imported post
I have OC'ing in Eau Claire since the begining of January. Mostly in Wal-Mart,Menards and Gander Mountain on the south east side along with several Kwik Trips. I think Menards might even be under the jurisdiction of Altoona. I have also been in Farm-n-Fleet in Chippewa Falls/Hallie many times. I have been to the customer service desk at Farm & Fleet and Menards a couple of times each to return things. One time at Menards, I had brought the wrong receipt. The pretty little thing behind the counter ask if I used a credit or debit card. I said yes. She said no problem, walked me to the other side of this entrance to a machine where you can swipe your card and it gives you a list of the purchases you made, just pick one and it will reprint the receipt for your. She got a look a my sidearm and she did not even flinch. No change in demeanor, facial expression or body language. I think she might have even been a little, what's the word I am looking for? Impressed / Turned On. Just a little. Or maybe it was just my wishful imagination.
Only one time since the first weekend that I OC, that I got a little nervous about was when I took my kids to see a movie at Carmike Theatre in Oakwood Mall. Oakwood Mall has a no gun policy. But technically, the Mall was closed. The closed at 9
o and we went to see a 9:30 movie. Although the Mall was closed, one still has to enter the Mall at the Food Court entrance to even get to the theatre. There was quite a few people that saw it and yet no problem.
There are quite a few places that I do frequent not as often as Farm & Fleet, Menards, Wal-Mart and Kwik Trip, but have not yet since I started to OC all the time.
I have dined at Jade Garden. Also at the Altoona Family Restaurant with bnhcomputing, Shotgun, Serpent and my son after working the Wisconsin Carry booth at the 2010 Northern Wisconsin Whitetail, Outdoor & Ice Fishing Expo.
I have only had that one incident with a misinformed Wal-Mart Manager that I posted as a starter thread. After spending time with bnhcomputing, I think that I am getting well versed for the debate.
So far, I think Eau Claire is a pretty friendly OC area, but it may be a little to early to tell. The true test will come if someone calls the police BEFORE they approach me. I have yet to have an encouter with a LEO. Knock on wood.
Down here in Trempealeau County, I OC nearly every day at Kwik Trip after work. The County Courthouse and Sheriff's Department is right across the street. A couple of conversation about it, but no issue. There is acashier/night managerthat does not like it. She was the first person to even mention I had a holstered gun. I explained it to her and she is still very uncomfortable with it. She told all her coworkers and a County Deputy about it, how it makes her uncomfortable. I heard that she told the Deputy that it is very intimidating to her. The Deputy just responded, Yes, some people are intimidated by it. After that, she won't talk to me. The rest of them are still quite friendly. Just the other morning, there was a man in desert camo fatigues that was shut putting a lid on his capachino when I was coming up behind him with my chocolate milk and gas station bananas. I paused to let him go first out of respect for a man in combat uniform. The teller I know motioned me to come up to the counter. I said that I was going to let him go first. She knew him, I did not. While she was weighing my bananas and scanning the milk, she asked him what he was off to do. Indoor Firearms Training responded. She make agesture towards myfirearm and says, "You too?" As I am digging out cash, I responded, "No training, I just O-C, where ever I can legally (I did not mean to rhyme, but it worked) in memorial for all the women who have been victimized, to educate that This is legal for self defense, and to fight for Conceal Carry so they can carry them in thier purses". I wanted to add the end of that statement, "If they want to be more feminime about it. But I think a firearm on a womans hip is quite sexy." But I did'nt. I got a big enough smile and an affirming nodding head out this 4'11" cashierfrom what I did say.
Well, I should quite writing. I am usually not quite the chatter bug. More so for a good debate.
I will post more OC experiencesin the Chippewa Valley as theoccur. Not surejust where the Chippewa Valley begins or ends, so anything in the Eau Claire/Chippewa Falls area, I suppose.
CARRY ON!