Alex.EastHartford.
Regular Member
Well today was quite the experience for me. I got stopped & questioned for the first time whle open carrying @ Stop & Shop supermarket in Newingtion. I was their with my wife and my cousin. While they were paying at the register I went to the redbox to view the movies. I looked to my right and saw two police officers - a woman and a man. They were looking over at me and I continued to view the movies and was thinking to myself "I have a feeling they are here for me". While I was viewing the movies I hear a voice behind me go "Sir" and I said "How are you doing officer"...and he proceeded to ask me "Is their any reason why you have your gun exposed?"...I answered him saying "CT is an open carry state so I have the option to not have it concealed". The lady officer asked "who are you here with?"..and I replied "With my wife and cousin". The male officer then asked me for my permit and driver's license, so I handed them over and asked if I was being detained. The male officer said "No. we got a call from someone in the store that was alarmed..I just need to verify your permit is valid and do a background check". I was cleared with no warrents and my permit was valid. I then asked the officer if I could reach in my back pocket...and he said it was ok. I pulled out 2 CCDL pamphlets and handed it to the male and female officer. The female officer started reading it and was VERY surprised that CT was open carry. I feel good that I educated 2 police officers in the town of Newingtion and am hoping they share with their fellow collegues. They let me go and I was not detained...I did not have to leave the store either. So that was my experience on a Sunday afternoon with a win for CCDL and gun owners.
PS: Rich B ..your not alone in this fight...
PS: Rich B ..your not alone in this fight...