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Open Carry experience thread.

Paver1055

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Sep 15, 2012
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46
Location
Az
OC'D while bike riding with my son, no issues, just some teens being smart asses cause they seen my XD .45. Also OC at walgreens, always good feedback from their employees! ;)


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Rusty Young Man

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@ Rusty - I am always amazed by the "hammer police". These are the same people who NEVER ask me if it is safe to carry my 45 acp Glock in safety on (trigger), striker cocked position...??? People are often "ignorant" of gun facts, yet comfortable to make stupid statements around the carrier of the firearm in question. I try to be polite - but have answered in the one case where a guy in line at Circle K said something with - Me holding up my index finger while smiling and saying "this gun is equipped with the best safety of all...a safe human operating it." He chuckled and that was that. I was carrying the FNX 45 with the hammer back and the safety on. 15+1 at the flip of a safety ;).

On topic OCing now... nobody cares...but hey, they are my family..and they understand 100% of home invasions happen....at home.

Happy thanksgiving to all. :D

I'll have to try that line sometime.:D
And I'll have to look some more into the FNX. Having 15+1 rounds sounds pretty nice, although I'm content with 7+1 at the moment (plus, cost is a BIG factor in not buying any more toys).

On topic: OC all over the place, and no ill comments from my family. Close extended family, on the other hand, still has 1.5 dissenters. As it is, recent events on the news and my constant carrying are swaying their opinions about carry and guns in general. The kids only stared at my carry piece for a moment, asked one or two questions, and then seemed to forget about it completely. I take this as a good thing.
I guess my gun must not be working, seeing as it didn't randomly kill children by 43%.:rolleyes:
 
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Rusty Young Man

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OC'D while bike riding with my son, no issues, just some teens being smart asses cause they seen my XD .45. Also OC at walgreens, always good feedback from their employees! ;)


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Paver1055, I tend to get the exact opposite reaction...from college students.:p I still feel a bit weird everytime one of them insists on calling me "sir". Maybe I'll get used to it eventually, but I will say that I do enjoy the extra attention from the ladies...especially when the leftist (you guys know the look) boyfriend is sitting right next to them.;)
I never have any issues with Walgreens, Walmart, or CVS (in terms of convenience stores), so I continue to patronize.
 

FreeInAZ

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Got to OC outside of the Arizona Court of appeals today.

Here's the after action report:

WELL - it was a packed courtroom! Now we just have to wait and see what the court of appeals will decide. If they rule in favor of Phoenix, I see this case going to the supreme court of Arizona and possibly the US supreme court.

I got to meet Mr. Korwin and thank him for protecting our rights.

Article on this story with a photo of the "offensive ad".

http://www.digtriad.com/news/nationa...Back-In-Court-

Video of Alan going toe to toe with "Libtard" & disgraced politician, Eliot Spitzer.

[video=youtube;uMstF4fKZBo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMstF4fKZBo[/video]

Also got to meet Kate Krueger from the Talking Guns Radio show. Great lady! Check out her show online. You'll be hard pressed to find a more PRO 2A host on the air today.
http://katekruegertalkingguns.com/

KAK-1911-After-Fired.jpg
 
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Rusty Young Man

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I hate uncomfortable pauses....of activity on this thread:p.
OCed at the capitol in Phoenix at the dedication of the new WW2 memorial this past Saturday. Got to snap a few good shots of the big ol guns of the USS Arizona and the USS Missouri as well as the flyover of one of the ~13 B-17 "Flying Fortress" aircraft still flying today. Got chills when the thing was overhead. Wouldn't begin to know how it would feel if I knew it was loaded with boom. I'll try to put up a photo of the B-17 when I can. Just need to put a few touches on it to really make it pop.

