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Told to cover up gun at kroger in Memphis

utbob2004

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2010
Messages
52
Location
Near Memphis
imported post

I was told by a Memphis Police officer recently that I had to cover up my pistol if I was going to carry it in Kroger. I asked the officer why I had to and he stated that he was working at the store as a security guard not as an officer. This last weekend, I completed the Armed Security guard class at a local range here. I asked the instructor what should one do in a situation like that, he said to leave or cover it up. The instructor said that the officer could be working as a security guard. So, just be aware that in Tennessee, police officers can moon light as security guards while wearing their uniforms. I just covered it up and kept on shopping. It was just a shock to me to have a police officer in his memphis police uniform tell me to cover up my gun.
 

kwikrnu

Banned
Joined
May 14, 2008
Messages
1,956
Location
Brentwood, Tennessee
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You should follow up with store management and find out what their policy is. It could be the cop doesn't like open carry.

The attorney general has already opined that open carry is not illegal.
 

Fallguy

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2007
Messages
715
Location
McKenzie Tennessee, USA
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You can get clarification on store policy from the manager.

The manager may or may not go against the advice/wishes of his security.

The AG has also said a property owner can regulate the manner of carry (OC or CC) on their property.
 

Grassroots

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2010
Messages
48
Location
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
imported post

Fallguy wrote:
You can get clarification on store policy from the manager.

The manager may or may not go against the advice/wishes of his security.

The AG has also said a property owner can regulate the manner of carry (OC or CC) on their property.
Correct you are. Officer's often work "secondary" jobs as securityfor an establishment. This merely means they are still a commissioned authority of the state, but being paid by a private company. This is very common in GA. Curious to know if thisis the rule/wish of the store management, made clear to the officer to enforce. Let's not jump the usual "POS Cop" hate train too quick there Kwik.
 

kwikrnu

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May 14, 2008
Messages
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Location
Brentwood, Tennessee
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Grassroots wrote:
Fallguy wrote:
You can get clarification on store policy from the manager.

The manager may or may not go against the advice/wishes of his security.

The AG has also said a property owner can regulate the manner of carry (OC or CC) on their property.
Correct you are. Officer's often work "secondary" jobs as securityfor an establishment. This merely means they are still a commissioned authority of the state, but being paid by a private company. This is very common in GA. Curious to know if thisis the rule/wish of the store management, made clear to the officer to enforce. Let's not jump the usual "POS Cop" hate train too quick there Kwik.

From my understanding Kroger allows open or concealed carry. There are numerous threads about it on the web. Here is a good one to read. Theyare bronze level sponsers ofthe Georgia Carry website.
 

utbob2004

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2010
Messages
52
Location
Near Memphis
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I havent been back to the store since the incident. I have found out from other people who open carry in businesses around Memphis that the majority of the store policies are to conceal in their businesses
 

aadvark

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Aug 25, 2009
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I am not sure..., but I though Kroger was a Pro-Gun Store.
 

razorback2003

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Mar 13, 2010
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It doesn't surprise me that someone was asked to conceal a handgun at a Kroger in Memphis. That was actually a 'nice' request.....considering the property owner/mgr can just ask someone to leave.

I pretty much assume that most property owners in Shelby County will ask me to leave if they see my handgun, whether or not they have some sign/policy/rule, so I always conceal. Sad, yes....but this is the way it is...I haven't had any problems.

I open carry going to the range/hunting/hiking. These signs make things even crazier in Tennessee...so to avoid the craziness...I just hide it.....never been shaken down at a Kroger!
 

WCrawford

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2007
Messages
592
Location
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
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On the 20th at about 11:15 pm, I was picking up some coffee at a Kroger in the Inglewood area of Nashville. I was open carrying as usual and checking out at the self checkout (the only lanes open).

I was approached by the security guard who asked for my permit. Knowing that Kroger does employ off duty police officers, I asked if he was one. He replied that he was and again asked for my permit.

I then began to inquire for what crime I was suspected of committing. His exact words, "When a police officer asks for your permit, you give it to them and shut up!"

He got my permit (I gave it to him) but I inquired if he worked with Metro Nashville PD and he stated he worked for the Mt. Juliet PD.

So, I get home and shoot of an email complaint to the chief of the Mt. Juliet PD. Turn out the guy is a reserve officer, and the Chief was not happy with what I told him.

Guess I need to dig out my voice recorder and start carrying that again, too. I cot too comfortable with police being very good (mostly) in my part of Nashville.
 

suntzu

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2008
Messages
1,230
Location
The south land
imported post

utbob2004 wrote:
I was told by a Memphis Police officer recently that I had to cover up my pistol if I was going to carry it in Kroger. I asked the officer why I had to and he stated that he was working at the store as a security guard not as an officer. This last weekend, I completed the Armed Security guard class at a local range here. I asked the instructor what should one do in a situation like that, he said to leave or cover it up. The instructor said that the officer could be working as a security guard. So, just be aware that in Tennessee, police officers can moon light as security guards while wearing their uniforms. I just covered it up and kept on shopping. It was just a shock to me to have a police officer in his memphis police uniform tell me to cover up my gun.
I'd have taken my money and left--they need our money more than we need their products.

