Menomonie, WI Culvers OC Meet & Greet Possibility?

[junkie]

Man, why the 12th? I would be there, but I have to work. I live here in Menomonie and have been wanting to get together for some time now. Oh well, next time I guess.

 

[Pyro01]

That was the one day I knew I'd be in town and had nothing really planned that day, if it would be more convenient to everyone to move it to the 13th then I'd be fine doing that, but for now it's still the 12th. Still wouldn't mind getting together with you some other time of the week. I'm always looking for other like-minded individuals in my area.

 

[Wisconsin Carry Inc.]

I would LOVE to join you, but I will be working the Eau Claire Gun show that weekend (11,12,13) and was hoping a few of you local fellas could help work the table.

PM me if you are interested, or can help.

 

[LR Yote 312]

Good thing we don't live in Commie-fornia

Commie-fornia a nice place, just not for gun laws.

Fixed it for ya !!

Personally the sooner the fault splits...the better off we are.

LR Yote

 

[Pyro01]

I would LOVE to join you, but I will be working the Eau Claire Gun show that weekend (11,12,13) and was hoping a few of you local fellas could help work the table.

PM me if you are interested, or can help.

I didn't know about the Eau Claire gun show that weekend. Maybe I'll go there on Sunday for a bit. Dunno about staffing the table, but if you let me know more about I'll consider helping you out if I can.

 

[Pyro01]

So, I ran into another issue with my wife on our meet-up. She wants me to call up the Culver's we're going to and ask them if it's ok to carry sidearms there. I told her that people on this forum meet up all over at Culver's and it's perfectly legal, and if we did get asked to take our guns off, that we'd comply and then ask to speak to their store manager. I also told her that I really didn't want to ask them because we shouldn't need permission to exercise a right, especially if I know they support it. Because I love her and she said she might join us if I do ask them, I'm going to oblige her but I'm trying to think the best way to ask them, here's a thought:

Me: "Hi, can I speak to your store manager?"

Culvers: "Well, I'm a manager, how can I help you?"

Me: "Are you familiar with all of Culver's policies sir?"

Culvers: "I believe so, which one in particular?"

Me: "Does Culver's support a law-abiding citizen's right to legally open carry firearms in their WI stores?"

I had another version of the question, but I think the one above is the best I could come up with. Once again, the reason I'm doing this is to make my wife see that it's ok to open carry guns and that she's getting worked up for no reason. I think she just doesn't want to see the police called on me, but I said even if they were, nothing would happen. Also, if I could get her to join us, I think it'd do her some good to show her that you guys are carrying are more level-headed than most people out there because we take responsibility for our own safety and those that we love.

 

[XDFDE45]

I think there is a issue with the store either being corporate or franchise owned. I know there was a incident at a planned GTG at a Culver's where the day of the meet there was a sign saying "No Guns Allowed" and then later it was removed :banghead:. I'll see if I can dig that thread up.

EDIT: Here a go http://www.forum.opencarry.org/forums/showthread.php?85872-OC-Meet-amp-Eat-Culvers-Viroqua-Feb-12

 

[Pyro01]

The thought of a franchise hadn't crossed my mind, but now that I think about it could happen to us even though I've never seen a "no guns" sign posted there. Which makes me even more hesitant to ask them, I think I'll change my initial question and ask if their Culvers is corporate or a franchise, and then choose my words carefully after that.

 

[Pyro01]

Well, I spoke to the owner of the Culvers we plan on going to, and he said it was perfectly fine for us to come and meet up there. He says we're paying customers like everyone else, and he supports our second amendment rights to carry a firearm and really liked that I did ask what he thought before we showed up all open carrying. I know I shouldn't be asking to exercise a right, but I'd rather establish a rapport with the owner especially if I plan on carrying there more often. Seeing as how his store is a franchise, the guy has every right to restrict firearms from his store. I think it's a step in the right direction. He appreciates our professionalism.

 

[Pyro01]

Looking forward to this afternoon, see you all there! My wife decided she wanted to lounge around the house, so she probably won't be coming by to say hi.

 

[lance galloway]

I am also looking forward to this afternoon.

Also how do you want us to meat up. at the front door ? at a table ? it does not matter to me.

 

[Pyro01]

Front door would probably be best, or at one of the picnic tables outside, and then we go in. As I said before, I have prior permission from the owner for us all to be there. I just hope he notified his staff so I don't have to.

 

[goforlow]

Don't worry about the staff, you will be surprised how many people will not even notice you have the gun on.

Just to let you know, Lance drives a black Ford truck with a large Wisconsin Carry sticker on the back window and I drive a white Toyota pickup with a large Wisconsin Carry sticker on the back of the topper.

See in a few.

Tony

 

[Pyro01]

Well, it all went real well. We had even more people than I expected for Culvers which was awesome. The girls who showed up with their .45 spoke to the same manager I spoke to on Monday, and the manager thought that was really cool. After chatting for about an hour 15 minutes, we took a picture and some of us headed to the Menomonie Wal-Mart. We walked in with no questions asked and did some shopping. We had employees eyeing us and walking by pretending they weren't looking, and we only had one employee(store manager I believe) come up and ask us if we were finding everything. We said we were and she just left us alone while we talked to two guys about Open Carry in WI. After that we split up and left without any issues.

So to sum it all up, 5 gun carrying citizens at Culvers WalMart in a democratic college town. No police called, or any other issues, and two potential recruits for Open Carry. Good job everyone!

http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i33/Pyro_01/?action=view&current=8547922a.jpg&evt=user_media_share

 

[MattD]

Was great to meet you guys! Good conversation, good people... shared a few big laughs. For an hour and a half I feel like it went by quick. Only complaint I have from the day is that I now have some sticker envy!!! I'll make sure I fix that soon though.

Hope to have another get together soon... maybe in EC.

 

[lance galloway]

Had fun too and thanks Pyro01 for posting the photo I now have proof that I am not only one who OCs.

MattD if you go to the gun show in Eau Claire tomorrow stop by the Wisconsin Carry booth and talk with Hubert I think he has some stickers and t-shirts for sale. And a big yes to the Eau Claire get together idea.

 

[XDFDE45]

Very nice. Glad things went smoothly for you folks

 

[Pyro01]

It makes me happy, I was almost counting on someone calling the police today just because of how many democrats are in this town. But, maybe I'm just thinking about the average college kids and old people I see on the roads holding signs that say "Recall Senator Harsdof" and "kill the bill" on the main drags in Menomonie. MattD and Lance saw who I was talking about.

Maybe with exception to people like those, Menomonie's not that bad...

 

[goforlow]

The wife and I had a good time. Next time we may need to find a range and do some shooting too! That may have to wait until the end of April or into May thou. Next time my wife will be sporting her new M&P!

Later

Tony

 

[Pyro01]

There's a range about 5 minutes from Culvers. They usually have supervisors scheduled almost every day, just not yesterday. It's a nice range too. I'm sure it can done the next time we get together.