Kicked out of Parkesburg Home Depot for OC today

[General Geoff]

time to get a voice recorder, next time someone's adamant about their nationwide corporate policy, pull it out, click "record," and say "Care to repeat that for the record?"

[lildobe]

Originally Posted by urbanamish99

I called corporate HQ, and asked for their policy regarding firearms in their stores. The helpful lady looked up the pertinent policy, and told me that corporate policy allows lawful carry of firearms by civilians in their stores. They don't restrict open carry, just stipulate that the carry must be lawful in that state / municipality. She gave me the document number to reference with the manager.

Originally Posted by Ozone

How about posting the document number,for future reference, in case this happens to one of us at another Home Depot?

Yes Please! It'd be something handy to have if I ever get harassed by a HD Employee.

[Brown-Bear]

Yeah, I'd have probably left my shit in the aisle and bailed. Then called later to follow up. Kudos my brotha from anotha motha.

dave

[HiredGoon]

Originally Posted by Ozone

How about posting the document number,for future reference, in case this happens to one of us at another Home Depot?

Or better yet, ask HD corporate for a copy of it and post it here so it can be printed out

Or even better...everyone here call HD corporate themselves and ask for a copy of that document...that way we'll get their attention

[gnbrotz]

Originally Posted by urbanamish99

I had some errands to run this afternoon, and one stop I had to make was to pick up some bulbs at Home Depot. I was OC'ing the HK USP 45 in a Blackhawk Serpa. I noticed when I walked in that the employee who was trying to sign up people for store credit cards noticed the gun. I walked by him, picked up the bulbs I needed, then proceeded to the hardware section.

As I was picking up the last bit of hardware I needed, I saw two guys out of the corner of my eye, and heard one say to the other 'there he is', and they stopped briefly. I thought, 'here we go'. The employee from the entrance had summoned the manager, and brought him over to find me, now the manager is walking towards me, looking stern.

Manager: "Are you a cop?"
Me: "No, I'm not"
Manager: "Why are you carrying a weapon in my store?"
Me: "I always carry a gun when I'm out and about"
Manager: "Not in my store you don't! You must either leave now, or secure your weapon in your vehicle and continue shopping."
Me: "I'm done shopping, can I just check out, and leave?"
Manager: "Yes, you can go check out and leave. I assume you have a permit for that weapon?"
Me: "There is no permit needed in PA for an openly carried weapon"
Manager: "Yes there is! In PA you need to have a permit to carry a gun! You may not carry a gun in my store! Is that clear?"
Me: "Yes, fine"

I paid, and took my things to my truck, and stowed my HK in the truck.

Not criticizing your decision, but I would have left the cart and told him I'd be headed directly to Lowe's. You didn't give him any incentive to re-think his decision, or an opportunity to clarify that he was willing to give up a sale in exchange for his decision.

Originally Posted by urbanamish99

I decided to go back in to clear up a few questions I had for him. I met him inside, and asked him to clarify that it is Home Depot's policy not to allow any firearms in their stores. He stated that it was a nationwide policy, no guns, period, unless you're a cop. Not concealed, permitted, open, or otherwise. I tried to also inform if that he was wrong about PA laws, but he wouldn't hear it. I politely wrapped up the conversation, and went home.

Great job putting him on the spot and getting specific answers before moving forward.

Originally Posted by urbanamish99

I called the store manager back, and informed him that he was mistaken about their corporate policy (he didn't take too kindly to that). He stammered around and said he would check it out, but that he wanted to make sure that I knew that I was not welcome to come back to 'his' Home Depot with a gun, concealed or otherwise. I asked if he would get back to me when he finds out more about the policy. He said he would.

An hour later, I get a call from the Home Depot, and its not the manager, but one of his people, Dennis. Dennis said that Mark, the manager, asked him to ask me to call Sam, regional Asset Protection Manager. He said that Mark & Sam had spoken, and that Sam would clarify the store's position to me.

So Mark is not man enough to own up to his mistakes in person, despite promising he would do so?

Originally Posted by urbanamish99

I have two regrets - one I didn't have any Open Carry fliers to give to the manager, and two, that I was unable to get any of the policy in writing, it was all done over the phone.

Got ya covered on the second point. It might be worth printing out and sending to Mark, letting him know that this is well-established policy. You should also ask for a convenient time that you can stop by and get your apology in person.

[gnbrotz]

Originally Posted by lildobe

Yes Please! It'd be something handy to have if I ever get harassed by a HD Employee.

Originally Posted by HiredGoon

Or better yet, ask HD corporate for a copy of it and post it here so it can be printed out

Or even better...everyone here call HD corporate themselves and ask for a copy of that document...that way we'll get their attention

See the link in my post above. Pssst.....dobe.....you're already hosting it.

[mikepro8]

Originally Posted by gnbrotz

Got ya covered on the second point. It might be worth printing out and sending to Mark, letting him know that this is well-established policy. You should also ask for a convenient time that you can stop by and get your apology in person.

That doesnt help much, its just a letter... the OP mentioned specific a specific policy number - i think that is what the other posters and I are looking for.

[gnbrotz]

Originally Posted by mikepro8

... the OP mentioned specific a specific policy number - i think that is what the other posters and I are looking for.

Actually, he mentioned a "document number".

I do hope it will turn out to be more 'official' than the letter posted, but even that may have provided some additional leverage at the time.

[Butlerite]

Corporate policy contradicting this manager is found here: http://www.lildobe.net/PAFOA_Docs/homedepot_corp.pdf

[Statkowski]

I must live in the boondocks. We've got a Lowe's about 30 miles away, but no Home Depot. Since a Home Depot letter would do no good at Lowe's, I've written to Lowe's for clarification on their policy:

Sunday, 28 September 2008

Lowe's Public Relations
1000 Lowe's Boulevard
Mooresville, NC28117



Dear Sirs,

Approximately 600,000 adult citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are licensed to carry firearms concealed. That works out to approximately 1 out of every 20 Pennsylvanians. Many of these people lawfully carry firearms for self-defense since one never knows when or where bad things are going to happen. Better to have and not need, then to need and not have, right? This works for fire extinguishers, spare tires and self-defense firearms.

Your competitor has a policy which states, “The Home Depot does not prohibit anyone who is legally permitted to carry firearms from entering our stores, provided the firearms are carried in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.” A copy of one of their policy letters is attached for your perusal and edification.

Would I be correct in assuming that Lowe’s has a similar such policy concerning the lawful carry of firearms in your stores? Your response would be appreciated.

Sincerely yours,