If everyone in this state would realize that then maybe--just maybe the people could actually start getting changes accomplished in this state--because businesses. cities and municipalities and the state itself wouldn't tolerate for long losing all of that revenue before they started changing the way they do things.
 

We-the-People

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 13, 2009
Messages
2,221
Location
White City, Oregon, USA
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If/when I am told to "cover up" I say "I will not cover up but I will leave if you want me to" if told toleave I leave RIGHT THEN. Any merchandise is left right where it is whether there's $200 of frozen food in the cart or a simply a cup of coffee.

If I am at a sti down restaurant I will make the same statement but I will include, even if dinner is almost gone, that I if they are demanding that I leave they have breached our implied contract and that while I am leaving, since their contract obligations (to provide a place to sit and enjoy my ENTIRE meal) have not been fulfilled, I will not be paying for my meal.

They don't get a DIME out of me. If they don't want my business, they don't want ANY of my money.

Just be sure YOUR jurisdiction will allow the restaurant thing without putting you in a bind. I don't know of any that would but I am not a lawyer and only god knows what kind of local BS ordinances could be out there.
 

AL Ranger

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2010
Messages
238
Location
Huntsville, Alabama, USA
imported post

You can get together with a group of like-minded individuals and picket the store. Being railed against as an anti-2A store in the south would really hurt their business. But, that's just my own opinion.
 

Bill Starks

State Researcher
Joined
Dec 27, 2007
Messages
4,304
Location
Nortonville, KY, USA
Kroger / Fred Myer Corporate policy is to follow state law. With this new information in hand I would ask to talk to the store manager and ask why his security guard is chasing off customers.

You can download a copy of the email here:
http://forum.nwcdl.org/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;id=60



from Merrill, Melinda S <melinda.merrill@fredmeyer.com>
to "m1gunr@gmail.com" <m1gunr@gmail.com>
date Thu, Jan 21, 2010 at 1:34 PM
subject FW: 5853168 Unresolved Customer Issue
mailed-by fredmeyer.com

Dear Mr. S***,

Our policy on guns in our stores is simply to comply with the law.

We recognize and respect the right to carry a weapon and we are aware that not everyone who has a weapon has a concealed weapon permit. However, we serve all varieties of Customers in our stores – we do not discriminate based on anything – not gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or opinion. So, as I’m sure you are aware, there may be times when an unconcealed weapon is upsetting, particularly to some mothers who are shopping with their children. If you have a concealed weapon permit, we would appreciate it if you would conceal your weapon, but we recognize that you do not have to by law.



Thanks,
Melinda Merrill
Director, Public Affairs
503.797.3830 p
503.797.5609 f
melinda.merrill@fredmeyer.com
http://www.fredmeyer.com
 

suntzu

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2008
Messages
1,230
Location
The south land
Kroger / Fred Myer Corporate policy is to follow state law. With this new information in hand I would ask to talk to the store manager and ask why his security guard is chasing off customers.

You can download a copy of the email here:
http://forum.nwcdl.org/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;id=60



from Merrill, Melinda S <melinda.merrill@fredmeyer.com>
to "m1gunr@gmail.com" <m1gunr@gmail.com>
date Thu, Jan 21, 2010 at 1:34 PM
subject FW: 5853168 Unresolved Customer Issue
mailed-by fredmeyer.com

Dear Mr. S***,

Our policy on guns in our stores is simply to comply with the law.

We recognize and respect the right to carry a weapon and we are aware that not everyone who has a weapon has a concealed weapon permit. However, we serve all varieties of Customers in our stores – we do not discriminate based on anything – not gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or opinion. So, as I’m sure you are aware, there may be times when an unconcealed weapon is upsetting, particularly to some mothers who are shopping with their children. If you have a concealed weapon permit, we would appreciate it if you would conceal your weapon, but we recognize that you do not have to by law.



Thanks,
Melinda Merrill
Director, Public Affairs
503.797.3830 p
503.797.5609 f
melinda.merrill@fredmeyer.com
http://www.fredmeyer.com


Put quite simply--the guard is running customers off because the guard is also a Memphis police officer and the police think they know what is best for you.
 

suntzu

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2008
Messages
1,230
Location
The south land
The AG has also said a property owner can regulate the manner of carry (OC or CC) on their property.

Yes, property owners can regulate how you carry, or whether you can carry--but we regulate whether we spend our money in their businesses or not....and as for me--I'm all for taking my money somewhere that I would feel welcome and staying away from businesses which want to discriminate against law abiding citizens based only on the fact that they want to be able to defend themselves and their families.
 
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