qball54208
Regular Member
On Sunday, my Wife, Daughter our dog and myself got together w/my Mom and her 2 dogs (all American Pit Bull Terriers) and took a really nice walk along the Lake Shore on Milwaukee's South Side. There were hundreds of people out and about enjoying the nice weather.
Upon arrival, we all dismounted, gathered up the necessary items, I of course, holstered up my XD45 in my Level 2 Serpa holster. We all walked along one of the bike paths on the high side of the Lake Shore, enjoying the warm weather.
I really was not paying much attention to peoples reactions, mainly because I do not care. I would suffice to say that I am used to people staring at me, I mean I own a Pit Bull, one of the most misunderstood dog's there are, not to mention, there were 3 of them with me.
We all made our way over to the playground area there by the Pavilion, I'd have to say there was probably a couple of hundred people, kids and dogs there. It was then I noticed all the looks, really noticed them.
I mean, it's kind of hard to miss me, 5'9", 240 lbs, bald, tattoos and wearing a red t-shirt.
After a short time there, I was approached by another Pit Bull owner, all of us engaged in conversation about our dogs, mainly training tips and tricks. We all talked for about 45 min, twords the end of our conversation I had shared a technique whit this guy, up until then he never noticed my side arm. I had exposed my strong side to demonstrate the technique, I saw his eyes get a little big when he had discovered I was armed.
He made mention of not noticing it until the ladder part of our meeting, I informed him the I was exercising my Right to Open Carry, he acknowledged it, we talked about it for about literally 2min!
While talking to him my "situational awareness" or "spidey senses" were tingling, there was a LOT of attention. Look at the scene, 4 Pit Bulls, Me, my 62yo Mother, my Wife and 3yo daughter and a VERY large Black male. In any other situation, a rare scene!
All in all, I believe the general public was educated, by the mere presence of 4 of the most misunderstood dogs, an armed male handling one of them, all engaged in a public civil conversation! A great example!
Upon arrival, we all dismounted, gathered up the necessary items, I of course, holstered up my XD45 in my Level 2 Serpa holster. We all walked along one of the bike paths on the high side of the Lake Shore, enjoying the warm weather.
I really was not paying much attention to peoples reactions, mainly because I do not care. I would suffice to say that I am used to people staring at me, I mean I own a Pit Bull, one of the most misunderstood dog's there are, not to mention, there were 3 of them with me.
We all made our way over to the playground area there by the Pavilion, I'd have to say there was probably a couple of hundred people, kids and dogs there. It was then I noticed all the looks, really noticed them.
I mean, it's kind of hard to miss me, 5'9", 240 lbs, bald, tattoos and wearing a red t-shirt.
After a short time there, I was approached by another Pit Bull owner, all of us engaged in conversation about our dogs, mainly training tips and tricks. We all talked for about 45 min, twords the end of our conversation I had shared a technique whit this guy, up until then he never noticed my side arm. I had exposed my strong side to demonstrate the technique, I saw his eyes get a little big when he had discovered I was armed.
He made mention of not noticing it until the ladder part of our meeting, I informed him the I was exercising my Right to Open Carry, he acknowledged it, we talked about it for about literally 2min!
While talking to him my "situational awareness" or "spidey senses" were tingling, there was a LOT of attention. Look at the scene, 4 Pit Bulls, Me, my 62yo Mother, my Wife and 3yo daughter and a VERY large Black male. In any other situation, a rare scene!
All in all, I believe the general public was educated, by the mere presence of 4 of the most misunderstood dogs, an armed male handling one of them, all engaged in a public civil conversation! A great example!