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OC vacation experiences in Mackinaw and the UP Part Deux

Hevymetal

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 22, 2012
Messages
261
Location
Clinton Twp
A few things have changed and many people's attitudes towards OC and carry in general have improved since my last visit to Mackinac Island. I will try and give a brief synopsis of the vacation the wife and I took up north and to the island last weekend for those that might care and in the hopes it may encourage others to OC more. I did have one bad incident due to someones bad parenting. (read below)

My original thread 07-08-2012, 12:09 PM can be found here.

http://forum.opencarry.org/forums/s...C-vacation-experiences-in-Mackinaw-and-the-UP

We left our house Friday morning to head up north for the weekend. The trip up north was mostly uneventful little to no looks and no comments. We made several stops for food, gas and bathroom breaks.

Our first stop was in Marquette for some unscheduled repairs to the car. Spent a couple of hours in the dealership and a sales guys said "Nice Glock", I cringed and replied "It's a Sig." We had a conversation for about 10 minutes about carrying and he said he wished he could carry at work but they do not allow it. Spent the night there after some uneventful sight seeing around town. Walked into the motel OCing asked for a room, no problem.

In the morning off we went we stopped in Eagle Harbor at Jampot for some delicious jam. I was a little hesitant about OCing around a bunch of monks on church property but figured it's a store open to the public and no signs were seen so if they didn't like it they would say something. Not a word was said to except "Hello sir, may I help you." So with that I bought 2 extra jars of jelly besides what the wife wanted, they deserved our support. Thanked him paid for our stuff and back on the road.

Our journey continued to Copper Harbor, upon arrival we discovered there was some sort of BMX event. The village had 3,000 BMXers all over. Heard a few "Hey, check out that guys gun.' by some of the people as we passed by but no one said a word to me. We visited several stores a bought a few souvenirs.

On the road again to Houghton and Michigan Tech.I stopped by a branch chapter of the fraternity I am a member of. Once in a while I like to drop by various chapters while traveling. I had never OCed whiled visiting a college chapter house before and figured once again the worst they could do is tell me to leave or put it away, it's not like it's UofM after all. Parked our car visited the brothers and not a negative word was spoken about me carrying. In fact several of the brothers inquired about how they go about OCing back home. Until they could get their CPL.

Next stop St. Ignace. We got a hotel luckily. It was Sunday before labor day. We had no reservations and most everywhere was packed with the bridge walk the following day. Walked in OCing got the room no problem.

Here's where a very frightful event that has NEVER happened to me before in the 20+ years of carrying occurred. The wife wanted a soda so off to the vending machine I went. It is located outside the office door. It was daylight and quite a few people were still checking in. I deposited my money hit the button and down came the can. I reach down for the soda and it was jammed in the anti-theft door. This was gonna require a little more effort. I leaned over and was getting the can unstuck when I felt a hard tug on my firearm. My heart stopped, adrenaline kicked in. I quickly spun around putting my hand on my sidearm I was just starting to release my retention holstered weapon preparing for the worst case scenario. Upon rotating I saw the individual trying to grab my gun. It was a kid about 9-10 years old (old enough to know better). I instantly pushed back on my sidearm re holstering it in the retention position. It hadn't yet cleared the holster yet.

I was stunned, It took a moment for what just happened to set in. I yelled, at quite a loud level "HEY you NEVER grab a person's gun, that's a great way to wind up dead or in jail." There were 15-20 people standing around in the parking lot. Everything stopped, every one looked at me and the kid. The kids mother (who was too busy drinking beer and chatting with her friends to watch her kid) heard this and ran over screaming at me "You shouldn't be carrying a gun A$$hole." I was speechless for a second or two thinking to myself. WTF?? your kid grabbed my gun and it was my fault for carrying one? I responded "Yes, I should, I'm required to." (for the protection of myself and my family) she countered "Not unless your a cop." I could tell where this was going. "Maybe I am, maybe I'm not, it's doesn't matter. Know that if I am, I could arrest your kid immediately for what he just did." Meanwhile the kid who jumped back about 5 feet when I spun around was just standing there snickering at me. His mother upon hearing that statement her son could be arrested grabbed him so hard she may have dislocated his shoulder. He started to scream as she was literally dragging him away now yelling at him instead of me. Situation was diffused at this point as far as I was concerned, back to my room without another word being said as rapidly as I could.

