tricityguy
Regular Member
imported post
Folks,
I want to start open carrying for a variety of reasons I'll list below. Need some good basic advice on how to get started. I'm located on the east side, Tri-City area; Has anyone had luck approaching police chiefs about this beforehand? Is it necessary or a good idea? I'm not in the mood to be unlawfully detained and arrested so would like to cover my bases, but will go through it if necessary.
I have a current CPL, which I've held for a decade. I am reasonably well versed on firearms laws in Washington and currently carry concealed on a frequent basis. Looking for advice on how police are responding to the rest of you.
I also need advice on how to respond to people. I understand a Stadium/Convention Center cannot refuse me entry with my firearm? However, I would assume a private business owner/retail store (Wal-Mart, Best Buy, etc) would have the right to ask me to leave. Yes?
Lastly, I need gun & holster advice. I'm not a big person and can't conceal much on me, so I currently carry a Tomcat 3032 with Crimson Trace lasergrip. Would like to open carry something larger, must have a laser grip available. Prefer 9mm but will consider others. What do you carry & why?
Why I want to do this: Many reasons. As I said above, I'm not a big guy. Even the Tomcat 3032 fills my pocket like a thick wallet. If I needed to use it, would not be fast to dig out. I can't easily carry anything larger without it being visible. Open carry on a belt holster would be convenient & more comfortable for me. Open carry also gives me the opportunity to educate the unwashed masses. I never see people open carrying and it bothers me. I'm afriad we're creating a culture of people who scream and run at the mere mention of the word "gun" and I want to do my part to ensure people see more handguns out in public so they may, in time, turn their shock and fear at the sight of a gun into the feeling of comfort and security I have when I'm around others who carry. I'm of the mentality that more guns in public is a better thing. Lastly, I want to challenge the establishment now before gun control laws get worse.
However, my fear, of course, is some panicky leftist soccer mom sees me waltzing through Costco with a gun on my hip and calls 911 in a panic. I'd imagine this has to happen fairly often and am wondering how it usually goes down. I'd hope 911 dispatchers were smart enough to ask some basic questions and tell the person to chill, but in practice I'm sure it doesn't work this way.
I'd also love to hook up with an open carry group in the Tri-City area if one exists...
Thanks in advance!
Folks,
I want to start open carrying for a variety of reasons I'll list below. Need some good basic advice on how to get started. I'm located on the east side, Tri-City area; Has anyone had luck approaching police chiefs about this beforehand? Is it necessary or a good idea? I'm not in the mood to be unlawfully detained and arrested so would like to cover my bases, but will go through it if necessary.
I have a current CPL, which I've held for a decade. I am reasonably well versed on firearms laws in Washington and currently carry concealed on a frequent basis. Looking for advice on how police are responding to the rest of you.
I also need advice on how to respond to people. I understand a Stadium/Convention Center cannot refuse me entry with my firearm? However, I would assume a private business owner/retail store (Wal-Mart, Best Buy, etc) would have the right to ask me to leave. Yes?
Lastly, I need gun & holster advice. I'm not a big person and can't conceal much on me, so I currently carry a Tomcat 3032 with Crimson Trace lasergrip. Would like to open carry something larger, must have a laser grip available. Prefer 9mm but will consider others. What do you carry & why?
Why I want to do this: Many reasons. As I said above, I'm not a big guy. Even the Tomcat 3032 fills my pocket like a thick wallet. If I needed to use it, would not be fast to dig out. I can't easily carry anything larger without it being visible. Open carry on a belt holster would be convenient & more comfortable for me. Open carry also gives me the opportunity to educate the unwashed masses. I never see people open carrying and it bothers me. I'm afriad we're creating a culture of people who scream and run at the mere mention of the word "gun" and I want to do my part to ensure people see more handguns out in public so they may, in time, turn their shock and fear at the sight of a gun into the feeling of comfort and security I have when I'm around others who carry. I'm of the mentality that more guns in public is a better thing. Lastly, I want to challenge the establishment now before gun control laws get worse.
However, my fear, of course, is some panicky leftist soccer mom sees me waltzing through Costco with a gun on my hip and calls 911 in a panic. I'd imagine this has to happen fairly often and am wondering how it usually goes down. I'd hope 911 dispatchers were smart enough to ask some basic questions and tell the person to chill, but in practice I'm sure it doesn't work this way.
I'd also love to hook up with an open carry group in the Tri-City area if one exists...
Thanks in advance!
