M-Taliesin
Regular Member
Howdy Folks!
I worked late last night and came home a different route. There is a new(ish) Walmart at Tower Road and Salida that I thought was off limits because of being in Denver territory. I was pleased to learn that it is in Aurora after all, so decided I'd stop in to get some victuals.
This store is huge, BTW, and was crowded with Friday night shoppers. I picked up a DVD, some fresh fruit for the wifey and me, and headed toward the checkout. My Ruger P94 was holstered on my hip in the cross draw position as I stood in line waiting for a shot (pardon the pun) at the self serve checkout station. When my turn rolled around, I scanned my goodies and bagged them up. After paying for my groceries, I loaded them back into the shopping cart for the trip to my car.
I was headed for the exit when a really huge guy suddenly approached. He looked like a lineman for a professional football team. This guy was really big, and I ain't no lightweight myself. I don't mean the guy was fat, but really large and appeared quite muscular.
"Are you a policeman, or do you have a license or permit to carry your weapon that way?" He was inches away.
I smiled at him and said "Yes, I have a couple of permits. First there's the 2nd Amendment to the United States Constitution. Then there is Article 2 of the Colorado Constitution, specifcally, sections 3 and 13! They are the only permits required for me to exercise my rights to carry open."
Sudden Impact!
The man appeared completely taken aback momentarily. It obviously wasn't the answer he expected. But his demeanor changed and he smiled at me as he extended a large hand to shake mine.
"So you just carry your weapon in the open wherever you go?"
"Yes sir!" I replied. "It is the right of every law abiding citizen to have the means of self defense."
The man patted his hand at his belt line at the 10 clock position. "I have my CCW, so I carry too."
"I have my CCW coming. But until I get it, I will continue to carry open. Even after I get it, I will continue as the mood strikes."
"But it is legal to carry open like that?"
"Yes! Everywhere in the state of Colorado, with the exception of City and County of Denver." I referred to the Meiers decision as the reason why Denver is exempt from preemption.
We had a brief, but information packed exchange and I recommended he check out internet sites on Open Carry. I also recommended he read up on Article 2, sections 3 and 13, and get some answers there.
He shook my hand again, and we parted company. It was a really great exchange, and I sorta wish I'd have gotten his name and stuff, or at least given mine, so I can keep in touch. He says he will try out open carry himself. There is much we didn't cover in that brief interlude, but I think the sudden impact of our meeting rocked his world!
Blessings,
M-Taliesin
I worked late last night and came home a different route. There is a new(ish) Walmart at Tower Road and Salida that I thought was off limits because of being in Denver territory. I was pleased to learn that it is in Aurora after all, so decided I'd stop in to get some victuals.
This store is huge, BTW, and was crowded with Friday night shoppers. I picked up a DVD, some fresh fruit for the wifey and me, and headed toward the checkout. My Ruger P94 was holstered on my hip in the cross draw position as I stood in line waiting for a shot (pardon the pun) at the self serve checkout station. When my turn rolled around, I scanned my goodies and bagged them up. After paying for my groceries, I loaded them back into the shopping cart for the trip to my car.
I was headed for the exit when a really huge guy suddenly approached. He looked like a lineman for a professional football team. This guy was really big, and I ain't no lightweight myself. I don't mean the guy was fat, but really large and appeared quite muscular.
"Are you a policeman, or do you have a license or permit to carry your weapon that way?" He was inches away.
I smiled at him and said "Yes, I have a couple of permits. First there's the 2nd Amendment to the United States Constitution. Then there is Article 2 of the Colorado Constitution, specifcally, sections 3 and 13! They are the only permits required for me to exercise my rights to carry open."
Sudden Impact!
The man appeared completely taken aback momentarily. It obviously wasn't the answer he expected. But his demeanor changed and he smiled at me as he extended a large hand to shake mine.
"So you just carry your weapon in the open wherever you go?"
"Yes sir!" I replied. "It is the right of every law abiding citizen to have the means of self defense."
The man patted his hand at his belt line at the 10 clock position. "I have my CCW, so I carry too."
"I have my CCW coming. But until I get it, I will continue to carry open. Even after I get it, I will continue as the mood strikes."
"But it is legal to carry open like that?"
"Yes! Everywhere in the state of Colorado, with the exception of City and County of Denver." I referred to the Meiers decision as the reason why Denver is exempt from preemption.
We had a brief, but information packed exchange and I recommended he check out internet sites on Open Carry. I also recommended he read up on Article 2, sections 3 and 13, and get some answers there.
He shook my hand again, and we parted company. It was a really great exchange, and I sorta wish I'd have gotten his name and stuff, or at least given mine, so I can keep in touch. He says he will try out open carry himself. There is much we didn't cover in that brief interlude, but I think the sudden impact of our meeting rocked his world!
Blessings,
M-Taliesin