Dave_in_Delaware's Open Carry Log

[dave_in_delaware]

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23rd time: Friday Feb 22, 2008 at 8:00pm

This was our 2nd "monthly meeting" for NCC OCers. 12 of us showed up this time (big change from the 5 last time), most OC, some CC, and some w/ no weapons. We ended up taking up the entire back wall for our group. We had a great time, shared some stories, discussed a few issues, ate some food, and enjoyed the comeraderie w/ people who share a common interest/hobby. We even had a girl join us this time! (my fiancee, packing her XD-9 subbie).

And even w/ 12 people w/ guns making a ruckus in the back of the restaurant, the cops didn't show up at all.

 

[dave_in_delaware]

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March 1, 2008, around lunchtime...

Took my kids and my fiancee out to Best Buy (up on 202) so my fiancee could shop (her request). I had my XD-9 subbie in my cheap nylon holster because I had lent my XD-9 service and SERPA out to ChefW to take to Ommelanden. Let me tell you, that holster did NOT feel right at all!!! I missed my SERPA. Having the subbie instead of the service model was fine. But the holster? Ick. :shock:

I know a few people noticed that I had a gun on my belt (instead of a cell phone, or whatever). I noticed a few double-takes. And a few hesitations as they'd talk to someone else in line. LOL. No employees freaked out or even said anything, which I was a little surprised, because all 4 that helped us yesterday were younger.

I also OC'd at my house and to my fiancee's house, but that's all "normal" to me and my kids now. They like that Daddy carries a gun to protect them.

 

[dave_in_delaware]

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March 2, 2008, 1:30pm

I took my kids and fiancee to China Buffet (in Bear) for lunch. OC's my little XD-9 subbie in my SERPA (much better than the nylon thing). No comments, but I know a few people noticed.

Then we went to Wal-Mart so my fiancee could pick up a few things. I was too busy w/ my kids' misbehaving to really notice anyone noticing my gun, but I assume someone did.

but no one called the cops, so it was a good OC experience.

 

[ChefW]

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dave_in_delaware wrote:

March 1, 2008, around lunchtime...

Took my kids and my fiancee out to Best Buy (up on 202) so my fiancee could shop (her request). I had my XD-9 subbie in my cheap nylon holster because I had lent my XD-9 service and SERPA out to ChefW to take to Ommelanden. Let me tell you, that holster did NOT feel right at all!!! I missed my SERPA. Having the subbie instead of the service model was fine. But the holster? Ick. :shock:

I know a few people noticed that I had a gun on my belt (instead of a cell phone, or whatever). I noticed a few double-takes. And a few hesitations as they'd talk to someone else in line. LOL. No employees freaked out or even said anything, which I was a little surprised, because all 4 that helped us yesterday were younger.

I also OC'd at my house and to my fiancee's house, but that's all "normal" to me and my kids now. They like that Daddy carries a gun to protect them.

I know why you love that holster so much. It felt like I barely had it on at the range. I hate those nylon holsters too.

 

[dave_in_delaware]

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March 3rd, 2008, at 7:30-10:30pm:

My fiancee and I went on a few errands. We went to the Post Office so she could get stamps. I left my gun in the car, because we all know that the P.O. is Federal property. :quirky

Then we went to "BJ's liquors" to pick up some yummies for the weekend. The two women in the store noticed, but didn't say anything (at least not to me - LOL).

Then we went to Happy Harry's to get a Rx filled. We waited for it. So, we were in the store for probably 20 minutes, looking around. One other customer who was waiting definitely noticed. I saw him eye-ing it up (I think just trying to figure out what it was exactly - he didn't seem nervous or "aggressive"). The "security guard"(and I use that term VERY VERY loosely) either didn't notice me carrying a gun (even when I walked right past her), or didn't seem phased. Never mind that she looked all of 14 and maybe 80 pounds soaking wet. Psssh. Yeah. Please guard my store little girl. Yeah, OK...

Then we went out to eat. We, of course, chose IHOP (the 2nd amendment-friendly restaurant). And guess who was our waitress??!! You guessed it - the same one that our group has had (Barbara). She recognized us, too. I had asked her if shehad heard anything good from the manager or Corporate about her service and attitude w/ our group. She said no. So, I asked to speak w/ the manager. He came over in a few minutes. I told him about our group, that we have had our meetings there, and were very pleased w/ how we were "welcomed" in the restaurant and how awesome our waitress was, and that we've sentthese comments to corporate and was wondering if the "news" trickled down to this IHOP yet. He said no (and gave explanations why), but assured me that he would mention my nice comments to the waitress. He also added that he knows she's a great waitress, which is whySHE does the training for the other waitresses. So, Barbara is THE WOMAN there.... Anyway, as we were leaving, Barbara said that she hopes to see our group soon. And the manager thanked me for my kind words again.

