NO OC in Hazleton Walmart

[gunperson003]

Lemme tell you……it’s kinda sad – You know you shop at Wal-Mart too much when one of the cashiers buys a gift for your newborn! Honest to goodness! We shop there so often and the cashier’s get to know us and the kids. My wife and I are talkative. The one cashier actually bought a gift for my 3rd child once he was born!

Crazy, eh?!?

Be careful it doesn't turn in to a "One Hour Photo"(a movie)

[Montanya]

Went this morning to get a new battery for my riding mower to cut the grass before I go in for surgery on Wed. Got the battery ok and went to the sporting goods department to check out a couple of things. A man there was looking at rifles, he wanted to start hunting this year, so I was explaining the "PROCESS" of getting the rifle. Then a man came up to me and stated that he was store security and that I HAD to leave the store RIGHT NOW since I was OC'ing. I asked why and he said its against the law. I explained that it is not against the law in the state of PA. He then stated that since this is private property I would have to leave immediately. I then asked if I were to cover it up if I could finish talking with the gentleman who was thinking about purchasing a rifle. He said no.. I proceeded to exit the building and asked for his name... he said "Joe". I asked "Joe What ?"... He said "Just Joe". I then asked if he had some type of identification to prove to me that he was indeed store security. He just continued to walk away. I left the store, placed my handgun in the truck ( locked in case ) and grabbed a PAFOA pamphlet and went back into the store.
I met with the store manager and explained the situation to him. As I was finishing explaining the PA laws to this man ( Had name tag of James)..the "security guard" again came up. He asked if I still had my firearm on me and I told him "NO" and showed my empty holster. After lengthy conversation the security guard said that I was in violation of law by "brandishing" a weapon. I told him that according to PA state law I was completely within my rights to carry openly. I then asked if there was any signs stating that firearms were not allowed in Wal Mart... they both said "NO'.. "There use to be but since the remodeling they have not been put back up."

I gave the manager the pamphlet and explained the legal rights of a person to carry in the state of Pennsylvania and that I felt I was being wrongly singled out. The guard ( Joe Lions (SP)) said that they had received numerous complaints about "a man with a gun."

Well to cut this short before I go to 28 pages... I left again stating that I had the legal right to carry openly and that if the policy of Wal Mart is to infringe on my legal right that I would shop elsewhere where the do not stop me from openly carrying.

QUESTIONS: 1.) Should I have allowed the security guard to call the State Police ( which he said he would do if I continued to confront them )????
2.) Should I have asked for a refund of my purchase money and left?

Thanks for reading my ranting......

Paul

IMO - No and Yes. I would not have allowed the situation to escalate to them calling the polce as that would be a trespassing charge for you and likely a nice fine to go with your harassment.

YES i would certainly have walked in with the pamphlet and my purchases and recipt and requested a refund.

[Exbiker]

no and yes. If their lawnmower batteries are like their car batteries you are better off getting one elsewhere anyway.

Their lawn-mower batteries and motorcycle batteries are probably still built by Yuasa/Exide and are the exact same battery you pay 20 to 40% more for elsewhere.

I think you handled it pretty well. I open carry and I CC, have for probably as many years as some are old here. Either way it doesn`t seem to give me the goosebumps it does some people. I respect other peoples private property regardless as to my rights the same as I expect my private property and my rules to be respected.
A meeting with the store manager at a less emotional time would be appropriate.

[IV_Warrior]

You know, it's most likely NOT too late to return that battery for a refund.

I would first talk again with the manager (leaving the gun locked in the car) about the stores policy and find out if he's had a chance to check the laws to see that Joe was wrong and you were right with regard to open carry, also. If he says he has checked and doesn't care (or hasn't checked and doesn't care) and OC is still not permitted in his store, then request the refund on the battery, letting him know you'll honor his wishes of no OC by shopping elsewhere.

[Pa. Patriot]

You know, it's most likely NOT too late to return that battery for a refund.

I would first talk again with the manager (leaving the gun locked in the car) about the stores policy and find out if he's had a chance to check the laws to see that Joe was wrong and you were right with regard to open carry, also. If he says he has checked and doesn't care (or hasn't checked and doesn't care) and OC is still not permitted in his store, then request the refund on the battery, letting him know you'll honor his wishes of no OC by shopping elsewhere.

That's great advice right there.

[Jailkeeper]

You know, it's most likely NOT too late to return that battery for a refund.

I would first talk again with the manager (leaving the gun locked in the car) about the stores policy and find out if he's had a chance to check the laws to see that Joe was wrong and you were right with regard to open carry, also. If he says he has checked and doesn't care (or hasn't checked and doesn't care) and OC is still not permitted in his store, then request the refund on the battery, letting him know you'll honor his wishes of no OC by shopping elsewhere.

Reps to ya' Paul. I agree 110% with what Warrior stated.

Al

[schr8er2000]

Well all.. I am going to do like you all stated. I am going to go back tomorrow and return the battery and take my business elsewhere from now on ( AFTER I speak with the manager and see if he has changed his mind/policy).

Thank you for the advise and insight. I believe I did O.K. for the first "confrontation"in this matter... although I have to admit I was a little upset about the situation. BUT... so be it.. we all learn from out experiences...

Anyway... thanks again to all for your comments.... I REALLY do appreciate them..

[markheck1]

Print up a couple No Guns = No Money business cards before you go in

[schr8er2000]

If I had a color printer I WOULD..... but thanks for the suggestion.....

[xd40_jim]

I had the same problem in WM in Hometown, Josh (WM security) told me to leave because he had several complaints about a man with a gun< i stood for myself and told him it was perfectly legal, but all he did was try to order me to cover my "weapon", never once told me it was against store policy or what ever and never once said he was going to call the cops, just kept telling me to "cover your weapon, NOW" like I was some little kid he could intimidate with "NOW". After telling him it was perfectly legal to carry openly he asked if I had a CCW permit, I said and he told me to cover it. after a few minutes he just walked away. Guess he knew he was wrong and gave up. No one else came up to me and no police. So.......

On another note, I have OC'ed in Hazleton WM a few times in the last couple of months and even as recently as maybe 3 weeks ago and had no problems. I guess I didn't pass Just Joe. Oh well. I think I will OC there next time I go, see what happens. and carry one of Pa Pat's flyer's.