TTAG reader and open carrier Tyler London’s letter to Walmart regarding his interaction with store personnel in San Antonio:
On April 20, 2016, at approximately 2:00 PM, while shopping inside the Walmart at 1200 SE Military Dr, San Antonio, TX 78214, I was approached by two employees (manager Adam and grunt worker Rob) who demanded to see my license to carry a handgun. I asked them why they needed to see it and they incorrectly informed me that they were legally required by TABC to check my license. I informed them they were both wrong about that . . .
The TABC website clearly says on the front page: “There is nothing in the Alcoholic Beverage Code specifically requiring TABC license/permit holders to ask a person to present his/her License to Carry a handgun (LTC), nor do we encourage them to do so.”
They then claimed it was Walmart policy. I informed them they were wrong about that as well (I have an email from corporate to prove this). For the sake of diplomacy I showed them my LTC anyway.
Afterward, in the hopes that since I respected their wishes, they would respect mine as well, I told them they needed to call TABC and get clarification on the issue since many people, including myself, consider being asked to provide paperwork to be an invasion of privacy.
This prompted the manager to walk away and talk into his radio. I couldn’t hear everything he said, but did hear the words, “Carrying a gun,” “Send the officer at the front,” “Call SAPD,” and “Uncooperative.” Considering I was being more cooperative than legally required, I felt this was done purely out of malice for being corrected in front of an employee. At this point for my legal protection I pulled out my cell phone and began recording.
Manager Adam then approached me again and (contradictorily) told me I had to conceal my weapon. I told him there were no signs outside banning open carry. He again got on his radio and told me there are signs at all entrances banning open carry. He is again completely wrong, as these are the signs posted on the doors:
I explained that the posted sign simply says that anyone carrying a gun must be licensed, and does not meet 30.07 verbage. I asked for him to get clarification on whether or not I was being given 30.07 verbal notice. He had no idea what I was talking about. Shortly after a female manager named Nellie showed up. She asked me to stop recording before she would answer my questions. When I told her I was filming for my legal protection, she told me to leave the store.
As I was leaving I asked Rob what the female manager’s last name was and he refused to answer, which shows a complete lack of professionalism and accountability. He then shooed me out of the store as though I were a common criminal. This was an assault on my dignity.
I did absolutely nothing wrong or illegal and was treated like trash because the managers had no clue what they were talking about. To add further insult, on the way out, I was stopped by a law enforcement officer and questioned. To his credit, he was completely professional about the situation and allowed me to go when I informed him I simply wanted to leave rather than suffer further interrogation.
There is no law or Walmart corporate policy requiring LTCs to be checked. I am a 33 year old father of three, honorably discharged veteran, 3.9 GPA honor student, and law abiding citizen. I say this not to brag, but to clarify that I am the last person in the world who should be treated in such a revolting manner, especially when you consider I spend thousands of dollars at Walmart every year.
This is hardly the first time I have been harassed by employees who were quoting laws and policies which don’t exist. This specific problem has also happened before, as seen here.
Whatever training programs Walmart has in place for their employees are completely inadequate. I would appreciate a letter of apology signed by Rob, Adam, and Nellie. I will be happy to pick it up in the store at your soonest convenience.