imported post
I havea somewhat funny story about something that happened to me yesterday at the Yorktown Wal-Mart.
It was a humid night....
wait...no...it started like this....(some people might get that)
My truck was in need of an oil change and I had some shopping to do, so I decided to kill two birds with one stone. I really hate getting oil changes ANYWHERE, but I am too lazy to do it myselfas of later,so I just bit the bullet and dropped it off before I went inside to shop. The wait was somewhere around 2 1/2hours! I was finished shopping, and then just spentabout 2 hourswalking around with my girlfriend while we were waiting for them to finish with the oil change. Nobody said anything the entire time I was waiting,other than oneemployee back in the "sporting goods" department, who asked if I liked my 1911since he was having trouble deciding between a Glock and 1911. I told him to shoot both, but I liked the single stack more even though I have larger hands. Finally I figured that enough time had passed for them to finish a simple oil change, andmy girlfriend and Iwent back to the "automotive center" to pay and get my car. There was a male employee at the service counter, about in his mid forties. That is where the story really begins, it went something like this:
Me- "How's it going? I just was wondering if my car was..."
Employee - "Why do we have a gunon us, now?"
I just kind of looked at him for a second, since he obviously wasn't interested in a real answer. Keep in mind that he was being quitesnooty the entire time. I don't think he was anti-gun, more of an ignorantred-neck (no offense intended) that "thought" he would put some youngin' in his place. He continued on withoutwaiting for a reply either.
Employee - " You knowthe hammer is back.."
Me - " Yeah, it is...and I do know."
Employee - "Well, WHY is it like that?"
Me - "Becausethat's how youcarry a single action auto pistol...it's called Condition One, and it is quite common and perfectly safe to do."
IreallyWAStrying to educate him about the fact that it was perfectly acceptable to have it holstered that way.
Employee - "...It's a good way to shoot your foot off...and it isn't SAFE..."
Me - "Is my car ready?"
Employee - "Condition One means that it is unloaded and safety is on, and it doesn't even apply to that weapon."
Me - "No...are you an armorer?"
Employee - "Yes."
Me - "Ok, then what is Condition Two?"
At this point I was actually upset by his ignorance and persistant stupidity, so rather than take the high ground, I wanted to make him squirm a bit and get him to say the magic words YOU CAN'T HAVE THAT IN HERE. At that point I was going to ask for the store manager and ask if it was corporate policy to harass law abiding customers and engage themin arguments. Anyways, it continued...
Employee - "Well, that's a trick question...Condition Two applies to police service revolvers, specifically .38's...and it's when the hammer is cocked over a loadedround."
UGHHH! Is it just me, or am I the only person that doesn't argue about things that I am completely ignorant of?! Obviously I knew at least SOMETHING about guns, since had a full size 1911 hanging off my belt! But he insisted on "educating me"
Me - "OK, no that isINCORRECT on so many levels... There are 3 main conditions that work best for single action semi-automatic weapons, and 2 that are sometimes also used to denote a READY condition, and an EMPTY state...theyALL DOapply to this firearm...specifically... since they wereactuallycreated by US Army armorersto describe the statesof the Colt 1911 .45acp automatic pistol...Condition One, aka 'cocked and locked' is how the US Army carried 1911's...and that is how I do."
Employee - "You a cop?"
I find it very interesting that he would ARGUE with me up to this point without even caring if I was a LEO or not?! What a world...anyways...
Me - "Are you?"
Employee - "...Military.."
Me -"huh, me too..."
Employee - "Oh yeah? What branch?"
Me - "United States Air Force"
Employee - "And they let you carry that 9mm on Post?"
Me - "It's a .45, and NO, they don't...If I did bring this on BASE (Air Force) then I would have to carry it in a locked container and deposit it at the base armory until I was ready to leave...BUT...as a matter of fact...they DO 'let me' carry a 9mm on base when my dutiesrequire it...specifically a Beretta M9... I also can carry an M16A2...or an M4...and I am qualified as an EXPERT MARKSMAN (not hard to do) on them all."
I think that was the final nail in the coffin...he asked what he could to to help me...and I found out that my car STILL wasn't ready, so my girlfriend and I walked around for about 30 more minutes before we were finished and left. Keep in mind that this is basically EXACTLY the wording that was used in the exchange...I have a good memory when it comes to things that piss me off, and idiots never seem to be in short supply when I do get angry. I like to think that I handle myself with a certain degree of restraint, but maybe I am a bit of a trouble maker? I found that I REALLY, REALLY wanted him to ask me to leave or remove/conceal my weapon, in which caseI would bring the store manager into the equation, but it never happened. I feel a little petty for even dragging it out that long, or wishing for an opportunity to involve management. I guess I could have made a formal complaint while I was waiting all that time...but it seemed like he learned was done fighting, and might have learned something...
