I have had my CC for around 5 years now. Carry CC almost everyday. Being a dumbass, I let my CCW run out without renewing so I have to wait for it to go back through the system. So, within the last couple of weeks I decided to start open carrying around my local hometown area till my CCW comes back. I also just get tired of wearing my shirts untucked to conceal my revolvers (which tend to be bulky sometimes). I bought a Fobus holster and started taking my favorite S&W 586 along for the ride. Started out a little nervous not wanting to cause any issues, even though I know that may happen.
What an experience......I live in Western NC (Hickory area) and several things have happened. Most often, nobody even bats an eye. Sometimes I'll see a very occasional person look, but not the constant stares I thought I would get. Usually the questions I get go something like this.......
Hey, are you a cop...
(no)....
oh ok, nice gun....
(thanks)......
Can you carry open like that?....
(yes...NC is an open carry state...look online @ forum.opencarry.org for details.....)
Man, nice to know somebody besides the criminals have guns....
I most recently was in a Lowe's shopping for kitchen lights when an elderly man (around 70) and his wife stopped beside me. He looked down and said, "nice gun.....Smith?". I said, "yes, 586". He said. "357 magnum?". I said, "yep". He proceeded to tell me that he carries all the time, looked around and quickly flashed a Kimber 45 from under his coat. His wife went on to tell us that she carries a Ruger 380 and they have decided to not be victims. We talked a little about open carry and he thanked me for sticking up for our rights....he said that if he were a little younger he might open carry too.
I've had one Food Lion manager tell me she wished I would just visit every hour or so.
I must say that when my CCW arrives, I still may chose to OC most often. I think that around here people are just sick and tired of being scared all the time. I really enjoy being able to help people understand that this is an awesome country that has an awesome Constitution that we need to use.
joe in NC
What an experience......I live in Western NC (Hickory area) and several things have happened. Most often, nobody even bats an eye. Sometimes I'll see a very occasional person look, but not the constant stares I thought I would get. Usually the questions I get go something like this.......
Hey, are you a cop...
(no)....
oh ok, nice gun....
(thanks)......
Can you carry open like that?....
(yes...NC is an open carry state...look online @ forum.opencarry.org for details.....)
Man, nice to know somebody besides the criminals have guns....
I most recently was in a Lowe's shopping for kitchen lights when an elderly man (around 70) and his wife stopped beside me. He looked down and said, "nice gun.....Smith?". I said, "yes, 586". He said. "357 magnum?". I said, "yep". He proceeded to tell me that he carries all the time, looked around and quickly flashed a Kimber 45 from under his coat. His wife went on to tell us that she carries a Ruger 380 and they have decided to not be victims. We talked a little about open carry and he thanked me for sticking up for our rights....he said that if he were a little younger he might open carry too.
I've had one Food Lion manager tell me she wished I would just visit every hour or so.
I must say that when my CCW arrives, I still may chose to OC most often. I think that around here people are just sick and tired of being scared all the time. I really enjoy being able to help people understand that this is an awesome country that has an awesome Constitution that we need to use.
joe in NC
