Denied Entry at Costco Concealed

[Santini]

I'm not a VA resident but talked to a close friend who was concealed with holster under shirt. He has a VA concealed carry license. The Costco greeter at the Fredericksburg store confronted him after seeing a bulge under his tee shirt and asked if he was carrying a gun. He told him he was, then the Costco employee told him he was not allowed to carry a gun in the store...only police were allowed.

I asked him if there were any signs and he said no.

I advised him to join this forum, but thought I would go ahead and post about the incident. I believe signs in VA carry the weight of law. In Florida, they do not. I'm not an expert on Virginia law.


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[Santini]

I just looked on Costco's website and here's what they have...

Are guns & personal firearms allowed in Costco Warehouses?

Costco Wholesale is a membership-only warehouse club. It is not open to the general public. It restricts membership to a limited group of qualified individuals who agree to membership conditions. We have the right, and the obligation to our members, to enact and enforce membership rules. The Member Service Employees at the exit doors are obliged to follow these rules. By obtaining a Costco membership card, our members agree to comply with the Membership Rules and the Privileges and Conditions of membership.
Costco does not believe that it is necessary for firearms to be brought into its warehouse stores, except in the case of authorized law enforcement officers. For the protection of all our members and employees, we feel this is a reasonable and prudent precaution to ensure a pleasant shopping experience and safe workplace. Our policy is meant to protect our members and employees in all warehouses around the world. This is not a new policy and we do not customize the policy for each individual city/county/state/country where we do business.
Our primary goal at Costco Wholesale is to keep our members happy. If you believe that our policy restricting members from bringing firearms into our warehouse stores is either unfair or excessively burdensome, or you cannot agree to abide by this policy, or you are dissatisfied for any other reason, Costco will promptly refund your annual membership fee in full.

What a weasel-worded statement.

Force of law?



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[Reverenddel]

You know? That is a VERY weaselly worded statement!

They have competition that doesn't give a crap, guess they think they're the only game in town!

[Utah]

Somebody asks me if I'm carrying and they're likely to get a very nice "none of your F___ING business" reply

[WRW]

To the OP; Upon verbal notification, the carrier must remove the weapon from the store or face the prospect of a charge of trespass.

They don't provide a secure parking lot, yet don't allow other provisions for safe passage through the lot, I don't need their merchandise.

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[skeeterss0]

I've carried concealed in the Costco in Newport News before, no one said anything to me. But then again it was concealed. I only became a member for the low priced hearing aids, I now have a membership at BJ's, its closer to home.

[SpanishInquisition]

Op, signs do not carry force of law in VA. The property owner can ask you to leave, and if you dont, they can have you arrested for trespassing.

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[wittmeba]

Your friend needs to buy larger t-shirts

[NewColonial]

"after seeing a bulge under his tee shirt"

So actually not carrying concealed.

[SHMIV]

Well, I reckon that I won't ever be a Costco member.

It would be interesting if gun owners canceled memberships en masse, and collected refunds.

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[Santini]

"after seeing a bulge under his tee shirt"

So actually not carrying concealed.

That's exactly what I told him...


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[cwfunrider]

I carry at Costco every time I go. I keep it well concealed though. Same goes for the mall by me that has some BS rules of conduct sign that is 15 paragraphs long. They do not get to dictate the safety of my family and person. If asked to leave, I'll gladly do so. For good.

[ProShooter]

Op, signs do not carry force of law in VA. The property owner can ask you to leave, and if you dont, they can have you arrested for trespassing.

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Sorry, but that is not true at all.

I wish that this myth would just die.

[AlanM]

Op, signs do not carry force of law in VA. The property owner can ask you to leave, and if you dont, they can have you arrested for trespassing.

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Sorry, but that is not true at all.

I wish that this myth would just die.

Elucidate, Please.

[WRW]

Op, signs do not carry force of law in VA. The property owner can ask you to leave, and if you dont, they can have you arrested for trespassing.

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Sorry, but that is not true at all.

I wish that this myth would just die.

Elucidate, Please.

Yeah, and elaborate as well, please. Any additional details may reinforce the concept.

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[skeeterss0]

I believe the signage serves as being told it's not allowed. Just cause you are carrying there you can be served with a trespassing charge.

[Reverenddel]

The problem with "signage" is the person carrying can lay claim to "not seeing it".

Most will kindly ask you to put it in the vehicle, just leave. Don't "go to court", over a request.

If the police get involved, 9 outta 10, they'll ask you to leave. Again, just LEAVE!

We know the letter of the law, but most LEO's, do not want to "arrest" or give a "summons" to something that will be a misdemeanor, and with a proper attorney saying "Your honor, my client did not observe any signage"... yer gonna walk, and even if you don't? The appeals court will laugh, because they deal with FELONIES.

Because if you go to a place with a sign, unless the owner is VENOMOUSLY anti-gun, most just want your money, they AVOID having it in a place you see, but have it there to back them up when they chuck you out.

[cwfunrider]

Went to Costco again today. Concealed is concealed.

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[ProShooter]

The problem with "signage" is the person carrying can lay claim to "not seeing it".

and the problem with that excuse is that the law doesn't care if you see it or not.

Its a condition of entry issue; you are welcome on their property if you abide by the rules. If the sign says no guns, then you are not allowed on the property with a gun. If you bring a gun, you are trespassing.

18.2-119 Trespassing
If any person without authority of law goes upon or remains upon the lands, buildings or premises of another, or any portion or area thereof, after having been forbidden to do so, either orally or in writing, by the owner, lessee, custodian, or the agent of any such person, or other person lawfully in charge thereof, or after having been forbidden to do so by a sign or signs posted by or at the direction of such persons or the agent of any such person or by the holder of any easement or other right-of-way authorized by the instrument creating such interest to post such signs on such lands, structures, premises or portion or area thereof at a place or places where it or they may be reasonably seen, or if any person, whether he is the owner, tenant or otherwise entitled to the use of such land, building or premises, goes upon, or remains upon such land, building or premises after having been prohibited from doing so by a court of competent jurisdiction by an order issued pursuant to §§ 16.1-253, 16.1-253.1, 16.1-253.4, 16.1-278.2 through 16.1-278.6, 16.1-278.8, 16.1-278.14, 16.1-278.15, 16.1-279.1, 19.2-152.8, 19.2-152.9 or § 19.2-152.10 or an ex parte order issued pursuant to § 20-103, and after having been served with such order, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. This section shall not be construed to affect in any way the provisions of §§ 18.2-132 through 18.2-136.

As an instructor and firearms expert who has spoken to more attorneys than I can count about this, I think its an issue not worth pushing. Just shop elsewhere and show the business how you feel with your wallet.

[ProShooter]

I believe the signage serves as being told it's not allowed. Just cause you are carrying there you can be served with a trespassing charge.

Correct