I like IHOP. :celebrate

 

[OneShot]

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IHOP Rocks!

 

[dave_in_delaware]

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Well, lately I've had a few "trips" out-of-State, so I couldn't OC my XD.

I had gone up to King of Prussia on March 6th to meet some guys from XDtalk for dinner (at Hooters - very nice "family" restaurant. LOL). That was a nice time, but since I wasn't carrying like I usually do, I felt naked.

On March 8th I took my fiancee and a friend from XDtalk on a wine tasting tour. We were in PA almost the whole day, so I couldn't carry then, either. And despite being back in DE for dinner, it was so freakin' busy at the restaurant (Hibachi's) and there were 50+ people jammed in the entry waiting for tables, I didn't feel comfortable carrying anyway.

On Tuesdaythough (March 11th), I did OC to Bennigan's (Route 202 Fairfax) for dinner, where we met another guy from XDtalk. The other patrons right across from us noticed my gun (since they looked at it off and on all night), but didn't say anything.

 

[SpringfieldXD.40]

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Hey Dave,

Just checking out how your OCing has been going. Looks like it has been nice and uneventful...see you areound XDTalk.

Keep up the good work!

 

[dave_in_delaware]

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SpringfieldXD.40 wrote:

Hey Dave,

Just checking out how your OCing has been going. Looks like it has been nice and uneventful...see you areound XDTalk.

Keep up the good work!

Hey, Spring! Thanks for stopping by my OC log!! Yes, it has been uneventful, and that makes it very nice. See ya!

 

[dave_in_delaware]

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Monday March 17th, 2008 (Happy St. Patrick's Day!), around 8:00pm

My fiancee and I went to the Exxon at the 13/40 split to fill her tank up and get a few groceries. Pumping the gas was an uneventful time. Once inside, we made two trips up to the counter, putting stuff up there to buy (they need shopping baskets!!). I know the clerk was watching us, since most people probably don't shop there too much... We finally got all that we neededand went up to the counter. My fiancee handed him her Exxon credit card (which she didn't sign on purpose, so they'll ask to see her driver's license).

She asks him, "Do you need to see my ID for my credit card?"

And he points to my gun and says, "No, he's wearing your ID, and that's enough ID for me."

She was like :shock:and thanked him and we gathered up our bags and left. [Side note: On the way out, the younger guy who was waiting in line to pay for his gas made it a point to go back a few steps and open the door for us. I'm not sure if it was a normal thing for him to do, or if my "ID" swayed his level of courtesy a bit. I know we made him wait for a little while while the clerk rang all of our stuyfdf up.] I hadn't understood what the clerksaid at the time, since he had an accent, but my fiancee told me on the way to the car. Now, of course, my fiancee let that "ID" thing go right to her head, thinking she's all that, like she's someone famous because she has a body guard or was with a LEO or something. LOL. :quirky

But, again, an uneventful time.

Although my fiancee is still doing the dance: :celebrate

:dude:

 

[ChefW]

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dave_in_delaware wrote:

Monday March 17th, 2008 (Happy St. Patrick's Day!), around 8:00pm

My fiancee and I went to the Exxon at the 13/40 split to fill her tank up and get a few groceries. Pumping the gas was an uneventful time. Once inside, we made two trips up to the counter, putting stuff up there to buy (they need shopping baskets!!). I know the clerk was watching us, since most people probably don't shop there too much... We finally got all that we neededand went up to the counter. My fiancee handed him her Exxon credit card (which she didn't sign on purpose, so they'll ask to see her driver's license).

She asks him, "Do you need to see my ID for my credit card?"

And he points to my gun and says, "No, he's wearing your ID, and that's enough ID for me."

She was like :shock:and thanked him and we gathered up our bags and left. [Side note: On the way out, the younger guy who was waiting in line to pay for his gas made it a point to go back a few steps and open the door for us. I'm not sure if it was a normal thing for him to do, or if my "ID" swayed his level of courtesy a bit. I know we made him wait for a little while while the clerk rang all of our stuyfdf up.] I hadn't understood what the clerksaid at the time, since he had an accent, but my fiancee told me on the way to the car. Now, of course, my fiancee let that "ID" thing go right to her head, thinking she's all that, like she's someone famous because she has a body guard or was with a LEO or something. LOL. :quirky

But, again, an uneventful time.

