While hunting for a Halloween costume for my daughter, our third stop was a very busy Wally World near Wilton. I have OC'd there more times than I can count. Our first stop was the bathroom right inside the door, as I waited for them I noticed a young associate behind the service counter eyeballing my XD. Once my wife and daughter were done we proceeded to look for the costume section. After about 50 feet I hear "sir.......sir..........SIR". I stop and pivot around (smiling) and say "yes?"
Him: You law enforcement?
Me: I certainly am not.
Him: Oh, um can you (motions his shirt in a way like it would cover something)
Me: Are you asking me to conceal my firearm?
Him: Um, yeah I got customers.
Me: I can't do that as it is not legal without a permit.
Him: You don't have a permit?
Me:No.
Him: We only allow law enforcement and people with permits to carry here.
Me: Are you asking me to leave and take my business elsewhere?
Him: Um, no, um just put your shirt over it, I've got customers.
Me: (more assertively) I can not legally do that, please don't ask me to break the law.
Him:But we only allow law enforcement and people with permits.
Me: (Still assertive but smiling bigger) Actually Walmart's corporate policy is to yield to local laws, in Delaware you can legally carry a firearm openly without a permit.
Him: um, I need to call my manager, I got customers (gets on his radio saying he needs to talk to some on) wait here a minute, OK?
Me: OK (look at my wife who is pissed)
He walks away while talking on his headset and we wait 120 seconds before we continue our search for costumes, which took us literally all over the store twice. I did not notice any panic spreading through the store as we searched. The kiddo picks out a kitty cat outfit and we roll to the check out line. While checking out I see the associate talking to someone who could be a manager and "nodding" in my direction. We were not approached again as we left. On the way out I walked close enough to almost touch the guy who approached us but he refused eye contact and I don't need closure from him in order to sleep tonight.
Over all I assume the manager set him straight. Although the associate was clearly nervous and ignorant of corporate policy, he was not offensive or out of line in how he talked to me. Looking back I suspect I attracted unneeded attention by standing in front of the customer service area while the family was in the bathroom. In the future I will be more careful about "putting myself on display".
My wife was none to happy with me that we got stopped, that part just is what it is .
Him: You law enforcement?
Me: I certainly am not.
Him: Oh, um can you (motions his shirt in a way like it would cover something)
Me: Are you asking me to conceal my firearm?
Him: Um, yeah I got customers.
Me: I can't do that as it is not legal without a permit.
Him: You don't have a permit?
Me:No.
Him: We only allow law enforcement and people with permits to carry here.
Me: Are you asking me to leave and take my business elsewhere?
Him: Um, no, um just put your shirt over it, I've got customers.
Me: (more assertively) I can not legally do that, please don't ask me to break the law.
Him:But we only allow law enforcement and people with permits.
Me: (Still assertive but smiling bigger) Actually Walmart's corporate policy is to yield to local laws, in Delaware you can legally carry a firearm openly without a permit.
Him: um, I need to call my manager, I got customers (gets on his radio saying he needs to talk to some on) wait here a minute, OK?
Me: OK (look at my wife who is pissed)
He walks away while talking on his headset and we wait 120 seconds before we continue our search for costumes, which took us literally all over the store twice. I did not notice any panic spreading through the store as we searched. The kiddo picks out a kitty cat outfit and we roll to the check out line. While checking out I see the associate talking to someone who could be a manager and "nodding" in my direction. We were not approached again as we left. On the way out I walked close enough to almost touch the guy who approached us but he refused eye contact and I don't need closure from him in order to sleep tonight.
Over all I assume the manager set him straight. Although the associate was clearly nervous and ignorant of corporate policy, he was not offensive or out of line in how he talked to me. Looking back I suspect I attracted unneeded attention by standing in front of the customer service area while the family was in the bathroom. In the future I will be more careful about "putting myself on display".
My wife was none to happy with me that we got stopped, that part just is what it is .