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Politeness and courtesy go a long way

4angrybadgers

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2009
Messages
411
Location
Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
imported post

At the OC breakfast this morning I was asked whether I had experienced any negative LEO attention. I said that I had never had any trouble from anybody, not even a question or a scared look. Today that changed... :)

This afternoon I went to the Lowe's in Hammond with my parents and wife (they were looking for trees to plant in their back yard, and I just went along, well, just because). I was OCing my XD in a Serpa, wearing blue jeans and a long-sleeve USM T-shirt - typical casual wear for me.

Lowe's was quite crowded, and they had many employees working on the floor. We spent maybe 5 minutes in the outdoor garden section, and then my wife and I wandered over to the main building. Along the way an employee asked if we needed help, and I told him no thanks, we were just checking out plants that we may buy later for our new house. He then pointed to my pistol and asked "Is that real?" I said "Yes sir," and he kinda smiled and nodded, and then mentioned his gun "was taken away this week." Apparently he had to draw on an intruder, and the St. Tammany sheriff said he had to hold his gun for 7 days. (Is that even remotely legal?) I told him "good luck" and he walked on.

We looked at some bird feeders for a couple minutes, and then a young guy (late 20s) not wearing a uniform walked up behind me. I moved aside and was about to apologize for blocking his way. He sorta looked embarrassed and hesitant, explained he worked in Lowe's Loss Prevention, and asked if I was an LEO. Of course I told him "No sir," and then he asked if I had a permit. He said that a couple cashiers had "sorta freaked out" and called him to check me out. I explained that Louisiana did not require any permit for OC, but that if it was causing problems I had no issues leaving my pistol back in my car. He said it wasn't necessary, that he just wanted to make sure I wasn't causing trouble. I thanked him, and then he left.

The whole exchange was very polite and calm, and he never asked me to leave. I was rather impressed with how he handled it. I spent maybe 3 more minutes in the store getting the merchandise and checking out, and nobody approached me again.

Just goes to show you that courtesy and politeness from both parties does wonders for avoiding conflict (and police involvement :D).
 

JeepSeller

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2009
Messages
412
Location
Orlando, FL, ,
imported post

In my opinion, you did well, you represented gun owners properly and did the 2A movement proud. You didn't argue, inflame, or get stupid with the guy. You left him with a POSITIVE impression of open carrying gun owners.

Good job!
 

turbodog

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2009
Messages
566
Location
Independence, Louisiana, USA
imported post

Good job brother!

It's funny, I was in there that morning after our breakfast meet up and no one seemed to look twice. Talked to a lot of staff helping me find stuff too.
Then again, I'm a regular in there.

I guess you just look more disreputable..:lol:
 

jensen_lover

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2010
Messages
26
Location
Metairie, Louisiana, USA
imported post

One problem with your story, why the hell did you go to Lowes? I hate that place. It is like a girly Home Depot. I went there once and felt like a sissy before I left. I pass that store on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
 

turbodog

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2009
Messages
566
Location
Independence, Louisiana, USA
imported post

jensen_lover wrote:
One problem with your story, why the hell did you go to Lowes? I hate that place. It is like a girly Home Depot. I went there once and felt like a sissy before I left. I pass that store on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Cuz there ain't no Home Depot in Hammond. Ya use what ya got.
 

4angrybadgers

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2009
Messages
411
Location
Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
imported post

jensen_lover wrote:
One problem with your story, why the hell did you go to Lowes? I hate that place. It is like a girly Home Depot. I went there once and felt like a sissy before I left. I pass that store on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
I haven't compared the stores in other cities, but here in Hattiesburg, MS, Lowe's is much better than Home Depot. For example, I wanted to find plain old metal shelf brackets - no closet rod hooks or anything, just screw it into the wall and screw the shelf board on top. Lowe's had at least a dozen different sizes and weight loads. Home Depot? Nada. Nothing. Zip. Lowe's has a better hardware selection, better tool and mower prices, etc. Which sucks, because Home Depot is maybe 3 miles from my house, but Lowe's is ~8 miles and 20+ minutes away.

Plus, as Turbo said, Hammond only has a Lowe's.
 

Masher

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2010
Messages
44
Location
Loranger, Louisiana, USA
imported post

Yes, and start looking at where most of the stuff at both Blowes and Home Cheapo is made. I try the smaller hardware stores first then use the two big boxes on last resort. At the smaller hardware stores most of their stuff is made in the USA and buying there might save someones job in these times. Yes, it's a little more expensive I know.
 

rmansu2

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 12, 2009
Messages
325
Location
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
imported post

I agree, it sounds like you handled yourself professionally. But, whyvolunteerto give up your protection if he's not asking you to? Good to hear it went well.
 

4angrybadgers

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2009
Messages
411
Location
Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
imported post

rmansu2 wrote:
I agree, it sounds like you handled yourself professionally. But, whyvolunteerto give up your protection if he's not asking you to? Good to hear it went well.
Thanks. I guess I just "jumped the gun" - if he had asked me to take my gun outside I would have done so, and then come back in and spoken to a manager. Maybe it wasn't the best thing to offer, but it turned out fine.
 

XD-GEM

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jun 5, 2008
Messages
722
Location
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
imported post

4angrybadgers wrote:
rmansu2 wrote:
I agree, it sounds like you handled yourself professionally. But, whyvolunteerto give up your protection if he's not asking you to? Good to hear it went well.
Thanks. I guess I just "jumped the gun" - if he had asked me to take my gun outside I would have done so, and then come back in and spoken to a manager. Maybe it wasn't the best thing to offer, but it turned out fine.
I'd be a little leery of doing that. It's too easy for someone to see you stash the gun and then break iinto your vehicle to steal it. Better to leave the parking lot entirely, call to make an appointment, then come back and talk things over.
 
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