Wstar425
Regular Member
In hindsight, I would have handled this a little differently. I have been OC for almost two years and in that time I have never been asked to leave a place, or been thrown out. Technically, in this circumstance I was "told to leave". I go through my life doing my best not to lie to anyone, and I don't plan to start just because I am carrying a firearm. I had been in there about two hours earlier for coffee, with no issues. My daughter was running late, so I went back to my truck, then came back up front to wait for her outside. She had mentioned about going to the Range, and that was our plan at this point. While I was waiting up front I got to talking to two other truck drivers and had a nice conversation with them. During this time, my back was to the window of the counter and booth area, and anyone in there could have easily seen I has carrying a firearm.
My daughter showed up late, I was on a time constraint due to my logs, and she said let's just eat here instead of going and me bringing you back. So, we walked inside, no more than got seated, and this "some guy. maybe the cook" came over and started asking me questions. I had no doubt that he KNEW I had a firearm. At that point, I didn't really care if the SUPREME COURT told him he had to make me breakfast, I wasn't about to eat anything that he prepared. So, we got up and went somewhere else.
When I came back and got dropped off I went to the fuel desk without my firearm, and asked for the manager. He came down and I asked him if they had a firearm policy and he said 'they follow the laws of the state of New Mexico". I said I got thrown out of the restaurant earlier for OC a firearm, and that is when he said 'maybe he felt like you were a threat to his customers". I looked at him, with kind of a quizzical look and said "Do I look like a threat?" and he replied "Maybe he thought you did". As I described earlier, I was clean, neat, well dressed and not a threat to anyone in any possible way. I had never touched the firearm, nor did it ever come out of the holster the entire time.
At that point, what I wished I had done was to say to him let's go down to the restaurant and talk to the guy now. It was only 100 feet away or so. He was only speculating what the cook was thinking, unless this has happened before, or they have talked about this before. I should have made him tell me why he made me leave, in front of his manager, and at that point, I believe, the manager should have told him that I had every right to be in there with an OC firearm. I didn't do that, so I kinda dropped the ball there I suppose. I will admit I was caught a little off guard, and taken aback. In my research, some on this site, N. Mexico is shown as a Gold Star open carry state, although I would assume that Albuquerque or any larger city might be less so, so maybe I had let my guard down a bit? My daughter was just talking about the Albuquerque Police and how they kind of like to shoot first, and ask questions later. Honestly, I just wanted to have breakfast with my daughter and be on my way to LA.
As of right now, I have not heard back from TSA management, I'm not really surprised. In talking with some other drivers who listen to Road Dog radio on XM it appears that this is not too uncommon in TSAs around the country. I'm thinking about calling them back and inquiring as to why the never got back to me on my complaint. The have my phone number, but not my address and I have not missed any calls from them.
As far as the replies on here, I appreciate all responses. I admit I might have handled it differently that I did. When I OC I am even more polite and friendly than normal, even if people don't realize I have a firearm. I'n not really looking to stick it in anyone's face or have a confrontation, especially 1500 miles from home. Maybe I dropped there ball there. I am home at this time with no further ramifications on my part. That guy, whoever he was, probably does now figure he has one up on gun owners, might feel empowered, and I let that one get away on me. That's my bad I suppose. So, that's a little more detailed response on why I did what I did, right or wrong.
My daughter showed up late, I was on a time constraint due to my logs, and she said let's just eat here instead of going and me bringing you back. So, we walked inside, no more than got seated, and this "some guy. maybe the cook" came over and started asking me questions. I had no doubt that he KNEW I had a firearm. At that point, I didn't really care if the SUPREME COURT told him he had to make me breakfast, I wasn't about to eat anything that he prepared. So, we got up and went somewhere else.
When I came back and got dropped off I went to the fuel desk without my firearm, and asked for the manager. He came down and I asked him if they had a firearm policy and he said 'they follow the laws of the state of New Mexico". I said I got thrown out of the restaurant earlier for OC a firearm, and that is when he said 'maybe he felt like you were a threat to his customers". I looked at him, with kind of a quizzical look and said "Do I look like a threat?" and he replied "Maybe he thought you did". As I described earlier, I was clean, neat, well dressed and not a threat to anyone in any possible way. I had never touched the firearm, nor did it ever come out of the holster the entire time.
At that point, what I wished I had done was to say to him let's go down to the restaurant and talk to the guy now. It was only 100 feet away or so. He was only speculating what the cook was thinking, unless this has happened before, or they have talked about this before. I should have made him tell me why he made me leave, in front of his manager, and at that point, I believe, the manager should have told him that I had every right to be in there with an OC firearm. I didn't do that, so I kinda dropped the ball there I suppose. I will admit I was caught a little off guard, and taken aback. In my research, some on this site, N. Mexico is shown as a Gold Star open carry state, although I would assume that Albuquerque or any larger city might be less so, so maybe I had let my guard down a bit? My daughter was just talking about the Albuquerque Police and how they kind of like to shoot first, and ask questions later. Honestly, I just wanted to have breakfast with my daughter and be on my way to LA.
As of right now, I have not heard back from TSA management, I'm not really surprised. In talking with some other drivers who listen to Road Dog radio on XM it appears that this is not too uncommon in TSAs around the country. I'm thinking about calling them back and inquiring as to why the never got back to me on my complaint. The have my phone number, but not my address and I have not missed any calls from them.
As far as the replies on here, I appreciate all responses. I admit I might have handled it differently that I did. When I OC I am even more polite and friendly than normal, even if people don't realize I have a firearm. I'n not really looking to stick it in anyone's face or have a confrontation, especially 1500 miles from home. Maybe I dropped there ball there. I am home at this time with no further ramifications on my part. That guy, whoever he was, probably does now figure he has one up on gun owners, might feel empowered, and I let that one get away on me. That's my bad I suppose. So, that's a little more detailed response on why I did what I did, right or wrong.