List Your Open Carry Experiences Here

[DrTodd]

No one likes to be muzzle swept. However, most of the folks who say things like this guy did are the types who also think GLOCK's can magically free themselves from the carriers holster(s) and start floating around shooting everything up. Own many GLOCK's and after 20+ years...not one has tried to "float away"?

On topic OC'd today - some looks but that's the "KALIFORNIANS" in the area for you. They forget they are no longer behind the pot metal curtain. Imagine Canadians moving to MI and stumbling into a park with a OC outing going on...that should give you a good visual of the "AZ transplants" reactions. Me I knew about this place before hand Sorry in advance to the (only us MI folks should post here). I still consider myself a MI person at heart. Viva MI! May rights their be expanded!

For those of us on the west side of the state...probably like the looks I got today from 3 carloads of Illinois teenagers filling their tanks just off I-196 today. I heard one of them ask the clerk about it as I went to the back to grab a pop. I think the response from the clerk was "Yeah, it's not a problem." Neither clerk said anything to me when I paid. I also may have had a picture of me and my Gaston taken as I returned to my car.

 

[xmanhockey7]

I also may have had a picture of me and my Gaston taken as I returned to my car.

You either got Snap Chatted, Tweeted, Facebooked, or mass texted.

ETA: Happened to me at Steak n Shake before.

 

[OneForAll]

I sure this might not count, but took out the trash tonight open carrying. On my way back from the dumpster I could not help but notice the car coming towards me, then stopping and going in reverse. The look said it all, and I expect to hear from the cops or the apartment manager either tonight or tomorrow.

 

[Hevymetal]

You either got Snap Chatted, Tweeted, Facebooked, or mass texted.

ETA: Happened to me at Steak n Shake before.

Been there, done that. Had that happen to me when I stopped by my son's school. I kinda felt like a rock star. Walking down the hall to the office, quite a few kids noticed me OC and were taking tons of photos of me and my sidearm.

The school staff was not happy with me at all, but the kids didn't seem to mind.

 

[Michigander]

I have been OCing almost none at all over the past couple months because working too much combined with the thyroid disease I have has been screwing me up majorly, because I was having basically just enough energy to fight my way through the work day, with none left to confidently think straight, never mind go out and about OCing. However, I seem to be getting that into check with total hormone replacement, and subsequently have been OCing over the past week or so.

Evil Creamsicle and I just went and took a big hike around the beach at Empire Michigan, and got a very mixed set of reactions, but no negative comments, only positive comments, and a variety of intensive stares. The best was one that I am almost completely certain was a cop, who gave us one of the angriest commentless stares I have ever seen. Given all the illinois plates we saw, we both sincerely hope he works for the chicago pd.

 

[DrTodd]

I have been OCing almost none at all over the past couple months because working too much combined with the thyroid disease I have has been screwing me up majorly, because I was having basically just enough energy to fight my way through the work day, with none left to confidently think straight, never mind go out and about OCing. However, I seem to be getting that into check with total hormone replacement, and subsequently have been OCing over the past week or so.

Evil Creamsicle and I just went and took a big hike around the beach at Empire Michigan, and got a very mixed set of reactions, but no negative comments, only positive comments, and a variety of intensive stares. The best was one that I am almost completely certain was a cop, who gave us one of the angriest commentless stares I have ever seen. Given all the illinois plates we saw, we both sincerely hope he works for the chicago pd.

Glad to hear that you are doing better, understanding that "better" is a fairly relative term.
With Illinois passing a "concealed carry" law, despite it being very weak, it may change the way some from Illinois view "gun toters". Reading the dire predictions of those in the Land of Lincoln, you'd think they were the first area in the country to ever pass a concealed carry law. Those people need to get out a little more. I think once some of their citizens taste the limited freedom this new legislation will allow, there's no going back...

 

[xmanhockey7]

Glad to hear that you are doing better, understanding that "better" is a fairly relative term.
With Illinois passing a "concealed carry" law, despite it being very weak, it may change the way some from Illinois view "gun toters". Reading the dire predictions of those in the Land of Lincoln, you'd think they were the first area in the country to ever pass a concealed carry law. Those people need to get out a little more. I think once some of their citizens taste the limited freedom this new legislation will allow, there's no going back...

Happens everywhere. Plenty of journalists and the like scream there blood is going to flow through the streets. I think the state as a whole is fairly pro-carry, just probably not Chicago or some liberal suburbs.

Been there, done that. Had that happen to me when I stopped by my son's school. I kinda felt like a rock star. Walking down the hall to the office, quite a few kids noticed me OC and were taking tons of photos of me and my sidearm.

The school staff was not happy with me at all, but the kids didn't seem to mind.

I had a picture taken of me at Steak n Shake. I seriously considered pulling out my phone and taking a picture of him.

 

[Bikenut]

Had the convertible out to play again yesterday as Yooperlady and I (me OC'ing) had lunch at

Taco Bell in Clio where a gentleman mentioned he liked my choice of "accessories"....

