List Your Open Carry Experiences Here

[HKcarrier]

Ferret... you should have told him that dogs and hats aren't IN THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION and in fact, NO property is EXCEPT firearms and he is a piss poor american for acting the way he did.

 

[xmanhockey7]

I'm 22. I'd tend to agree with you.

I'm 19 and never had a problem. Not saying that it doesn't tend to go that way just saying I'm young and I haven't.

 

[Big Gay Al]

I'm 19 and never had a problem. Not saying that it doesn't tend to go that way just saying I'm young and I haven't.

I'm 55, and except for one minor little conversation with a Meijer's greeter, I've not really had any problems either. And my one police encounter, wasn't even mine.

As for the way I dress, I dress any way I feel like. In this weather, typically jean shorts and a T-shirt, usually with some sort of political statement on it. My fav is the 2nd Amendment march shirt I got from Venator. But I also have a shirt I got from USACarry.com.

 

[insanebuddy720]

I thought about making a shirt that said something to the effect of: "Yeah, it's real."

 

[smellslikemichigan]

I've actually given this some thought over the last year, even going so far as compiling an historical list of incidents going back to the old archived posts. I then tried to pull out the factors involved. OK, really I read posts of reported incidents and kind of came across some general impressions and have coupled that with personal experience...
1. Look like a LEO, less problem.
2. Time of day is a factor
3. Alone or with a group; group appears less of a problem. Also, male with female and being part of a group with children lessens the chances.
4. Age is a factor.
5. Gender of carrier is a factor.
6 Type of establishment is a factor
7. What you carry is a factor. Type/Size
8 Clothing is a factor.
9 How one acts is a huge factor.
10. How cognizant of OC being legal people are.
12. Demographics of individuals observing you... this is a broad stroke here; it was intentional.

I'm sure many here could add a few more... my point being that there are many factors involved to some degree or another.
Bronson is correct in stating one (age) tends to have an effect, with younger individuals being confronted more than older ones. But "tends" is the operative word, and I'll repeat his point of general v specific.
Personally, I carried for over 3 years and was kicked out of the local Walmart when I was dressed in my work-casual dockers and polo-type shirt... while doing some shopping when the store was nearly empty. Clothing was definitely not the factor, rather it was most likely one of the others or some "factor x" that was present.

i have found this to be historically true. however, i have also noticed a trend that looks do not matter quite as much as they used to. i believe this is due to the general public and law enforcement being better informed about OC.

 

[Big Gay Al]

I thought about making a shirt that said something to the effect of: "Yeah, it's real."

I have a T-Shirt I got a few years ago that says "Concealed Carry Works For me." I hardly wear it anymore, since I OC most of the time. I'd like to find one that says "Open Carry Works for me." perhaps with something in smaller type, in parenthesis that says "(And it's legal too.)"

 

[stainless1911]

While walking through the Waterford Kmart parking lot to Radio shack today, I overheard a guy say to his wife, "See, he has one of those open carry licenses", she was like, "ooooh okay ". They didnt seem to mind, I think because they assumed I had a license, so I must be "ok". We were headed in opposite directions, so I didnt engage them in conversation.

 

[PDinDetroit]

OC'ed at SOS, GLX/Bass Pro Shop. SOS let me stand in the special fast lane, in and out in under 10 min. Cashier at Bass Pro noticed and gave me a thumbs up.

No Issues.

Dress: Jeans and Polo Shirt
Demeanor: Friendly and Talkative

 

[eastmeyers]

OC'ed last night a couple of places hanging out with eastmeyers, including the Hazel Park Police Station. No issues.

You make it sound like you were posting bail for me or something.
Obviously not the case. I had to drop something off, still funny.

 

[kubel]

Open carried to 5/3 bank again yesterday. Ended up withdrawing all my funds and closing my accounts. Here's what happened:

Experiences like these make me wish I had a 5/3 bank account just so I can march in (open carrying of course) and close my account. DFCU and its co-op branch locations have been pretty good to me. No complaints, no dirty looks, no nothing.

 

[DanM]

DFCU and its co-op branch locations have been pretty good to me. No complaints, no dirty looks, no nothing.

I've OC'd several times in my credit union co-op service center at Meadowbrook and 10 Mile (Novi). Never an issue.

 

[HKcarrier]

OCed a few places the other day. Had an inquisitive old man ask me a bunch of questions about my sidearm... He seemed obsessed with .45 and kept asking if it was a .45 and was somewhat disappointed when I told him .40.. haha.. he said well that's still a big one right? That'll still get the job done... and said someone gets hit with that they're going down right? I said well, I hope it will stop someone, but more importantly I hope it never has to come out of this holster. Told him it was llegal to open carry. He seemed to think it was cool that I OCed and took responsibility for myself. His wife also complemented me about some stuff unrelated to carrying. Had some nice interactions with other people during the course of the day. They either A.) didn't notice, or B.) didn't care... also talked to the propriator of the place I was at and he said "I would carry too if i had one"... dunno if that meant he couldn't afford a pistol or couldn't get one (felony, etc)




Dress: khaki shorts & 'breathable' sports T, flippie floppies...
Demeanor: Friendly, made sure to make eyecontact and smile at people, working hard so sweaty... hoped pepole didn't think i was nervous lol.

