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Open Carry experience thread.

FreeInAZ

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2012
Messages
2,508
Location
Secret Bunker
OCed at a local pets mart over the weekend, and saw not one but two separate OCers going about theirvshopping with no issues. I must be doing something wrong/right as the clerk asks the fellow carrying a few places in front of us "what caliber is that?" The younger fellow replied somewhat quietly a 45 & that was that. I get to the register and he doesn't even care about my double stack stainless steel 45acp ....go figure ???
;) As it should be, no issues, no women/kids/men/dogs/cats etc... running in fear, screaming in terror while ripping their hair out from the sight of multiple
OCers carrying legally. :cool:
 
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Rusty Young Man

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2013
Messages
1,548
Location
Árida Zona
Hope my fellow desert-dwellers got some rain last night. Let's hope for a little more to keep this great weather going!:)

OCed yesterday at Sam's Club followed by Mama's Hawaiian BBQ (it's on the SW corner of Speedway and Park, next to those three rowdy apartment complexes:mad:). No issues regarding carry and no remarks to either myself or my brother.

Haven't been able to get out much lately, and with finals coming up, it doesn't look like I'll have much time in the next three weeks.:(
 

qubit

Newbie
Joined
May 8, 2015
Messages
7
Location
Glendale, Arizona
OC in Glendale experiences.

Hi. First time post here.

Hope this is the right spot.

I just recently moved from Idaho to Glendale Az.

Anyway... I figured I would hit the ground running on OC in Glendale and never took off my holster since day one.(except for two hours at a park with the kids which was 800 feet from a school. Google maps for the win...)

I carry a s&w 910. Had it since I was 15 and I love it. My aim is great with it and even though I have several handguns, none of them fit my hand like the 910 does. Probably placebo, but placebo works...

Ok. So, I have OC'd without problems at: Walmart, gas stations, Ikea, Jack N the box, Burger King, Mc Donalds, Dominos(sat in and waiting for take out), several supermarkets, two different hotels; American best hotels(?) Days Inn West. Food City(a couple of them).
At least 500 people saw my 910 at Ikea. I did have all the kids and wife with me. Not sure how the OC in Ikea would have gone down without the family, though.

The only person who said anything to me about it was a lady from Cali. Probably mid 30's. At Days Inn motel.

She asked me if I was a police officer. I said no. She then asked why I have a gun. I told her because I exercise my rights. Then proceeded to explain that rights are like muscles, if we do not use them, we lose them.

She told me it was scary that I had a gun. I smiled and told her I am not a criminal, and if something would happen, she would/could end up being very grateful I have a gun. She didn't reply, but my kids came running and she melted. ( I have 4 from age 2 to 14)

I continued to explain that in Az anyone without restrictions(like criminal record) and who is over 18 can OC. She asked me if she could(just moved to AZ) i told her to check with the laws and perhaps sheriffs office, because it is quite a study to get up to date on the laws.

She smiled and walked away.

I will continue to post my experiences as I have them.

I do not have a CCP. I can't aim with a belly buster(small guns) and my 910 is not comfortable concealed.

I will get a CCP in az though.



Thanks for reading
 

MAC702

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jul 31, 2011
Messages
6,331
Location
Nevada
...She then asked why I have a gun. I told her because I exercise my rights...

Excellent post and experiences. Welcome to AZ and to opencarry.org!

Is because you exercise the right the REASON you carry the gun, or do you carry the gun for self-defense, and are just thankful you have the right to do so here? While we understand the nuances of the issue, the person posing the question doesn't. How might she have reacted if the REASON you gave was something like: "Because I have a family with four wonderful kids who depend on me to keep them as safe as I can."

As to being 800 feet from a school, you are in AZ. No one cares about the unconstitutional GFSZA here. Carry on with zero worries. The only places that have to worry about it are the states with similar state laws.
 
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FreeInAZ

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2012
Messages
2,508
Location
Secret Bunker
Qubit - welcome :)

1st point - several of the places you patronized have anti gun "policies" in place. Not a big deal but you maybe asked to leave. If you do not you "could" be trespassed. Look for gunbuster signs as they do carry the full weight of law here in AZ, as MAC pointed out most LEAs & LEOs really don't care, but as always there are exceptions in every crowd (Tucson etc...).

