My First Open Carry experience

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Well, I finally worked up the courage to try open carry in a store. I was in McCall, and heading out for a day of mushroom hunting. We needed to purchase two knives for cutting morel's, so we went into Ridleys. No one noticed at first, until I approached the sporting goods counter and asked about the selection. The clerk noticed my Springfield, and asked if I had a CCW, and I replied yes. He said I was ok then, and made a comment about guys coming in with loaded clips that i didn't understand. After a few minutes, he warmed up and we chatted about guns a bit. We found what we needed, and proceeded thru the self checkout lanes. Altogether it lasted maybe ten minutes.

So, I did it, and I was nervous. Once we were back in the Jeep, my wife told me she was nervous, and much prefers if I concealed carry.

Brian

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Good for you!!! The first time I OC'd, I had the cops called on me and the private security and the police escorted me off the property of the not-to-be-named place my wife and I were shopping. Of course, if I had more-carefully read the OC FRIENDLY UNFRIENDLY list, I would have not ever gone there (they're very ungunfriendly). But I was surprised as to how friendly the private security and the police officer was, and how well the responded to my positive-ness. The officer told me "yeah, you can carry a gun outside all you want, but this is private property and they would prefer you keep your gun in your car." So my first encounter with law enforcement and he KNEW the OC laws.

The biggest thing I've found with my several run-ins since then was this: Even though we're out to protect our families, friends, and our selves, we're also out to make a point - to support our 2A rights - etc - But when you meet an ANTI-gun or anyone of the sort, it's best to stand your ground in a polite and happy way, without getting angry and defensive and rude. It's ok to be nervous - nerves make you careful. Just prepare yourself for encounters, know exactly what you would/will say, and you'll be great!

I ABSOLUTELY *LOVE* talking about guns, so OC for me is the perfect way to strike up my favorite topic of conversation with complete strangers. :celebrate

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Good for you! I still CC most of the time, and a big part of it is that my wife doesn't want to "deal with it", but I OC when I go out on my own sometimes. I have even OC'd in to the Boise Coop with no incident, but I am not sure how many saw it. It was a quick trip in and out.

The main thing I get when I OC is people looking at it, looking at me, looking at it, and then going on about their business. I haven't had any negative experiences yet, and have been in a number of business around Boise, including multiple Albertson's, several pizza joints (carry out), US Bank near Cole & Fairview, Home Depot, Taco Time, McDonald's, Fred Meyer's on Franklin & Orchard, etc.

I have also OC'd in Cabela's, and I am thrilled with the new signs they have posted! They specify that guns you will be working with in the store (or similar wording) need to be checked at the counter on the way in, but then it explicitly states that legal OC and CC are exempt from the check-in rules and are OK. Next time maybe I will get the wording down a little better, but I really like the new signs!

Keep it up!

Jeff

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I been O.C. since last year, before I knew about O.C. I was a little nerves the first time, and maybe 2nd and 3rd time I did it at Winco, then I started doing it at every place I go, I have not CC any more, specially I been carrying a 44 mag it is hard to conceal it.

Last saturday My wife and I went to Eagle farmer's market to meet with Indianaboy, and again no luck, maybe we miss each other I was O.Cing at the park walk around the place, I don't know him, but I thought he will come if he see me carrying, we waited 15 minutes past 11 am. and went see the rest of the market, and Yolanda went to buy things for the granchildren(she doesn't but anything for me any more oh!!! poor me!) and a young man started asking cuestions about my holster I think that is the "magnet" and talked to him about O.C. he said he knows something about ,he read it last year in the Boise Weekly, I invited him to our meeting and to check OC.org, we left to Winco for groceries shopping and I was picking some apples and a man touched me and said someting, I said you need to talk to me face to face I am whearing a hearing aid, well he too want to know about the holster and gun we started talking when another man approched and started talking about guns and both of them have a CCI told them about O.C. and I invited them to our meeting they said they come to Sunrise cafe very often, I hope they came to the meeting, and the brothers from church that I invited, I think this is what Iwas call to do, I enjoyed this O.C inmensely. sorry it got to long. as always su amigo vaquero Israel.

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I have been O.C.ing every where I go for more than 1 month now and I have not hadany negative encounters.

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Right now your letter is like a fresh air, I been having "hell" for expressing my views. but thats life, I hope to see yopu at the meeting.

I was affraid to go into Walmart, but until now no problems yet, maybe is becouse they see my wife, ( I am afraid of her too, ha ha ha). And have lots of fun O.Cing.

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bjr229 wrote:

Well, I finally worked up the courage to try open carry in a store. I was in McCall, and heading out for a day of mushroom hunting. We needed to purchase two knives for cutting morel's, so we went into Ridleys. No one noticed at first, until I approached the sporting goods counter and asked about the selection. The clerk noticed my Springfield, and asked if I had a CCW, and I replied yes. He said I was ok then, and made a comment about guys coming in with loaded clips that i didn't understand. After a few minutes, he warmed up and we chatted about guns a bit. We found what we needed, and proceeded thru the self checkout lanes. Altogether it lasted maybe ten minutes.

So, I did it, and I was nervous. Once we were back in the Jeep, my wife told me she was nervous, and much prefers if I concealed carry.

Brian

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Good job but dont back down and dont be afraid. It is your right to carry, unless they have it posted otherwise they are fine. The guy had an attitude, and that sucks but you cant let that stop or slow you down. In Idaho loaded with one in the pipe on your hip is legal. Good job on your first, now keep it up, you will get comfortable with it. If you want to talk to me more pm me and ill give you my number, you are also always welcome to our meeting on thursday the 10th, 7pm sunrise in meridian.

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My favorite though - the guy doesn't know a clip from a mag?

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ecocks wrote:

My favorite though - the guy doesn't know a clip from a mag?

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Yes, I smirked when he said that.

BJR

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i was able to find a Title 18 Chapter 33 Law book (hard cover) at a yard sale !!! talk about scoring... i havesince printed out the 2009 updates.

I am gonna start carrying that with me in a back pack,when i o.c.... so when i am questioned about o.c. and such, I can show them the law.Lets face it, there are alot of misconceptions around idaho, when it comes to gun carry.




found a awesome videos from massad ayoob also...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18rqeJ2ClyU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW_xaTf5oqI

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Probably just simpler to print the pamohlet and carry 24/7 in your wallet.