Although my fiancee is still doing the dance: :celebrate

:dude:

I do the same thing with my cards too. Great if someone steals it. Good experience.

 

[swillden]

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dave_in_delaware wrote:

And he points to my gun and says, "No, he's wearing your ID, and that's enough ID for me.

I think I'd have tried to (very gently) point out that anybody could be using her card, and that being accompanied by an armed man in no way verified that she was the legitimate cardholder.

But then, I write "Check ID" on the back of all my cards, and I always call it to the attention of the checker whenever they fail to ask for my ID.

Leaving the signature block blank is a bad idea, BTW. It means that anyone who finds your card can sign it and then use it -- if the checker happens to look at the signatures, they'll match!

 

[dave_in_delaware]

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swillden wrote:

I think I'd have tried to (very gently) point out that anybody could be using her card, and that being accompanied by an armed man in no way verified that she was the legitimate cardholder.

But then, I write "Check ID" on the back of all my cards, and I always call it to the attention of the checker whenever they fail to ask for my ID.

Leaving the signature block blank is a bad idea, BTW. It means that anyone who finds your card can sign it and then use it -- if the checker happens to look at the signatures, they'll match!

She had been getting her wallet out to show her ID, but he pointed to my gun instead. I'm assuming her willingness to show ID in the first place was enough to have him not worry about it. Him pointing to my gun and saying what he did was... unusual in my opinion. Because you're right - just because some guy you're with has a gun, doesn't mean you're the rightful card holder.

Yeah, that's what she writes - check ID. She doesn't leave it blank.

 

[dave_in_delaware]

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Saturday, March 22, 2008 @ 8:45am

Met up w/ our group at Ommelanden for part 1 of our monthly meeting. Kept the gun in the car since OC into the range is frowned upon there. Had an hour of shooting time w/ everyone. It was fun, despite my frustration w/ myself because I can barely keep the rounds on the paper. But, I know what my problem is: lack of regular practice. I know I need to hit the range more often to improve, but w/ my work schedule (2 jobs), 3 kids, trying to sell a house, and lack of "extra" funds, it's just so hard to shoot as often as I'd like to... Anyway, once we were done shooting, I put my "baby" back in her holster where she belongs. It's very strange not having a gun on me sometimes....

@ 10:30am

Met outside of IHOP for part 2 of our meeting. It just happened that we were standing right outside from a table of "older" ladies, who were all :shock::shock:at us. I noticed one of them would look down at a gun, then look at us, then look at another gun, and look at another person... I could sense the "concern" so I suggested we move closer to the door. We actually went inside to their waiting area. AGAIN, eyes were on us, from the little kids in there, to adults... it's still a feeling I can't get used to. But, after an hour we got our seats and enjoyed great conversation and comeraderie.

@ 5:00pm

My fiancee and I went to Christiana Mall to spend some of my gift card money. We hit PetCo first, where I OC'd without anyone noticing. But with how insanely busy the actualmall was, I decided to leave my weapon in the car. I took both full mags with me just so I didn't leave a loaded weapon in the car for the wrong person to find.... but as soon as I got back out to the car, I loaded up again.

Some day I'll have more nerve to carry in a crowded place like the mall on a Saturday. Today I didn't have enough nerves I guess.:uhoh:Which may have been a good thing, because while we were walking around, we passed right by two State Police Troopers. Apparently, they "patrol" inside the mall now.

 

[dave_in_delaware]

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Sunday, March 23, 2008 @ 1:00pm (Easter)

Went to Bugaboo Creek Restaurant (across from hospital) to meet some of my fiancee's relatives for an Easter dinner (lunch). I open carried my gun proudly on this religious holiday. I was also prepared to answer anyone's "questioning" about my decision to OC on Easter with something like "evil doesn't take vacation on religious holidays" (or something like that). Alas, I never needed my comeback. LOL. Two (out of the four there) of her relatives have already seen me OC. The other two either didn't truly notice or didn't care. No one said anything. I do know that some of the people waiting (in the waiting area) when we first arrived noticed my gun. LOL.

After lunch, my fiancee and I went over to Pet Smart to check out the animals there. We were in there for a good 30 minutes. Partly because we were given a "behind the scenes" tour of their vet/ER facilities! It's a nice, well-equipped place. We also got to meet and talk with the vet and some assistants. I'm sure they all noticed that I was armed. But no one said a thing. Which is good.