M-Taliesin
Regular Member
Howdy Folks!
For the past month or so, I've OC'd every day, nearly everywhere I've been recently. I haven't had a lick of trouble in Aurora, Brighton, Lakewood or other nearby cities. I tend to avoid Denver entirely.
Yesterday was typical. I had business in Lakewood and visited a local merchant while there. They didn't even blink as I walked in with my XDm on the strongside.
After I got home, I took the wife out to dinner in Aurora, and again, not much reaction from the folks who run the restuarant or the patrons. One couple walked in directly behind us, and I did notice their eyes go straight to my pistol. Later on, the gentleman told me that he came home one fine day and everything was stripped from his apartment, and the only thing left behind was their cat and the litter pan. I told him how my home was burglarized twice in Colorado Springs and how I'd been robbed at gun point in Aurora. I also told him that's why I have an alarm system at the house and everyone in our home is trained with handguns. I explained that I now carry my sidearm because you can never know when that moment will arrive that you'll need to defend yourself, and how the Supreme Court has ruled that you are responsible for your own defense. I talked briefly about the Delaney case, and he seemed surprised at the decision in that case.
Anyhow after dinner, we visited the Pet Smart to get some critter feed. The manager approached me and was very friendly and nice. I asked about a product I wanted and she looked with me but we didn't find what I wanted. Again, no fuss about my firearm.
That's how things have been since I started carrying. Nobody says anything, and I haven't been confronted by an LEO either.
Now I am wondering what all my early apprehension was about. Guess it was just a case of jitters when entering unknown territory. Now I go about my business confidently and simply mind my own affairs while others leave me be. But it has provided an opportunity or two to talk about open carry and share my views with others.
Blessings,
M-Taliesin
For the past month or so, I've OC'd every day, nearly everywhere I've been recently. I haven't had a lick of trouble in Aurora, Brighton, Lakewood or other nearby cities. I tend to avoid Denver entirely.
Yesterday was typical. I had business in Lakewood and visited a local merchant while there. They didn't even blink as I walked in with my XDm on the strongside.
After I got home, I took the wife out to dinner in Aurora, and again, not much reaction from the folks who run the restuarant or the patrons. One couple walked in directly behind us, and I did notice their eyes go straight to my pistol. Later on, the gentleman told me that he came home one fine day and everything was stripped from his apartment, and the only thing left behind was their cat and the litter pan. I told him how my home was burglarized twice in Colorado Springs and how I'd been robbed at gun point in Aurora. I also told him that's why I have an alarm system at the house and everyone in our home is trained with handguns. I explained that I now carry my sidearm because you can never know when that moment will arrive that you'll need to defend yourself, and how the Supreme Court has ruled that you are responsible for your own defense. I talked briefly about the Delaney case, and he seemed surprised at the decision in that case.
Anyhow after dinner, we visited the Pet Smart to get some critter feed. The manager approached me and was very friendly and nice. I asked about a product I wanted and she looked with me but we didn't find what I wanted. Again, no fuss about my firearm.
That's how things have been since I started carrying. Nobody says anything, and I haven't been confronted by an LEO either.
Now I am wondering what all my early apprehension was about. Guess it was just a case of jitters when entering unknown territory. Now I go about my business confidently and simply mind my own affairs while others leave me be. But it has provided an opportunity or two to talk about open carry and share my views with others.
Blessings,
M-Taliesin