walmart asking for chl

[Lynyrd]

I'm new here, but I would offer this for thought. Those of us who carry have always faced kickback from those who don't understand. I for one, want to be polite and accommodating to any business that allows me to carry on their property, whether concealed or open. We often talk about what kind of screening we had to go through to get the license, and that should prove we are okay people. If collectively as a group we are to be seen as okay people, the kind of people business want to have around, none of us should be anything but polite and accommodating with the rules private business owners ask us to comply with.

If I were carrying openly I wold have no problem showing someone my license if they ask. If you carry openly you are bragging that you have that right. To create a scene and a confrontation leaves a bad taste with everyone and casts a bad light on the rest of us. There are almost 900,000 license holders in Texas. We can be a political force, as was shown by the new open carry law. But, to maximize that force we should be above blame and controversy as a group.

[TxAggieEngineer]

This is a situation where being polite to the Wal-Mart staff will go a long, long way in making them feel comfortable with open carry. If you're OCing in their store and they ask to see it, show them your CHL and all the while be cheerful, polite, and act like its the most normal thing in the world. It will ease their anxiety and make you seem like you aren't some weirdo. It'll make the OC crowd look a lot better too and may give them pause to re-evaluate their own assumptions about OC based on what they've seen on news reports vs. what they're now seeing in real life

This guy gets it. This is all part of that "Adjustment period" that we have been talking about. Just show your LTC and be on your way.

As someone said, if they want to take a picture, or copy down info off of the card, well then they can stick it where the sun don't shine.

I agree with both posts. IMHO we as gun owners and LTC holders have a lot of PR work to do after the bad publicity generated by OCT last year. While we may not agree with somebody asking for our LTC let's be polite, kind, and make the whole thing a non-issue. Let's do our part to make OC commonplace and accepted so we can get some of these 30.07 signs down and prevent new ones from being put up.

Some of you probably saw the the poll that the Houston Business Journal put out. One of the comments ended with "It makes me sad that gun owners are such bullies." While this is a small portion I think we need to go out of our way to change this mindset.

[mojo84]

I'm new here, but I would offer this for thought. Those of us who carry have always faced kickback from those who don't understand. I for one, want to be polite and accommodating to any business that allows me to carry on their property, whether concealed or open. We often talk about what kind of screening we had to go through to get the license, and that should prove we are okay people. If collectively as a group we are to be seen as okay people, the kind of people business want to have around, none of us should be anything but polite and accommodating with the rules private business owners ask us to comply with.

If I were carrying openly I wold have no problem showing someone my license if they ask. If you carry openly you are bragging that you have that right. To create a scene and a confrontation leaves a bad taste with everyone and casts a bad light on the rest of us. There are almost 900,000 license holders in Texas. We can be a political force, as was shown by the new open carry law. But, to maximize that force we should be above blame and controversy as a group.

Good points. I would quibble with one word, "bragging". While some may be bragging or flaunting, I think many will not be doing either. The word, advertise, seems to fit better in my opinion. However, I agree with the message of your post.

[jt88]

I'm completely okay with this. It's their rear on the hook if someone brings an unlicensed weapon in. I have no problem showing them that it's okay if I have my gun, in exchange for them allowing me to have it on their private property.

I've actually open carried at my local Wal-Mart a few times now without issue. Once was on a very busy Friday night. No one said anything to me, but I wouldn't have minded a positive interaction as a representative of our community.

Just be glad that they're not asking us to leave, or straight up calling the cops.

[Lynyrd]

I'm new here, but I would offer this for thought. Those of us who carry have always faced kickback from those who don't understand. I for one, want to be polite and accommodating to any business that allows me to carry on their property, whether concealed or open. We often talk about what kind of screening we had to go through to get the license, and that should prove we are okay people. If collectively as a group we are to be seen as okay people, the kind of people business want to have around, none of us should be anything but polite and accommodating with the rules private business owners ask us to comply with.

If I were carrying openly I wold have no problem showing someone my license if they ask. If you carry openly you are bragging that you have that right. To create a scene and a confrontation leaves a bad taste with everyone and casts a bad light on the rest of us. There are almost 900,000 license holders in Texas. We can be a political force, as was shown by the new open carry law. But, to maximize that force we should be above blame and controversy as a group.

Good points. I would quibble with one word, "bragging". While some may be bragging or flaunting, I think many will not be doing either. The word, advertise, seems to fit better in my opinion. However, I agree with the message of your post.

I'll give you that. I'm just so used to CC that open seems a bit, in your face. Time will change that I'm sure, and I may OC myself in time. I like your word, advertise.

[C-dub]

“The whole time I felt like I was looking over my shoulder,” she said. “To me, I’m lawfully carrying. I should not be stopped for something that I am not doing wrong.”

BUT you are walking into a business that carries a liquor license to protect, and that changes the game. I support this small section of the debate on the law. this will all settle down after a period of time as we become used to it. BUT I also agree we need to fight the MDA as hard as we can. I have personally ordered the Cards from the TSXX and carrying a few of those with me at all times.

Welcome to the forum JerryK.

