Cue-Ball
Regular Member
imported post
This week has been pleasantly uneventful, and gives me hope that open carry will be widely accepted all across our state (and nation) before long.
On Saturday my wife and I had to run a few errands. Our first stop was Fred Meyer (the Totem Lake location) where I spoke to no fewer than four employees, each time trying to find something that they didn't end up carrying. We actually left empty handed, but had an uneventful half hour or so in the store. Next stop was Denny's Pet World, where we made some quick purchases and didn't receive a second glance. After a quick stop-off at Discount Guns to buy a new Sig 232 and some ammo, we headed to the Kingsgate Safeway to buy some supplies for a B-day party on Sunday. Our shopping was short and sweet but, again, nobody batted an eye (I was wearing my full size XD 9mm this whole time). We stopped across the street at Subway on the way home. There were only a few customers but, again, nobody said anything or expressed any concern. I eat at this subway probably twice a week, and I've been openly carrying there for months now. Management/employees have never expressed any issues, and no customers have ever berated me.
Today I again went grocery shopping at the Safeway with my wife. This time we were stocking up for the week, so it took us about forty minutes. I had interactions with a few employees who were stocking shelves and whatnot - no negative comments at all. After dropping the groceries off at the house we hit the Jiffy Lube to get the oil changed in my car. When we went to leave, I noticed the "check engine" light was on. I had to get one of the guys to come pull the codes. He couldn't find the OBD port, so I ended up nosing around under the dash, and my gun was plainly visible to everyone concerned.
Nobody said anything about my firearm and we eventually resolved the issue with the idiot light. After leaving the Jiffy Lube I stopped off at Schuck's to buy an air filter (didn't want to pay JL's price). Then we went back to Denny's Pet World, again, to buy more Bully Stix for our two boxer pups. We had a nice chat with one of the girls who worked there, and she even let me hold the bird that was perched on her shoulder (she looked like a model, but don't tell my wife I said that!). She didn't say anything about my gun, and was very pleasant the entire time.
Earlier this evening I decided to take one of our puppies for a walk around the neighborhood to get him some exercise. Note that I've carried openly around my neighborhood many times, but rarely have too much interaction with people since they are busy doing yardwork or getting their kids into the minivan. Today was different. After about the first block I heard what sounded like a car crash a few blocks over. I was going that direction anyway, and figured that I'd end up walking right past it. As I came around the next corner there was a gentleman out talking to his female neighbor. Both of them (and her daughter) noticed the puppy and, of course, wanted to pet him. We stopped and let everyone get in their pets when the woman asked me "why do you carry a gun"? I explained that I do it for my safety and the safety of others around me. She apologized for asking the question, but I told her I was more than happy to discuss it. She asked if it was legal and I said that it was, and that law abiding citizens don't even need a permit to openly carry a firearm. To my surprise, the neighbor supported my position and reiterated that a permit was only required for concealment. She seemed satisfied, and continued to chat with me about the accident up the street, neighborhood goings-on, etc. She didn't run screaming, and didn't whip out her cell and call the police. Franly, I was so pleasantly surprised that I was caught a bit off guard. Anyway, after exchaning a few more pleanantries, we left and continued on our walk. About half a block away, I came past the scene of the accident...just as the King County Sheriff was arriving. I'm not sure if
he saw my weapon or not, but nothing was said.
All in all, my best open carry experience so far. Not only did I have a positive interaction with a mama bear and her cub, but I met a neighbor who actually knows the law! So refreshing.
There are plenty of homes for sale in Kingsgate if any of you Tacoma residents feel like moving.
This week has been pleasantly uneventful, and gives me hope that open carry will be widely accepted all across our state (and nation) before long.
On Saturday my wife and I had to run a few errands. Our first stop was Fred Meyer (the Totem Lake location) where I spoke to no fewer than four employees, each time trying to find something that they didn't end up carrying. We actually left empty handed, but had an uneventful half hour or so in the store. Next stop was Denny's Pet World, where we made some quick purchases and didn't receive a second glance. After a quick stop-off at Discount Guns to buy a new Sig 232 and some ammo, we headed to the Kingsgate Safeway to buy some supplies for a B-day party on Sunday. Our shopping was short and sweet but, again, nobody batted an eye (I was wearing my full size XD 9mm this whole time). We stopped across the street at Subway on the way home. There were only a few customers but, again, nobody said anything or expressed any concern. I eat at this subway probably twice a week, and I've been openly carrying there for months now. Management/employees have never expressed any issues, and no customers have ever berated me.
Today I again went grocery shopping at the Safeway with my wife. This time we were stocking up for the week, so it took us about forty minutes. I had interactions with a few employees who were stocking shelves and whatnot - no negative comments at all. After dropping the groceries off at the house we hit the Jiffy Lube to get the oil changed in my car. When we went to leave, I noticed the "check engine" light was on. I had to get one of the guys to come pull the codes. He couldn't find the OBD port, so I ended up nosing around under the dash, and my gun was plainly visible to everyone concerned.
Nobody said anything about my firearm and we eventually resolved the issue with the idiot light. After leaving the Jiffy Lube I stopped off at Schuck's to buy an air filter (didn't want to pay JL's price). Then we went back to Denny's Pet World, again, to buy more Bully Stix for our two boxer pups. We had a nice chat with one of the girls who worked there, and she even let me hold the bird that was perched on her shoulder (she looked like a model, but don't tell my wife I said that!). She didn't say anything about my gun, and was very pleasant the entire time.Earlier this evening I decided to take one of our puppies for a walk around the neighborhood to get him some exercise. Note that I've carried openly around my neighborhood many times, but rarely have too much interaction with people since they are busy doing yardwork or getting their kids into the minivan. Today was different. After about the first block I heard what sounded like a car crash a few blocks over. I was going that direction anyway, and figured that I'd end up walking right past it. As I came around the next corner there was a gentleman out talking to his female neighbor. Both of them (and her daughter) noticed the puppy and, of course, wanted to pet him. We stopped and let everyone get in their pets when the woman asked me "why do you carry a gun"? I explained that I do it for my safety and the safety of others around me. She apologized for asking the question, but I told her I was more than happy to discuss it. She asked if it was legal and I said that it was, and that law abiding citizens don't even need a permit to openly carry a firearm. To my surprise, the neighbor supported my position and reiterated that a permit was only required for concealment. She seemed satisfied, and continued to chat with me about the accident up the street, neighborhood goings-on, etc. She didn't run screaming, and didn't whip out her cell and call the police. Franly, I was so pleasantly surprised that I was caught a bit off guard.
Anyway, after exchaning a few more pleanantries, we left and continued on our walk. About half a block away, I came past the scene of the accident...just as the King County Sheriff was arriving. I'm not sure if he saw my weapon or not, but nothing was said.
All in all, my best open carry experience so far. Not only did I have a positive interaction with a mama bear and her cub, but I met a neighbor who actually knows the law! So refreshing.
There are plenty of homes for sale in Kingsgate if any of you Tacoma residents feel like moving.
