Pauly
Regular Member
imported post
My wife and I drove to the local Giant bEagle to gather food for the week. She packed her .380 in her book bag like usual and I decided it was too hot for multiple shirts so I tucked my black t-shirt into my levis, slapped on my belt and OC'd my 9mm. I have only OC'd once before but was surprised at the lack of attention it brought upon me. Well, this time is different. We were just about finished and needed to pass through frozen foods on our way to the checkout lanes. I was approached by a middle aged male and he started in with the, "Are you a cop?" routine. I smiled and said, "No sir, I am not a police officer." He asked what my job title was. I responded and he asked what that had to do with carrying a gun. I replied that my job has nothing to do with my gun and I carry it to protect myself and my family. He said, "You cannot have that in here. We have a state liquor store in here." I stated that I realized there was a liquor store and I was heading that way. I tried to assure him I was in no way violating the law. He said that I needed to put it in my car. I responded with a firm, "No, I will not take off my gun." He said they were held up a while back and I was making people nervous. I didn't notice any nervous patrons but maybe I am oblivious?!? He also said I don't need the gun since they have security in the store. I replied to the effect that his security didn't stop the hold up so why should I trust them to keep me safe? He said that he insists I put it in my car. I said, "I have a permit to carry this firearm concealed. Would you be more comfortable if I cover it with my shirt? He responed with a firm, "No, I asked you to get it out of this store. What is your problem?" I asked him if he was the manager and he replied, "Yes." I found this odd since it was Sunday, he was wearing jeans and stocking frozen foods. I asked again, "Are you THE manager? He replied, "Yes!" "You are THE store manager and you are stocking groceries?" By this time he was so worked up you could see his elevated heart beat through the veins in his neck. This guy was scared stiff. So, much to my chagrin, I told him I would disarm and finish shopping. I am very disappointed in myself for doing so. As I walked past the customer service counter I asked the young lady behind the counter if "Doug T." was the store manager. She smiled and said, "No, sir. He isn't. Is there something wrong?" I smiled and said, "No, maam. May I please have the business card of your 'Real' store manager. She gave me a card and told me to have a nice day. I walked outside, opened my glove box, pulled down the magazine and unchambered my pistol. I put my mag in my pocked and locked the glove box and car. On my way back into the store my little 'manager' friend was telling his stock buddies about the guy he kicked out of the store. I walked up and interjected with a question. I asked him what his name was as I wanted to be sure I didn't file a complaint about the wrong employee. He said his name and gave me a really cocky smirk. I wanted to smack it off his face but I just said, "Thank you," and walked away. My wife said he was scaring her because she thought he was going to go for my gun. I didn't get this but she said he was acting awful strange and jittery. She asked me if I wanted to leave the groceries and just go somewhere else. I said that wasn't necessary as I am sure this will be resolved once I contact the District Manager. I am not about to stop shopping at the local store because 'Super Stock Boy' decided he didn't like my gun. I am going to go throught the proper channels and see what happens. If they tell me my gun is welcome but they'd rather I conceal then I will do just that. However, I will make sure management knows that a customer that spends thousands of dollars a year at their store was treated like a criminal buy some guy pretending to be the manager. (this whole thing still boggles my mind)
Just a quick note... This particular store is not posted for Open Carry or Conceal Carry. I was in violation of no law and was merely pushing the cart for my wife when I was 'accosted' by "Super Stock Boy."
I haven't contacted the DM yet as I wanted to be sure I was calm and collected beforehand. Even as I write this I am getting agitated. I was curious to know what you guys think I should do. I don't want to make a mockery of the whole OC community so I am very open to suggestions. I want to walk into that store and kick the shit out of that guy. But, I won't. I am going to bite my tongue and be the better man, take the high road.
My wife and I drove to the local Giant bEagle to gather food for the week. She packed her .380 in her book bag like usual and I decided it was too hot for multiple shirts so I tucked my black t-shirt into my levis, slapped on my belt and OC'd my 9mm. I have only OC'd once before but was surprised at the lack of attention it brought upon me. Well, this time is different. We were just about finished and needed to pass through frozen foods on our way to the checkout lanes. I was approached by a middle aged male and he started in with the, "Are you a cop?" routine. I smiled and said, "No sir, I am not a police officer." He asked what my job title was. I responded and he asked what that had to do with carrying a gun. I replied that my job has nothing to do with my gun and I carry it to protect myself and my family. He said, "You cannot have that in here. We have a state liquor store in here." I stated that I realized there was a liquor store and I was heading that way. I tried to assure him I was in no way violating the law. He said that I needed to put it in my car. I responded with a firm, "No, I will not take off my gun." He said they were held up a while back and I was making people nervous. I didn't notice any nervous patrons but maybe I am oblivious?!? He also said I don't need the gun since they have security in the store. I replied to the effect that his security didn't stop the hold up so why should I trust them to keep me safe? He said that he insists I put it in my car. I said, "I have a permit to carry this firearm concealed. Would you be more comfortable if I cover it with my shirt? He responed with a firm, "No, I asked you to get it out of this store. What is your problem?" I asked him if he was the manager and he replied, "Yes." I found this odd since it was Sunday, he was wearing jeans and stocking frozen foods. I asked again, "Are you THE manager? He replied, "Yes!" "You are THE store manager and you are stocking groceries?" By this time he was so worked up you could see his elevated heart beat through the veins in his neck. This guy was scared stiff. So, much to my chagrin, I told him I would disarm and finish shopping. I am very disappointed in myself for doing so. As I walked past the customer service counter I asked the young lady behind the counter if "Doug T." was the store manager. She smiled and said, "No, sir. He isn't. Is there something wrong?" I smiled and said, "No, maam. May I please have the business card of your 'Real' store manager. She gave me a card and told me to have a nice day. I walked outside, opened my glove box, pulled down the magazine and unchambered my pistol. I put my mag in my pocked and locked the glove box and car. On my way back into the store my little 'manager' friend was telling his stock buddies about the guy he kicked out of the store. I walked up and interjected with a question. I asked him what his name was as I wanted to be sure I didn't file a complaint about the wrong employee. He said his name and gave me a really cocky smirk. I wanted to smack it off his face but I just said, "Thank you," and walked away. My wife said he was scaring her because she thought he was going to go for my gun. I didn't get this but she said he was acting awful strange and jittery. She asked me if I wanted to leave the groceries and just go somewhere else. I said that wasn't necessary as I am sure this will be resolved once I contact the District Manager. I am not about to stop shopping at the local store because 'Super Stock Boy' decided he didn't like my gun. I am going to go throught the proper channels and see what happens. If they tell me my gun is welcome but they'd rather I conceal then I will do just that. However, I will make sure management knows that a customer that spends thousands of dollars a year at their store was treated like a criminal buy some guy pretending to be the manager. (this whole thing still boggles my mind)
Just a quick note... This particular store is not posted for Open Carry or Conceal Carry. I was in violation of no law and was merely pushing the cart for my wife when I was 'accosted' by "Super Stock Boy."
I haven't contacted the DM yet as I wanted to be sure I was calm and collected beforehand. Even as I write this I am getting agitated. I was curious to know what you guys think I should do. I don't want to make a mockery of the whole OC community so I am very open to suggestions. I want to walk into that store and kick the shit out of that guy. But, I won't. I am going to bite my tongue and be the better man, take the high road.