A good lesson for everyone is:
Don't always assume that just because someone is younger (or older) that they are naive, and that you can push them around. I might only be 24 years old, but I make sure that ifIinitiate a confrontationthat Ican finish it, AND that I am correct in doing so. ALOT of folks can't seem to grasp this very important concept. Whether it isphysical or verbal, make sure that you are JUSTIFIED in your actionsBEFORE taking them! People like this guy I encountered might be irritating, or even infuriating...but theyreally are MOREof an incentive to make sureYOU are well informed and aware of your RIGHTS! If I had just walked away, or blown-up about his smug comment... then his ignorance wouldn't have been identified, and HE would have been justified. There are some things that are worth fighting for, and this wholesituation goes beyond 2a rights...it is about protectingALL of our freedoms. That might sound a bit far fetched, but it is important that people remember -Wars are won and lost by battles. A single battle is the pivotal point.Each battle is fought by individuals, and a single person might make that critical move for victoryat any time! IF YOU BELIEVE IN ANYTHING...FIGHT FOR IT! Don't just rely on others, or passive action...become involved in protecting YOUR rights.
If I ever feel like I might be wrong, then I will concede to the facts...but I never roll over just to avoid some turmoil! I really encourage others to do the same, there is no shame in admitting that you are wrong IF YOU ARE. The real shame is when you refuse to allow someone else to educate you! Learn the facts, be vigilant!
Everyone that chooses to live in this great country has a duty to protect and defend it.This means taking an active role. At one time, if you didn't like the current state of affairs, you could move somewhere else that suited your needs. Sadly, the world has been almost entirely populated now, and there is no new frontier. This is it, we live in what was the last new world. This country was founded on the fundamentals that each man was entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I always hear people spouting off half-witted statementssuch as"...if you don't like it, then just leave! this is America!" when refering to so called ungratefuls. I thoroughly disagree though.By saying that, they areundermining the very ideals on which this country was founded...I was born here, and I love this countryas much asanyone. However, for most of my life, I considered living abroad, because I feltthat this country had lost it's way, and I was buying into the "just leave" idea I had heard so many times. I have checked around, and for me...even in the present form, this country is still the best. It is my home, and I refuse to abandon it now, in it's time of need. This was the land of free and the home of the brave, and yet, day after day, our Rights are eroded, we are taxed by a bloated and ineffectivesystem,children areraised to rely on intricate social structures,andyet told that they MUST work in this system. Thereare cries from the massesforMORE control systems and social welfare?! Iam requiredto apply for permits for everything I do, and pay taxes for services that I don't need! The current United States is moreworse than the British rule that we fought so hard to free ourselves from! We were a country of dissenters, patriots, and riflemen.Our founding fathers created one of the most perfect legal documents ever drafted.Since beforeour Constitution of these United States was ratified, there have been attempts to twist it. Ask yourself, do you want this to become another Europe? The freedoms of theUnited States of America were won by people who asked the question "why?." They thought, we can do better. No matter your political affiliation, I encourage you to become active in your beliefs. It is not too late to make a difference. Where I once felt that I was in the minority and that I was fighting for a lost cause, I can honestly say that finding out about the number of people fighting with me for these rights has greatly influenced my decision to stay here,and stand up for my rights. I feel that we are on crucial ground right now. There are two very distinct viewpoints fighting for the control of our country, both of which have many personal interests. Libertarians are for the restoration of our Bill of Rights, if you are unfamiliar with this political party, I strongly encourage you to educate yourself about it. If you do vote, choose based on actual issues, not your political stance. I do not encourage breaking the law, but rather fighting to remove unjust legislation. We have not come to a point where it is necessary to take up arms against an oppressive government...and I hope that it never comes to that. The idea is to stop it from ever coming to that point. I really am ranting now...and I have probably repeated many points, but they are worth the repetition.
I hope that everyone here feels the same way as I do...sorry againfor the rant...I just get worked up about stupidity, and retyping that story probably made me angrier than the actual incident did! Hope someone finds it interesting or maybe informative.
-BlueJ Out