EMAIL FROM TFA MEMBER:

Date: Monday, September 14, 1998 7:25 PM
Subject: Fwd: Wal-Mart Handgun Carry Policy


Dear TFA,
>I wrote to Wal-Mart and asked what policy, if any, their company had
>regarding the lawful carry of concealed handguns in their stores by
>holders of Tennessee Handgun Carry Permits.  I also told them that I
>would be glad to share their response with the TFA so that through your
>newsletters and webpage you could share that information with permit
>holders statewide.
>   I was pleased to get their answer affirming the right to carry in
>their stores.  I have attached their response below.  Their only concern
>was that a concealed weapon be concealed.  Of course, as you point out
>on your page, it also is true that Tennessee law forbids carry in stores
>that sell alcohol.

REPLY FROM WALMART:
From: Letters to the President letters@wal-mart.com
To: [deleted]
Date: Monday, September 14, 1998 3:03 PM

Thank you for contacting Wal-Mart regarding our concealed handgun policy. Wal-mart was founded by Sam Walton on three principles: Strive for Excellence, Service to our Customers, and Respect for the Individual. It is that respect for the individual that led us to create the current policy pertaining to concealed handguns.

The following is our policy: if a Wal-mart customer has been aearded a concealed handgun license by the state government, Wal-Mart will follow the direction of the state. However, if at anytime while on Wal-Mart property, that customer's concealed weapon becomes visible to Wal-Mart associates or customers, Wal-Mart reserves the right to ask the customer to either reposition the weapon so that it will not be visible, to remove the weapon completely or to leave Wal-Mart property.

With the exception of law enforcement personnel, Wal-Mart does not allow any exposed weapons to be worn or carried in public view on Wal-mart property or in Wal-Mart stores. Customers other than low enforcement personnell wearing or carring a weapon in an exposed manner will be asked to leave the property immediately.

We appreciate your concern and trust that this has addressed your concerns regarding this issue.