where I carried today

[RugerLover]

today I concealed carried in the doctor's office. then in starbucks. then in bass pro shops. then in walmart. then in the house. won't likely be going out again today. carry gun: Beretta Model 96 (40 cal.)

[Grapeshot]

today I concealed carried in the doctor's office. then in starbucks. then in bass pro shops. then in walmart. then in the house. won't likely be going out again today. carry gun: Beretta Model 96 (40 cal.)

Join the OC ranks - it spreads the word and its liberating. I OC 24/7 and have no problems....well almost none. Check out our OC dinners - posted in the Va. forum of OCDO and join us sometime.

Yata hey

[allingeneral]

I'm still working on getting the balls to OC.

[Riana]

I'm still working on getting the balls to OC.

You don't need balls to OC If you do, I've been doing it ALL wrong.

You just need a comfort level. If you're comfortable enough to conceal, you're comfortable enough to OC, IMO.

[skt239]

You just need a comfort level. If you're comfortable enough to conceal, you're comfortable enough to OC, IMO.

I guess for me its not so much my comfort level but the comfort level of those around me. It only takes one idiot to make a "man with a gun" call to the police...

[allingeneral]

You just need a comfort level. If you're comfortable enough to conceal, you're comfortable enough to OC, IMO.

I guess for me its not so much my comfort level but the comfort level of those around me. It only takes one idiot to make a "man with a gun" call to the police...

At which time you have your ducks in a row, you know your rights and you kindly explain them to the cops. If they have any sense (no further comment on that one) they will see that you're just a law abiding citizen, open carrying because it is legal to do so.

The "Man with a gun" scenario is exactly the reason that we should OC ... to inform that person that it's this man's right to have a gun.

[wylde007]

Case-in-point:

I was OCing in Harris Teeter on the Boulevard (next to Sam's Club in VB) the wife and I were grocery shopping. She stayed in produce while I went to get milk and cheese. When we met back up we went to the soup aisle. I was kneeling down next to the 4-packs of Campbell's Tomato when I caught a Blue out of the corner of my eye.

She came around behind my wife (in plain view, nonchalantly) and said "Excuse me, sir, may I have a word?"

I didn't stand up but she was already on my strong side. I said "Sure, what can I do for you?"

She says "I walk this center (referring to the shopping center Harris Teeter is in) and a few people reported that they saw someone with a gun. I asked them if they thought that person was robbing someone and they told me it looked like he was shopping. Would that be you, then?"

I couldn't help but be a little tickled by her candor.

She continued "I just wanted to make sure you were just exercising your rights. That IS all you're doing, right?"

"Yes ma'am" I replied. "I don't know of any other way to actively advocate open carry."

She finished with "Well, it's my job to make sure. Some people are probably not used to seeing anyone other than law enforcement with a gun." Then she extended her hand (I hadn't gotten up yet from kneeling next to the soup) and said "What's your name?"

I shook her hand and told her my first name. Then she asked when my wife is due (my wife is VERY pregnant) and mentioned she was getting married in May (when my wife is due).

Then she thanked me one more time, wished us well and walked off. I presume she went to tell the manager or whomever that she had investigated the issue and found nothing out of sorts.

All in all a positive experience with a very nice officer. I even sent a note to the General Email for VB Police commending her professionalism.

[alby]

Case-in-point:

I was OCing in Harris Teeter on the Boulevard (next to Sam's Club in VB) the wife and I were grocery shopping. She stayed in produce while I went to get milk and cheese. When we met back up we went to the soup aisle. I was kneeling down next to the 4-packs of Campbell's Tomato when I caught a Blue out of the corner of my eye.

She came around behind my wife (in plain view, nonchalantly) and said "Excuse me, sir, may I have a word?"

I didn't stand up but she was already on my strong side. I said "Sure, what can I do for you?"

She says "I walk this center (referring to the shopping center Harris Teeter is in) and a few people reported that they saw someone with a gun. I asked them if they thought that person was robbing someone and they told me it looked like he was shopping. Would that be you, then?"

I couldn't help but be a little tickled by her candor.

She continued "I just wanted to make sure you were just exercising your rights. That IS all you're doing, right?"

"Yes ma'am" I replied. "I don't know of any other way to actively advocate open carry."

She finished with "Well, it's my job to make sure. Some people are probably not used to seeing anyone other than law enforcement with a gun." Then she extended her hand (I hadn't gotten up yet from kneeling next to the soup) and said "What's your name?"

I shook her hand and told her my first name. Then she asked when my wife is due (my wife is VERY pregnant) and mentioned she was getting married in May (when my wife is due).

Then she thanked me one more time, wished us well and walked off. I presume she went to tell the manager or whomever that she had investigated the issue and found nothing out of sorts.

