OC encounters of last few days

TacticalMom · Post by **TacticalMom** » Wed, 06 Jun 2012 14:03:52

I have been OC'ing the last few days these are my little forays, so that I can get used to it.

Generally its been uneventful, and people are perfectly polite and nice. I had one guy and his SO walk up behind us as I am pushing my children in the stroller. He walks on my strong hand side, where my firearm is, and says "hi". So I smile and say hi back. He asks, "is that a real gun" in that split second I think to myself, why would it not be, but I smile and say "yes sir it is". He says, laughing as he is talking "you wont shoot me if I pass you will you?" I say "no sir, I don't unholster my firearm when I am out and about unless I am going to use it."

It was the first thing that came to mind that was nice and polite. I am sure I should have said something else. I don't know if he really liked the idea that I was carrying. As the laugh he had seemed like a nervous laugh.

Today I was walking with my husband with the kids. We were just getting back and a lady I had met the other day said "Hi are you new here?" I said "no been here for about 3.5 years" she said she remembers me from last time she talked to me and I was carrying OWB. She said she did not know if it was legal or ok for me to carry, but I seemed nice enough before. I responded, " it is perfectly legal if you are a LAC (Law abiding citizen) and do not have any felonies to posses/own and carry a firearm." She then opened up and said for her birthday her husband had taken her to shoot, and she loved it after she got over being scared. She said she wanted to go back but they have not had a chance. I told she should totally go back, and she said we should get together some time to do it. I told her I would love to, and she could look me up when she wanted to go. =)

Went to run some errands, and the headed to the Walmart by the Dulles mall, I wanted to see if they indeed had 9mm Luger ammo, and how they were when open carrying. All went well, no trouble, and they do carry 9mm, as well as 45, .22 of course, and some other rounds. I did not look at all of it.

mk4 · Post by **mk4** » Wed, 06 Jun 2012 14:17:59

TacticalMom wrote:I have been OC'ing the last few days these are my little forays, so that I can get used to it.

Generally its been uneventful, and people are perfectly polite and nice. I had one guy and his SO walk up behind us as I am pushing my children in the stroller. He walks on my strong hand side, where my firearm is, and says "hi". So I smile and say hi back. He asks, "is that a real gun" in that split second I think to myself, why would it not be, but I smile and say "yes sir it is". He says, laughing as he is talking "you wont shoot me if I pass you will you?" I say "no sir, I don't unholster my firearm when I am out and about unless I am going to use it."

It was the first thing that came to mind that was nice and polite. I am sure I should have said something else. I don't know if he really liked the idea that I was carrying. As the laugh he had seemed like a nervous laugh.

Today I was walking with my husband with the kids. We were just getting back and a lady I had met the other day said "Hi are you new here?" I said "no been here for about 3.5 years" she said she remembers me from last time she talked to me and I was carrying OWB. She said she did not know if it was legal or ok for me to carry, but I seemed nice enough before. I responded, " it is perfectly legal if you are a LAC (Law abiding citizen) and do not have any felonies to posses/own and carry a firearm." She then opened up and said for her birthday her husband had taken her to shoot, and she loved it after she got over being scared. She said she wanted to go back but they have not had a chance. I told she should totally go back, and she said we should get together some time to do it. I told her I would love to, and she could look me up when she wanted to go. =)

Went to run some errands, and the headed to the Walmart by the Dulles mall, I wanted to see if they indeed had 9mm Luger ammo, and how they were when open carrying. All went well, no trouble, and they do carry 9mm, as well as 45, .22 of course, and some other rounds. I did not look at all of it.

congrats on getting out and about oc! it gets easier the more you do it.

i would only make one suggestion on your first encounter... i would have simply answered "no sir", as you began your response, and continued smiling politely with nothing more. i prefer to not talk about pulling my firearm from its holster in any casual conversation with a stranger. that's just my take on it.

a more general thought for you... if you plan to oc frequently, you may wish to get and carry a small pocket voice recorder. many of us do so routinely, some, religiously. in a less-than-cordial encounter, it can be a good thing to eliminate doubt about what was said and by whom.

TacticalMom · Post by **TacticalMom** » Wed, 06 Jun 2012 15:24:48

thanks MK4 I am going to go get a recorder right away.

lizjimbo · Post by **lizjimbo** » Wed, 06 Jun 2012 15:40:23

I don't know if you are aware of Virginia law...but...for future reference any person convicted of a felony in Virginia (convicted of a State...not federal charge and not a domestic violence misdemeanor) can petition the circuit court where he or she resides to restore the right to purchase, possess, and transport any firearm otherwise lawful to possess in the Commonwealth of Virginia. There are several hoops a convicted felon must first jump through (as well as a long wait after conviction)...but it is quite possible and is part of the theory of restorative justice. It is not a bad law as, I am sure many people on this forum know people that have never been convicted of jaywalking that should never be allowed to look at a firearm much less touch one. Anyway, it is all spelled out in VA Code 18-308.2----as well as on the State Police Firearms Transaction website. Carry on!

ShotgunBlast · Post by **ShotgunBlast** » Wed, 06 Jun 2012 19:31:33

For those that do OC, aren't you concerned that someone will come up behind you as happened to the OP and try and wrestle the gun out of the holster instead of asking a polite question? Is that a real concern or do I seem paranoid? I figure that's one more reason I'd just rather CC.

TacticalMom · Post by **TacticalMom** » Wed, 06 Jun 2012 23:08:57

ShotgunBlast wrote:For those that do OC, aren't you concerned that someone will come up behind you as happened to the OP and try and wrestle the gun out of the holster instead of asking a polite question? Is that a real concern or do I seem paranoid? I figure that's one more reason I'd just rather CC.