I was carrying my GI-pattern 1911 and got quite a few compliments from the hardy veterans (you veterans out there can let me know whether this is the case for all of them, or just those that grew up under the tutelage "the greatest generation";)), a lot of whom still remembered their time carrying a true GI 1911 pistol (with fondness:cool:). I even got into a short conversation with a trio who couldn't stop looking at it. Seems they had some really good memories that I will never hear, as they were shuffled away by other vets in preparation of the ceremony.:(

Police may have seen it, but no issues. Did notice some stink eye from what I assume we're visitors from the land to the West of Arizona, just beyond our union's borders.:lol:
 
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Rusty Young Man

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*NOTE* This FreeInAZ quote and my response are posted in the "MDA events in AZ (TOMORROW!)" thread here in the AZ subforum. I have merely quoted him here to give a little context to a certain portion of my post.
From the other thread:

Rusty - love your grit here, but sadly people here in AZ seem to have the attitude of :"oh well, someone else can stand up for MY rights. I'm too busy with _______ " fill in the blank.... :(

Thank God for AZCDL, but even they can't do all the heavy lifting all of the time. Inaction on our part = win for gun grabbers. They will show up and get their propaganda in the news, while we go quietly into the night on this one it seems. Hope to be proven wrong. Past experience has shown (April 27, 2013 pro-2A rally at state house) that we can't even muster more than 200 supporters on a sunny 90° Saturday. This in the heart of the aftermath of Newtown & the push by government/anti-freedom folks to strip all of the gun freedoms we enjoy here in AZ. Sometimes WE are our own worst enemies. :confused:

Rant off. :what:

Sorry for the long post. :)

OCed to the counter protest of the MDA anti-rights group. Showed up with two signs: an "Unarmed victims = Happy Criminals" and an "'Gun control' is SEXIST/RACIST" sign. Found an AZCDL member with signs and "Guns Save Lives" stickers in assistance during the early moments, and we were treated with disdain in general. So yes, only TWO supporters of the RKBA were in attendance as far as I could see. Would have liked to see a flood of RKBA supporters; as FreeInAZ pointed out, we seem to lack the mobilization of involved individuals. To be fair, I realize some people simply couldn't make it because of things that just couldn't be put off for later.

We were able to keep ourselves composed and tried not to give the anti-rights media in attendance any good sound bites to frame us in a negative light. Some antis in attendance could at least carry on a civil conversation without deviating from the topic or making fantastic leaps (you know, the types that argue "well what about tanks and nuclear weapons?!" in regards to the RKBA).
My 1911 was the center of attention when it came to me for several cameramen, and it was disheartening to find several gun owners support the notion that guns and the RKBA were only intended for hunting and sporting purposes. On a side note, I found it interesting that they gave so much frame time to the guy playing sad-sounding tunes on his violin, and that some seemed to intentionally crop me out of the frame when doing so.

During the event, an attempt was made to keep us and our signs covered by their own signs, despite the fact that we were standing there quietly unless in conversation. I found it to be very telling of their beliefs that they would try to shut us out of the conversation and the photo since we were also there to remember the victims of laws that cater to criminals by creating victim disarmament zones. One guy next to me was more brazen and tried to cover my sign, so I firmly, but politely pointed out that I was not doing that to them and I expected the same courtesy. He backed off, others didn't. I'd be lying if I said I didn't find comfort in their shock at seeing me pull the second sign from by backpack to counter their attempt to block me out.*Thankfully, youth, determination, and a bit of help from somewhere helped me keep up the two signs I had, one in each outstretched arm, ensuring that at least one of the signs was in the photo frame at any given time.

Afterwards, I was interviewed (and possibly the other RKBA supporter was as well) by two or so local media outlets, one of which was quite blatantly anti (they kept giggling or spoke in mocking tones) asking whether I though it disrespectful to OC on "the anniversary of Newtown," and I pointed out that I was not the one that murdered the children, and I was at the MDA event to remember the victims that were unarmed by laws, peacefully counter protest the MDA arguments and show that this was not a one-sided argument and that differing opinions existed. Will wait to see how the media outlets portray me (us?) and my (our?) words, if they do so at all.
 
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FreeInAZ

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@ Rusty - thank you for standing up for us in Tucson. I am a lifetime member with AzCDL and hope in the future we can coordinate a good showing of pro-2A/civil rights supporters. + a Million for your effort in "Libtard" infested Tucson, AZ! :cool:
 

Rusty Young Man

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@ Rusty - thank you for standing up for us in Tucson. I am a lifetime member with AzCDL and hope in the future we can coordinate a good showing of pro-2A/civil rights supporters. + a Million for your effort in "Libtard" infested Tucson, AZ! :cool:

Thanks, I hope for the same (let them see our numbers and our dedication).