All in all a positive experience with a very nice officer. I even sent a note to the General Email for VB Police commending her professionalism.

In situations like this one, doesn't the Store reserve the right to ask you to leave if they have a No-OC (and/or Weapons) policy?
Considering that Harris Teeter is private property.

Where I'm going with this, is that, how would this play out if the Store Manager said. "No Guns", but Harris Teeter had no such
policy. Does the local store manager rule the day? Or Corporate Headquarters in some far flung location that nobody can verify
such a policy with out of the blue?

[wylde007]

Since the officer did not ask me to leave nor inform me that the management said "no guns" I saw it as a non-issue. I held a conversation with the officer in a pleasant manner and wholly under the auspices of there being nothing out of the ordinary. I think that she also sensed this and understood that I was not a threat. She did not ask for ID or even my last name. To me that struck of comfort and casualness.

Now, if there was a posted sign at the entrance, I would be in violation of store policy and could be asked to leave but nothing more. No signs, no violation.

If the manager said "no guns" but the company had no such policy the manager would be in the wrong and would be in a precarious position by violating my rights and creating store "policy" in contradiction of corporate policy.

Like I said, the officer was unconcerned and nothing further came of it after she made contact with me.

[Moccasin]

Case-in-point:

I was OCing in Harris Teeter on the Boulevard (next to Sam's Club in VB) the wife and I were grocery shopping. She stayed in produce while I went to get milk and cheese. When we met back up we went to the soup aisle. I was kneeling down next to the 4-packs of Campbell's Tomato when I caught a Blue out of the corner of my eye.

She came around behind my wife (in plain view, nonchalantly) and said "Excuse me, sir, may I have a word?"

I didn't stand up but she was already on my strong side. I said "Sure, what can I do for you?"

She says "I walk this center (referring to the shopping center Harris Teeter is in) and a few people reported that they saw someone with a gun. I asked them if they thought that person was robbing someone and they told me it looked like he was shopping. Would that be you, then?"

I couldn't help but be a little tickled by her candor.

She continued "I just wanted to make sure you were just exercising your rights. That IS all you're doing, right?"

"Yes ma'am" I replied. "I don't know of any other way to actively advocate open carry."

She finished with "Well, it's my job to make sure. Some people are probably not used to seeing anyone other than law enforcement with a gun." Then she extended her hand (I hadn't gotten up yet from kneeling next to the soup) and said "What's your name?"

I shook her hand and told her my first name. Then she asked when my wife is due (my wife is VERY pregnant) and mentioned she was getting married in May (when my wife is due).

Then she thanked me one more time, wished us well and walked off. I presume she went to tell the manager or whomever that she had investigated the issue and found nothing out of sorts.

All in all a positive experience with a very nice officer. I even sent a note to the General Email for VB Police commending her professionalism.

In situations like this one, doesn't the Store reserve the right to ask you to leave if they have a No-OC (and/or Weapons) policy?
Considering that Harris Teeter is private property.

Where I'm going with this, is that, how would this play out if the Store Manager said. "No Guns", but Harris Teeter had no such
policy. Does the local store manager rule the day? Or Corporate Headquarters in some far flung location that nobody can verify
such a policy with out of the blue?

I've seen this point argued over in other forums with no resolution. My thought is that the manager is the representative of the owner/owners and therefore has some leeway in determining store policy. He is paid to look after the interests of the owners/corporation and make on the spot decisions when needed. In the absence of corporate guidance the manager can take action as he sees fit. If you disagree with his decision then you leave the store and contact the corporate office to request that they verify his decision or form a corporate policy.

[allingeneral]

I've seen this point argued over in other forums with no resolution. My thought is that the manager is the representative of the owner/owners and therefore has some leeway in determining store policy. He is paid to look after the interests of the owners/corporation and make on the spot decisions when needed. In the absence of corporate guidance the manager can take action as he sees fit. If you disagree with his decision then you leave the store and contact the corporate office to request that they verify his decision or form a corporate policy.

+1 Moccasin I agree entirely.

After leaving and contacting corporate - if you are told that there is no regulation against carryubg weapons on corporate property - then what? Ask for a statement in writing? Ask that they document it in their corporate policy?

Call VCDL and let them handle it!

[Moccasin]

I figure if they have no corporate policy then you should ask them to form one. You may not like what they decide but at least they will have made a decision. If they refuse to decide that's where VCDL should get invovled. No matter what though, we cannot force them into a decision.

And, if they decide that they do not want firearms on their property that is their right as property owners, just like it's our right to carry elsewhere and avoid that particular business.

[Jericho01]

I OC'd out in the parking lot of Home Depot but switched to CC once inside so as not create any strange looks and discomfort from and among store customers. Just being sensitive in light of what has happened in Binghamton, NY yesterday and in Stanton, Pittsburgh today; people might just be a little too edgy.