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Sears is anti-gun now

JesterP99

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2011
Messages
172
Location
Richmond, Va
Now the first thing that might be a problem is the fact that it's the Sears in the Virginia Center Commons, but I thought that they had the right to make their own choices in rules.

At any rate, I'm in the auto center finalizing the paperwork to get my car worked on when an employee walks in and asks me if I'm law enforcement. I say no and he says I'm not allowed to have my gun in Sears. I politely let him know that it was not posted and asked if he was a manager and if I could speak with one.

He then told me that "Sears does not allow carry due to small kids" and then starts talking about walmart being the same way. He said that you can't carry a gun into walmart because they sell alcohol (not sure how he's connecting the two stores but what ever).

I wasn't going to argue with him, I just asked if I could speak with the manager. I said that if that's the policy I would like a manager to ask me to leave.

Well, I was also in a hurry because I needed to run an errand before they close at 5pm so I didn't have time to wait for the manager (I did wait at least 5 minutes though).

I'll try to talk to the manager when I go back to pick up my car. I got both employee's names.

Does anyone think I should contact district regarding policy or does the mall policy work just the same?

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4
 

Citizen

Founder's Club Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2006
Messages
18,269
Location
Fairfax Co., VA
Now the first thing that might be a problem is the fact that it's the Sears in the Virginia Center Commons, but I thought that they had the right to make their own choices in rules.

At any rate, I'm in the auto center finalizing the paperwork to get my car worked on when an employee walks in and asks me if I'm law enforcement. I say no and he says I'm not allowed to have my gun in Sears. I politely let him know that it was not posted and asked if he was a manager and if I could speak with one.

He then told me that "Sears does not allow carry due to small kids" and then starts talking about walmart being the same way. He said that you can't carry a gun into walmart because they sell alcohol (not sure how he's connecting the two stores but what ever).

I wasn't going to argue with him, I just asked if I could speak with the manager. I said that if that's the policy I would like a manager to ask me to leave.

Well, I was also in a hurry because I needed to run an errand before they close at 5pm so I didn't have time to wait for the manager (I did wait at least 5 minutes though).

I'll try to talk to the manager when I go back to pick up my car. I got both employee's names.

Does anyone think I should contact district regarding policy or does the mall policy work just the same?

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4

Naaaa.

Sounds like an anti-liberty employee making it up as he goes along.

Its your call whether to follow up with a formal complaint, but it sounds like the rabid anti-freedomer didn't get any traction.



PS for all readers: Don't mention signs. If you build it, they will come.
 

JesterP99

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2011
Messages
172
Location
Richmond, Va
I tried so hard to keep my cool. I think I did an okay job though.

Even the manager was spewing ridiculous nonsense. I guess I won't be shopping at sears anymore.

Audio recording sounds pretty good though. Maybe I will post it after I edit it down if anyone is interested in hearing what all they had to say.
 

mpguy

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2012
Messages
689
Location
Suffolk Virginia
I tried so hard to keep my cool. I think I did an okay job though.

Even the manager was spewing ridiculous nonsense. I guess I won't be shopping at sears anymore.

Audio recording sounds pretty good though. Maybe I will post it after I edit it down if anyone is interested in hearing what all they had to say.

I would call corporate.

So...
Light'em Up!
 

BB62

Accomplished Advocate
Joined
Aug 17, 2006
Messages
4,069
Location
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
I tried so hard to keep my cool. I think I did an okay job though.

Even the manager was spewing ridiculous nonsense. I guess I won't be shopping at sears anymore.

Audio recording sounds pretty good though. Maybe I will post it after I edit it down if anyone is interested in hearing what all they had to say.
If you can't keep your cool, don't bother calling corporate - for your and our sake.
 

JesterP99

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2011
Messages
172
Location
Richmond, Va
If you can't keep your cool, don't bother calling corporate - for your and our sake.


I mean, its not like I yelled or anything, it was more like a disagreement on state law, which I was trying to explain didn't even matter in the case of it being private property.

Even if I did call corporate, all I want to know is there stance and what their policy actually says. That's the only reason I would call corporate in any situation.
 

Grapeshot

Legendary Warrior
Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
35,317
Location
Valhalla
I mean, its not like I yelled or anything, it was more like a disagreement on state law, which I was trying to explain didn't even matter in the case of it being private property.

