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Open Carry experience thread.

The Trickster

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2012
Messages
216
Location
Arizona
While it hasn't been in an urban setting, I have been OCing regularly while enjoying hikes down by the Salt River. I have encountered many tubers and not a peep has been uttered about my OC.
 

Old Uncle Ho

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 28, 2008
Messages
36
Location
Tucson / Bangkok, ,
Just more OC stories

Haven't been on the site in quite a while. Glad to see more OC activity. As I mentioned in an earlier post I OC everywhere. It's seldom that anyone seems to notice. Occasionally some humor does come forth. Some time back while in the checkout line in Basha's in Catalina, a very short grizzled old guy, looked like a piece of rawhide, turned to me and said "I see you're packing heat". Yes sir I replied. The lady in front of him asked if it was a 9mm or something, I repied no mam, it's just a bit bigger (1911). Then I told her that despite what she may have been told size does matter. At this point the cashier broke up and said " I like this guy". Good fun.

In a major hardware store not long ago the lady greeter sort of followed me a ways back to where I was looking for some items and thanked me for carrying. Kind of caught me off guard. She said her husband was a Police Officer and would appreciate it. I told her to give him my best regards and thanked them both. Some really nice people out here.

Now business: I gather that at some time in the future the anti gun folks will be having desks out and about gathering signatures for the anti gun initiative like Wash. has. I would like to offer an idea. We get a phone list of volunteers. When one of these sign up areas is sighted the individual making the siting calls the 'duty man' and that man makes a call or two to have someone go to that site and tell the truth about what is going on. AZCDLFred, if you copy I'd love your thoughts. I will actively participate in this as I'm sure many others will also. We may be able to nip this in the bud.

Lastly, I OC everywhere. When I go into bars I CC and DO NOT drink alcohol. No problems anywhere.

Carry on gentlemen.
Lynn McFadden, aka old uncle ho.
 

azcdlfred

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2006
Messages
901
Location
Tucson, Arizona, USA
As I mentioned in an earlier post I OC everywhere
I'm like you, I open carry everywhere but it's pretty boring. Maybe it's because I'm a white-haired 67 year old geezer and people are staring at my handle-bar moustache instead of my Glock?:cool:

I gather that at some time in the future the anti gun folks will be having desks out and about gathering signatures for the anti gun initiative like Wash. has. I would like to offer an idea. We get a phone list of volunteers. When one of these sign up areas is sighted the individual making the siting calls the 'duty man' and that man makes a call or two to have someone go to that site and tell the truth about what is going on. AZCDLFred, if you copy I'd love your thoughts. I will actively participate in this as I'm sure many others will also. We may be able to nip this in the bud.
This could backfire.

Bloomberg will use paid signature gatherers. He could start at any time, but from a tactical perspective the best time will be after the close of the 2016 legislative session when it will be too late for any legislative action to stop him. Regardless of when he starts, it will be a smooth run operation done by professionals.

If someone from "our side" shows up they need to be on their best behavior, be clipped and dipped, and dressed in a suit and tie without even the slightest hint of "Bubbaism."

Even under the best of circumstances the press will show us in a bad light. Open carry around the petition gathering or getting into an argument and public opinion will shift against us. It will be proof that "some people" should not own guns and that universal background checks are necessary.

Regardless of what we do, Bloomberg WILL get all the necessary signatures he needs to get the measure on the ballot.

Polling shows that 90% of non-gun owners will vote for "universal background checks." Sadly, polling also shows that a majority of gun owners will vote for them also. However, it's gun owners that we will be able to influence and who can defeat this at the voting booth. That's where we need to spend our energy.

Fred
 
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Rusty Young Man

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2013
Messages
1,548
Location
Árida Zona
Hope everyone had a happy 4th of July celebration!

Been some time since I last posted, so here is a quick rundown:

4th of July
I got to spend time with the family and the kiddos, got to do the hot-dogs-and-burgers-on-the-grill thing, celebrated a birthday at a local park (piñata and everything), and later took in the fireworks in Mesa (where we got a sprinkling of ashes), all while OC.
My brother was also OC, and the worst we got from anyone was a muttered "those guys must think they're pretty tough" (translated from the original Spanish for everyone's convenience). Did get two compliments and a few "nice gun" comments.