*EDIT 15 Dec.*
Since I have posted the exact same content on another thread in the AZ subforum, I will not clog up this thread (which deals with OC experience in AZ) by commenting on one specific event (the MDA event on 14 Dec., 2013) that has its own thread.

Here is the link to that thread: http://forum.opencarry.org/forums/s...vents-in-AZ-(TOMORROW!)&p=2015434#post2015434
 
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Rusty Young Man

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I can't believe it's been a month since someone has posted on here. Shame on everyone one of us AZ OCers for giving the impression of non-eventful Open Carry:lol:. Now people might think OC is so routine for us in AZ that we don't post anymore:D. In all seriousness though, I'd like to hear about the adventures of a few more AZ OCers. How goes it in your respective slice of (dry) pie?

I'll try to keep my experience brief.... by breaking up my winter break OC experiences into two posts (pre- and post- New Year's Eve), and I did OC EVERYWHERE I went (except to bed and the shower).

OCed at the Fry's on the corner of Mill Ave. and Southern several (~2-3 times) without any negative experiences. Got a few curious looks, but no one really said anything. However, the (unarmed) security guards did notice me on two separate occasions: each time they would just gawk at my 1911 sitting and looking oh so menacing in its leather holster:rolleyes:. It was all I could do to contain my laughter when I asked them if everything was all right.
One of the cashiers did compliment me for carrying, and said they'd carry if the store policy wasn't against it. This of course, got me thinking about how one may go about convincing a (non-anti) business to either a) have visible armed security or b) allow for employee carry (even if it is restricted to only those with the state's permission slip, I would think it is a step in the right direction). I wonder if Self Preservation's approach could work:
http://forum.opencarry.org/forums/s...nother-quot-no-guns-allowed-quot-sign-removed

Also had to stop at the bank's ATM (other ATMs just charge too much these days), and I saw only one older Caucasian gentleman stare at my 1911 as I left the ATM. No real issues there or the gas station (where no one even NOTICED my sidearm).

THE ONLY issue prior to the New Year was at a Wal Mart (2nd of two visits) where dad and I ran into an old friend of the family, who then proceeded to ask in a loud voice: Is that a real gun?! I said yes, and she continued to speak several decibels louder than normal as she continued saying "gun" while talking about it. I did my best to remain visibly calm (though I was getting nervous about someone misunderstanding the encounter:uhoh:), and I guess it worked because I only saw one person look over in alarm (possible fear), but go right back to looking for something on the shelf after seeing me standing there all calm and composed:). Definitely one of my more "eventful" :)rolleyes:) OC experiences to date.
 
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Rusty Young Man

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After New Year OC:

OCed at Kiwanis Park in Tempe where I was in attendance with the rest of the family (we where there in part because of a church-organized picnic/get-together). The younger ones love the challenge of the hills while riding their bikes, the "adults" played serval games or had pleasant chats, and I always welcome the sight of ducks exhibiting a real skill for positive buoyancy:). I got some double-takes from several people, including a teen-aged couple that "subtly" passed by me three times, alternating directions.:rolleyes: I guess they didn't know I'd heard the guy tell his GF "that guy back there has a gun", or that I'd seen her head swivel like an owl's as she strained for a look, or that I'd notice the other two times they passed by as they stared at my firearm while forgetting that my eyes were about two feet above the level of the firearm.:lol:
Got a bit of a workout while jogging behind one of my cousin's more adventurous children (they know to ask for supervision when leaving the area, and I figured I needed to burn off some calories). That's when I realized my leather belt and leather holster may not be well-suited for jogging. Considering hot-waxing as a way to make my belt a little more rigid and sweat-proof (a thanks to WalkingWolf for posting his experience in a thread that talked about the subject some time back).