The "A" in Flushing for ice cream (used to be A&W)...

As usual, and as it always should be, nothing negative happened.

 

[jeffrey-r]

Had a quick interaction at the gas station yesterday. Finished pumping and went inside to grab a couple drinks where the guy behind me must have noticed my gun. I pay and go outside, standing at my passenger door throwing the bag in the car when the guy walks up behind my vehicle and says "Mind if I ask you a question?" I turn and say sure. "Is that a Smith & Wesson?" I respond that it's actually a Beretta. "Oh, cool, I've got one like that." I nodded and said "Nice" or something, then got in my car.

One thing I did think about after though. As I was saying "No, it's a Beretta" I moved my hand down and touched it. Later, thinking back on the moment, I thought that I should consider not doing that, because depending on who I'm talking to (i.e. LEO) I could end up getting holes put in me for "making a move for my gun." So I'll keep that in mind for the future.

 

[lil_freak_66]

been all over, ihop in e. lansing, dicks sporting goods, various fast food places in the lansing and mason area, not just guns, total firearms, veteran guns(they are new in durand and have ammo!) CADL holt a few times and CADL mason once.

been to gander mountain a few times, unfortunately on a warranty issue for my wifes 10/22....but two times ago some older gentleman also there on a warranty issue said he had never seen an open carrier before, he and his wife asked a bit about if i get hassled or any of that and that was it.

oh, as i type this i am at CADL downtown.had some movies to pick up and drop off.

 

[fozzy71]

........veteran guns(they are new in durand and have ammo!) .....

Glad to see they are Pro-OC. I will have to stop in and buy a little something to show my support next time I am back up there. I don't need any ammo but I am sure I can find something to spend a little money on there.

 

[jeffrey-r]

Was at the corner store I always go to, picking up a slice of pizza and some drinks. I'm walking from the pizza counter over to the coolers as a guy and his 5 year old son come in carrying a bag of returnable cans. Can return is over in the corner where I am heading. I pass the kid, who looks up at me, and I say Hi to him. He says hi back, then turns back to the cooler and asks his dad if he can get something. I grab my two Red Bulls and turn around to face the guy and his kid. Guy tells his kid no, then looks up at me and like freezes, then says to his kid "Watch out, this guy's the po-lice." I chuckle and say "I'm not the police" and he responds with "Just playin'" and moves out of my way.

So... basically nothing happened. The only kind of funny thing was the guy stopping in his tracks for a split second when he saw the sidearm.

 

[Bikenut]

Yesterday Yooperlady and I (me OC'ing) went to:

Healthway pharmacy where the lady behind the counter asked if I was a police officer. And when I said "No." she asked if I had a CCW (I know.. but folks do call the CPL a "CCW" and I ordinarily don't want to seem like an anally retentive ass and correct them) and when I replied that I did but no permit was needed to carry like I was the other lady behind the counter said that was right... it was open carry.

And then the first lady told us that she has a CCW and carries a Smith .38... and the other lady said she was getting her permit... and we spent a while amiably chatting about how things have changed and carrying a gun is a necessity now.

Then Yooperlady needed some ceramic paint so off we go to Hobby Lobby.... where no one so much as blinked...

All that wandering around got us old farts in need of something to eat so we went to Taco Bell... and after paying for our tacos I left $5 to help pay for the next person in line. The guy behind the counter was a bit taken aback but after he understood what we wanted to do with the $5 he thought that was pretty cool.... soo... we get our food and sit down.

Well... the next lady in line had her two sons with her and she thanked us...

And then the next guy in line got his food...

And then... a young family came in and the father looked the part of what most folks would consider to be a gang banger with tattoos and saggy pants... and, after being at the counter he kept looking at us... and looking... and looking.. and we start thinking it's because he maybe thinks I'm a cop.. (I've been told because I wear black dress pants and a black button up shirt and sometimes even get a haircut that I look like a cop. Understand that is NOT intentional! It's just the way I like to dress) and Yooperlady and I are now watching him intently.

Well... that young father doted on his little kids. He was so attentive it was amazing. He would look at us kinda funny... then one of his kids would do or say something and all of his attention went to the child. And his manner with his children was so obviously and impressively tender and loving.

About that time the guy behind the counter came over and explained that the first lady refused the $5 and left it for the next person... and then the next guy did the same thing... and it was the young family with a father that his appearance screamed gang banger that got to enjoy that $5...

And when that family sat down they thanked us... and as we finished our tacos we got to watch an obviously devoted father dote on his two very young kids.

Appearances (all the way around) can be deceiving....

Please watch for my next post coming right up.....

 

[Bikenut]

Today Yooperlady and I (me OC'ing) went to KFC in Clio for lunch where I left $5 with the super friendly lady behind the counter for the next person in line and while we were enjoying our lunch Yooperlady noticed an older woman helping an elderly lady out of a pickup truck in the parking lot. The elderly lady was having some difficulty so we both got up to go see if we could help. It ended up with us holding the doors open for them ... and then they went to a table to get the elderly lady seated...Well... Yooperlady went up and added another $10 to the $5 I had left just for those two ladies... And... that ended up paying for both their meals.