Even if I did call corporate, all I want to know is there stance and what their policy actually says. That's the only reason I would call corporate in any situation.
This has nothing to do with state law. Sears, Wal-Mart et al are private property - they can make their own rules. Still in the many times this has been checked out - neither has been found to ban LAC carrying.

Think all you will need to do is talk to the store manager.
 

JesterP99

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2011
Messages
172
Location
Richmond, Va
This has nothing to do with state law. Sears, Wal-Mart et al are private property - they can make their own rules. Still in the many times this has been checked out - neither has been found to ban LAC carrying.

Think all you will need to do is talk to the store manager.

The question still remains though, does the mall rules supercede any Sears policy?

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4
 

Tess

Founder's Club Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2006
Messages
3,837
Location
Bryan, TX
The question still remains though, does the mall rules supercede any Sears policy?

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4


I don't know that mall. GENERALLY, the stores lease space in the mall - Sears, Macy's, JCPenney, etc. often being "anchor" tenants - in which case the mall ownership sets the policy. The tenant may or may not strongly enforce that policy, but it is the mall's policy. (I was asked to leave Target in Springfield Mall, though I frequently shop at other Target stores with impunity. In that case, Springfield Mall is a Simon-managed property, and Simon malls are anti.)
 

Grapeshot

Legendary Warrior
Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
35,317
Location
Valhalla
If the store has a separate entrance whereby you enter w/o actually entering the common area, then mall "policy" is seldom a problem.
 

BB62

Accomplished Advocate
Joined
Aug 17, 2006
Messages
4,069
Location
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
I mean, its not like I yelled or anything, it was more like a disagreement on state law, which I was trying to explain didn't even matter in the case of it being private property.

Even if I did call corporate, all I want to know is there their stance and what their policy actually says. That's the only reason I would call corporate in any situation.
Unrelated to your self-control (which I note has been vouched for), rather than calling I suggest that you go to their website and find the "contact us" link. Click on it, and fill in the relevant information, then wait for a reply. Now you have some documentation if needed for later contacts. Make it clear that in addition to an e-mail reply, you would appreciate a call/e-mail from the division manager to ensure that the stores under his purview have been reminded of the corporate policy.

Sit back and let us know what happens!
 

hunter45

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2008
Messages
969
Location
Myrtle Beach, SC
I work security part-time for Sears in Fairfax, VA. Our staff is all very pro grun and we love to see people OC in our store. We won't bother you if you stay in Sears, but you may or may not be asked to leave the Mall by their security (they seem to be hit or miss).
 

DamnYankeeOk

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2013
Messages
24
Location
Oklahoma
I don't know that mall. GENERALLY, the stores lease space in the mall - Sears, Macy's, JCPenney, etc. often being "anchor" tenants - in which case the mall ownership sets the policy. The tenant may or may not strongly enforce that policy, but it is the mall's policy. (I was asked to leave Target in Springfield Mall, though I frequently shop at other Target stores with impunity. In that case, Springfield Mall is a Simon-managed property, and Simon malls are anti.)

I have a Simon mall near me and it's not posted. I've read about people open carrying there without any issues.

Sent from my Nexus 7
 

JesterP99

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2011
Messages
172
Location
Richmond, Va
This has nothing to do with state law. Sears, Wal-Mart et al are private property - they can make their own rules. Still in the many times this has been checked out - neither has been found to ban LAC carrying.

Think all you will need to do is talk to the store manager.

The automotive manager was very clear that their store manager is very anti-gun. Evidently they all think that "in this post 9/11 age" only "on duty police officers are allowed to carry firearms"

Should I call and speak with the store manager and then request a number to reach the district manager? Or is it better to call corporate and take that approach?

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4
 

Grapeshot

Legendary Warrior
Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
35,317
Location
Valhalla
The automotive manager was very clear that their store manager is very anti-gun. Evidently they all think that "in this post 9/11 age" only "on duty police officers are allowed to carry firearms"

Should I call and speak with the store manager and then request a number to reach the district manager? Or is it better to call corporate and take that approach?

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4

If you already know the store manager to be not compliant with corporate policy, then obviously it would be better to jump the chain of command.
 
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