• We are now running on a new, and hopefully much-improved, server. In addition we are also on new forum software. Any move entails a lot of technical details and I suspect we will encounter a few issues as the new server goes live. Please be patient with us. It will be worth it! :) Please help by posting all issues here.
  • The forum will be down for about an hour this weekend for maintenance. I apologize for the inconvenience.
  • If you are having trouble seeing the forum then you may need to clear your browser's DNS cache. Click here for instructions on how to do that
  • Please review the Forum Rules frequently as we are constantly trying to improve the forum for our members and visitors.

List Your Open Carry Experiences Here

DeSchaine

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 5, 2013
Messages
537
Location
Kalamazoo, MI
OC'd yesterday while fixing a friends car in the Westside Medical parking lot on West Main/M43 in Kalamazoo. Apparently, someone entering the main entrance of the facility complained about it to the people at the front desk. However, nothing was done. No one from Westside ever came out to talk to me. Another person (this one pro 2A) stopped to inform me about it as they were leaving.
 
B

Bikenut

Guest
OC'd yesterday at:

Rite Aid in Bridgeport

and

Burger King in Flint.

Just another uneventful day exactly as it should be.
 

wrearick

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2013
Messages
650
Location
Virginia Beach, Va.
Just got back from visiting the folks and kin in and around Madison heights for the holidays. Travel to and from Virginia to Michigan was uneventful although disarming for the 3 miles of Maryland I can not avoid is always a hassle but less so than spending the holiday in jail. Open carried several times to the Exxon, Walgreens, and CVS in Madision heights. Took the mrs up to Frankenmuth to tour through Bronners Christmas Shops and the Michigan Military Heroes Museum. No issues.

Had lunch at Gillies Coney Island in Mount Morris, and while a few folks may have glanced and noticed there were no issues and no one running and screaming in a panic. Stopped by Medical Depot to look for some medical supplies and discovered it was a medicinal mary jane joint so we didn't stay. Rest areas and hotels along the way (Pittsburg PA and Winchester Va) were no problems either.
 

Michigander

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2007
Messages
4,818
Location
Mulligan's Valley
In 2009, Taurus850cia, his sister, and myself signed and dropped off a complaint that I wrote about the misconduct and slander involving about half a dozen OCSD deputies wrongfully detaining us at what I call the Troy Boston Market debacle. In response, Sheriff Bouchard had his staff come up with sweeping new protocols for their agency, and sent the info out to all other county sheriffs departments in Michigan with the request that they send the info out to all the agencies within their counties. And that was the beginning of open carry being respected by honest cops in Michigan. For what it's worth, sheriff Bouchard would go on to out himself as a bill of rights hating thug when 1st amendment audited several years ago, but I still give him credit for what he did for us.

After we dropped off the complaint at Sheriff Bouchard's office, we went over to the Gander Mountain across Telegraph. I bought myself a Hawaiian shirt for if I remember right 7 bucks. I still have it, so today I wore it to breakfast while OCing. And I will say, Tucson is awesome for OCing. There are so many armed people here, and everyone knows OC and CC are rights that don't require licenses, so I never get challenged on it.
 

Wstar425

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2014
Messages
570
Location
Tomahawk and Abbotsford, Wi.
As I recall it is/was a clearance center. Definitely not the normal selection.

We had a girl from Hawaii stay with us for the month of July for 7 years, when we had horses. Each year she would bring me a Hawaiian shirt. If I tucked it in she about had a heart attack. Apparently, a big no-no! I don't really like my shirts untucked, but I do sometimes in the summer but only with a Hawaiian shirt, if I choose to conceal, like for church. Kinda of a joke, anyone who knew me knew that if I was wearing an untucked shirt it was to cover a firearm.
 
Last edited:
B

Bikenut

Guest
OC'd at Wal Mart in Clio today and a gentleman by the name of Dave struck up a conversation saying a friend got his carry permit because open carry makes a person a target.

We had a very good conversation and I left him with a better understanding of the deterrent effect of open carry and a print out of Michigan's laws.

Hopefully Dave will find his way here.
 

