hands on her (more than ample) hips watched me until I left.

Eye95 contacted the district manager. I saw this gentleman in the store later, introduced myself as the person who was kicked out for carrying, and he very effusively apologized for the woman's actions and attitude.

Glad your experience turned out for the better. I would contact the DM and request an apology from "Barb".
 
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