So the LEO was just acting on his own beliefs, and not the policy of the store? That doesn't sound good.
First (somewhat) negative encounter
I have been openly carrying for almost 2 years now. Last Friday, my friend and I decided to grill some steaks for our families. We went to the Piggly Wiggly here in LaGrange to buy them. I was openly carrying my XD45 in a Serpa holster. As I walked through the door I am immediately confronted by a Troup County Sheriff's Deputy who is on duty there as a security guard. He immediately told me that I had to leave my gun in the car. I thought that I misunderstood him and asked him to repeat himself to which he said the same thing. All I said was "Okay" and immediately went back to my car and left. I wasn't about to leave my firearm in my car unattended. End of encounter. I didn't get his name and I don't really see any need even though it wouldn't be too hard to get it. I know one of the other deputies who works security there. In fact, I sold him a Glock 21. Then I went all the way across town to GCO sponsor Kroger and purchased my steaks. I'm glad I did, because they had them on special. 
Saturday morning, I went and talked to the manager of the store to inquire what the store policy is on customers carrying firearms. (Unarmed of course.) He said that as far as he knew, there was no policy as he had never had this happen before. This pretty much confirmed my suspicions that the deputy had enforced his own policy. I guess that is the part that really goads me. He didn't ask me to cover it up, he just said that I have to leave it in the car. I definitely was not about to stand there and argue with him.
The manager told me that he would call the owner of the store since it was rather early in the a.m. and that he would call me me back. We had a nice conversation for a few minutes and I left. I have the conversation recorded on my digital audio recorder. The manager called me back a couple of hours later. He told me that the owner would prefer that I CC. I told him that I have no problem with this and will CC from now on as I respect his property rights. I told him that I always carry in accordance with Georgia law unless I know the property owners preferences in advance. He understood when I explained it would be extremely time consuming to try to call around to all the places I visit and ask for their policy. (I know this horse has been beat to death on here.) I e-mailed Piggly Wiggly corporate just to clarify things and they said that each store is individually owned and can therefore set their own policies. CC'ing there is fine with me. As long as my firearm is welcome in his store, I will continue to shop there.
On a side note, the Piggly Wiggly manager also told me that he called the managers of the local Publix and Kroger to ascertain their policies. I was actually alarmed when he told me that the manager of Kroger said that he would confront anyone carrying openly in his store but that he would have to check with security for their policy. All-in-all not a terribly bad experience but not a great one either. I didn't get a shiny new pair of bracelets or a night in the crossbar hotel.
Saturday morning, I went and talked to the manager of the store to inquire what the store policy is on customers carrying firearms. (Unarmed of course.) He said that as far as he knew, there was no policy as he had never had this happen before. This pretty much confirmed my suspicions that the deputy had enforced his own policy. I guess that is the part that really goads me. He didn't ask me to cover it up, he just said that I have to leave it in the car. I definitely was not about to stand there and argue with him.
The manager told me that he would call the owner of the store since it was rather early in the a.m. and that he would call me me back. We had a nice conversation for a few minutes and I left. I have the conversation recorded on my digital audio recorder. The manager called me back a couple of hours later. He told me that the owner would prefer that I CC. I told him that I have no problem with this and will CC from now on as I respect his property rights. I told him that I always carry in accordance with Georgia law unless I know the property owners preferences in advance. He understood when I explained it would be extremely time consuming to try to call around to all the places I visit and ask for their policy. (I know this horse has been beat to death on here.) I e-mailed Piggly Wiggly corporate just to clarify things and they said that each store is individually owned and can therefore set their own policies. CC'ing there is fine with me. As long as my firearm is welcome in his store, I will continue to shop there.
On a side note, the Piggly Wiggly manager also told me that he called the managers of the local Publix and Kroger to ascertain their policies. I was actually alarmed when he told me that the manager of Kroger said that he would confront anyone carrying openly in his store but that he would have to check with security for their policy. All-in-all not a terribly bad experience but not a great one either. I didn't get a shiny new pair of bracelets or a night in the crossbar hotel.
1 - 20 of 54 Posts
1 - 20 of 54 Posts