That is a valid question, and one I was worried about to. I currently plan on getting my CCP, then having the option to OC or CC. I worry about that, but my SA is very high especially when I am out with my kids. Also the Fobus paddle holster I have is very hard to draw from, you have to pull it at just the right angle and you have to jerk it out. This is very important for us since we have very little kids and we don't want them to be able to draw it at all. It would be far more likely for the perp to rip my jeans than get my gun in this holster. I will be CC'ing as well, but when I am out running or walking with my kids I would think that it is more of a deterrent for a person who is thinking about starting something.

Again my two cents...

SHMIV · Post by **SHMIV** » Thu, 07 Jun 2012 00:12:47

ShotgunBlast wrote:
For those that do OC, aren't you concerned that someone will come up behind you as happened to the OP and try and wrestle the gun out of the holster instead of asking a polite question? Is that a real concern or do I seem paranoid? I figure that's one more reason I'd just rather CC.

No, I'm not concerned. I carry in a cross-draw position, so it would be a bit more difficult to sneak up and snatch it. I suppose that it's still possible, but so are a lot of other negative things.

Most folks who are inclined to snatch a gun out of a strangers holster probably wouldn't know what to do with a single action revolver, anyway.

Tazguy04 · Post by **Tazguy04** » Thu, 07 Jun 2012 08:04:16

I had a co-worker grab at my gun before thinking he would be funny and becuase of that he got to chew on my elbow, I also carry a knife as a last resort. Be Safe

davasmith · Post by **davasmith** » Thu, 07 Jun 2012 08:04:23

A good holster will arrest that question. A good holster will not allow the gun to be drawn without the right pressure. However, being ever vigilant and knowing your surroundings gives peace of mind.

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jdonovan · Post by **jdonovan** » Thu, 07 Jun 2012 09:02:52

One of the reasons I switched to a level 3 retention holster for OC. Multiple separate actions to get it to a condition where the firearm can be drawn. Also unless the draw is in the right alignment with the holster it just causes it to pivot on/around the belt and the pistol stays where it is.

Reverenddel · Post by **Reverenddel** » Thu, 07 Jun 2012 09:43:06

Also? People grabbing for a gun, don't expect an automatic elbow to the face, and a hand on theirs, with a hip throw...

And a smartassed, "Wanna go round two?"

Jakeiscrazy · Post by **Jakeiscrazy** » Thu, 07 Jun 2012 16:11:29

There are a lot of holsters than offer active retention now. SERPA, Safariland, Galco(safariland knock off), just to name a few. I would make the investment, it could save your life.

YoungGunVA · Post by **YoungGunVA** » Thu, 07 Jun 2012 17:01:00

I don't think anything beats a high sense of awareness. Those fancy level 3 holsters are to damned much IMHO. I CC much more often than OC (probably 95% to 5%) but when I do my holster stays at a solid 3 o clock on my hip and I do everything in my power to keep my strong hand free and down by my side. Like someone else said, there are a lot of possibilities no matter what. There's a chance that some guy out there has spent countless hours practicing a draw from a level 2 or 3 holster off another persons body but all we can do is be aware and prepared

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SHMIV · Post by **SHMIV** » Thu, 07 Jun 2012 19:05:51

YoungGunVA wrote:
I don't think anything beats a high sense of awareness.

This^^^^

It doesn't matter what equipment you happen to have, a guy could do a lot of damage if you were not aware of his presence. That's why military forces train snipers.

Jamie · Post by **Jamie** » Thu, 07 Jun 2012 21:00:16

Yeah, but if you've got a swarm of kids around you (four and counting) then there's a good chance you are NOT going to be completely aware of non-knee-biters approaching and -- even if you are -- an even higher chance that your arms is not going to be at your side or even free to throw elbows. So I use active retention (if that's the right term) when OC'ing.

jwinkeler · Post by **jwinkeler** » Thu, 07 Jun 2012 22:22:18

ShotgunBlast wrote:For those that do OC, aren't you concerned that someone will come up behind you as happened to the OP and try and wrestle the gun out of the holster instead of asking a polite question? Is that a real concern or do I seem paranoid? I figure that's one more reason I'd just rather CC.

retention holster, training to keep my weapon retained, and situational awareness,

Look Sharp, Act Sharp, Be Sharp.

mamabearCali · Post by **mamabearCali** » Fri, 08 Jun 2012 22:12:04

I have to go with Jamie. When I OC I must have some level of active retention. However if someone was to be so foolish as to try and grab my gun they are getting an elbow to the nose (I keep my right hand free even with kiddies around and hanging off me). I actually wear my baby sling on the opposite should than usual just for that purpose.

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ShotgunBlast · Post by **ShotgunBlast** » Fri, 08 Jun 2012 22:20:16

When OCing out in public, does anyone use a chest holster as a way to keep your gun more in your control compared to a hip placement, or does that draw TOO MUCH attention?

TacticalMom · Post by **TacticalMom** » Fri, 08 Jun 2012 23:26:18

mamabearCali wrote:I have to go with Jamie. When I OC I must have some level of active retention. However if someone was to be so foolish as to try and grab my gun they are getting an elbow to the nose (I keep my right hand free even with kiddies around and hanging off me). I actually wear my baby sling on the opposite should than usual just for that purpose.

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Yeah the only time I have gone out and about with my little ones alone while OC'ing... I have them strapped in a double stroller. And my right hand is free. I have not ventured out alone, with them not strapped down to something. =) But with kids I agree, it is hard to keep an eye on them and everything else. I do an ok job, but they are my blind spot for sure, if one of them runs off, I am focused on getting them back. I am kinda of a protective mother anyway, so I am hyper aware of strangers around them, walking by, or any where near my children.

Jamie · Post by **Jamie** » Sat, 09 Jun 2012 01:40:16

Heh. Anyone have a quad stroller?

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