It appeared to be amateur hour: several people crossing streets (and stopping in the middle of the road) while traffic is moving by, idiots lighting up fountain fireworks in the parking lots right next to other cars, and of course the angry driving. Makes me feel bad for the EMTs, firefighters, and other medical personnel having to deal with the results of the stupid things people decide to do.

Since my last post:
Sam's Club, 7-11 (plenty of shady characters out at 11 pm), Fry's, and several gas stations while visiting the family in PHX yesterday. No issues anywhere, a few second-glances and wide eyes, and a few interactions.

This weekend:
Two people commented with a "nice gun", one guy this morning asked me about the writing on my shirt (Hebrew saying "Remember"; got the shirt from the Hillel society at the UofA for participating in their Holocaust Vigil some years back), then asked about my 1911, and an older gentleman asked me about it and led to a conversation about carry. One older lady I helped out (little lady, LOTS of things to carry in the sun) didn't so much as bat an eye at my 1911. Seems she's seen my brother OC around and thinks of my family as friendly. Who'd have thought it?:p
Not a bad weekend.:D
 

FreeInAZ

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2012
Messages
2,508
Location
Secret Bunker
^^^ well your brother is such a "tiny" little guy, so... (He's a big dude) so I doubt people notice his pistol 1st. ;) I think your parents sprinkled miracle grow on his cheerio's as a kid?

On topic - not getting out that much lately (injury) but, no issues OCing when I do. :)

As it should be.
 

Rusty Young Man

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2013
Messages
1,548
Location
Árida Zona
Been working a new job :)D), and haven't been able to post. Here goes.
Since last time: OCed at a Wells Fargo, a Chase bank, and two face-to-face Craigslist deals (good deals, but some shady people). No problems, only long lines and somewhat humid weather.
One lady didn't say anything, but the lady from the second deal said she knew we were "on the level" as soon as she SAW I was OCing.
Can you imagine that? Someone being REASSURED by an Openly Carried sidearm?:cool: Gave her an AZCDL card and thanked her for carrying (she says she carries regularly because of the nature of her job; I assume CCing, but any carry is better than none at all).

^^^ well your brother is such a "tiny" little guy, so... (He's a big dude) so I doubt people notice his pistol 1st. ;) I think your parents sprinkled miracle grow on his cheerio's as a kid?

On topic - not getting out that much lately (injury) but, no issues OCing when I do. :)

As it should be.

Not sure what was sprinkled into his food, but I am now officially the runt of the litter.:uhoh:

Hope you're getting better.
 

Rusty Young Man

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2013
Messages
1,548
Location
Árida Zona
Not many eventful OC experiences (as it should be:)), but I did get the saucer eyes and pivot head look from a Fry's unarmed security guard, and one of my colleagues let on that my OCing presence makes him "feel safer".

Figured I'd make a post detailing exactly how normal OC can be down here in Tucson by someone of a sun-kissed complexion.:p
 

Rusty Young Man

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2013
Messages
1,548
Location
Árida Zona
My new work hours aren't the best, so here are the overdue non-events since last time:

OCed at Fry's, Walmart, In-N-Out Burger, at a collegue's game night, and even while biking around half of Tucson (trying to pay my rent on time; turns out not many stores have cash back options at the register). No issues regarding my OC anywhere.:cool:

Had one gentleman ask me about my sidearm (says he will usually "carry a 38 revolver. It's at my house.":(), but no screaming for help at the sight of a super scary gun?:confused::p

In-N-Out with the GF (yesterday evening) was the most "eventful" encounter. No issues with the employees or patrons, but I was pointed out by two different families.

First family (of four) was Hispanic, and it was one of the two little ones who pointed me out to the parents. They must have realized I wasn't a threat, seeing as they smiled back, said "Buenas noches" ("Good evening"; in response to the same greeting on my part), and continued eating there for the next ~7 minutes while our food was served.