I have never had anyone grab my weapon before more os less a kid that was old enough to know you shouldn't do that. I kept thinking did I do something wrong? Usually I have pretty good situational awareness, having carried for so many years, had I slipped being momentarily distracted by the errant soda machine? When I made it back to the room and told the wife what just transpired, she hit the roof, told me I didn't do anything wrong and complained about bad parents for the next 2 hrs. LOL

Off to Mackinac Island the next morning, Labor Day.We used Star Line Ferry again to get to the island because of the positive experience I had last time. Unknown to me they had updated their policy on the transport of firearms. I declared my firearm while getting my tickets with no issue. I was told to declare it to the Capt. before boarding. So I told the dock worker I was transporting my Sig which I was OCing. The Capt. came over and asked if I had a CPL. I replied yes but I'm OCing and a CPL isn't required and showed it to him. I was surprised when he said "OK, just keep it in your holster you have a CPL." Curious I asked "It's ok for me to keep it during the voyage? I had to clear and surrender it last time" Then he told me the story of a past incident over a year ago where a passenger who declared his firearm but didn't unload and clear it before giving it to the Capt. of another ferry and the Capt. pulled the trigger and discharged the gun (not sure if it was onboard or dockside) So their new policy is if you have a CPL just show it and you get to keep your firearm on your person during the voyage. If you don't then you have to lock it in a closet on the ferry without and crew handling it. He said they are trying to conform as much as they can and make it a easy as possible for people. I thanked him and shook his hand.

We arrived on the island. While walking down main street an older gentleman yelled "Hey you", I kept walking. "You, the guy with the gun come here a minute." I though, Oh great here we go again. As I walked over to him, he extended his hand and shook mine and thanked me for carrying. He was a Korean war vet who was an avid supporter of the 2nd amendment and was happy to see people carrying. We briefly talked about OC then he thanked me again and I was back on my way. The rest of the days excursions were uneventful except for an Arab family with women wearing full burkas not wanting to get on the same carriage with me and the wife. The few words of their conversation I caught I believe they thought I was some kind of federal agent following them (My son suggested I should have talked into my sleeve occasionally strengthening their belief). The wife and I had a great time. I kept my Sig on my side for the return ferry ride to the mainland.

We stayed another night in St. Ignace at a different hotel, then ventured back home the next morning with no problems.

The UP is an awesome place to go to and the residents seem a lot more desensitized to OCing then down here. I encourage everyone to OC on their next vacation.

I apologize for the long-windedness of this post but I hope it helps others to learn and diminish any fears or concerns they may have about OCing.

Hevy
 

fozzy71

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2010
Messages
921
Location
Roseville, Michigan, USA
Thanks for the story, good stuff. Not sure what type of holster but I am guessing it is belt slide or paddle? I used to carry mine at 3 o clock with one slide loop on either side of the belt loop to help keep it from sliding but I found it more comfortable when driving for example to put it in front of the belt loop at 2:30. When in busier places where SA is required more, like it was for you when the kid grabbed it, I will slide it more forward towards 1:30 or 2 o clock. Some food for thought.
 

Hevymetal

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 22, 2012
Messages
261
Location
Clinton Twp
Thanks for the story, good stuff. Not sure what type of holster but I am guessing it is belt slide or paddle? I used to carry mine at 3 o clock with one slide loop on either side of the belt loop to help keep it from sliding but I found it more comfortable when driving for example to put it in front of the belt loop at 2:30. When in busier places where SA is required more, like it was for you when the kid grabbed it, I will slide it more forward towards 1:30 or 2 o clock. Some food for thought.