DeSchaine

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 5, 2013
Messages
537
Location
Kalamazoo, MI
Ok, so yesterday I had something of an odd experience.

I stopped at my g/f's apartment after work and had a great discussion with her roomies b/f. He was slightly surprised to see an OC'er and we had a great discussion where I was able to educate him on the basics and pros and cons of different handguns. To that end, I unholstered my G23, emptying the mag well and chamber before handing it to him to inspect. The roomie appeared just as I was reloading it and placing it back into my holster. SHE was not so enthused about me carrying and peppered me with questions about my qualifications, experience etc etc. She then proceeded to try and stare me down with a look that I can only describe as an evil "you must die" glare. lol I imagine they had a lively discussion on their way to dinner. My g/f, having been around it for a while since I carry all the time, thought the entire episode hilarious.
 

kyfto007

Newbie
Joined
Jun 6, 2015
Messages
3
Location
Allegan, MI
Cass River Arcade - Riverplace shop in Frankenmuth

Frankenmuth, MI is now 2 for 2 in my visits there while open carrying. The Cass River Arcade has no signs posted but yet I was told they don't allow open carry. I was told to "cover it up" so they can't see it. My G21 was printing like hell but I let my kids finish playing before leaving. I sent a complaint via their website and am awaiting their reply. FYI Prost & Cass River Arcade are anti-oc if you're ever visiting Frankenmuth. These are the only 2 stores in the state that I've ever been asked to cover up and/or leave.
 

DeSchaine

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 5, 2013
Messages
537
Location
Kalamazoo, MI
Carried in the new Chick Fil A in Portage today. No issues even though I didn't stay. Even two months after opening, that place is insanely busy! So went down the road to KFC, again, no issues. A could guys wearing 82nd ABN shirts came in after me and we had a nice discussion about carry calibers.
 
B

Bikenut

Guest
OC'd for dinner at Long John Silvers off Bay Rd. in Saginaw today. Got a few looks but that was all. No big deal.
 
B

Bikenut

Guest
OC'd today at:

Independent Bank in Bridgeport where folks are used to seeing me.

Taco Bell on Tittabawassee Rd. in Saginaw for lunch where many folks noticed but there weren't any issues.

Lowes where I had to buy a new refrigerator after fixing the old refrigerator's sagging door. :shocker: Folks noticed my OC but no one much cared.
 

Big Gay Al

Michigan Moderator
Joined
Aug 27, 2006
Messages
1,944
Location
Mason, Michigan, USA
Biggby's in Mason, where they're used to seeing me in my security uniform, no one said anything about my pistol. Just normal conversations. :)
Mason Meijer, a few glances, nothing else. I don't think most noticed.
Taco Bell in Mason. Like BIggby's, most of them are used to seeing me as an armed security officer, so nothing out of the ordinary.
 

OC4me

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2009
Messages
750
Location
Northwest Kent County, Michigan
Yesterday was a bit chilly so I did conceal under my sweater. Nevertheless, I just so happened to see two others open carrying. The first was the tow truck operator after the car I was driving had a breakdown and then later in the day I saw another person open carrying in Walmart. Both instances were in Greenville.

A good day!
 

fozzy71

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2010
Messages
921
Location
Roseville, Michigan, USA
Held the door open the other day for 2 of Roseville's finest at the corner store, while open carrying, after my 90 minute run/walk/run. No comments from them other than a thank you for holding the door and a quick glance at my appendix carried OC glock.
 
Last edited:

kyfto007

Newbie
Joined
Jun 6, 2015
Messages
3
Location
Allegan, MI
Attended Tulip Time Festival in Holland, MI and OC'd the entire time. Heard a kid ask his mom why that guy (me) has a gun. His mom said some people are allowed to do that. No issues at all, as it should be!
 

CaptBW

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2008
Messages
147
Location
Traverse City, MI, ,
It hasn't been warm enough to open carry very much. But I carry everywhere I am allowed to do so. Knowing that I don't have to worry about exposing my firearm
is very comforting.
 
B

Bikenut

Guest
Shook hands with another open carrier in the Clio Wal Mart today. Young guy too. Good to see the younger generation taking up to replace the diminishing number of us old farts.
 
Top