Venzor
New member
imported post
Well, I had my first solo OC experience today, at the Midvale Wal-Mart. I was fully prepared to be asked to leave, as I knew they had that right (turns out they do have a corporate policy against open display of firearms, btw). The experience turned out a lot more interesting...
About the electronics section, a guy passes me, and I move my cart out of the way. He was an middle-age gentleman with a white "ninja" sash tied around his head. He passes by again, looks at me, I look at him, and he nods and walks along. I thought maybe he was a carrier as well. Well as I walk around, doing a little more shopping, I notice him keeping an eye on me. I would be on one end of the aisle, him on the other. At one point I saw him on his cell phone. He kept ending up in every section of the store I was in. I'm thinking to myself, "Great. Wonder what will come of this?"
So I'm in the hunting and fishing area (ironically enough!) and I catch a LEO in my peripheral vision. I turn around and there are three of them. One of them began to ask me what I was carrying, and why, and I responded with "Ruger SR9" and "for personal defense". He proceeds to tell me how it should be concealed and I am not allowed to open carry my weapon. Right here I knew I was dealing with someone ignorant. His attitude was full of ego as well. I explained to him that I am not breaking any laws, and that I have a right to bear arms. He asks to see my weapon, asks if it's loaded (no CFP yet, so I complied) and I informed him of Utah's definition of a loaded firearm, because I'm sure he didn't know. So I'm asked to go outside of the store so as not to create a scene (he wanted to run my DL also), and I comply. I'm not really the type to give LEOs a hassle. While the one with the big ego was looking up laws and running my DL, I talk to the other two, who seem a lot more level-headed. I explain to them the laws, and preemption, etc... until Mr. Ego comes back. He says I'm lucky because he knows I'm breaking the law, but he can't find it at this time, but he justifies it as "Well you just don't see people walking around with guns". I tell him the state gives me the right, and he mis-quotes the state's constitution to only say "on residence, place of business, and personal vehicle". I didn't bother arguing it. I said, "Well when you find this law, will you please inform me? I'll give you my phone number." He agrees, and warns me not to carry in the city of Midvale, as he's positive it's against the law. He says also that if he's wrong, he'll personally apologize. Yeah, right. I say "Yes, sir" and when they leave, it goes right back on my waist.
As far as Wal-Mart goes, they just told me not to OC inside the store or they will report me as trespassing and I won't be allowed in any other Wal-Mart, blah blah blah.
Despite all this, my confidence in OCing has NOT been dissuaded. I shall continue, and do what I can to avoid places that won't allow it. But damn, wally world sells cheap ammo!
So... where shall I go next?
Well, I had my first solo OC experience today, at the Midvale Wal-Mart. I was fully prepared to be asked to leave, as I knew they had that right (turns out they do have a corporate policy against open display of firearms, btw). The experience turned out a lot more interesting...
About the electronics section, a guy passes me, and I move my cart out of the way. He was an middle-age gentleman with a white "ninja" sash tied around his head. He passes by again, looks at me, I look at him, and he nods and walks along. I thought maybe he was a carrier as well. Well as I walk around, doing a little more shopping, I notice him keeping an eye on me. I would be on one end of the aisle, him on the other. At one point I saw him on his cell phone. He kept ending up in every section of the store I was in. I'm thinking to myself, "Great. Wonder what will come of this?"
So I'm in the hunting and fishing area (ironically enough!) and I catch a LEO in my peripheral vision. I turn around and there are three of them. One of them began to ask me what I was carrying, and why, and I responded with "Ruger SR9" and "for personal defense". He proceeds to tell me how it should be concealed and I am not allowed to open carry my weapon. Right here I knew I was dealing with someone ignorant. His attitude was full of ego as well. I explained to him that I am not breaking any laws, and that I have a right to bear arms. He asks to see my weapon, asks if it's loaded (no CFP yet, so I complied) and I informed him of Utah's definition of a loaded firearm, because I'm sure he didn't know. So I'm asked to go outside of the store so as not to create a scene (he wanted to run my DL also), and I comply. I'm not really the type to give LEOs a hassle. While the one with the big ego was looking up laws and running my DL, I talk to the other two, who seem a lot more level-headed. I explain to them the laws, and preemption, etc... until Mr. Ego comes back. He says I'm lucky because he knows I'm breaking the law, but he can't find it at this time, but he justifies it as "Well you just don't see people walking around with guns". I tell him the state gives me the right, and he mis-quotes the state's constitution to only say "on residence, place of business, and personal vehicle". I didn't bother arguing it. I said, "Well when you find this law, will you please inform me? I'll give you my phone number." He agrees, and warns me not to carry in the city of Midvale, as he's positive it's against the law. He says also that if he's wrong, he'll personally apologize. Yeah, right. I say "Yes, sir" and when they leave, it goes right back on my waist.
As far as Wal-Mart goes, they just told me not to OC inside the store or they will report me as trespassing and I won't be allowed in any other Wal-Mart, blah blah blah.
Despite all this, my confidence in OCing has NOT been dissuaded. I shall continue, and do what I can to avoid places that won't allow it. But damn, wally world sells cheap ammo!
So... where shall I go next?
.S