Open carry report
First time poster here. Read all the time though. First let me say I'm thrilled to finally have found a forum dedicated to open carry. It's nice to see a site out there dedicated to educating the public on our basic second amendment right.
If I cross the threshold of my door,my sidearm is attached to my hip. I've always known N.C. Has always been a relatively friendly open carry state, but it amazes me how very little other resident gun enthusiast know about their right to open carry.
My experience this week end. Wife and I go out for weekly shopping for groceries. Food lion in Dobson, nothing to warrant mentioning. Stopped at sheetz for gas. No one noticed I was carrying, or if they did notice, they didn't care. Returned home to put away groceries, and then off to Walmart in Mayberry to buy more 40S&W ammo. Walked in through Garden center, and proceeded to sporting goods section to make my ammo purchase. Friendly lady working the counter didn't seem to care. Bought 100 round value pack of Winchester 165 grain FMJ target loads, and 50 rounds of .17HMR.
After making my purchase, decided to check out the hunting gear, and apparel. Another fellow apparently had the same idea, and. I noticed through the corner of my eye he was watching me. After about 2 or 3 minutes he approached me and said "excuse me sir, do you mind if I ask you a question?" i knew he was going to inquire about me open carrying. So I offered my hand ablidged him.
Him "How are you getting away with that?"
Me. " how am I getting away with what? Openly carrying my sidearm?"
Him "yes sir, no one harasses you for it?"
Me. "No, I only get questions from those who do not understand it's their right to carry."
Him "oh I understand it's our right, I've just never seen anyone open carry before. I mean I'm with you. Takes a lot of nerve though"
Raises shirt and showes me his concealed firearm.
Him "why not conceal carry?"
Me. "Because I refuse to jump through hoops and pay for the privilege, or request the governments permission to carry when it's my basic right as a LAC to carry openly without the governments permission."
Him "aren't you afraid someone my target you and attack because you're armed."
Me. "if someone decides to jump me from behind, or head on, they will do so knowing 100% I'm armed beyond a shadow of a doubt, and the out come looks bleak for them if that's the course of action they decide to take. With you carrying concealed, there is that 50% chance you may not be armed, and with some that's not enough of a deterent. It's a chance they may be willing to take. If you are attacked from behind, struck in the head unaware, it's bleak for you. The same could happen to me even though I'm open carrying, but it will happen with them knowing 100% I'm carrying."
Him " makes sense, glad there is someone willing to stand up for their right to carry openly."
We parted ways
Left Walmart and went to a buddy's house to warm up the barrel on my sig p229
All in all a good day
... I then advised her to look into purchasing a firearm if she lives in a bad area, and she said that she has been thinking about it.
