First OC Experience; Wal-Mart at Coal Creek

[Al-Mumit]

I don't have my LTCF as of yet so I don't currently carry, but a friend of mine from out of state does and took advantage of PA laws, OCing while he was here (with the exception of in Philly, of course). On our way to my usual shooting spot we stopped at the Wal-Mart on rt.61 in a town I think is called Coal Creek for some batteries & DVDs.

So we walk in, grab what we want and start heading to the front to pay. Suddenly we hear "EXCUSE ME, IS THAT REAL!?" from behind us. Some sort of floor manager or something with a walkie talkie on her shoulder runs up to us as my friend tells her "yes..." and says "OMG YOU CAN'T HAVE THAT IN HERE, I DON'T CARE IF YOU HAVE A LICENSE OR WHATEVER, ITS NOT ALLOWED IN THE WAL-MART!"

Now my friend isn't from PA and what he knows is mostly through me. He knows he can carry in his car as he has his LTCF and that he can OC as this is PA. That's about it. Knowing this, I ask the woman is this corporate policy? She says YES, and says she can call the manager if we want. I tell her yes, that'd be great. So she calls the manager and as we wait for him she tells us about how even folks who buy firearms from the store aren't allowed to touch them, an employee carries it out for them and whatnot. She even tells us that Police who enter the store don't OC which I find improbable for some reason. I tell her that I know for a fact that not all Wal-Marts in PA do this, its at the discretion of the employees and managers mostly to which she pretty much replied "Nuh uh!"

So the manager shows up and this woman is like "TELL THEM! TELL THEM THE POLICY!" I tell the manager that while OC is legal in PA its his call since its private property. I continue by explaining that had we not been stopped by his employee we would have paid for our purchases and left already. Both the manager and the employee give me this "Uhhhh...." look before the manager meekly replies "Well, actually our policy is to abide by state law so if its OK in PA than its OK in Wal-Mart." We thanked him, said to the wayward employee "and now you know that" before we made our purchases and left.

Overall, I think it was a good experience.

[gnbrotz]

(with the exception of in Philly, of course)

Of course why? Licensed OC is legal in Philly.

[Al-Mumit]

Of course why? Licensed OC is legal in Philly.

Sorry, should have expanded on that. I don't like advertising that I have guns to my neighborhood as I've been robbed once before for firearms and because OCing in Philly is a recipe for police harassment. My friend, being a Marine, just didn't want to be bothered as any police encounter can turn into trouble for him once he's back on base.

Besides, his wife wouldn't let him :P

[Smalls]

You can't have that in the wal mart.

LOL.

That made me laugh for some reason.

[gnbrotz]

Sorry, should have expanded on that. I don't like advertising that I have guns to my neighborhood as I've been robbed once before for firearms and because OCing in Philly is a recipe for police harassment. My friend, being a Marine, just didn't want to be bothered as any police encounter can turn into trouble for him once he's back on base.

Besides, his wife wouldn't let him :P

Gothcha.

[StraussiE WousiE]

That line reminds of a line from "Oh Brother Where Art Thou"

Something about never allowed back in "The Wolsworth"

[Al-Mumit]

That line reminds of a line from "Oh Brother Where Art Thou"

Something about never allowed back in "The Wolsworth"

I actually thought of that when the floor manager-lady said it but couldn't place why what she said was funny or where I'd heard it before. Thanks for reminding me

[Swarner793]

Of course why? Licensed OC is legal in Philly.

Only certain licenses/permits make it legal, not all. Whereas all state issued licenses/permits make vehicle carry legal. I took it to mean his friend had a license from a non reciprocal state and that was why he did not OC in Philadelphia, but could transport the firearm in the vehicle.

OP, what state was the license/permit of your friend issued in?

Be safe (and permitted).

Scott

[FormerUser123]

Sounds like kind of a lousy experience, man. Interesting, though not totally surprising, to see the manager backed down when you implied he would lose the sale.

[Al-Mumit]

Only certain licenses/permits make it legal, not all. Whereas all state issued licenses/permits make vehicle carry legal. I took it to mean his friend had a license from a non reciprocal state and that was why he did not OC in Philadelphia, but could transport the firearm in the vehicle.

OP, what state was the license/permit of your friend issued in?

Be safe (and permitted).

Scott

Maine, which AFAIK is non-reciprocal. Another reason for him not to carry in Philly.

Sounds like kind of a lousy experience, man. Interesting, though not totally surprising, to see the manager backed down when you implied he would lose the sale.

Manager came out, stated correct policy and schooled his loud mouth employee in the process. IMHO that was worth it.