American Rattlesnake wrote:
flintlock tom wrote:
I think I will just post if something significant happens like police contact, asked to leave a store, etc.
Actually, with all due respect, it is probably helpful for others to hear of the uneventful outings. Helps folks who are on the fence about carrying, themselves, to remember that not everyone freaks out.
I know that I enjoy reading of your "boring" outings! Means y'all are making progress down there.
Best,
AR
Well, thank you, Rattlesnake, I appreciate the encouragement. And the comments of Theseus and Bigtoe have convinced me to continue boring you guys.
This is so new to me that it's still really distracting. I find myself continually conscious of who is around me, if they can see my sidearm, which way I turn and how exposed the firearm is.
In Fry's I had to ask an associate where the cable was that I needed. He made eye contact and walked with me over to the right area. We stood and talked for a minute then he walked away. He didn't notice the sidearm.
In line, checking out, the guy behind me could not have missed it but he didn't say anything. The associate, who stands at the head of the line and directs you to the next checker, stared at my belt as I walked by, but, again, no screaming or fainting.
I also saw the cashier look at the holster but I don't think she realized what it was.
At SoCal guns, it was really busy. Remember this is early Friday afternoon. I was really surprised that so many men were out of work. I looked carefully around the front door for any notices about how to carry a gun in the store but saw nothing.
They always have a great selection of used guns and MilSurp. Several people noticed I was carrying but said nothing.
Yesterday I was by myself, but usually my wife is with me. I'm thinking that people tend to see an older couple holding hands as being very non-threatening. This may be one reason they do not notice or if they do notice consider it non-threatening.
Also, I carry a leather folio with the UOC Brochures and the SDPD training memo. It has been my experience that people are programmed to see a person with a clipboard as someone in authority. So this visual cue may lead them to, subconsciously, assume that I am more than simply a law-abiding citizen exercise his rights.
Last night Mrs. Flintlock and I went into Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Sears Essentials and had the same result. I had to thank and praise my wife for being willing to put up with my "political activism". She pointed out that we had been married almost 30 years and she trusts that I am doing the right thing.
I am truly blessed.
As Pullnshoot likes to say:
Carry on.