Store Changes its Tune

There are a lot of stores that are concerned about its customers carrying concealed handguns inside their buildings. Because of a contested concealed-carry law change in my home state of Mississippi, my local Wal-Mart has posted its building—meaning no customers with concealed handguns are permitted inside.

I’ve often wondered if these stores would continue this type of policy if a robbery situation was stopped by a permit holder who ignored the sign. Well that was revealed when two armed men walked into an Aldi grocery store in Milwaukee, Wis., with the intent on robbing the place. The robbery was stopped when a customer pulled a concealed handgun and shot one of the suspects, who then fled the scene. Even though the store was posted, the citizen was not charged in the incident.

Since this incident, Aldi has supposedly reversed its policy of prohibiting firearms in its stores, according to numerous firearm forums that have posted a letter from the company stating the recent policy change. All I truly know, however, is that my local Aldi does not a sign prohibiting the carrying of concealed firearms.

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7 Responses to Store Changes its Tune

QuinnM wrote:
November 07, 2013

I don't think I'd comply with any store policy prohibiting carrying a concealed firearm into a store. You know the criminals aren't going to be stopped by a sign, so why should I? Unlike someone intending to rob the place or cause harm, I'm not going to pull it out unless I'm going to protect someone's life or defend mine.

SteveZ wrote:
November 05, 2013

Courts have ruled that any employee can ask a person carrying a firearm, concealed or not, whether signs are posted or not, to leave their place of business. It is considered private property and a refusal to leave is considered trespassing. It is better to politely leave the establishment if asked and then complain to the company about their policy and have fellow gun owners voice their objection.

Bob wrote:
October 24, 2013

You may need to double check on this but I think in Virginia it somehow translates to a trespassing charge. The property owner has not granted access to anyone carrying.

James wrote:
October 22, 2013

Concealed is concealed anyway. And those signs do not carry the weight of law in Alabama.

Jacob wrote:
October 18, 2013

@Donald I agree with you, but unfortunately some states make the breaking of that one policy an actual crime. I'm just glad that my state isn't stupid enough to put that on the books.

Pete wrote:
October 17, 2013

Donald, I agree with you in principle, unfortunately some states are talking about making it a CRIME to carry on any private property that is posted, and I think some already have. You need to check your state law.

Donald wrote:
October 16, 2013

What exactly would the customer have been charged with? a store policy was ignored, not a law violated that could result in arrest. If the store found out he was carrying on the premises, the most they could do was ask the gentleman to leave.