I use a Blackhawk Serpa CQC Concealment Holster-Belt Loop & Paddle Platform Level 2 RH located at my 3 o clock.
 

DeSchaine

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 5, 2013
Messages
537
Location
Kalamazoo, MI
Great story Hevy. I love how cool the people up there are about firearms. That woman and her brat kid were probably Chi town weekenders.

Oh, and I like your sons sense of humor. lol
 

Hevymetal

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 22, 2012
Messages
261
Location
Clinton Twp
Great story Hevy. I love how cool the people up there are about firearms. That woman and her brat kid were probably Chi town weekenders.

Oh, and I like your sons sense of humor. lol

Yeah the UP is way better toward OCers then around here. The wife (who LOVES to shop) and I were in 40+ stores, 15+ restaurant/bars and numerous other places and 98%+ of people's reactions were positive.

Not sure where they were from. It was obvious they were both derelicts, she was 3 sheets to the wind and her kid was enjoying the fact she was yelling at me. I think when I made that comment about her kid going to jail for his illegal actions. "Maybe" it got thru her head, I suspect he has been in trouble before. I just wanted to diffuse it as quick as possible. My heart was beating at like 200+ BPM as soon as i felt the strong tug. When I saw an opportunity to bolt I did. I needed to calm myself down.

It was funny we kept seeing that same family all over the Island at different times. Coincidental as it was I wonder why they were so nervous and anxious whenever they saw me. I exited the Harley dealer on the Island at one point in the afternoon (after the carriage ride), after being in there 20 minutes or so with the wife buying some shirts and there they were right outside the door when we exited. I think the men were contemplating going inside. As soon as they saw me and the wife the men said something to the women and they immediately and quickly started to walk across the street and away from us. LOL
 

taxman

Banned
Joined
Jun 18, 2015
Messages
124
Location
Michigan
Great story Hevy. I love how cool the people up there are about firearms. That woman and her brat kid were probably Chi town weekenders.

Good point, sounds like FIBs. (effing Illinois Bastards, people from southern WI know what I'm talking about)

I guess the answer to that, and the negatives described in the 2012 thread, is "You aren't from around here, are you?"
 

lockman

State Researcher
Joined
Aug 19, 2006
Messages
1,193
Location
Elgin, Illinois, USA
Good point, sounds like FIBs. (effing Illinois Bastards, people from southern WI know what I'm talking about)

I guess the answer to that, and the negatives described in the 2012 thread, is "You aren't from around here, are you?"

I found the best way to not be outed as a FIB is to open carry.
 

Liberty-or-Death

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2014
Messages
411
Location
23235
Father-in-law is camping out in Marenisco, MI bear hunting this week. He never OC's where he's from down south of K'zoo, but strapped on his .44 revolver for this trip.
 

Wstar425

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2014
Messages
570
Location
Tomahawk and Abbotsford, Wi.
Good point, sounds like FIBs. (effing Illinois Bastards, people from southern WI know what I'm talking about)

I guess the answer to that, and the negatives described in the 2012 thread, is "You aren't from around here, are you?"

I run into quite a few people from Illinois, Cook County, and even Chicago while out on my OC dog walks past and to the local ice cream joint in NORTHERN WI. For the most part they seem to be pretty open to the idea of me walking around their midst with a firearm. This year, one nicely dressed Grandma type said she remembered me from last year, and asked me to take a picture of their family. Which I did. Then all the kids crowded around my dog. No mention made of firearm.

The worst reaction was from some guy with an Eagles jersey. Made a big production of gathering his clan and exiting the area before "something bad happened". Of course, I'm looking around for the questionable element, and saw none, so I carried on.

Having said that, I have no issues with your description of our south of the border aliens. The Wisconsin border, yah that one!
 

Have Gun - Will Carry

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 29, 2010
Messages
290
Location
Kenosha County, Wisconsin
Good point, sounds like FIBs. (effing Illinois Bastards, people from southern WI know what I'm talking about)

I guess the answer to that, and the negatives described in the 2012 thread, is "You aren't from around here, are you?"