Second family was African-American, sitting down at the table where the first family had just been (GF and I were finishing our meal by this point). The mother pointed me out to the father as we were getting up, so I said my usual "Good evening" with a smile, and whaddaya know? They smiled and said "Good evening" right back!:D


Yep, my sun-kissed complexion, long hair, and OCed sidearm must be terrifying the masses and their children, just like the antis keep telling me.:rolleyes:
 
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OC Freedom

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2014
Messages
646
Location
ADA County, ID
My new work hours aren't the best, so here are the overdue non-events since last time:

OCed at Fry's, Walmart, In-N-Out Burger, at a collegue's game night, and even while biking around half of Tucson (trying to pay my rent on time; turns out not many stores have cash back options at the register). No issues regarding my OC anywhere.:cool:

Had one gentleman ask me about my sidearm (says he will usually "carry a 38 revolver. It's at my house.":(), but no screaming for help at the sight of a super scary gun?:confused::p

In-N-Out with the GF (yesterday evening) was the most "eventful" encounter. No issues with the employees or patrons, but I was pointed out by two different families.

First family (of four) was Hispanic, and it was one of the two little ones who pointed me out to the parents. They must have realized I wasn't a threat, seeing as they smiled back, said "Buenas noches" ("Good evening"; in response to the same greeting on my part), and continued eating there for the next ~7 minutes while our food was served.

Second family was African-American, sitting down at the table where the first family had just been (GF and I were finishing our meal by this point). The mother pointed me out to the father as we were getting up, so I said my usual "Good evening" with a smile, and whaddaya know? They smiled and said "Good evening" right back!:D


Yep, my sun-kissed complexion, long hair, and OCed sidearm must be terrifying the masses and their children, just like the antis keep telling me.:rolleyes:


Rusty, thanks for posting your OC experiences, I enjoy reading about peoples open carry activities more that any other subject here on OCDO. Now my real gripe about your post. I am so envious that you get to go to "In and Out Burger", I would almost kill for a double double right now. The closet one to me is 315 miles away in Riverdale Utah, and yes I have considered driving there just for that.:D
 

qednick

Regular Member
Joined
May 1, 2007
Messages
499
Location
Bandera, TX
In-N-Out with the GF (yesterday evening) was the most "eventful" encounter. No issues with the employees or patrons, but I was pointed out by two different families.

First family (of four) was Hispanic, and it was one of the two little ones who pointed me out to the parents. They must have realized I wasn't a threat, seeing as they smiled back, said "Buenas noches" ("Good evening"; in response to the same greeting on my part), and continued eating there for the next ~7 minutes while our food was served.

Second family was African-American, sitting down at the table where the first family had just been (GF and I were finishing our meal by this point). The mother pointed me out to the father as we were getting up, so I said my usual "Good evening" with a smile, and whaddaya know? They smiled and said "Good evening" right back!:D

OC'd at the In-n-Out in Kingman and almost caused some Japanese tourists to choke on their burgers. BTW that's gotta be the busiest burger joint in the Northern hemisphere.
 

ISRAEL

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2009
Messages
277
Location
Boise, Idaho, United States
Hi - All I have been asked to post a thread here by some others so that people can relate their open carry experiences.

I know that this is Arizona and it is a given that OC should be a non event. However - besides myself and my family I have rarely seen anyone carrying openly? So let's let others who might be thinking of trying it or are new to the great state of Arizona know that it's okay to do so if they want.

I'll start -

OCed recently at an art fair in Cave Creek. No issues - did have a couple of older couples wisper "he got a gun" I just glanced towards them and smiled and went about my shopping. As they left I noticed they got into a car with Illinois plates so they were probably snow birds from the Chicago area? For the most part I find that rarely do people even notice I am wearing a visible pistol. When they do I just smile or nod and that's that. When I'm out with my family - if my wife is OCing I will often switch to CC just to see the curious looks that people give me and the smiles she gets from many of the women passing by. You see,
I don't mind being viewed as the fellow who has a wife that can protect him and his child if needed at all. ;)

I am new in Arizona,I moved from Boise,Idaho, and I have seen only 2 men O.C. and I want to start doing it,too. I did it alomost everyday en Boise, and here is so hot to wear pants to OC but I guess using shorts it Ok. right now I live in Glendale.
 

Rusty Young Man

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2013
Messages
1,548
Location
Árida Zona
I am new in Arizona,I moved from Boise,Idaho, and I have seen only 2 men O.C. and I want to start doing it,too. I did it alomost everyday en Boise, and here is so hot to wear pants to OC but I guess using shorts it Ok. right now I live in Glendale.