Now for the next person who asks if they have to move to AZ to enjoy Constitutional carry rights while here...NOPE :)
Any lawful person even those from other countries here legally, may enjoy our rights to self defense. :cool:

I highly suggest 2 things for every new person to AZ that wants to exercise their 2A rights :

1 get a copy of the Arizona Gun Owners Guide & read it front to back ! It breaks our laws down into simple terms that normal people can understand and steers you clear of the common pit falls AZ carriers face. If you have a kindle reader capable device you can even down load the digital copy cheaper! ;)
http://www.gunlaws.com/agog.htm

2 Join AZCDL !!!! They are responsible for most of the 2A freedoms we enjoy here in AZ. I am a proud life member & consider it some of the best money I ever spent. ;)

http://www.azcdl.org/
 
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qubit

Newbie
Joined
May 8, 2015
Messages
7
Location
Glendale, Arizona
Excellent post and experiences. Welcome to AZ and to opencarry.org!

Is because you exercise the right the REASON you carry the gun, or do you carry the gun for self-defense, and are just thankful you have the right to do so here? While we understand the nuances of the issue, the person posing the question doesn't. How might she have reacted if the REASON you gave was something like: "Because I have a family with four wonderful kids who depend on me to keep them as safe as I can."

As to being 800 feet from a school, you are in AZ. No one cares about the unconstitutional GFSZA here. Carry on with zero worries. The only places that have to worry about it are the states with similar state laws.

Thank you for the welcome.
I carry for safety first and foremost. I would have explained further to that lady, but she just walked off.
I think(maybe I am wrong) that explaining that it is legal to carry first is the most important, and that it is our right to do so. Then I get around to explaining the whys.

Did not know that about the GFSZA in Arizona. I sure am glad states are starting to ignore the federal goverment. When I first got my 910, it came with 10 round mags. Things are getting better. :)
 

qubit

Newbie
Joined
May 8, 2015
Messages
7
Location
Glendale, Arizona
Qubit - welcome :)

1st point - several of the places you patronized have anti gun "policies" in place. Not a big deal but you maybe asked to leave. If you do not you "could" be trespassed. Look for gunbuster signs as they do carry the full weight of law here in AZ, as MAC pointed out most LEAs & LEOs really don't care, but as always there are exceptions in every crowd (Tucson etc...).

Now for the next person who asks if they have to move to AZ to enjoy Constitutional carry rights while here...NOPE :)
Any lawful person even those from other countries here legally, may enjoy our rights to self defense. :cool:

I highly suggest 2 things for every new person to AZ that wants to exercise their 2A rights :

1 get a copy of the Arizona Gun Owners Guide & read it front to back ! It breaks our laws down into simple terms that normal people can understand and steers you clear of the common pit falls AZ carriers face. If you have a kindle reader capable device you can even down load the digital copy cheaper! ;)
http://www.gunlaws.com/agog.htm

2 Join AZCDL !!!! They are responsible for most of the 2A freedoms we enjoy here in AZ. I am a proud life member & consider it some of the best money I ever spent. ;)

http://www.azcdl.org/

Thank you for the welcome.

And thanks for the link to the digital copy. That's awesome. I will read it asap.

And I will join AZCDL :)

I did OC in Idaho. Many people do. Never had problems. At least not up north in the Coeur d Alene area.

I recall though a friend who had some issues at Chase bank. Same bank I had. I never had problems myself though...

Thanks again. Nice to see that there is a good size of people who appreciate freedom and liberty.
So far, though, I think I generally see more people OC in Idaho, than here in Glendale.

I just went for a walk with the family to mexican grill. They had the ARS 4-229. So... I walked back home with the s&w and walked back without it. Good thing the grill is basically right across the street.

When I feel up to it, I will try to chat with the owners about that. Only the Good Guys will respect such signs, and people should try to understand that. I'll do my part.

