eldirector
Grandmaster
That's awesome! Since I can't rep her, I'll rep you instead.Oh, that's what I meant, she has her own gun and it was her gun she was talking about!!
That's awesome! Since I can't rep her, I'll rep you instead.Oh, that's what I meant, she has her own gun and it was her gun she was talking about!!
I got the same thing today with my woman. She said she got the feeling everyone was staring at us in WalMart. I only counted two or three weird looks though. Malls might be a bit more interesting, Simon Malls are unfriendly. I talked to the security guard the other day, and he basically told me not to OC at the UP Mall, or he would have to ask me to leave. This is coming from someone I sort of know! (He hangs out in the Gamestop where my girlfriend works). But, you have to get used to it somewhere. If she is anything like most woman, a mall is where she is going to feel the most at home
Oh, that reminds me of a nice encounter I had with an elderly gentleman in one of the motorized chairs at the Terre Haute east WalMart yesterday...
I had just picked up a box of power bars and put them in the cart and was still kinda glancing at the other options on the shelves when he appeared around the corner, pausing because I was in the aisle and there wasn't room for him to slip by. As I started to move my cart out of the way, he quipped, "since I see you're carrying, I'll not yell at you for being in my way."
I smiled.
"You got a badge to go with that?"
"No, sir."
"Ah, just carrying on the regular permit."
I decided not to press the permit/license issue, replying simply, "Yep."
We had a nice chat about things you have to think about when you OC — situational awareness, basically — and how he was "old fashioned" in his preference for wheel guns. "If I can't get it done with 6 shots..." I told him I thought he was going to go with, "I'm old fashioned, so I prefer the 1911," but he says he doesn't like semi-autos. To each his own.
It was a really nice chat. I've said it before, but it's worth re-saying: if you don't want to talk to people about guns, don't let people know you're carrying. But if you're OC'ing, it's a good idea to be in a state of mind that allows you to pause to talk to people about it. If I'd been in a hurry, I would've it covered up. When you OC, you really are an ambassador for gun owners everywhere, and the way you conduct yourself should foster an attitude of "who cares?" within the public about seeing guns in public places.
I wanted to post this yesterday, but didn't get online to do so. I went to GenCon yesterday, but didn't carry in the convention center. I would have if my camera bag wasn't so full (believe me, I tried to shove it in without it being conspicuous). I definitely slid it back onto my belt when I got back to the car.
I did, then, OC into Wally World in Columbus out by the interstate after picking up the wife from work. Which one of you was at the sporting goods counter talking guns to a couple of guys waiting for help? I saw you reveal your CC'd glock. I doubt you saw my OC. Nobody else seemed to.
I can say that they definitely wouldn't let you in OCing. I was not in costume all the better to blend in and snap pictures. But I've been considering a costume for the future that would include not only the overt costume guns, but an ability to CC integrated.
...he was hassled by cops in Fort Wayne for OC and charged with brandishing. The charges were latter dropped but what a freakin hassle to go through.
I have a question for all of you OC'rs out there.
When you OC do you only have your gun and holster exposed or do you have your additional 2 or 4 mags in the open as well?
My first post be gentle !
I will never open carry again. I learned my lesson about a year ago.
The officer said just because you can do something doesn't mean you should do it.
Needless to say... never again.
I personally think you learned a very poor lesson.
.