Criminal Justice

Sheriff: Man arrested for tackling armed fellow Wal-Mart shopper who has a concealed-carry permit

Wal-Mart

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Michael Foster apparently thought he was doing the right thing when he allegedly tackled a fellow Wal-Mart shopper who was carrying a concealed handgun.

But the 62-year-old who was brought down at the Florida store by Foster has a concealed-carry permit, a spokesman for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office told the Tampa Bay Times. Hence, it was the 43-year-old Foster who was arrested, on a battery charge, after officers arrived at the store on Tuesday.

“Unfortunately he tackled a guy that was a law-abiding citizen,” said sheriff’s department spokesman Larry McKinnon. “We understand it’s alarming for people to see other people with guns, but Florida has a large population of concealed-weapons permit holders.”

Foster reportedly saw Clarence Daniels put his gun under his jacket in the store parking lot as he exited his vehicle to purchase coffee creamer at Wal-Mart.

To avoid such incidents, it is recommended that individuals call the authorities or store security rather than take law enforcement into their own hands, McKinnon told the newspaper.