<snip>
Having said that, I have no issues with your description of our south of the border aliens. The Wisconsin border, yah that one!

I found the best way to not be outed as a FIB is to open carry.

Now wait a second here... I live 5 miles from the state line, and I've never heard FIBs described that way before! Don't you guys know that acronym really stands for "Friendly Illinois Brothers"? :lol:

LOL, I can't even type those words without cracking up! Trust me, living this close to the border I'm much better acquainted with FIBs than most of you... and certainly much better than I'd like to be! (No offense Lockman, you seem to be one of the few exceptions to the rule...)
 

Wstar425

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2014
Messages
570
Location
Tomahawk and Abbotsford, Wi.
Now wait a second here... I live 5 miles from the state line, and I've never heard FIBs described that way before! Don't you guys know that acronym really stands for "Friendly Illinois Brothers"? :lol:

LOL, I can't even type those words without cracking up! Trust me, living this close to the border I'm much better acquainted with FIBs than most of you... and certainly much better than I'd like to be! (No offense Lockman, you seem to be one of the few exceptions to the rule...)

Everything south of Madison/Milwaukee is PART of Illinois!!! I know some people that say south of Hwy 29 and even a few that claim Hwy 64!!!! 😳😳😳

I'd be good with 64 north, we can combine with the Michigan UP and form the 😎 58th state. Maybe carve out a little loop around Green Bay for the Packers and make it the new Capitol.
 

Have Gun - Will Carry

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 29, 2010
Messages
290
Location
Kenosha County, Wisconsin
Everything south of Madison/Milwaukee is PART of Illinois!!! I know some people that say south of Hwy 29 and even a few that claim Hwy 64!!!! &#55357;&#56883;&#55357;&#56883;&#55357;&#56883;

I'd be good with 64 north, we can combine with the Michigan UP and form the &#55357;&#56846; 58th state. Maybe carve out a little loop around Green Bay for the Packers and make it the new Capitol.

Hey now, be nice! I may live south of Milwaukee, but we're still free here - I open carry all the time! Show me a FIB that can do that in his home state...

Besides, there's a world of difference in the people as soon as you cross that state line - believe me, we'll treat you better than anyone south of here will. And due to our proximity to Chitcago, we hate the Bears a lot more than anyone who lives farther than walking distance from the border possibly could!

Don't you dare try to secede Green Bay from the rest of Wisconsin! Them's fightin' words! :p


ETA: Oops, I forgot we were discussing WI in the Michigan subforum/UP thread... Sorry 'bout that, trolls and yoopers, I didn't mean to step on toes by getting so far off topic...
 
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OC4me

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2009
Messages
750
Location
Northwest Kent County, Michigan
Just got back from Mackinaw Island with my family. Unfortunately, it is not practical to properly exercise rights on cold windy days so was concealed under multiple layers of outer clothing. I did however, carry at the Holiday Inn Express in Gaylord, where we spent the night on the way up. The continental breakfast lounge was very busy. Nobody had an issue as expected, this included the Chinese tourists in line behind me and sitting next to us.
 
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taxman

Banned
Joined
Jun 18, 2015
Messages
124
Location
Michigan
Nobody had an issue as expected, this included the Chinese tourists in line behind me and sitting next to us.

Many Chinese and Japanese tourists come here to play with guns.
I wonder if the results would have been different with British, Californian, or NYC tourists behind you.
 

Glock214

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
164
Location
Kalamazoo, MI
A few things have changed and many people's attitudes towards OC and carry in general have improved since my last visit to Mackinac Island. I will try and give a brief synopsis of the vacation the wife and I took up north and to the island last weekend for those that might care and in the hopes it may encourage others to OC more. I did have one bad incident due to someones bad parenting. (read below)

My original thread 07-08-2012, 12:09 PM can be found here.

http://forum.opencarry.org/forums/s...C-vacation-experiences-in-Mackinaw-and-the-UP

We left our house Friday morning to head up north for the weekend. The trip up north was mostly uneventful little to no looks and no comments. We made several stops for food, gas and bathroom breaks.