Also OCed at the Sam's Club in Chandler near the freeway (700 N. 54th St.) with no real issues, but a bunch of curious looks and the occasional timid glance. The employees seemed unfazed, so maybe others OC there when I'm not around?:)

The one thing I have noticed though, is that people seem more polite since I began to OC (for instance, I seem to get a respectful distance in cashier lines and I keep getting referred to as "sir" by curious people). Not saying that politeness ("common" courtesy) isn't a good thing, but I just seem to receive a larger share nowadays.:)
 

FreeInAZ

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Didn't go too many places this weekend (flu bug), but did OC at Fry's for medicine. No issues as usual. No screaming children running for their parents arms, no little old ladies fainting at the sight of lawfully carried sidearm(s)....no stink eye...no nothing...just as it should be. :D
 

Paver1055

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Joined
Sep 15, 2012
Messages
46
Location
Az
Not much been going on due to lots of work. OC'd today to walgreens and doing a few errands. No issues as usual


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Rusty Young Man

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Glad to see you're still around Paver1055!

Also, don't forget to leave a comment on the OC lunch/picnic page: http://forum.opencarry.org/forums/showthread.php?119801-OC-lunch-dinner-what-works-best-for-you&p=2029502#post2029502

OCed yesterday on the way to the bus, then kind of* covered up when it started raining a bit harder. Went back to "full" OC on the bus, and heard the unsavory characters whispering about it and saying I was probably carrying unloaded or it was a toy gun? I carry Condition 1, and why would I carry a toy? :confused:
No real problems, and only a few looks from what I assume are the transplants.

*(only covered the grip, but left the holster visible)
 
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wimwag

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Glad to see you're still around Paver1055!

Also, don't forget to leave a comment on the OC lunch/picnic page: http://forum.opencarry.org/forums/showthread.php?119801-OC-lunch-dinner-what-works-best-for-you&p=2029502#post2029502

OCed yesterday on the way to the bus, then kind of* covered up when it started raining a bit harder. Went back to "full" OC on the bus, and heard the unsavory characters whispering about it and saying I was probably carrying unloaded or it was a toy gun? I carry Condition 1, and why would I carry a toy? :confused:
No real problems, and only a few looks from what I assume are the transplants.

*(only covered the grip, but left the holster visible)

I've heard those comments too. When people ask if its real I sometimes tell them it's a squirt gun.

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FreeInAZ

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I've heard those comments too. When people ask if its real I sometimes tell them it's a squirt gun.

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I once in my early OC days replied to a aggressive/ unsavory character who asked such a question in a punk @$$ manner: "how bad you want to find out?" While giving him what my wife refers to as my 'your face will look great on the back of a milk carton' stare. He shut up and slithered away back to his bro's quickly. ;). Now a days I just smirk and say "let's hope we don't have to find out...." :cool:
 

wimwag

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I once in my early OC days replied to a aggressive/ unsavory character who asked such a question in a punk @$$ manner: "how bad you want to find out?" While giving him what my wife refers to as my 'your face will look great on the back of a milk carton' stare. He shut up and slithered away back to his bro's quickly. ;). Now a days I just smirk and say "let's hope we don't have to find out...." :cool:

I did that once to a group of illegals hanging out at walmart hassling everyone. the shortest (and fattest) one said "you got a popgun gringo? You gonna pull it?" I said "make a move pinche hoto." He made some hand signs and all his friends laughed like morons but they were gone when i came back. Punks are the same everywhere.

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Rusty Young Man

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I'll keep those replies in mind. I guess they've always just caught me in a good mood. Now that I think of it, some in my family say I act nicer when I'm carrying.:confused: Guess it has to do with feeling FREE.:cool:

OCed over to Miller's Surplus yesterday. Great selection, as always, but one of the guys seems to have had a hairline fracture from his service years turn into a full-fledged broken leg bone:(, so if anyone swings by there, try to catch him to wish him a quick recovery.
Encountered two different families while I was there, and no one had a problem with me carrying. The dads made some conversation, the moms just extended greetings, and the kids were more interested in "soldier stuff".
Later, I OCed down 4th Ave and spent a little time watching the various performers. Nobody said anything negative, but I got a few encouraging cheers from passerby. Stopped by Rustic Candle. Great service from the girl at the counter, and her friends were plenty flirty;). No issues to speak of here in Tucson, AZ. :)
 
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Bucko

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Jan 20, 2014
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Tucson
I open carry always

I always open carry, from the time I leave the house in the morning to the time I get home. Of course I honor the usual places. I won't carry in the post office, I don't want to go to prison for 10 years and be bubba's boyfriend. I honor the "No Firearms" signs. Oh, I have some land in Florida I'm selling. Contact me.