I think you've hit this one the nose. It is Walmart's license that is on the line and it is them that will pay the fines. They could call LE if they wanted to, but sounds like they've elected to not involve them and try and handle this quietly. The alternative is to not answer their question or show the license and face possible oral notification and not be allowed to carry in that store any longer.

[rotor]

I blame TABCfor this more than WalMart. Catch 22 for them. What will they do then when they ask for ID and the person carrying doesn't have it? Call the police? I am sure there will be people open carrying without a license. I would just show the license.

[MeMelYup]

By having the required TABC signing posted at the front door they have covered the requirement. If someone refuses to abide by that requirement is not their fault.

If a WalMart manager stops you and asks to see your LTC, show it to them. Then I would inform them that unless it is required for something specific (filling out a 4473), only a police officer can require you to produce ID and LTC.

[Embalmo]

Walmart's just about the best friend we have. I say placate them for now. I have to show an ID for a check. Now if I'm voting, that's racist.

[cbunt1]

I posted an almost identical response on a similar thread, so forgive me if I seem to be repeating myself.

First let me go on record by saying that my reaction to being asked for my LTC in any situation is influenced by whether someone "Demands" or "Requests" it.

Now, with that said, I think in the majority of cases the heartburn over these questions comes from being caught off-guard. Like so many things around a self-defense mindset, we need to have a plan for how to handle this situation. It may not survive "first contact," but at least at that point we're working from a point of reference instead of "flying by the seat of our pants."

If asked, do you plan to simply cover and move on? Do you plan to refuse to provide your LTC? Do you plan to just show it and move on? Know how you'd like to handle it, and then know how you plan to do that. Then do it. Deviation from the plan is fine, but you now have a "home base" to work from.

Remember that the person asking/confronting you may be as unsure as you about it--they may have been tagged with "go check that person out" and blindsided as well. Not a good position to start a conversation from.

And always work to move the discussion to an adult ego state, regardless of whether you intend to cooperate, or refuse to comply.

Remember the conflict resolution training we all get, and keep in mind that living in "condition yellow" means more than just spotting the bad guys before they spot you.

[RoyGBiv]

If I'm OC-ing and a private property owner (or designee) asks to see my license, I'm not going to give them any grief about showing it to them. It's private property and if I want to be a good representative for OC, it's bad form to give grief to a property owner.

Do I like it? Not really.
Do I understand where it's coming from? I think so.

Put me in the "give it time and it'll settle down" column.

And... THANKS to the OP for the heads up.... I never would have considered the possibility of having a business owner ask to see my license. Now I'm better prepared if that should happen.

[Abraham]

MeMelYup,

"Then I would inform them that unless it is required for something specific (filling out a 4473), only a police officer can require you to produce ID and LTC."

It is required for something specific: Allowing you to stay in the store while OCing.

They aren't demanding to see the LTC, they're requesting and for sure, you don't 'have' to show them.

Then, without your cooperation they can politely show you the door.

[FtwBill]

Since they are the property owner, I personally wouldn't have a problem with showing my ID... but it can't happen every 10 minutes with different employees. I would just ask for the manager and show it to them once.

I guess i think of it like if i was carrying some paid for merchandise around (drink, whatever) and they asked if I purchased it... I would show my receipt, less they think I stole it and call LE. This feels analogous to me...

The article states that if the door greeter or cashier sees someone open carrying they are to notify the "highest ranking employee" (the acting manager) to confirm the legal status.

My nephew is a store manager at WM so I asked him about it. This article is leaving out ALOT of language. He said greeters and walmart cashiers will not ask anyone to see their CHL in the store. What he did say is that if someone in the store openly carrying display some sort of odd, unruly behavior they will alert the management who may approach and ask for the CHL, if they refuse and will not return the firearm to there car they are to diffuse the situation and leave the person and someone will call LEO.

For what its worth.

[Abraham]

FtwBill,

Thanks for the information.

I'm assuming it's accurate.

I believe most here thought it was going to be the norm that ALL Walmart OCers would be asked for proof of LTC during their store stay.

Now it turns out only if the person OCing is acting squirrelly...quite a different kettle of fish...

[jt88]

Since they are the property owner, I personally wouldn't have a problem with showing my ID... but it can't happen every 10 minutes with different employees. I would just ask for the manager and show it to them once.

I guess i think of it like if i was carrying some paid for merchandise around (drink, whatever) and they asked if I purchased it... I would show my receipt, less they think I stole it and call LE. This feels analogous to me...

The article states that if the door greeter or cashier sees someone open carrying they are to notify the "highest ranking employee" (the acting manager) to confirm the legal status.

My nephew is a store manager at WM so I asked him about it. This article is leaving out ALOT of language. He said greeters and walmart cashiers will not ask anyone to see their CHL in the store. What he did say is that if someone in the store openly carrying display some sort of odd, unruly behavior they will alert the management who may approach and ask for the CHL, if they refuse and will not return the firearm to there car they are to diffuse the situation and leave the person and someone will call LEO.

For what its worth.

I had a feeling that there was more to it. I've OC'd at a few different Wal-Marts without issue. It seems like most places are leaving us alone as long as we behave.