s&w_M&P_owner
Regular Member
Hey all.
Here's the situation: I was down at a local store last night around 7PM (for reasons of privacy since a big deal was not really made here, I won't post the store's name, I just want to see how you all would have handled this situation). I walk in, and there's really no one in there, and I'm looking at something in the front, and I see someone walk up beside me. I look, and it's an employee of the store, just standing there (I had my gun facing the side the employee was standing at). The following took place:
Employee: "Excuse me"
Me: "Is there a problem?" (nicely)
Employee: "Can you do me a favor?"
Me: "What's that?"
Employee: "Can you cover that up or something?"
Me: "Cover what up?"
Employee: "Your weapon"
Me: (I looked at her like she was nuts for a few seconds then said, nicely) "I'm sorry ma'am, but I can't do that. If I did, I would be in violation of the law and could go to prison."
Employee: "Well why not?"
Me: (again nicely) "Ma'am, I don't have a Concealed Handgun Permit. If I were to cover that weapon, I would be breaking the law by concealing without a permit. (The shirt I had on wouldn't have covered the holster anyway). Even if I had a concealed carry permit, open carry is fully legal in NC, and I'm not required by law to cover my gun or carry concealed at all times. If this will be a problem during my visit, I can leave and go down to the local Wal-Mart to get what I need."
Employee: *just stares at me with one of those "I'm not too happy about this" looks on her face*
Me: (After about 5 seconds) Well, If there will be no further issues, I'll get what I need and be on my way. Have a great evening."
The rest of the visit went without incident. You could tell she wasn't too happy. The manager was out for the evening, otherwise I may have asked to speak to him about what happened. I later that evening found out from someone that knows her that guns make her nervous. I'm sorry that guns make her nervous, but that doesn't give you a right to trample on people's rights and ask them to cover their weapons. What that employee did was pretty bold and uncalled for, if you ask me. The real kicker here is that the County Sheriff's office is right the down the road, and on-and-off duty Sheriff's Deputies come in there carrying their duty weapons constantly.
But enough with my opinion. I now ask you all this question: Based on what I've given you above, if you were in my position, what would you have done? I ask this so that if I'm ever in a position like this again, I know how to properly handle it, and not give OC'ers a bad name. Thanks ahead of time.
Here's the situation: I was down at a local store last night around 7PM (for reasons of privacy since a big deal was not really made here, I won't post the store's name, I just want to see how you all would have handled this situation). I walk in, and there's really no one in there, and I'm looking at something in the front, and I see someone walk up beside me. I look, and it's an employee of the store, just standing there (I had my gun facing the side the employee was standing at). The following took place:
Employee: "Excuse me"
Me: "Is there a problem?" (nicely)
Employee: "Can you do me a favor?"
Me: "What's that?"
Employee: "Can you cover that up or something?"
Me: "Cover what up?"
Employee: "Your weapon"
Me: (I looked at her like she was nuts for a few seconds then said, nicely) "I'm sorry ma'am, but I can't do that. If I did, I would be in violation of the law and could go to prison."
Employee: "Well why not?"
Me: (again nicely) "Ma'am, I don't have a Concealed Handgun Permit. If I were to cover that weapon, I would be breaking the law by concealing without a permit. (The shirt I had on wouldn't have covered the holster anyway). Even if I had a concealed carry permit, open carry is fully legal in NC, and I'm not required by law to cover my gun or carry concealed at all times. If this will be a problem during my visit, I can leave and go down to the local Wal-Mart to get what I need."
Employee: *just stares at me with one of those "I'm not too happy about this" looks on her face*
Me: (After about 5 seconds) Well, If there will be no further issues, I'll get what I need and be on my way. Have a great evening."
The rest of the visit went without incident. You could tell she wasn't too happy. The manager was out for the evening, otherwise I may have asked to speak to him about what happened. I later that evening found out from someone that knows her that guns make her nervous. I'm sorry that guns make her nervous, but that doesn't give you a right to trample on people's rights and ask them to cover their weapons. What that employee did was pretty bold and uncalled for, if you ask me. The real kicker here is that the County Sheriff's office is right the down the road, and on-and-off duty Sheriff's Deputies come in there carrying their duty weapons constantly.
But enough with my opinion. I now ask you all this question: Based on what I've given you above, if you were in my position, what would you have done? I ask this so that if I'm ever in a position like this again, I know how to properly handle it, and not give OC'ers a bad name. Thanks ahead of time.