 

[Sail Man]

I have a T-Shirt I got a few years ago that says "Concealed Carry Works For me." I hardly wear it anymore, since I OC most of the time. I'd like to find one that says "Open Carry Works for me." perhaps with something in smaller type, in parenthesis that says "(And it's legal too.)"

You can make that t-shirt here. I've made bumper stickers here as well. Zazzle

 

[ISMOID]

Took my granddaughter for a nice walk yesterday around the heights. I was listening to my scanner apps when I catch "he is heading towards Annapolis". 2 minutes later a Dearborn Heights police car drove by, that was it. Must be my "cop hair" cut that I wear! It was a nice walk, almost 2 hours!

 

[xmanhockey7]

You can make that t-shirt here. I've made bumper stickers here as well. Zazzle

I have seen a T-Shirt online that says I don't carry a gun because I'm looking for trouble, I carry so I will be left alone... or something to that extent. Perfect for any open carrier! lol

 

[DanM]

Sunday, OC'd in Rochester Hills at Kroger at Livernois and Walton, then the nearby laundromat at Walton and Rochdale.

Later that evening, OC'd at AMC movie theater at Great Lakes Crossing Mall. Saw the Harry Potter movie with fiancee and her son.

No issues.

 

[hopnpop]

same here our local Taco Bell is very OC friendly (refer to my previous post about the manager sticking up for me) cept the bad part is they tore that building down for a remodel so I wont have taco bell for a month or so

Didn't think you had a "local" Taco Bell in Gobles.... would yours be the one at W. Main and Drake in Kzoo? It's being constructed, thought that might be the one.

OT> recent OCs.... nearly everywhere, no new places... Red's, Family Fare, Family Dollar, Sav-A-Lot, Marathon and Speedways, The Shampoo Hut - all in Paw Paw. Qdoba, Meijers, Walmart, Menards, Pet Co, Chicago Subs, Bucky's - all in Portage/Kzoo. Never an issue.

 

[hopnpop]

Just got a visit to my door from the Walker police. They were called by the people at 5/3 bank, and said they had to check it out. They also scolded me for bringing this on myself, pushing the envelope, following a constitution written in the 1700s, etc. I countered all of these arguments, telling them that I was protecting myself and my constitutional rights. While one officer was running my name and DOB (which I provided), the other was telling me the second amendment was written in the 1700s. I told him it didn't matter, that he was a police officer sworn to uphold the law, no matter how old it is. He just kept reiterating that it was written in the 1700s under his breath...

Sorry for the delinquency and bringing up a not-so-new post (haven't been on here much lately). I'd be irritated at 5/3 but much more so at the police mentality regarding this whole issue. I, too, have OC'd in 5/3 banks several times, all without a hitch. You did your part, educating the bank employee. As for the LEOs - I find it absurd that he kept reiterating that we're following a Constitution "written in the 1700s" since that very same Constitution is the law of the land, that they, themselves, are SWORN to uphold and adhere to. Disgusting. Written in the 1700s - TRUE - but still backed by SCOTUS to this day (thank heavens). Is it also considered "pushing the envelope" when we speak out in public, utilizing our 1A rights? Is it "pushing the envelope" when we peaceably assemble? The list goes on. When he was going on about how old the Constitution is, you should've asked him "and what Constitution are YOU sworn to uphold?" Case closed. Good job, and keep that recorder going!!

Oh, and lastly, upon hearing him utter that 2A is only for "militia", you could've countered with "Well, the Supreme Court of the US respectfully disagrees, sir, as do I." But hey, all ended well - no cuffs, no suits.

 

[stainless1911]

IIRC, the US constitution was written before militias were formed, so how was it meant for militias?

 

[Big Gay Al]

IIRC, the US constitution was written before militias were formed, so how was it meant for militias?

Excuse me? The "Minute men" were members of the local militia in the Revolutionary war, you know, the one that happened BEFORE the US Constitution was written? The obligation to serve in the militia in England derives from a common law tradition, and dates back to Anglo-Saxon times.

That being said, the 2nd part of the 2nd amendment says, "the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed". It doesn't say the "right of the militia," nor does it say "the right of the state." In all other amendments where it says "the right of the people" it's always been taken to mean individual rights. Yet the liberal left wing loons conveniently forget that when it comes to the 2nd amendment.