Thank you again. I love Arizona. This place is great. :)
 

Heisenberg

Newbie
Joined
Mar 2, 2015
Messages
1
Location
Tucson, AZ
Ok. So, I have OC'd without problems at: Walmart, gas stations, Ikea, Jack N the box, Burger King, Mc Donalds, Dominos(sat in and waiting for take out), several supermarkets, two different hotels; American best hotels(?) Days Inn West. Food City(a couple of them).

Where did you carry in Ikea? I know the one in Phoenix has a gun buster sign, and you could be getting into trouble. I know that a cop out east (MD?) was asked to leave an Ikea, even though he was in uniform. At least they're consistent!

Welcome to Arizona. Carry on.
 

qubit

Newbie
Joined
May 8, 2015
Messages
7
Location
Glendale, Arizona
Where did you carry in Ikea? I know the one in Phoenix has a gun buster sign, and you could be getting into trouble. I know that a cop out east (MD?) was asked to leave an Ikea, even though he was in uniform. At least they're consistent!

Welcome to Arizona. Carry on.

Hi. Thanks for the welcome.

We were at the one in Tempe. We started the shopping with dinner at their resturant. Talked with a lady who served us our meatballs. Say there about 40mins and the proceeded to shop. We spent $1,800 so you can imagine how much we bought...

I think we were there for a good 4 hours. No kidding...

I was wearing a tanktop and jeans. My holster and 910 was seen by everyone who saw me for sure. I even asked for helped to find items and asked questions about beds and so forth to the employees there. No one commented on the OC. Quite amazing.

I was sure someone would say something. And was prepared even for the police to be called. But nothing happened.

Like I said i had the family (2yr boy, 4yr girl, 12yr boy, 14yr girl and wife) and I think the Ikea trip would have been different without them :). I didn't see any gunbuster sign there.
 

Rusty Young Man

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2013
Messages
1,548
Location
Árida Zona
Welcome to OCDO, and greetings from sunny, dry Tucson qubit and Heisenberg!:)
Always nice to see more folks joining.

@qubit: Glad to hear you've had no real bad encounters, and I second the advice given by FreeInAZ and MAC702. Only thing I might add is the carry and use of some kind of recording device (audio, audio/video, or both; redundancy is good;)). Also, get ready for the "dry heat" of the summer.:D

@Heisenberg: Are you a long-time AZ desert dweller? Being in Tucson most of the year (soon to be full-time), maybe we could organize an OC get-together down here.

OCing this week:
No problems at Fry's, the gas station, or Mama's Hawaiian BBQ near the U of A campus where me and mine met up with a fellow OCer and his for a breakfast at Mama's. Hopefully he'll be able to post about the non-reactions. The youngest member of our party present, on the other hand, got more people's attention than our OC, what with his handsome looks and dashing smile. Not a bad way to take a break from finals.:)
 
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qubit

Newbie
Joined
May 8, 2015
Messages
7
Location
Glendale, Arizona
Welcome to OCDO, and greetings from sunny, dry Tucson qubit and Heisenberg!:)
Always nice to see more folks joining.

@qubit: Glad to hear you've had no real bad encounters, and I second the advice given by FreeInAZ and MAC702. Only thing I might add is the carry and use of some kind of recording device (audio, audio/video, or both; redundancy is good;)). Also, get ready for the "dry heat" of the summer.:D

@Heisenberg: Are you a long-time AZ desert dweller? Being in Tucson most of the year (soon to be full-time), maybe we could organize an OC get-together down here.

OCing this week:
No problems at Fry's, the gas station, or Mama's Hawaiian BBQ near the U of A campus where me and mine met up with a fellow OCer and his for a breakfast at Mama's. Hopefully he'll be able to post about the non-reactions. The youngest member of our party present, on the other hand, got more people's attention than our OC, what with his handsome looks and dashing smile. Not a bad way to take a break from finals.:)


Thanks :)

Was at American furniture warehouse out here in Glendale last night. Bought a sofa. No incident with OC. :)
 

qubit

Newbie
Joined
May 8, 2015
Messages
7
Location
Glendale, Arizona
Welcome to OCDO, and greetings from sunny, dry Tucson qubit and Heisenberg!:)
Always nice to see more folks joining.

