Wal Mart Policy on CCW

Personal Interview | 1-04-02 | Oldfart

[oldfart]

Since there has been some discussion here and elsewhere regarding Wal Mart's corporate policy regarding concealed weapons, I decided to go to the source. I (and you can do it too) dialed 1-800-WAL MART and waded through the various levels of computer generated voice mail before I finally got to speak to (I think) a real human.

I asked him about company policy regarding the carry of legally permitted concealed guns on Wal Mart property. He went of-line for a few moments, then returned and told me that, so long as the gun was kept concealed and the person carrying it had a permit to do so, Wal Mart would treat that customer just like any other customer.

I then asked what would happen if a customer had to use such a gun to protect him/herself or another customer. He said that since those occasions are so rare, each would have to be looked at with respect to the conditions at the time.

All in all, it does not appear that Wal Mart has a particularly hostile attitude toward CCW holders.

On the other hand, the manager of our local store had a different story. When I quizzed him about company policy, he told me that weapons were not allowed in the store or parking lot. He went out of his way to point out that when they sold a gun to a customer the clerk had to hand-carry it through the check-out line, out to the parking lot and make certain it was securely locked in the trunk of his/her car.

It sounds to me as if corporate policy hasn't quite made it down to local levels yet.

[HiJinx]

True, corporate policy is sometimes slow in filtering down. But different managers make a difference...I know, that's redundant!
Our local Wal-Mart has gone from day to night with the arrival of a new Store Manager. Used to be I could order a handgun at the sporting goods counter, and that is no longer possible. And that is local policy.

[luvzhottea]

I remember seeing a letter on here that another FReeper had received from WalMart stating it was corporate policy to allow CCW holders in the store while armed, as long as that does not violate any local ordinance.

Great news! Wal-Mart will get my business while K-Mart and Target(Dayton-Hudson has contributed to anti-gun movement) will not.
2nd Amendment Rights:
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Gun Owners of America

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The Firearms Coalition NEAL KNOX

[gnarledmaw]

"When I quizzed him about company policy, he told me that weapons were not allowed in the store or parking lot."

I suspect that he is correct in his answer but confused as to what the question actually was. Im confident that if we were to actually go to the manuals that contain the store policy, we would find something along the lines of...

"Rule 14: Employees may not carry firearms, other than to facilitate a purchase by a Wal-Mart customer, nor is any employee allowed to store firearms in their vehicle while on Wal-Mart premisis. Failure to comply will result in immediate termination".

Most of the companies Ive worked for have had a similar line somewhere in the employee handbook.

[HiJinx]

Well, whaddya know, you're right! Do/did you work for Wal-Mart?
Our local store terminated an employee who brought a gun to work and stored it in her locker.

[Res Nullius]

Assuming one is not an employee of any of these businesses, who gives a damn what they want? They are not govenmental entities and cannot make law. Violation of a company 'policy' is of no consequence. We must not confuse business 'policy' with stautory rules [laws]; they are not the same.

[alloysteel]

In other words, don't ask, don't tell.

Sounds like a winning policy.

[Brett66]

He went out of his way to point out that when they sold a gun to a customer the clerk had to hand-carry it through the check-out line, out to the parking lot and make certain it was securely locked in the trunk of his/her car.

This must be the local manager, when I bought a rifle a few months ago I was escorted to the door by a manager. They didn't follow me to my car.

[monkeyshine]

I would guess that state law would trump any "policy"... that is, if state law requires the manager to post a sign saying "no weapons", then unless they have such a sign you would be permitted to carry the weapon in a lawful manner as proscribed by the state in their stores.

[DETAILER]

Another little tidbit about Wally World and firearms - I bought ammo at our local Super Wally World, the clerk at the front asked me "is this for a handgun?"

At first I was amused by the mental image of a twelve guage revolver, loaded with buckshot, then irritated at the infringement on my privacy. I told her none of her business. She gave me a look, and I think she punched somthing on her register, but she didn't deny me my buckshot.

Anyone else seeing this at Wal-Mart? Does anyone know what this policy is supposed to be for?

[gnarledmaw]

No, Ive never worked for Walmart.

Some of the "No carry" employers I have worked for were I remember such a reference were the state, a utility, the nations largest producer of junk mail (no, I cant get you off "the list"), an electronic tax filing company, a PCS provider and one that sold and supported SEB's.

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

The whole POINT of having a CCW is so that you can legally carry the weapon WITHOUT ANYONE ELSE KNOWING IT! If you are doing this right, no-one is going to be made nervous by your presence.

Here in Alaska, we have a CCW law (thank you, Jeannette James of North Pole! One of the best legislators this State ever had).

We also have a THEORETICAL right to open carry in most of the State- but better not try this in town. I recall a homesteader who went into a Safeway store in Fairbanks a few years ago, with his pistol on his hip. He was tackled by two Fairbanks police officers and placed under arrest- although no laws had been broken and he had threatened no-one.

But he made some urban resident (probably a recent arrival from the lower 48) nervous.

[gnarledmaw]

At one of my local stores, not a Wallyworld, handgun ammo is kept behind a counter and must be bagged along with an in store form and carried to the checkout by employees. Shotgun and rifle ammo are handled like any other product in the store, throw it in the cart and pay when you get around to it.

[Redbob]

Good for you; you are to be commended for your persistence and sitting ability in getting through to an actual real-live person, and getting the truth from Wal-Mart. Glad to hear it.
They've gotten all my family's business ever since K-Mart first hired Rosie.

[Vinnie]

We must not confuse business 'policy' with stautory rules [laws]; they are not the same.

I don't know the laws in other States, but here in NC if a store has a 'no concealed carry' sign in the window, you are in violation of the CC permit to carry in the store.

[SLB]

The whole POINT of having a CCW is so that you can legally carry the weapon WITHOUT ANYONE ELSE KNOWING IT!

The right idea. I have carried past many a greeter at the local Wally World. Even carrying into a business with a "NO CONCEALED WEAPONS ALLOWED" sign should not bring an arrest, just be sure that if store personal ask, you leave immediately without raising a stink. On the other hand, if you are going into a business where the state bars carrying, then don't carry there.