hgreen
Regular Member
We had about 25 people show up today for open carry event at Robek's Juice in El Segundo.
A couple LEOs showed up right at the beginning of our event to give us their contact information and immediately left, no e-checks.
We had notified them that we'd be there ahead of time and they informed the shopping center businesses. The Ralphs store there decided to hire extra security for the day (it looked really funny). They had two to three security guards (unarmed of course) posted at each entrance. This is despite the fact that several of us have shopped at that same Ralphs many times while open carrying without any problems.
When a couple OCers walked over to the Ralphs to ask what was up with the security they explained that they were posted to keep OCers out of the store. We asked to speak with the manager, he said we were not allowed because the police said we would only be at the Robeks. I guess he misunderstood them saying that our event was at Robeks with us not being legally allowed to go into Ralphs. We educated the manager. We then asked if we could enter, he said that he was afraid a large group of OCers would scare customers.... (like a single MWAG is less frightening than a group of people, including women and children...). They ended up letting us all in if we wanted to go.
Interestingly several of the security guards came over to our group on their break and asked about joining our group! Several had heard of South Bay Open Carry and wanted more information. Most were brought in by the security company and had never worked this Ralphs. He said that when he showed up they said they were hired because of a "group with guns" having an event. Ironically none were allowed to be armed (boggles the mind, if they were really concerned for safety against a group with guns, why send security in unarmed???). He told us that even th guards licensed to loaded OC are not allowed to bring their guns into the security company's office.
We were all given $1 off drinks at the store. The event was organized for us by a store employee there who wants to be more involved with open carry events.
So in the end, we stimulated the economy by providing 4 security guards with extra work on a Sunday and significant amounts of business at the Robeks and Quiznos.
Here are some pictures from the event:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=31051&id=122802434426757&ref=mf
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=31046&id=122802434426757&ref=mf
A couple LEOs showed up right at the beginning of our event to give us their contact information and immediately left, no e-checks.
We had notified them that we'd be there ahead of time and they informed the shopping center businesses. The Ralphs store there decided to hire extra security for the day (it looked really funny). They had two to three security guards (unarmed of course) posted at each entrance. This is despite the fact that several of us have shopped at that same Ralphs many times while open carrying without any problems.
When a couple OCers walked over to the Ralphs to ask what was up with the security they explained that they were posted to keep OCers out of the store. We asked to speak with the manager, he said we were not allowed because the police said we would only be at the Robeks. I guess he misunderstood them saying that our event was at Robeks with us not being legally allowed to go into Ralphs. We educated the manager. We then asked if we could enter, he said that he was afraid a large group of OCers would scare customers.... (like a single MWAG is less frightening than a group of people, including women and children...). They ended up letting us all in if we wanted to go.
Interestingly several of the security guards came over to our group on their break and asked about joining our group! Several had heard of South Bay Open Carry and wanted more information. Most were brought in by the security company and had never worked this Ralphs. He said that when he showed up they said they were hired because of a "group with guns" having an event. Ironically none were allowed to be armed (boggles the mind, if they were really concerned for safety against a group with guns, why send security in unarmed???). He told us that even th guards licensed to loaded OC are not allowed to bring their guns into the security company's office.
We were all given $1 off drinks at the store. The event was organized for us by a store employee there who wants to be more involved with open carry events.
So in the end, we stimulated the economy by providing 4 security guards with extra work on a Sunday and significant amounts of business at the Robeks and Quiznos.
Here are some pictures from the event:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=31051&id=122802434426757&ref=mf
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=31046&id=122802434426757&ref=mf
