NRAMARINE
Regular Member
Today at the Hammond Wally world. Went in to sporting goods with my daughter to get some ammo. Got some 12 ga. shells and had a brief conversation with a female employee about oc. I then noticed they had .38's in stock. I asked her to reopen the case so I could buy some. Another employee told me they couldn't sell pistol ammo to someone who is armed. I explained that I carried a 9mm and the .38's were for my wife. Still no dice. Then it got interesting..................
Apparently a plain clothes mgr called in a MWAG. I was still standing by the ammo case when 2 TPSO deputies flanked me. The first a very large African american, the one behind me a shorter older caucasian with a moustache. The first deputy( who did all the talking) asked me what department I was working with. I replied " No dept., just a legally armed citizen." He said " You need to take that to your vehicle." I asked him why and he said again "You can't just walk around witha gun like that. It's policy." I asked " Who's policy?" He said again, " You can't just walk around with a gun like that" I then said, " And I'm asking you who's policy that is, because open carry is legal in La." He then said, "It's TPSO's policy." I stated that contradicts state law. He then said "OK I'm gonna make one call and see." He wandered off abit to make his call while the other deputy said nothing and just kind of stood there. After a few moments I saw the first deputy walk over to the other side of the gun counter and speak to the mgr who made the call. The other deputy then walked over as well. After a few moments I walked over and asked if I was free to continue my shopping. I was told to "Hold on a sec. he told me he was waiting on word from the store mgr. to see if I could remain with a weapon. " while it is legal, they have the right to decide what they allow." I explained that I understood it was private property and so forth. The deputy then walked over to the plain clothes mgr. and spoke again. He then returned and said," You are welcome to walk around the store and continue your shopping, however they will not sell pistol ammo while you are armed." I then removed the 12 ga. shells from the basket and asked the plain clothes mgr. If I could still purchase them. He looked nervous and just nodded and left. I Then caught up to the deputies and apologized for their inconvenience ( taking the high road) and explained that I had been oc'ing in that store for some time with no problems and wasn't trying to alarm anyone. The first deputy said " That's ok, people sometimes see a gun and no badge and freak out. Someone called a MWAG and we had to check." I told him I understood and he stated " Wal Mart has too much money in this place, some wacko could come in and just go crazy." I told him that I'd rather someone be openly armed, than concealed. He agreed, I gave him a LOCAL flier and we shook hands and I continued my shopping with no further incident.
After he got off the phone his demeanor changed somewhat and he was totally courteous and polite about the whole thing. Apparently whoever he called told him the facts. But I still didn't get the .38's.
Apparently a plain clothes mgr called in a MWAG. I was still standing by the ammo case when 2 TPSO deputies flanked me. The first a very large African american, the one behind me a shorter older caucasian with a moustache. The first deputy( who did all the talking) asked me what department I was working with. I replied " No dept., just a legally armed citizen." He said " You need to take that to your vehicle." I asked him why and he said again "You can't just walk around witha gun like that. It's policy." I asked " Who's policy?" He said again, " You can't just walk around with a gun like that" I then said, " And I'm asking you who's policy that is, because open carry is legal in La." He then said, "It's TPSO's policy." I stated that contradicts state law. He then said "OK I'm gonna make one call and see." He wandered off abit to make his call while the other deputy said nothing and just kind of stood there. After a few moments I saw the first deputy walk over to the other side of the gun counter and speak to the mgr who made the call. The other deputy then walked over as well. After a few moments I walked over and asked if I was free to continue my shopping. I was told to "Hold on a sec. he told me he was waiting on word from the store mgr. to see if I could remain with a weapon. " while it is legal, they have the right to decide what they allow." I explained that I understood it was private property and so forth. The deputy then walked over to the plain clothes mgr. and spoke again. He then returned and said," You are welcome to walk around the store and continue your shopping, however they will not sell pistol ammo while you are armed." I then removed the 12 ga. shells from the basket and asked the plain clothes mgr. If I could still purchase them. He looked nervous and just nodded and left. I Then caught up to the deputies and apologized for their inconvenience ( taking the high road) and explained that I had been oc'ing in that store for some time with no problems and wasn't trying to alarm anyone. The first deputy said " That's ok, people sometimes see a gun and no badge and freak out. Someone called a MWAG and we had to check." I told him I understood and he stated " Wal Mart has too much money in this place, some wacko could come in and just go crazy." I told him that I'd rather someone be openly armed, than concealed. He agreed, I gave him a LOCAL flier and we shook hands and I continued my shopping with no further incident.
After he got off the phone his demeanor changed somewhat and he was totally courteous and polite about the whole thing. Apparently whoever he called told him the facts. But I still didn't get the .38's.
