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Odd Walmart encounter

Metalhead47

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2009
Messages
2,800
Location
South Whidbey, Washington, USA
I was down that the Mt Vernon SuperWallys earlier today while my poor lil guinea pig was at the vet for the eunuch treatment. I had been wandering around with a shopping cart for maybe 10 or 15 minutes when a manager & minion intercepted me. Very polite fellow, but of course as soon one is stopped by a manager-type while OC there's a certain expectation, so I'm thinking "great, heeeeere we go..."

So he introduces himself by name, shakes my hand, and launches into the usual "Several associates & customers have said they're uncomfortable.... and would you mind covering up" spiel. I counter with, "OK, you do know that it's Wallys policy to comply with state law, yes?" politely. And this is where it got odd. He agreed, and asked if I could cover up, then quickly acknowledged that with my big freakin Tanfoglio and shirt I had on at the time, covering it up would still be pretty darn obvious and probably pointless. I asked if I was being asked to leave, to which he said, of course not, he just wanted to see if maybe I could cover up. So I said I would continue with my shopping and then get out of his hair, and we parted relatively amicably. I did so and left without further incident.

Whole thing did kinda leave me scratching my head tho.:confused: He did seem somewhat familiar with the law,I figure he was either an anti who was trying to get away with what he could under company policy, or neutral and just doing what he felt he had to under the circumstances to keep everyone "happy." Probably the latter.
 

thebigsd

Founder's Club Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2010
Messages
3,535
Location
Quarryville, PA
I was down that the Mt Vernon SuperWallys earlier today while my poor lil guinea pig was at the vet for the eunuch treatment. I had been wandering around with a shopping cart for maybe 10 or 15 minutes when a manager & minion intercepted me. Very polite fellow, but of course as soon one is stopped by a manager-type while OC there's a certain expectation, so I'm thinking "great, heeeeere we go..."

So he introduces himself by name, shakes my hand, and launches into the usual "Several associates & customers have said they're uncomfortable.... and would you mind covering up" spiel. I counter with, "OK, you do know that it's Wallys policy to comply with state law, yes?" politely. And this is where it got odd. He agreed, and asked if I could cover up, then quickly acknowledged that with my big freakin Tanfoglio and shirt I had on at the time, covering it up would still be pretty darn obvious and probably pointless. I asked if I was being asked to leave, to which he said, of course not, he just wanted to see if maybe I could cover up. So I said I would continue with my shopping and then get out of his hair, and we parted relatively amicably. I did so and left without further incident.

Whole thing did kinda leave me scratching my head tho.:confused: He did seem somewhat familiar with the law,I figure he was either an anti who was trying to get away with what he could under company policy, or neutral and just doing what he felt he had to under the circumstances to keep everyone "happy." Probably the latter.

Sounds like a case of trying to appease the masses. Great job standing your ground. Good job to the manager for not pushing the issue or asking you to leave.
 

Lovenox

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Messages
538
Location
Olympia
The manager is walking on a tightrope. He obviously knows the corporate policy yet tried to test the waters if you will by "asking" you. I dont blame him.
 

golddigger14s

Activist Member
Joined
Apr 27, 2010
Messages
2,068
Location
Lawton, OK USA
Even though I have a CPL for getting in my car without unloading, I would play dumb and say I don't have one. I would ask the person if they are asking me to break the law by "covering up" with out a CPL, then offer to call the police on them and see what happens.
 

Schlepnier

Regular Member
Joined
May 12, 2011
Messages
420
Location
Yelm, Washington USA
I would have been a bit more direct i think. something along the lines of-

"So let me get this straight, you know your companies policy and the states laws on the issue. you know i am in full complaince with that policy as well as the law and yet here you are attempting to violate the policy it is your duty to uphold?"
 

hermannr

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2011
Messages
2,327
Location
Okanogan Highland
I do not think there is any good in ever antagonizing anyone. We can educate without antaginizing. My approach would be to ask the manager to do the simple thing and save himself a lot of problems in the future...if someone complains, (employee or customer) explain to them : It may make you uncomfortable, but it is not against the law, it not against public or corporate policy,and it is a completely legal way for a person to protect themself form those that would do you harm. Honest men do not hide their weapons, only those that are up to no-good want to hide them.
 

Metalhead47

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2009
Messages
2,800
Location
South Whidbey, Washington, USA
I do not think there is any good in ever antagonizing anyone. We can educate without antaginizing. My approach would be to ask the manager to do the simple thing and save himself a lot of problems in the future...if someone complains, (employee or customer) explain to them : It may make you uncomfortable, but it is not against the law, it not against public or corporate policy,and it is a completely legal way for a person to protect themself form those that would do you harm. Honest men do not hide their weapons, only those that are up to no-good want to hide them.

Good comments, all. The oddness of the situation kinda caught me off guard. I instantly went on the defensive and was expecting an "argument" and resigning myself to leaving and having to acquire all the crap in my wagon elsewhere. I certainly wasn't expecting to "win", as it were. I'm also not the best at coming up with thoughtful rebuttals (like the above) on the spot like that.


