Kicked out of Parkesburg Home Depot for OC today

[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. 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.

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.

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.

As it turns out, Mark, the manager was wrong. Sam told me that Mark handled this wrong, he's sorry, he hopes I continue shopping at Home Depot with my legally carried weapon. Turns out Sam used to work at Cabela's, and is an LTCF holder, and general fan of guns. I had a great conversation with him and he assured me that I would have no trespassing violation despite what Mark told me. He recommended I carry concealed in the store, to avoid uneasy situations, however he stressed that all lawful carry is not against store policy. He assured me that I wouldn't have trouble with Mark in the future, he planned to speak again with Mark following our phone conversation.

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.

[Robert Kayland]

Hey, at least you got that Mark guy squared away. I might have asked Sam to tell Mark to call me with an apology, but at least Mark won't throw his weight around on the next guy.

Rep to ya!

[rady8um]

Two things you could have possibly done differently would have been to put down your stuff and ask the manager where the nearest Lowe's is located, and asking that the store manager call you directly to apologize instead of having the LP guy call you. Other than that, nice job!

[ArchAngelCD]

Well done Sir, you handled that correctly IMO. I would send you "rep" but I don't think I can since I don't have rep of myown.

[Pa. Patriot]

Good report, and even better follow-up

I recall someone going through the same thing at HD, and getting the same response from corporate... Can't find the thread, might have been at OCDO. Anyway. KUDOS... I think the only thing I would have done differently is I would have left my cart/goods with the offending MGR though, instead of asking to be allowed to check out. (helps that we have a lowes a mile from the HD )

[fingers80002]

Originally Posted by Pa. Patriot

Good report, and even better follow-up

I recall someone going through the same thing at HD, and getting the same response from corporate... Can't find the thread, might have been at OCDO. Anyway. KUDOS... I think the only thing I would have done differently is I would have left my cart/goods with the offending MGR though, instead of asking to be allowed to check out. (helps that we have a lowes a mile from the HD )

What he said about leaving the cart/goods.

Good follow up!!!!!!

[shermdo]

Great job. I would hope that I would handle such a situation in such a cool, calm and professional manner. You represented those of us who carry wonderfully.

Good job!

[gf45acp]

Good work 99!!!

[tdyoung58]

I carry some of the PA Open Carry NO Guns = No $ cards with me when I go out shopping.

PA Gorilla has them along with the OC flyer at his PA OC site

http://paopencarry.org/downloads.html

Hope he doesn't mind me putting the link up here, eh, he'll change it if he does

[Ozone]

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