YORKTOWN POSITIVE interactions
Started the day OCing (like Jim does, around the house and then wherever I go from there) stopped at Congressman Whitman's office to ask for "pocket Constitutions" for #3 daughter's Civics class. At first, I was just going to get them for her own class, but then decided to get enough for ALL his classes. They didn't have enough, so I'll e-mail them and ask for more. The male "receptionist" was helpful and polite. While looking at the wall decorations, I noticed my reflection in the window and realized I was CCing and not OCing. I didn't want to uncover while in the office because that would seem rude to some and possibly "brandishing" to another. Thought about taking them home and having daughter deliver them to the teacher tomorrow or delivering them myself today. Opted to deliver them today. No-C'd at the school after a quick bite at McDonalds. No problems at the Scottish place, not even from the Special Ed (Autistic, to be specific) kids that came in while I was in line. I thought the sight of my Kimber may put one or more of them into low earth orbit, but I was wrong. Two out of three of them were wearing ear protection and the third "wasn't home" as far as I could tell. I spoke to the adults that were with them and told them I thought they were pretty brave to take them out in wide open places where they were so susceptible to "information overload". They were really well-behaved. Better behaved tham a lot of "regular-ed" middle school kids I've seen.
After delivering the Pocket Constitutions, I went down to Yorktown for a waterfront walk. came across another OCer. I'd met him at the grocery store before. He always comes up to me and says "glad to see someone else exercising their rights". Of course, its a challenge for you to notice what he is carrying: a .22 mag revolver with a "pocket clip" in his jeans pocket with the handle barely visible. Talk about BORDERLINE OCing! It was hard to tell the grip was actually the lower receiver of a pistol. He doesn't like OCing. I asked him why and he goes on about "what if there's a bad guy, and he sees you, you're going to be the first one shot..." I reasoned with him and explained that most BGs react completely opposite to what he said. I even gave him anecdotal evidence about some personal experiences, but he didn't seem convinced. It was still a positive interaction. I walked another 10 feet and an older gentleman said "I didn't know you could Open carry here." I said "Of course we can. Why aren't you?" He said he was visiting here from Tennessee and had forgotten to "check the laws before he came". We shared some experiences OCing and he told me about when TN first allowed OC and some people were harassed at WalMart by the police. I told him about Dan's Waterside experience and that some parts of Virginia were "slower" than others to accept OC. I also shared with him that he was visiting about the BEST place he could possibly OC because of our highly supportive Sheriff and his well-trained staff. He was happy to hear about it.
I am sitting on the "porch" of Ben & Jerry's in Yorktown (OCing of course) as I 'type' this using their free wireless connection. No problems from anyone here, but one tourist walked past our table and bumped the chair to my left and didn't say a word after doing so. I'd like to think she was just an aloof or obnoxious tourist rather than an 'anti', but I can't be sure. I said "You're excused" out loud as she walked away, but she was either deaf or 'Option # 2 above'. Either way, she's gone now.
The manager is loading their "store on wheels" for an event in Gloucester tomorrow. Does anyone know anything about a "Chalk Fest" in Gloucester Courthouse (that is the area of the county, not the courthouse proper) Saturday. Maybe something to do this weekend?
