Encounter at Piggly Wiggly

[Guest crotalus01]

I went to the local Piggly Wiggly in Midtown Memphis last night to pick up a few things. For those who have never been to this location, it has a heavy population of sketchy characters, downright scum, and tons of bums panhandling at the doors and in the parking lot. I have found that OCing my Glock makes my shopping experience much more hassle free, and have never had an issue there.

I went in, got a basket and was browsing an aisle when a security guard approached me - he said "Excuse me, sir, I don't want to bother you but you have to have a permit to carry that in the store. I need to see your permit please."

I briefly considered informing him that he had no right to see my permit since he was not LEO, but as he was very polite and friendly about the whole thing I decided to try and be an ambasador for OC and took the high road, pulled out my permit and showed it to him. He barely even glanced at it and said "Thank you very much sir, now if someone complains to the manager he will already be informed you are good to go".

Honestly, I have mixed feelings about this encounter as the guard really had no right to ask for my permit; however, it all turned out good, I was not asked to leave the store and the whole thing took all of a minute of my time. I guess overall I would rate this as a good encounter.

Would any of you have handled this differently?

[Guest Moody]

I would have just obliged and shown it to him - I'd rather avoid a conflict that would possibly end with my having to make ANOTHER trip to ANOTHER store, and since the guy was polite, and most likely deals with idiots in that area, I can see his point in wanting to make sure that it was legal.

Now, if it was some stupid kid/21-year-old security guard, that had an attitude and an authority-complex, I would have just told the manager to get his "kid" under control, and left the store. It's all in how I'm asked, honestly, but I try to keep things on an even keel, and be optimistic about why I'm being asked in the first place.

(I'm sure that others will tell you to keep concealed, etc... so I'll follow this thread to get an idea/objective on some other advice)

[TGO David]

While he has no legal right to ask you to see your permit, he is working for a company that has a legal right to prohibit you from carrying there if they so desire.

You took the path of least resistance, which I think was smart given your options of either complying or being forced to leave.

[Guest pjblurton]

In this situation, considering he was courteous, I would have presented my permit as requested...

However.....

While doing so I would remind him in an equally courteous manner, that I am doing so out of my own free will, not because I HAD to.

[Guest mcgyver210]

I would consider that a GREAT experience IMO. Look at it this way the store could also ask you to leave but instead they just wanted to make sure you are legal I see nothing wrong with his request. Now if everyone I came in contact with started asking I would have issues.

I have only been asked one two times since I started carrying when TN first started the gun permit program & both times was while I was on my property believe it or not. Also both times were good experiences with the LEOs. Also neither one actually seen my permit they just asked if I had one.

[Guest HexHead]

In this situation, considering he was courteous, I would have presented my permit as requested...

However.....

While doing so I would remind him in an equally courteous manner, that I am doing so out of my own free will, not because I HAD to.

And I would have made a comment about his asking nicely for it. Positive reinforcement.

[Guest TurboniumOxide]

I would have said "If it makes you feel better..." and shown it to him. I think it's fine, what you did.

[TGO David]

Those of you who think that some "attitude" was warranted in this encounter seriously need to stop and consider that the flip side of this could have been him being escorted off the property. Property owners can post prohibited or flat out tell you to leave.

What harm was done with him showing the guard his permit? He satisfied their concerns and was allowed to continue on his way.

It doesn't really matter that the guard has no legal authority to demand his HCP. He could have just shown him out and told him never to come back.

[Guest db99wj]

Sounds like you to me that you and the security guard handled it well. The Pig is private property and it appears they have no right to ask for it, they do have the right to ask you to leave. It sounds to me that they might have had "a complaint" in the past or when you walked in, and the security guard, wanted to be able to answer with a positive comment to the sheeple.

[Guest canynracer]

You handled it PERFECTLY...there is no reason to bring anything up about the legality...you were both responsible, and courteous.

[Guest 70below]

Approach determines response.........valuable in many areas of life. You handled it in a very mature fashion in my opinion, and he did his job in a very professional way. No harm caused.

[Guest kdpate]

Since he asked for it in a professional manner and you obliged, no harm no foul. I woulda done the same thing as well....

[Fallguy]

I think I would have done the same thing.

While he has no legal right to ask you to see your permit, he is working for a company that has a legal right to prohibit you from carrying there if they so desire.

You took the path of least resistance, which I think was smart given your options of either complying or being forced to leave.

As Dave said, even though he had no legal right to ask, he is operating with authority of the property owner and can tell you to leave.

Now if just some joe blow ask, or the bag boy or someone being curious or smart, I would probably decline, but would try to be civil while I did.

[G27]

Good job to the OP!

[Guest clownsdd]

You handled it PERFECTLY...there is no reason to bring anything up about the legality...you were both responsible, and courteous.

Saved me some typing +100 and kudos to crotalus01.

We need more "encounters" like that.

[MacGyver]

Everytime you strap on your weapon, you become an ambassador for all of us - especially those of you who regularly open carry. I don't think it matters or not whether he was law enforcement or not, or whether you have the obligation to show him your permit. A security guard or property owner can ask you to leave, and escalating and causing a scene does nothing for you or the rest of us. Use it as an opportunity to educate someone who may not know the law.

To the original poster - well played. I think you made the right decision.

[Guest Ravendove]

It wouldn't have mattered to me if he was a security guard or just some guy. I'd politely show it either way. The way I see it, the nicer I am, the more positive the picture of HCP holders the general public has. It's the main reason I used to OC.

[nightrunner]

I think you handled it they way you should have. I personally would have liked it better if he had ASKED for it instead of saying he needed it, but thats splitting hairs.

I do think that, in that environment, open carry definetely has its advantages.

[memphismason]

You handled it PERFECTLY...there is no reason to bring anything up about the legality...you were both responsible, and courteous.

+1

[Guest slothful1]

Sounds like a + for Piggly Wiggly to me... Asking to see your HCP is a heck of an improvement over asking you to leave.

[Guest AmericanWorkMule]

Totally Agree!

...now to be snarky, if only you have had one of "those" badges, everyone would've cowered at the respect of your authoritAH

Everytime you strap on your weapon, you become an ambassador for all of us - especially those of you who regularly open carry. I don't think it matters or not whether he was law enforcement or not, or whether you have the obligation to show him your permit. A security guard or property owner can ask you to leave, and escalating and causing a scene does nothing for you or the rest of us. Use it as an opportunity to educate someone who may not know the law.

To the original poster - well played. I think you made the right decision.

[Guest crotalus01]

Thanks for the responses. Believe it or not that is the first time anyone has ever asked to see my permit so I just wanted feedback on what you guys would have done in that situation...

[Guest Tiny G]

It sounds like the property owner has no problem letting people with HCP's carry in the store. The only way they know how to enforce it is to ask people that open carry to produce it. It's their property, they have the right.

It's better than another stupid sign.

Good encounter.

[Guest crotalus01]

It sounds like the property owner has no problem letting people with HCP's carry in the store.

I would think the owner would actively encourage it considering the caliber of "people" who frequent the place. I try to avoid going there but it IS very convienent to me. No way would I go there unarmed though. Same for the Kroger at Poplar and Cleaveland, except I just dont go there period. Its like Piggly Wiggly times 10 - even OC wont keep the bums away.

[Guest db99wj]

I would think the owner would actively encourage it considering the caliber of "people" who frequent the place. I try to avoid going there but it IS very convienent to me. No way would I go there unarmed though. Same for the Kroger at Poplar and Cleaveland, except I just dont go there period. Its like Piggly Wiggly times 10 - even OC wont keep the bums away.

You just have to shoot one, the rest will get the idea to leave you alone.