For the most part I get positive responses. Mostly people asking why I carry 2 guns. (I carry 2 S&W M&P 9s with 23 round mags and 4 extra 17 round mags in a double gun should rig. So my OC is pretty obvious.) My usual response is "I carry 2 because 3 would just be ostentatious." Surprisingly I've had a very positive response from the tellers at my credit union. Yes, my credit union has no signs up prohibiting firearms, and several of the tellers have asked me what I carry and we've had conversations about guns and accessories. I carry in my credit union all the time and have never had an issue with either the employees or other patrons. Of course some of the other patrons have given me looks from time to time. But no issues.

Really, the only negative response I've gotten was from an older man at an Einstein Bagles. He must have been from a slave state recently transplanted or visiting as he asked me "Don't he need some kind of permit to carry those?" He was unhappy when I told him that in Arizona you nether need a permit to carry openly or concealed. He made some snide remark and all I could think was "Just another one of the future dead." I just let him wonder on his way happy knowing that I pissed off an ignorant obozo supporter. I went home that night and fondled my guns. I love OCing in AZ.

To the previous post, I carrying in Miller's all the time. They actually have a sign up at the Craycroft location saying they are gun friendly. "Please inform an employee if you are going to unholster to try one of their holsters." I guess a while back some one was not being safe about trying out some gear they wanted to buy. I shop there frequently with no issues.
 
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Rusty Young Man

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Saw my first (technically 2nd) unicorn today

Went to Sam's Club and met an older cowboy carrying a Para Ordnance 1911. I thanked him for carrying, struck up a conversation about carry (and forgot to mention OCDO when I asked if he frequented any forums :banghead::banghead:), and got complimented for carrying my 1911.
While this is TECHNICALLY the 2nd armed LAC I've seen outside of rallies, gun shows, and the AZCDL Annual Meeting of Members (just a plug for AZCDL;)), it is the first person I see at a location that isn't remotely related to firearms, knives, or military surplus, hence my "first" unicorn sighting. Even my parents understood the importance of that moment.:D

I also had a funny encounter at Sam's Cub with a lady that went out of her path to "inconspicuously" go around behind me to see what was on my hip. My situational awareness isn't too rusty :)rolleyes:), since I could sense her coming and just drew my arm closer to cover my holster. When she had gotten back to her husband, I just smiled and waved, and she did the same, knowing I had spotted her, and HOPEFULLY (likely) realizing I was not a threat to any LAC in that establishment or anywhere I should choose to frequent. I'll count it as a win in my efforts to normalize OC here in Tucson.
 
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FreeInAZ

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After boycotting my local library's huge no firearms picto-gram plastered next to the front door for well over a year, I decided to stop by after hearing it was recently removed. Oddly the no guns/knives sign was replaced by earth tone lettering that reads "all dangerous weapons must be checked at the information desk." The lettering appears to be intentionally placed/colored so most people will not notice it .

I entered and approached the desk and asked the woman at the front desk where I could check my defensive items? She looked baffled and said "I don't understand?" I smiled and repeated myself in a pleasant manner. I saw her eyes finally catch sight of my legally OCed sidearm. She then simply handed me a key and here you go. I asked where do I go to check my items? She replied they simply give you a key and you handle it yourself. I said that's fine, but where exactly do I place my items? She says "oh in the lock boxes on the corner of the desk on the floor." I lean around the corner of the desk to see a tiny little steel box with 5 three inch tall drawers that lock. OK... I say and take a knee and place my four items (tight fit at best...in the puny box). The most striking thing...the boxes are mounted in such a way where the muzzles are pointing right at the person sitting at the front desk! Or should I say their lower legs. :what:

All went well and no issues arose. ;)

Thanks AZCDL ...I suspect my brothers and sisters there had something to do with my library's sudden compliance with the law. :D
 
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