The ladies thanked us and hugged us and the elderly lady even gave me a peck on the cheek.

We finished eating and went to Wal Mart to shop and.... guess who was also shopping? Yep... those two ladies who were mother and daughter...

Now... I sometimes, and maybe will much more often, make mention of leaving $5 for the next person in line... I'm not bragging but I am trying to spread an idea.. a concept.. a method of PR to show guns, and those who carry them, in a positive light one person at a time.

It costs $5 but for that $5 you get a personal interaction that reaches a person far better than any advertisement or even any march or protest (although those are vitally important too) that those who carry guns are generous and caring people.

Just like the young man in my other post above... appearances are deceiving... but when faced with the truth that appearances are the lie and the reality is something different than our assumptions.... then we must change our assumptions and perhaps even our beliefs.

Just from that one interaction with a young father I mentioned in the post above... I will never look upon another, what appears to be, gang banger the same again. And if leaving $5 will do the same thing for someone about looking at folks who carry guns then.................. that is the most value for dollar possible.

 

[Scooter]

OC'd with my eldest daughter at Cabela's on Sunday. I am usually not there on the weekends, it was busy and I got a bunch of looks. No bad looks, just curious. Found some reloading supplies for a friend. Then we went to the local Taco Bell and noticed some folks looking but, again, nothing negative. So far today we have been to Meijer, Panera Bread and Target (all in Ohio) soon, off to La Fiesta in Dundee for dinner.

 

[fozzy71]

Got my new Safarland 6287 for my FNS9 and coated the inside with Silicone Spray so I will be OC'ing again tomorrow after having been CC'ing with my new OWB non-retention Kydex holster from J-Bar this past week. I definitely like that Kydex OWB a lot better than my IWB Galco Summer Comfort for CC. I am not sure if I will like the 567BL Belt Loop that came with this or not (it rides closer to the body and has cant adjustment unlike the duty belt loop on my 6280) so I might have to mount it to the UBL Mid Ride duty belt loop adapter my FNP9 holster is currently mounted to.

p.s. Bikenut - I don't eat fast food often but I might try to follow your lead next time I am OCing and eating fast food.

 

[Bikenut]

Got my new Safarland 6287 for my FNS9 and coated the inside with Silicone Spray so I will be OC'ing again tomorrow after having been CC'ing with my new OWB non-retention Kydex holster from J-Bar this past week. I definitely like that Kydex OWB a lot better than my IWB Galco Summer Comfort for CC. I am not sure if I will like the 567BL Belt Loop that came with this or not (it rides closer to the body and has cant adjustment unlike the duty belt loop on my 6280) so I might have to mount it to the UBL Mid Ride duty belt loop adapter my FNP9 holster is currently mounted to.

p.s. Bikenut - I don't eat fast food often but I might try to follow your lead next time I am OCing and eating fast food.

 

[CaptBW]

Rode my trike on the Leelanau Trail while OC. Triked around Suttons Bay and visited two stores. No one objected.

 

[Scooter]

OC'd at LaFiesta in Dundee 2 nights ago for dinner with my wife, a few looks, no problem.

Yesterday OC'd in the Novi area around and in Twelve Oaks Mall. Had lunch at Bar Louie, the place was pretty empty, no problem. Went to Gander Mountain and picked up a 5.11 Tactical belt, it's so much better than the lame leather belt I've been dealing with for over 2 years, what a difference a good belt makes! No problems there. We then went to the Home Goods nearby. While waiting in line a woman behind us asked "What's that for?" as she pointed at my sidearm. I thought the question was funny but answered it was for the protection of myself, my wife and those around me. She then clarified her question and asked if I was a LEO or something. I told her I was just a regular citizen who OC's. She then said "oh, I heard that Open Carry Law passed recently..." (SMH!) I told her there was no new law. She thought you needed a special license to OC. I quickly brought her up to speed on OC and CPL's and the ability to OC more places with a CPL and such. As I was speaking I noticed the lady behind her had moved closer and as I explained/corrected the other lady, she was nodding her head in agreement, she seemed to know about OC and showed a positive attitude toward it. By this time it was my turn at the register so I moved forward. As I paid the 2 ladies continued to talk to each other. My wife heard the first lady say she didn't really like to see OC. The other lady said "People all around you could be carrying a gun right now and you just don't know because you don't see it.." the first lady replied "that's how I would like to keep it." The second lady replied to that " I like to see that" pointing to my sidearm, "I think it's good for people to see that, it puts people in a different mindset."
We then went to Starbucks for a drink, no problem.
Then into Twelve Oaks Mall. Walked around a little bit, a few casual looks, no problem.
A great day OCing!

 

[Golden Eagle]

OC'ed at Mendon's riverfest yesterday many people live bands and LEO's.

One man had to ask me if I was afraid of getting robed and of course I said "Not at all".

Will be there again tonight for their fireworks.