Hello I am new in Arizona, I moved from Boise Idaho, and over there we have an O.C. dinner every month of the year, and I was wondering if there is anything like this in Phoenix or in any city around Phoenix? I live in Glendale, If any of you anything about it, will you please let me know? since I moved 2 month ago, I have seen only 2 men O.C. and I will start soon doing it,too, Thanks for your help.

Welcome to sunny, dry Arizona ISRAEL.:)

The Arizona Events sub forum has a string of monthly meetups that were paused on account of the dreaded three-digit temperatures in Phoenix. Perhaps that should be a selling point. "Phoenix: find out what it feels like to live in an oven".:p
At any rate, it shouldn't be too long before another meetup occurs. Definitely looking forward to that.:D

Also, don't be afraid to set up your own event. Post the date, time, and location, give a few days' notice, and make sure to show up to your own event.:)

Rusty, thanks for posting your OC experiences, I enjoy reading about peoples open carry activities more that any other subject here on OCDO. Now my real gripe about your post. I am so envious that you get to go to "In and Out Burger", I would almost kill for a double double right now. The closet one to me is 315 miles away in Riverdale Utah, and yes I have considered driving there just for that.:D

Thank you for the kind words OC Freedom. Though the posting of non-events may seem redundant, it reflects on how uneventful (read: no police called in) and normal the sight of an Openly Carried sidearm an become. While there is still plenty of work to be done, we should enjoy the hard-won gains that have been made.

Also, I don't think next-day delivery would work well, else I would offer to overnight a double double to you. :p If you're ever in Tucson (or in Phoenix on a weekend), I'd be happy to meet up with you for an OC lunch over a few burgers.:)

OC'd at the In-n-Out in Kingman and almost caused some Japanese tourists to choke on their burgers. BTW that's gotta be the busiest burger joint in the Northern hemisphere.

I would have loved to have been there to see that, qednick. You and I both must own some of the laziest sidearms on the planet. They never get their lazy butts out of their holsters to scare people and spray lead all over the place. :p
 
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Freedom1Man

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2012
Messages
4,462
Location
Greater Eastside Washington
I am new in Arizona,I moved from Boise,Idaho, and I have seen only 2 men O.C. and I want to start doing it,too. I did it alomost everyday en Boise, and here is so hot to wear pants to OC but I guess using shorts it Ok. right now I live in Glendale.
Back in 2000-2001 many people would carry "legally" OC where because you could see even a part in of their gun they did not need a CPL/CWL/CPP. I do not know how much has changed since then but keep that in mind. The couple who showed me was wearing black shirt and pants with the black pistol tucked most of the way into their front waistband.

Sent from my SM-G386T using Tapatalk
 

azcdlfred

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2006
Messages
901
Location
Tucson, Arizona, USA
Back in 2000-2001 many people would carry "legally" OC where because you could see even a part in of their gun they did not need a CPL/CWL/CPP. I do not know how much has changed since then but keep that in mind. The couple who showed me was wearing black shirt and pants with the black pistol tucked most of the way into their front waistband.
Back then the weapons misconduct statutes, ARS 13-3102, used "partially visible" to define not carrying concealed.

However years before in 1994, an Arizona appellate court (State v. Adams) made that language meaningless when they ruled that concealed was in the eye of the observer. If you were open carrying a pistol on your right hip in a bright neon orange holster with a flashing light attached to it but a cop approached from your left and could not see the pistol, you could be arrested for carrying concealed if you did not have a state issued permit to carry concealed.

We (AzCDL) battled that language for several years until we got Constitutional Carry passed in 2010. However, "partially visible" is still in the language about carrying when under 21 years old. Whether or not State v. Adams applies to the new subsection remains to be seen.

Fred
 

ISRAEL

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2009
Messages
277
Location
Boise, Idaho, United States
Thanks,

Welcome to sunny, dry Arizona ISRAEL.:)

The Arizona Events sub forum has a string of monthly meetups that were paused on account of the dreaded three-digit temperatures in Phoenix. Perhaps that should be a selling point. "Phoenix: find out what it feels like to live in an oven".:p
At any rate, it shouldn't be too long before another meetup occurs. Definitely looking forward to that.:D

Also, don't be afraid to set up your own event. Post the date, time, and location, give a few days' notice, and make sure to show up to your own event.:)



Thank you for the kind words OC Freedom. Though the posting of non-events may seem redundant, it reflects on how uneventful (read: no police called in) and normal the sight of an Openly Carried sidearm an become. While there is still plenty of work to be done, we should enjoy the hard-won gains that have been made.

