tak2w
Regular Member
Well, I finally did it! I have been CCing for about 11 years, but have never OC'd, except for around the house. I discovered this forum a few weeks ago and have done a LOT of reading, and feel I have a pretty good grasp on the laws, etc. Still, I have been reluctant to give it a try. Every time I think I'm going to try it, I end up covering up at the last minute. Well, last night I had to go to the convenience store at about 11pm. I had recently gotten home from a play, so I was still wearing kakis and a tucked in dress shirt (had pocket carried my P3AT to the play). With all the crime in Greenville, I decided I wanted more firepower than my .380, so I threw on my Glock 19 in kydex paddle holster at about 4-o'clock and spare mag at 9-o'clock and went out the door.
I pulled up to the front door of the Trade-Mart and made sure there were no gun-buster signs on the door and took a deep breath and walked in. There were two clerks behind the counter and one customer checking out. I walked in and went straight back to the beverage cooler. At this point, my Glock was in full view of the clerks who are facing my way. I got some milk and walked back down the aisle to the counter, made small talk with the cashier, paid and left. After I got back in my car, I looked back in the store to see if the two clerks were talking about me....they didn't appear to be. Either no one noticed my gun or they didn't care.
So, very uneventful encounter, and not very interesting to read about I'm sure. Just wanted to let someone know. I'm not sure how much I will be OCing in the future though. I am a professional, active in leadership in my church, member of a country club, etc. I have lots of friends and acquaintances who wouldn't really understand a need to carry a gun, especially openly, and probably wouldn't appreciate me trying to educate them. I really appreciate all of you who try to educate those you come into contact with, I just feel like I would ostracize people I know and hurt relationships I have built. If Greenville wasn't such a small town, It would be a lot easier for me, but I run into people I know wherever I go. Thanks again for all you OC ambassadors out there! Keep up the good work!
I pulled up to the front door of the Trade-Mart and made sure there were no gun-buster signs on the door and took a deep breath and walked in. There were two clerks behind the counter and one customer checking out. I walked in and went straight back to the beverage cooler. At this point, my Glock was in full view of the clerks who are facing my way. I got some milk and walked back down the aisle to the counter, made small talk with the cashier, paid and left. After I got back in my car, I looked back in the store to see if the two clerks were talking about me....they didn't appear to be. Either no one noticed my gun or they didn't care.
So, very uneventful encounter, and not very interesting to read about I'm sure. Just wanted to let someone know. I'm not sure how much I will be OCing in the future though. I am a professional, active in leadership in my church, member of a country club, etc. I have lots of friends and acquaintances who wouldn't really understand a need to carry a gun, especially openly, and probably wouldn't appreciate me trying to educate them. I really appreciate all of you who try to educate those you come into contact with, I just feel like I would ostracize people I know and hurt relationships I have built. If Greenville wasn't such a small town, It would be a lot easier for me, but I run into people I know wherever I go. Thanks again for all you OC ambassadors out there! Keep up the good work!
