condeist
Regular Member
I have been open carrying regularly since Christmas when I got a holster I feel comfortable with. Today I had my first bad experience.
I went to Char Grill on Strickland Rd. in Raleigh as the first stop of several for the day. Walked in thru the back door and first table I walked past there were two guys and one says to the other, "That guy has a pistol on his hip!" I walk around and ordered and found a seat to wait. The other guy begins eye******* me hard. Soon, their names are called and they leave, I get my food and sit back down to eat. 5 min later RPD walks in and asks me to keep my hands on the table where she can see them. She says they got a MWAG call. She says, "Why do you have a gun? Is it just because you have a right to carry or something?" I reply, "Yes that, and self-defense." She asked who I was and where my ID was, I told her it was in my back right pocket, same side as holster. I asked if she would like me to retrieve it slowly, she said no, she wanted to wait for backup to arrive. I know my drivers license number so I gave it to her and she called it in to someone on the way there. She explained that as long as I wasnt a felon or have warrants that I would be free to go. She also said that after confirming that, that she would talk to the Char Grill manager to ask if they have a problem with me being there.
She asked where I live, and what I was doing in Raleigh (This wasnt asked interrogatively, it was more small talk as we were waiting on another officer to arrive.) I said I had a massage at 1 and this was gonna make me late for it. I also said how annoyed I was at all this. I hadnt done anything wrong, just minding my own business having lunch. She understood but said when they get a MWAG call the have to respond, to which I told her I understood that also. She said, "some people see a guy w/ a gun and feel scared." I replied, "That may be, but I dont let other people's feelings trump my right to defend myself." She also mentioned she didnt if a patron or employee made the MWAG call. I told her I knew who it was, a patron who was staring at me the whole time I was there until he left. She also asked if Ive ever considered getting my CHP, and i replied that I have, but for now I enjoy OC'ing.
So anyway, other cop showed, cleared me. Went to talk w/ Char Grill manager who did not mind at all my presence there with a firearm, so i finished my lunch in peace (if you call having an entire crowded restaurant watching you sit with your hands still talking to police like a criminal peace.) I went to get a refill and the guy behind the counter said he was sorry for what happened, that no one who works there called, and that 3 employees were carrying at that very moment.
I had not decided whether or not to carry in my massage appointment, but feeling a bit victorious I decided to go in and if someone minded they would speak up. So I went to Massage Envy on Falls of Neuse Rd OC'ing. First girl I talked to mentioned she just got a Glock and was big into guns. My actual massage therapist saw it and commented that she is just now trying to learn about guns and is signed up for a class for beginners and was going to purchase one soon after. So that went better than expected.
OC'd at the new Aldi in Wake Forest, clerk commented that she wished she could carry in the store but employees arent allowed. Also went to Lowes Foods, Casual Male big and tall clothing store, and ABC store, OC'ing w/o incident as it should be.
All in all, Char Grill is to be commended, as was this RPD officer. She was very polite, understands NC gun law (at least to the extent we discussed it) and was apologetic for bothering me, saying she had to its her job. I just wish she or the dispatcher would call back the ***** who called and give him a short lesson on 2A rights in NC.
I went to Char Grill on Strickland Rd. in Raleigh as the first stop of several for the day. Walked in thru the back door and first table I walked past there were two guys and one says to the other, "That guy has a pistol on his hip!" I walk around and ordered and found a seat to wait. The other guy begins eye******* me hard. Soon, their names are called and they leave, I get my food and sit back down to eat. 5 min later RPD walks in and asks me to keep my hands on the table where she can see them. She says they got a MWAG call. She says, "Why do you have a gun? Is it just because you have a right to carry or something?" I reply, "Yes that, and self-defense." She asked who I was and where my ID was, I told her it was in my back right pocket, same side as holster. I asked if she would like me to retrieve it slowly, she said no, she wanted to wait for backup to arrive. I know my drivers license number so I gave it to her and she called it in to someone on the way there. She explained that as long as I wasnt a felon or have warrants that I would be free to go. She also said that after confirming that, that she would talk to the Char Grill manager to ask if they have a problem with me being there.
She asked where I live, and what I was doing in Raleigh (This wasnt asked interrogatively, it was more small talk as we were waiting on another officer to arrive.) I said I had a massage at 1 and this was gonna make me late for it. I also said how annoyed I was at all this. I hadnt done anything wrong, just minding my own business having lunch. She understood but said when they get a MWAG call the have to respond, to which I told her I understood that also. She said, "some people see a guy w/ a gun and feel scared." I replied, "That may be, but I dont let other people's feelings trump my right to defend myself." She also mentioned she didnt if a patron or employee made the MWAG call. I told her I knew who it was, a patron who was staring at me the whole time I was there until he left. She also asked if Ive ever considered getting my CHP, and i replied that I have, but for now I enjoy OC'ing.
So anyway, other cop showed, cleared me. Went to talk w/ Char Grill manager who did not mind at all my presence there with a firearm, so i finished my lunch in peace (if you call having an entire crowded restaurant watching you sit with your hands still talking to police like a criminal peace.) I went to get a refill and the guy behind the counter said he was sorry for what happened, that no one who works there called, and that 3 employees were carrying at that very moment.
I had not decided whether or not to carry in my massage appointment, but feeling a bit victorious I decided to go in and if someone minded they would speak up. So I went to Massage Envy on Falls of Neuse Rd OC'ing. First girl I talked to mentioned she just got a Glock and was big into guns. My actual massage therapist saw it and commented that she is just now trying to learn about guns and is signed up for a class for beginners and was going to purchase one soon after. So that went better than expected.
OC'd at the new Aldi in Wake Forest, clerk commented that she wished she could carry in the store but employees arent allowed. Also went to Lowes Foods, Casual Male big and tall clothing store, and ABC store, OC'ing w/o incident as it should be.
All in all, Char Grill is to be commended, as was this RPD officer. She was very polite, understands NC gun law (at least to the extent we discussed it) and was apologetic for bothering me, saying she had to its her job. I just wish she or the dispatcher would call back the ***** who called and give him a short lesson on 2A rights in NC.