dave_in_delaware
Regular Member
imported post
Well, I finally took the plunge into the world of OC. I've been very reluctant to try this thanks to what the State Police had told me. I have OC'd around my house,outside on my property, and evenon the street/sidewalk down to the corner. But I've never gone beyond thatbefore.
Early last eveningmy fiancee called me from her work to tell me she'd like to go out for dinner after she got off work. Keep in mind that she works the 3:00pm-11:30pm. She wanted to go to a diner that's open 24/7 (we've been there before). I saidOK (of course). While I was waiting for my pickup time, I had a thought: it'll be late at night, and probably not many people will be there, and I don't recall a "no firearms" sign, somaybe tonight will be a good day totest the OC waters in Wilmington/New Castle.
So, I did. And I tried to remember all the "rules" about firearms and OC here. I kept it in "plain view" while in the car by putting it up on the dashboard (the little dip from the defroster is a perfect place to keep it from sliding around). I had my shirt tucked in (no change from what I wear to work), so as to make the OWB and gun totally visible and not concealed in any way (since I don't have my CCDW permit). I kept my hand off of it so no one thought I was drawing it. I used the stall in the bathroom so no one could "get" it from me (and I didn't drop it somehow). I think I covered all the bases.
Peoples' reactions? It was mixed, and MUCH better than I anticipated. I thought for sure someonewould "freak out" or say something or ask me if I'm LEO/military, or worse yet: call the police. I actually expected the police to show up after 15 minutes of being there. I expectedour waitress to ask me about it (she HAD to have noticed, since it was facing "out" in the booth). I expected someone to say something, especially when we were waiting in line to pay, and a bunch of guys were sitting around the cash register talking. I know a few of them saw it. I mean, there were at least 20 other people there last night, and no one said a word.
And I'm totally OK with that. I didn't want anything to happen ( especially police involvement). I didn't want to have to "justify" my carrying a firearm to anyone.A few people did give me a double-take kind of look, and the guy clearing tables kept standing "near" our table. My fiancee said that their looks were more of a "OK, let's keep an eye on this guy" and not a "Holy crap! a gun!" kind of a thing.
Overall, my first OC experience was an uneventful one, and I like that! I felt comfortable carrying a gun in public. I wasn't nervous at all. I did keep an eye out for people being near me (especially walking up past me from behind). I kept "cool" during the whole time, not drawing attention to myself, andbehaving like I had every right to carry a firearm (which I do). I was surprised that no one said a word about it, but again, I prefer that.
Well, I just thought I'd share my story w/ everyone. I'm not an OC virgin anymore!
Whoo hoo!! :celebrate
Edited to add: Oh, in case anyone was wondering, I was carrying my Springfield Armory XD-9 service model, fully loaded (147gr JHP) w/ one in the chamber, in a Blackhawk SERPA CQC Level II holster (paddle option), at the 3:00 (right hip) position, and I didn't even "feel" it - it was VERY comfortable!
Well, I finally took the plunge into the world of OC. I've been very reluctant to try this thanks to what the State Police had told me. I have OC'd around my house,outside on my property, and evenon the street/sidewalk down to the corner. But I've never gone beyond thatbefore.
Early last eveningmy fiancee called me from her work to tell me she'd like to go out for dinner after she got off work. Keep in mind that she works the 3:00pm-11:30pm. She wanted to go to a diner that's open 24/7 (we've been there before). I saidOK (of course). While I was waiting for my pickup time, I had a thought: it'll be late at night, and probably not many people will be there, and I don't recall a "no firearms" sign, somaybe tonight will be a good day totest the OC waters in Wilmington/New Castle.
So, I did. And I tried to remember all the "rules" about firearms and OC here. I kept it in "plain view" while in the car by putting it up on the dashboard (the little dip from the defroster is a perfect place to keep it from sliding around). I had my shirt tucked in (no change from what I wear to work), so as to make the OWB and gun totally visible and not concealed in any way (since I don't have my CCDW permit). I kept my hand off of it so no one thought I was drawing it. I used the stall in the bathroom so no one could "get" it from me (and I didn't drop it somehow). I think I covered all the bases.
Peoples' reactions? It was mixed, and MUCH better than I anticipated. I thought for sure someonewould "freak out" or say something or ask me if I'm LEO/military, or worse yet: call the police. I actually expected the police to show up after 15 minutes of being there. I expectedour waitress to ask me about it (she HAD to have noticed, since it was facing "out" in the booth). I expected someone to say something, especially when we were waiting in line to pay, and a bunch of guys were sitting around the cash register talking. I know a few of them saw it. I mean, there were at least 20 other people there last night, and no one said a word.
And I'm totally OK with that. I didn't want anything to happen ( especially police involvement). I didn't want to have to "justify" my carrying a firearm to anyone.A few people did give me a double-take kind of look, and the guy clearing tables kept standing "near" our table. My fiancee said that their looks were more of a "OK, let's keep an eye on this guy" and not a "Holy crap! a gun!" kind of a thing.
Overall, my first OC experience was an uneventful one, and I like that! I felt comfortable carrying a gun in public. I wasn't nervous at all. I did keep an eye out for people being near me (especially walking up past me from behind). I kept "cool" during the whole time, not drawing attention to myself, andbehaving like I had every right to carry a firearm (which I do). I was surprised that no one said a word about it, but again, I prefer that.
Well, I just thought I'd share my story w/ everyone. I'm not an OC virgin anymore!
Whoo hoo!! :celebrate
Edited to add: Oh, in case anyone was wondering, I was carrying my Springfield Armory XD-9 service model, fully loaded (147gr JHP) w/ one in the chamber, in a Blackhawk SERPA CQC Level II holster (paddle option), at the 3:00 (right hip) position, and I didn't even "feel" it - it was VERY comfortable!