imported post
The reason the convenience store question came up is because, since I got my ccw in Dec 2007, I've been carrying concealed everywhere it's legal. But when the hot weather hit here in the SE plains, any concealing clothing tends to stay on the hangers. I know pretty much all the store clerks on sight, anyway, a few personally - but something put a bug up my butt about OCing in convenience stores, due to the innacurracies being reported about guns and alcohol. And I appreciate centsi's comment, which clarified the law.
All-in-all, though, I've been OCing everywhere in these two counties of Bent and Otero, and I've yet to have a confrontation. Yesterday, we were in MacDonalds, when two vans full of teenagers, all wearing the same tee-shirts, came in as I was paying for our order. Not a peep from a one of them, and I know they saw it. Then the sheriff came in with his family, and as we were leaving, his wife noticed my revolver (649 S&W .357 mag), and pointed it out to the good sheriff, who quickly looked at my side, looked me over, then went back to eating his french fries. As I explained to the little ones who are edgy around LEO's anyway (long story)... cops gotta eat, too.
I'm relating all this because I was not aware, even after getting my ccw, that open carry was perfectly legal here in CO. And now that I have been doing it for about three months, I've had nary a bad confrontation. I guess if some greenie LEO had raked me over the coals about it the first time I OC'd, I'd be much more reluctant to OC. But it didn't happen.
As to appropriate dress, I do forego my sandals when OCing. I wear shoes or boots, occasionally a cowboy hat, jeans and a polo shirt of some variety. That's the best you're gonna get out of me.
And now I'm becoming more confident in the knowledge that the "right to keep and bear arms", at least here in CO, means just that. And the comments and reportage of the law here in OpenCarry, did wonders for my belief in my decision to OC.