Store “security”

[VoiceofReason]

The “Disorderly Conduct ticket” thread has brought something to mind I have been wondering about for quite some time.

I don’t like “what if’s” any more than anyone else but I believe the chances of this scenario happening to a CHL holder are fairly high.

You are shopping and store “security” mistakenly thinks you are shoplifting, sees the bulge under your shirt and thinks it is merchandise, or whatever. Putting aside his authority to “detain” or search you, let’s say he decides to disarm you and he is not a law enforcement officer. Let’s say he is obviously under 21 and just someone the store hired for "security".

How far should you go to prevent him from seizing your firearm? How should you handle this?

[LaserTex]

The store manager would be immediately involved. And I promise that he wouldn't get to my gun.

Doug

[KFP]

"I'm willing to cooperate once you have a police officer on scene."

[joe817]

This is a good and valid question that hasn't been asked in the past! And one worth discussing.

Given the scenario you described, I would NOT let him search me under any circumstances. I'd demand for him to get the store manager there, or better yet, demand to be taken to the store manager's office. Let the "security guard" explain to the manager his actions against me, and then show the store manager my CHL and simply tell the store mgr. that the 'bulge' was my gun. I would NOT uncover to "prove it". If the incident is not dropped, I'd demand he call the police and have a LEO mediate the situation.

Well, that's the 'off the top of my head' response. Give me a few minutes & I'll probably come up with something totally different.

[joe817]

See? I told you! I like KFP's answer better.

[longtooth]

Yes sir. KFP kept it simple.
No sir you may not search me. At this point I am calling the Police. 1st one to call is the complaintant.

[HankB]

I will not submit to a search by anyone less than a sworn LEO.

[rm9792]

In my younger days at Target we were told they could not detain you until you passed the registers for shoplifting. I agree with the above, good luck searching or disarming me.

[VoiceofReason]

I did not want to post my own opinion until I heard from others so I would not influence replies. I agree with all who have posted so far. I would also demand the police be present and tell them I would relinquish my firearm only to a police officer. Good idea not to uncover it.

I have seen good security and I have seen police “wantabe’s” that let the title “security” go to their heads.

[Excaliber]

The “Disorderly Conduct ticket” thread has brought something to mind I have been wondering about for quite some time.

I don’t like “what if’s” any more than anyone else but I believe the chances of this scenario happening to a CHL holder are fairly high.

You are shopping and store “security” mistakenly thinks you are shoplifting, sees the bulge under your shirt and thinks it is merchandise, or whatever. Putting aside his authority to “detain” or search you, let’s say he decides to disarm you and he is not a law enforcement officer. Let’s say he is obviously under 21 and just someone the store hired for "security".

How far should you go to prevent him from seizing your firearm? How should you handle this?

Store security personnel, besides being few and far between, are trained to understand that they have to see the entire theft / concealment / leave the store with stolen goods concealed sequence before they attempt an intervention. There is little to no risk that a store security employee would stop someone for a bulge under clothing inside the store. Almost everyone with a cell phone on his belt has that kind of a bulge.

[gigag04]

A non-LEO cannot detain you.

An LEO can detain you with reasonable suspicion.

[KD5NRH]

1st one to call is the complaintant.

Working security, if I see something the police can deal with, they will be called before it gets to that point. I'm not paid enough to get in a fight over property, and if I'm right, they're going to be needed anyway.

[Dave905]

2nd degree black belt carrying a 45. Good luck.

[Astro99]

i work loss prevention for the dreaded walmart as loss prevention and a previous poster was right i cannot stop you unless i see selection\concealment\continued posession\ and you have to walk outside the sliding metal doors. I work in a bad part of houston and definitely would love to stop some of the thugs that have pregnant purses and you can see there holding somithing under their jacket, but it isnt going to happen unless they saw you actually pick something up and conceal it and walk all the way out the store. If they do stop you cause theres a buldge under their jacket or pants, they will quickly get fired for a bad stop. Hope that clears it up for yall a little bit. Now i have to find a way to do a leagal way to do a wally walk lol. is there a back up wally walk out there?

[MadMonkey]

As a security officer myself, the LAST thing I would do is even attempt to stop someone because of a bulge. And I wouldn't even consider disarming someone... good way to get shot, sued, beat up, etc (who knows if they're carrying legally or not?).