@qubit: Glad to hear you've had no real bad encounters, and I second the advice given by FreeInAZ and MAC702. Only thing I might add is the carry and use of some kind of recording device (audio, audio/video, or both; redundancy is good;)). Also, get ready for the "dry heat" of the summer.:D

@Heisenberg: Are you a long-time AZ desert dweller? Being in Tucson most of the year (soon to be full-time), maybe we could organize an OC get-together down here.

OCing this week:
No problems at Fry's, the gas station, or Mama's Hawaiian BBQ near the U of A campus where me and mine met up with a fellow OCer and his for a breakfast at Mama's. Hopefully he'll be able to post about the non-reactions. The youngest member of our party present, on the other hand, got more people's attention than our OC, what with his handsome looks and dashing smile. Not a bad way to take a break from finals.:)

Hi, thanks. I can record pretty fast with my phone. Should be enough. It's password locked and moves to lock screen while recording.

Been around the past days out here in Glendale.
Still no "THINK ABOUT THE CHILDREN!" remarks or any negative reaction.

I do say hello or give a smile and "how you doin?" when I notice someone looking at my s&w.

So far so good. Just as easy to carry here than in northern Idaho.
 

Javelina

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2014
Messages
125
Location
East Valley
OC Lunch in Tucson

OCing this week:
No problems at Fry's, the gas station, or Mama's Hawaiian BBQ near the U of A campus where me and mine met up with a fellow OCer and his for a breakfast at Mama's. Hopefully he'll be able to post about the non-reactions. The youngest member of our party present, on the other hand, got more people's attention than our OC, what with his handsome looks and dashing smile. Not a bad way to take a break from finals.:)

My apologies first and foremost as I have not been actively posting for quite awhile now. Anyways, this last weekend I had the chance to meet up with Rusty Young Man for a little OC Breakfast at Mama's BBQ. Food was good, those who I shared the meal with even better! There was not a single problem at Mama's and we even checked out the Epic Cafe on 4th ave and University afterwards. Epic Cafe had no issues as well and we even ran into some friends/family of my father-in-laws. Only questionable part of OC in Tucson was the Subway we had a quick lunch at just right next door to Mama's BBQ on Speedway. As I was making a transaction, (Selling a few extended Glock magazines I had)., there was a homeless man who asked me "If I was slangin". I then told him I didn't know what I was talking about and continued on my way (I understood the reference just had more important things to do). After going back inside the Subway I then heard someone in the mens restroom drop the F bomb and then 15 minutes later after multiple people complained to management the individual came out of the restroom and walked straight out the door and started walking Westbound on Speedway. The manager then checked the restroom and said "There is blood everywhere". Turns out the guy had just shot up before heading out the door.

Regardless of the Subway incident(s) it was still fun taking a day trip down to Tucson. I will have to meet up again with Rusty next time I am down there for business, who knows we might even need to get in some range time to see how a 1911 reall works (If they even do) :p

Welcome to the new members and please feel free to reach out to me if you guys would like to set up an OC Breakfast or Lunch or Range time or whatever. Im located in Mesa and have family in the Glendale/Phoenix area so I can probably be spotted anywhere throughout the valley :cool:
 

qubit

Newbie
Joined
May 8, 2015
Messages
7
Location
Glendale, Arizona
My apologies first and foremost as I have not been actively posting for quite awhile now. Anyways, this last weekend I had the chance to meet up with Rusty Young Man for a little OC Breakfast at Mama's BBQ. Food was good, those who I shared the meal with even better! There was not a single problem at Mama's and we even checked out the Epic Cafe on 4th ave and University afterwards. Epic Cafe had no issues as well and we even ran into some friends/family of my father-in-laws. Only questionable part of OC in Tucson was the Subway we had a quick lunch at just right next door to Mama's BBQ on Speedway. As I was making a transaction, (Selling a few extended Glock magazines I had)., there was a homeless man who asked me "If I was slangin". I then told him I didn't know what I was talking about and continued on my way (I understood the reference just had more important things to do). After going back inside the Subway I then heard someone in the mens restroom drop the F bomb and then 15 minutes later after multiple people complained to management the individual came out of the restroom and walked straight out the door and started walking Westbound on Speedway. The manager then checked the restroom and said "There is blood everywhere". Turns out the guy had just shot up before heading out the door.