Our first stop was in Marquette for some unscheduled repairs to the car. Spent a couple of hours in the dealership and a sales guys said "Nice Glock", I cringed and replied "It's a Sig." We had a conversation for about 10 minutes about carrying and he said he wished he could carry at work but they do not allow it. Spent the night there after some uneventful sight seeing around town. Walked into the motel OCing asked for a room, no problem.

In the morning off we went we stopped in Eagle Harbor at Jampot for some delicious jam. I was a little hesitant about OCing around a bunch of monks on church property but figured it's a store open to the public and no signs were seen so if they didn't like it they would say something. Not a word was said to except "Hello sir, may I help you." So with that I bought 2 extra jars of jelly besides what the wife wanted, they deserved our support. Thanked him paid for our stuff and back on the road.

Our journey continued to Copper Harbor, upon arrival we discovered there was some sort of BMX event. The village had 3,000 BMXers all over. Heard a few "Hey, check out that guys gun.' by some of the people as we passed by but no one said a word to me. We visited several stores a bought a few souvenirs.

On the road again to Houghton and Michigan Tech.I stopped by a branch chapter of the fraternity I am a member of. Once in a while I like to drop by various chapters while traveling. I had never OCed whiled visiting a college chapter house before and figured once again the worst they could do is tell me to leave or put it away, it's not like it's UofM after all. Parked our car visited the brothers and not a negative word was spoken about me carrying. In fact several of the brothers inquired about how they go about OCing back home. Until they could get their CPL.

Next stop St. Ignace. We got a hotel luckily. It was Sunday before labor day. We had no reservations and most everywhere was packed with the bridge walk the following day. Walked in OCing got the room no problem.

Here's where a very frightful event that has NEVER happened to me before in the 20+ years of carrying occurred. The wife wanted a soda so off to the vending machine I went. It is located outside the office door. It was daylight and quite a few people were still checking in. I deposited my money hit the button and down came the can. I reach down for the soda and it was jammed in the anti-theft door. This was gonna require a little more effort. I leaned over and was getting the can unstuck when I felt a hard tug on my firearm. My heart stopped, adrenaline kicked in. I quickly spun around putting my hand on my sidearm I was just starting to release my retention holstered weapon preparing for the worst case scenario. Upon rotating I saw the individual trying to grab my gun. It was a kid about 9-10 years old (old enough to know better). I instantly pushed back on my sidearm re holstering it in the retention position. It hadn't yet cleared the holster yet.

I was stunned, It took a moment for what just happened to set in. I yelled, at quite a loud level "HEY you NEVER grab a person's gun, that's a great way to wind up dead or in jail." There were 15-20 people standing around in the parking lot. Everything stopped, every one looked at me and the kid. The kids mother (who was too busy drinking beer and chatting with her friends to watch her kid) heard this and ran over screaming at me "You shouldn't be carrying a gun A$$hole." I was speechless for a second or two thinking to myself. WTF?? your kid grabbed my gun and it was my fault for carrying one? I responded "Yes, I should, I'm required to." (for the protection of myself and my family) she countered "Not unless your a cop." I could tell where this was going. "Maybe I am, maybe I'm not, it's doesn't matter. Know that if I am, I could arrest your kid immediately for what he just did." Meanwhile the kid who jumped back about 5 feet when I spun around was just standing there snickering at me. His mother upon hearing that statement her son could be arrested grabbed him so hard she may have dislocated his shoulder. He started to scream as she was literally dragging him away now yelling at him instead of me. Situation was diffused at this point as far as I was concerned, back to my room without another word being said as rapidly as I could.

