"You're endangering my customers..."
Yep, someone said this to me today at lunch! It gave me an opportunity to mention the thwarted robbery in Lakewood. Here's the story:
I get tired of the same old food, so every once in a while I go online to find a restaurant, preferably not a chain, that I've not yet frequented. I found one in Old Town Colorado, walked in, was seated by the hostess, and opened the menu.
I love reuben sandwiches, but I like trying new things, so I was deciding between a reuben and one of their own sandwiches when either the owner or manager walked up and said, "Sir, I'm sorry to do this, but I'd like you to leave."
Me: "Why? Is there something wrong?"
O/M: "Well, Sir, you're endangering my customers?"
Me: "I am? How is it possible I'm endangering your customers?"
O/M: (getting a little irate) "Because you have a gun, that's why."
Me: "Oh, I see. Well, Sir, may I ask you something?"
O/M: (hesitantly) "Yes..."
Me: "Have you seen the news lately, noticed the increase in crime here in the Springs, particularly how criminals are targeting more store owners and shop keepers?"
O/M: (suspiciously) "Yes." (he takes a step back) "What about it?"
Me: "Well, Sir, they're the ones who're endangering your customers. Not I. I'm an honest, law-abiding citizen who doesn't like criminals any more than you do. It's my right, your right too, really, the right of every customer in here, to carry a firearm for self defense, should the need ever arise."
O/M: "I don't think that'll happen. We've never been robbed."
Me: "I don't think the owner of the business in Lakewood had ever been robbed, either."
O/M: "Lakewood?"
Me: "Yeah, happened just yesterday. Two thugs walked up to the shop owner and assaulted him before trying to take his money."
O/M: "What happened?"
Me: "He shot one of them. The other escaped. The police think they're part of a string of robberies and may be responsible for the crime waves in Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and other cities."
O/M: "Oh." (pause) "Do you have a permit?"
Me: "I do for concealed carry, but no permit is required under Colorado State Law for open carry."
O/M: "I thought open carry was illegal."
Me: "Not in Colorado. In fact, open carry is legal in 43 of our 50 United States, and in 15 of them you don't need a permit."
O/M: "Really? Well, can I see your permit, anyway?"
Me: "The permit is for concealed carry, and as I'm not carrying concealed, I don't have it with me."
This was a fib on my part, but he has no authority to examine my ID, much less learn my name and address, so...
O/M: "Oh."
Me: "Tell you what -- If you still want me to leave, I'll oblige and eat someplace else, but I really had my eye on your reuben sandwich. Is there any chance I can get a salad with that instead of fries?"
O/M: "Yeah, that's fine. I'll have your waiter bring it out."
He leaves and comes back about five minutes later, and says, "I hope you don't mind, but this is a little unusual, so I called the cops."
Me: "Ok. What did they say?"
O/M: (nervous little laugh) "They said it's legal, and asked if you were bothering anyone or if you were refusing to leave."
Me: "Should I leave? Would you like me to go?"
O/M: "No, that's ok. You're cool."