-NEMO-
Regular Member
Hello all,
I've been a long time follower of these forums. Read them religiously... Haven't seen a need to create an account until now.
Today was my first time OC in public. Have done it in my home a lot, carry concealed whenever I leave the house. But after some long conversations with my girlfriends brother in law last night(new gun owner/OC), I realized I know a lot more about OC law and how to deal with encounters more then I thought(but nor am I expert). So today I decided to strap on the usual S&W M&P but instead of concealing it, I openly carried it all morning. Had 4 errands to run.
First I stopped at Kinkos in Bonney Lake to get a few copies of the WA State Gun Rights Pamphlet made just in case I ran into any interested citizens or "anti gun" people out there. Not going to lie, I was a little nervous as this was my first time in public OC. I just kept telling myself, if I look or seem nervous it is going to do nothing but draw attention to myself and make the people around me wonder what is going on. Eventually I calmed down and finished my business with the employee with no confrontations or interaction about my side arm.
Next stop was down the hill at Winco in Sumner. Walked up with pamphlets in the back pocket on my non dominate side having my doubts about this place as I have read other stories about other local Wincos around Western Washington having anti gun employees that would demand them to cover. But to my surprise, all went well there. No confrontations, no interactions. Not even a stray look. Like I read all the time on here, people just don't pay attention to their surroundings. I realized that first hand today.
After Winco was my stop at Walmart for their $5 dollar movie bin (gotta love $5 movies!). It was fairly busy considering it was a Thursday morning. Walked right inside, past the door greeter with my strong side towards her as I seeked out the blue grocery hand baskets. Continued my shopping, no good movies this time. No one seemed to notice except for one guy wearing a NRA hat. I passed by this older gentleman on a electric scooter that was wearing a NRA hat. We made eye contact and he kind of gave me a half smile/half grin. I just nodded my head and proceeded on. Other then that, same as my last stops.
Lastly was my grocery stop at Safeway. I for sure thought someone was going to say something around here. I know all of the employees and they all know me as I've grown up in Bonney Lake and this is the only store myself and my whole family shops at for groceries. But too my surprise, no approaches and nothing said. Just a couple confused looks from the checker and the grocery bagger.
All in all, I had great experiences open carrying today. Unfortunately, sooner or later I will run into that one un approving citizen. And I will have to deal with it. But until then, I will keep on carrying openly in the Bonney Lake/Sumner area.
-Nemo -
I've been a long time follower of these forums. Read them religiously... Haven't seen a need to create an account until now.
Today was my first time OC in public. Have done it in my home a lot, carry concealed whenever I leave the house. But after some long conversations with my girlfriends brother in law last night(new gun owner/OC), I realized I know a lot more about OC law and how to deal with encounters more then I thought(but nor am I expert). So today I decided to strap on the usual S&W M&P but instead of concealing it, I openly carried it all morning. Had 4 errands to run.
First I stopped at Kinkos in Bonney Lake to get a few copies of the WA State Gun Rights Pamphlet made just in case I ran into any interested citizens or "anti gun" people out there. Not going to lie, I was a little nervous as this was my first time in public OC. I just kept telling myself, if I look or seem nervous it is going to do nothing but draw attention to myself and make the people around me wonder what is going on. Eventually I calmed down and finished my business with the employee with no confrontations or interaction about my side arm.
Next stop was down the hill at Winco in Sumner. Walked up with pamphlets in the back pocket on my non dominate side having my doubts about this place as I have read other stories about other local Wincos around Western Washington having anti gun employees that would demand them to cover. But to my surprise, all went well there. No confrontations, no interactions. Not even a stray look. Like I read all the time on here, people just don't pay attention to their surroundings. I realized that first hand today.
After Winco was my stop at Walmart for their $5 dollar movie bin (gotta love $5 movies!). It was fairly busy considering it was a Thursday morning. Walked right inside, past the door greeter with my strong side towards her as I seeked out the blue grocery hand baskets. Continued my shopping, no good movies this time. No one seemed to notice except for one guy wearing a NRA hat. I passed by this older gentleman on a electric scooter that was wearing a NRA hat. We made eye contact and he kind of gave me a half smile/half grin. I just nodded my head and proceeded on. Other then that, same as my last stops.
Lastly was my grocery stop at Safeway. I for sure thought someone was going to say something around here. I know all of the employees and they all know me as I've grown up in Bonney Lake and this is the only store myself and my whole family shops at for groceries. But too my surprise, no approaches and nothing said. Just a couple confused looks from the checker and the grocery bagger.
All in all, I had great experiences open carrying today. Unfortunately, sooner or later I will run into that one un approving citizen. And I will have to deal with it. But until then, I will keep on carrying openly in the Bonney Lake/Sumner area.
-Nemo -