I have never had anyone grab my weapon before more os less a kid that was old enough to know you shouldn't do that. I kept thinking did I do something wrong? Usually I have pretty good situational awareness, having carried for so many years, had I slipped being momentarily distracted by the errant soda machine? When I made it back to the room and told the wife what just transpired, she hit the roof, told me I didn't do anything wrong and complained about bad parents for the next 2 hrs. LOL

Off to Mackinac Island the next morning, Labor Day.We used Star Line Ferry again to get to the island because of the positive experience I had last time. Unknown to me they had updated their policy on the transport of firearms. I declared my firearm while getting my tickets with no issue. I was told to declare it to the Capt. before boarding. So I told the dock worker I was transporting my Sig which I was OCing. The Capt. came over and asked if I had a CPL. I replied yes but I'm OCing and a CPL isn't required and showed it to him. I was surprised when he said "OK, just keep it in your holster you have a CPL." Curious I asked "It's ok for me to keep it during the voyage? I had to clear and surrender it last time" Then he told me the story of a past incident over a year ago where a passenger who declared his firearm but didn't unload and clear it before giving it to the Capt. of another ferry and the Capt. pulled the trigger and discharged the gun (not sure if it was onboard or dockside) So their new policy is if you have a CPL just show it and you get to keep your firearm on your person during the voyage. If you don't then you have to lock it in a closet on the ferry without and crew handling it. He said they are trying to conform as much as they can and make it a easy as possible for people. I thanked him and shook his hand.

We arrived on the island. While walking down main street an older gentleman yelled "Hey you", I kept walking. "You, the guy with the gun come here a minute." I though, Oh great here we go again. As I walked over to him, he extended his hand and shook mine and thanked me for carrying. He was a Korean war vet who was an avid supporter of the 2nd amendment and was happy to see people carrying. We briefly talked about OC then he thanked me again and I was back on my way. The rest of the days excursions were uneventful except for an Arab family with women wearing full burkas not wanting to get on the same carriage with me and the wife. The few words of their conversation I caught I believe they thought I was some kind of federal agent following them (My son suggested I should have talked into my sleeve occasionally strengthening their belief). The wife and I had a great time. I kept my Sig on my side for the return ferry ride to the mainland.

We stayed another night in St. Ignace at a different hotel, then ventured back home the next morning with no problems.

The UP is an awesome place to go to and the residents seem a lot more desensitized to OCing then down here. I encourage everyone to OC on their next vacation.

I apologize for the long-windedness of this post but I hope it helps others to learn and diminish any fears or concerns they may have about OCing.

Hevy


I've only ever had one person ever tug on my firearm. It was a Grand Rapids Police Officer.

I was at the self checkout station bagging up my groceries, and getting ready to pay.it was at a Meijer store in Grand Rapids Michigan. I'm assuming someone must have called in a man with gun complaint to the Meijer store that I was located in.I carry a Glock 23 generation 4 in a Blackhawk level 2 retention SERPA holster at my 3 o'clock.
all I heard was excuse me sir next thing I knew somebody was tugging on my side arm. I immediately slammed my elbow down on the grip of my side arm and turned around gripping my sidearm in the event that I had to draw. the police officer was shocked that I had slam my elbow down on his hand. once I realized it was a police officer, I instantly released my grip and made my hands as visible as possible. I instantly said to him in a stern voice what he was thinking when he was tugging on my side arm. I told him had I done that it would have ended up badly for me and I would have ended up in jail or worse.
he immediately apologized for the way he approached me, and he asked if I would mind speaking to him near his patrol car outside of the entrance once my groceries have been paid for.I wasn't to happy, however I did speak with him next to his patrol car after I finished bagging and paying for my groceries.
he asked for my identification and my CPL. I asked him if I was being detained arrested or suspected of committing a crime.he replied with no.I said have a good day and I took off.I did end up calling his police department and letting them know about the incident.
other than that almost all of my leointeraction have been positive and nothing but friendly chit chat about OC.

just thought I would share my quick one- encounter that I can think of.

I'm glad to hear that you had a great vacation.carry on brothers and sisters. Glock 214
 
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