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amzbrady

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2009
Messages
3,521
Location
Marysville, Washington, USA
I do not think there is any good in ever antagonizing anyone. We can educate without antaginizing. My approach would be to ask the manager to do the simple thing and save himself a lot of problems in the future...if someone complains, (employee or customer) explain to them : It may make you uncomfortable, but it is not against the law, it not against public or corporate policy,and it is a completely legal way for a person to protect themself form those that would do you harm. Honest men do not hide their weapons, only those that are up to no-good want to hide them.

Dont know about that. I dont think I'm dishonest and up to no good when I conceal carry.

they could let the complaining libtard chew on the fact that they probably pass 10 to 20 concealed firearms on any given day to which some are carried legally and some are carried by criminals, it's up to them to figure out who is carrying.
 

sudden valley gunner

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2008
Messages
16,674
Location
Whatcom County
Exaggeration (by the staff). There was one employee or one customer that complained. Good job Metal handling it.

I haven't had any second looks when carrying at Mt. Vernon Walmart.
 

amlevin

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2007
Messages
5,937
Location
North of Seattle, Washington, USA
It would be refreshing

If one day I read about an encounter with a "Manager" who instead of asking one to cover up, says that he had a complaint or two about your OC but told the complaining parties that it was perfectly legal. That the person Open Carrying was perfectly welcome to shop in the store, just like they are.

Wouldn't take long for the word to get out if they were to take that approach. Instead they choose to approach the "offender" and have them appease those who don't have a clue as to what is or isn't legal.

If I were approached in a situation like this I'd ask the Manager "did you advise those who complained that OC is perfectly legal in Washington"?
 

Trigger Dr

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 3, 2007
Messages
2,760
Location
Wa, ,
Even though I have a CPL for getting in my car without unloading, I would play dumb and say I don't have one. I would ask the person if they are asking me to break the law by "covering up" with out a CPL, then offer to call the police on them and see what happens.

Why be confrontational when a simple "I am in compliance with the law and your corporate policy, so I bid you good day."
 

Metalhead47

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2009
Messages
2,800
Location
South Whidbey, Washington, USA
Why be confrontational when a simple "I am in compliance with the law and your corporate policy, so I bid you good day."

Cuz even in that case, the manger is still within his rights to trespass you, up to & including having the police remove you, so I would think some attempt to defuse the situation is still warranted.


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Lovenox

Regular Member
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Aug 3, 2010
Messages
538
Location
Olympia
Cuz even in that case, the manger is still within his rights to trespass you, up to & including having the police remove you, so I would think some attempt to defuse the situation is still warranted.


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Yup. And regardless of what the "corporate policy" is that manager is the captain of the ship and what he says goes. That is his real estate and he is head of the serfdom. Its not in your best interest or your powers to try and reprimand the manager or convince him to engage the corporate policy. That is between him and the corporate offices. Why do we go over this same ground people? Have we run out of things to talk about? Really?
I believe the approach should be one of a gentle nature. Arm yourself with the WRITTEN corporate policy,state law and smile instead of a brash attitude and a sense of entitlement. And in that manner we will have a docturine to carry our movement much further than will conspicuous indignation.
 

Ajetpilot

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2007
Messages
1,416
Location
Olalla, Kitsap County, Washington, USA
Arm yourself with the WRITTEN corporate policy,state law...

I don't carry the written policy of every chain store I visit. If they don't want my money and ask me to leave, I'll leave. I've only been asked to leave one place in all the years I've open carried, because there was "a child present" (my granddaughter). We left, went across the street to another chain store where they sold the same product, and I spent over $780. I've got choices.
 

thebigsd

Founder's Club Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2010
Messages
3,535
Location
Quarryville, PA
I don't carry the written policy of every chain store I visit. If they don't want my money and ask me to leave, I'll leave. I've only been asked to leave one place in all the years I've open carried, because there was "a child present" (my granddaughter). We left, went across the street to another chain store where they sold the same product, and I spent over $780. I've got choices.

I concur. It would be kind of a pain lugging around a binder full of store policies. Of course, I do save all my email correspondence, and could bring it up if needed. Too much hassle, I'd rather take my money elsewhere.
 

Lovenox

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Messages
538
Location
Olympia
I don't carry the written policy of every chain store I visit. If they don't want my money and ask me to leave, I'll leave. I've only been asked to leave one place in all the years I've open carried, because there was "a child present" (my granddaughter). We left, went across the street to another chain store where they sold the same product, and I spent over $780. I've got choices.


Roger, that. Vote with your dollar. This was more geared towards individuals who knowingly enter a place that has been known to be "anti"...But I wholly subscribe to your view: "You dont want my money? OK. Ill just go to your competitor."
 

Lovenox

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Messages
538
Location
Olympia
It might be said that these individuals are looking for a confrontation. THAT certainly doesn't help the cause.


Sure. But then again to be fair there are those places that one guy enters with no adverse effects then another guy states just the opposite. Those places it seems, management doesn't have a grasp as to their own corporate policy. And in that we have an opportunity to be polite, inform and educate. If management still doesn't move to a favorable resolve then one should ultimately adhere to their wishes, leave the premises, then turn around and inform the corporate office of the "incident". That in my opinion is the best course of action....
 
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