Regardless of the Subway incident(s) it was still fun taking a day trip down to Tucson. I will have to meet up again with Rusty next time I am down there for business, who knows we might even need to get in some range time to see how a 1911 reall works (If they even do) :p

Welcome to the new members and please feel free to reach out to me if you guys would like to set up an OC Breakfast or Lunch or Range time or whatever. Im located in Mesa and have family in the Glendale/Phoenix area so I can probably be spotted anywhere throughout the valley :cool:

Hi and thanks for the welcome. I sent you a priv message.

OC'd again at Jack in the Box. No problems.

Also at American Furniture on 99th ave. Was there twice without problems. Talked with the loading guys(pick up). They noticed the guy and joked about borrowing it to "cap" his colleagues who was helping him load onto my trailer. I smiled and said "yeah right". They were friendly and talked my ears off literally.
 

Rusty Young Man

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2013
Messages
1,548
Location
Árida Zona
Woke up and can't get back to sleep.:( Figured I'd post some of my non-event OC experiences this week:

Fry's on Grant Rd. in Tucson, the Safeway gas pump on Broadway and Cambell/Kino (the road is called Campbell to the north of Broadway, but Kino to the south; confused the heck out of me when I first came down here), and Tropical Kingdom (a small pet shop) on Prince and Campbell. A few looks, some stares, but no issues.

Got a visit from the family on Saturday for the U of A 2015 Commencement. :banana:
Didn't carry there, though I did notice the "security" was fairly lax and the "searches" (looking for booze and weapons, I imagine) were laughable at best; had I chosen to deep CC or merely un tuck my shirt, I probably could have gotten past.
Just to clarify, I went through AFTER the rush, so they definitely had more time to search me. Even with the Student Policy banning :)rolleyes:) liquor on campus, the reminders not to bring liquor, and the "searches", I did get to see a number of booze containers that were snuck in by other graduates. It just goes to show: if there's a will, there's a way, DESSPITE what the law may say. Hey, that rhymed.:p

On a happier note, the family has definitely accepted the fact that my brother and I carry whenever possible, and OC is the preferred method by far.:) The kiddos don't even pay attention to our hips anymore, and another family member is considering the purchase of a pistol.:)
 

Rusty Young Man

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2013
Messages
1,548
Location
Árida Zona
Hope everyone is doing well and is in high spirits matching the even higher temperatures.:p I'm thinking a summer OC meetup might need to take place at a skating rink, water park, or a walk-in freezer to beat the heat.

Just floating an idea, but maybe we can meet for the 4th of July weekend? What's more American than hot dogs, fireworks, and OCed sidearms?:)

Quick recap of my OC (non-)events since last time I posted:
Sam's Club, Fry's, Mama's Hawaiian BBQ (no issues, even with the cops outside as we entered), took another colleague out to the range (first time he saw me carry, and thought my OC was cool; as for the range, he loved the .45 ACP Hi Point the most), and the local Circle K. No issues.:)
 

Rusty Young Man

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2013
Messages
1,548
Location
Árida Zona
Quick rundown since my last post:
Fry's, Tropical Kingdom, outside an IHOP on Grant after closing hours (got saucer eyes from a skinny employee who was probably a transplant, though he recovered enough to finish walking to his car:lol:), Sam's Club a few times with only one small child saying anything ("daddy, that man has a gun", but no ill reaction from the dad:)).
Sam's took a while because I asked for change in the form of a $10 roll of quarters for the bus; neither the shy three cashiers, the friendly supervisor lady, the three men sitting at the food court, nor the lady who kept glancing at my 1911 said anything.

I'm sure there were other places but I can't recall at the moment, a fact that speaks volumes about how uneventful OC generally is, as it should be.:)
 

gunslinger493

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 25, 2011
Messages
58
Location
Globe, AZ
OC'd at the Walmart in Globe. I had just grabbed my cart when a man thanked me for OC'ing. I have never had that happen before.
 
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