Also, I don't think next-day delivery would work well, else I would offer to overnight a double double to you. :p If you're ever in Tucson (or in Phoenix on a weekend), I'd be happy to meet up with you for an OC lunch over a few burgers.:)



I would have loved to have been there to see that, qednick. You and I both must own some of the laziest sidearms on the planet. They never get their lazy butts out of their holsters to scare people and spray lead all over the place. :p


I Started O.C. yesterday, I went to few stores on Indian School Street, no problems only people watching I guess, I O.C. a 44 Magnum, and my daughter took me to "Tangers", but I did not O.C. there,because I didn't know if was ok, I did not see any sign I will do it next time, I do not know when Phoenix cools down, and please keep me post of any meetings,
 

Rusty Young Man

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2013
Messages
1,548
Location
Árida Zona
Another (belated) update on my OC whereabouts since last (and that I remember at the moment:)):

Fry's (a handful of times), Dollar General (twice), Dollar Store (cashier didn't seem to mind at all), Sam's Club, Dunkin Donuts, 7-11 (not a fun place to visit at night), Yogurt Land (the GF wanted me to try frozen yogurt stuff, honest:uhoh:), and a few times while biking around Tucson just for fun.
Plenty of looks, especially at Yogurt Land and Sam's Club (the place was PACKED), but no problems.:)

Received two comments regarding my carry. One was a simple "What do you carry?", another was a more incredulous (but NOT terrified or confrontational) "Damn! Two handles?! I could see one as you were coming, but two?!"
What can I say? It was a windy day and my shirt may have ridden up on my OWB CCed BUG. ;)

The rains down here have caught me on more than one occasion, so I've done some extra drying and cleaning on my EDC. Other than that, no issues regarding carry.:cool:

Hope my fellow AZ OCers have been having a good time and enjoying the weather as of late.:)

Add.: I forgot to mention, the Fry's always has "Unarmed security" (I know, I can't figure that one out either:confused:), and they always seem to find me interesting to look at, especially the one who tried to "subtly" follow the GF and me through the store. Looked away when I wished him a good evening and blew his cover. :lol:
 
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skidmark

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jan 15, 2007
Messages
10,444
Location
Valhalla
The rains down here have caught me on more than one occasion, so I've done some extra drying and cleaning on my EDC. Other than that, no issues regarding carry.:cool:

Some of us Oulde Pharts that get rusty being left out in the rain have learned the utility of carrying a shower cap in our back pocket during the rainy season. Easy to fit over the holstered handgun, relatively easy to get rid of should you need access to the handgun. And the flower-print ones get some of the most amusing looks :shocker::D - especially in places where most people are shaking some of the water off their umbrellas. Yes, there I am, shaking a shower cap.

Just a note from the back of my head.

Keep on with what you are doing. I always like to read your pathetic posts about nothing happening.:p (Seriously, it's good to hear folks behaving as if OC is normal.)

stay safe.
 

HPmatt

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2013
Messages
1,467
Location
Dallas
Need a pic to validate flowery shower cap...[emoji257]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Rusty Young Man

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2013
Messages
1,548
Location
Árida Zona
Some of us Oulde Pharts that get rusty being left out in the rain have learned the utility of carrying a shower cap in our back pocket during the rainy season. Easy to fit over the holstered handgun, relatively easy to get rid of should you need access to the handgun. And the flower-print ones get some of the most amusing looks :shocker::D - especially in places where most people are shaking some of the water off their umbrellas. Yes, there I am, shaking a shower cap.

Just a note from the back of my head.

Keep on with what you are doing. I always like to read your pathetic posts about nothing happening.:p (Seriously, it's good to hear folks behaving as if OC is normal.)

stay safe.

Thank you for the shower cap tip, I may have to test it out sometime. Perhaps it will solve my problem of not being able to carry my 1911 in the shower?:p

Always a pleasure to tell my wild stories of absolutely nothing happening while OCing. I'm considering making a book and mailing it to select antis.:lol:
 
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