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Post your open carry experiences and encounters

okiephlyer

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2008
Messages
423
Location
Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
I was at Reasors in BA the other day. Met a man on the way in that thanked me for carrying and wished more people would.
On my way out, passed a mother and very young son, just learning to talk, the boy looked and said with a very surprised look, "Mister, Did you know you have a gun". Mom smiled and went on her way.
 

okiephlyer

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2008
Messages
423
Location
Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
Not a true open carry experience, but here it is anyway. My daughter takes riding lessons and has for many years. The owners of the stables have a teenage daughter, about 17, that has seen me OC just about every time we go for a lesson. Anyway, we went from my daughters school and I had secured my Glock when we went inside the school. Didn't put it back on before we arrived at the stable. The first thing she says to me is "Where is your gun? What if some deranged lunatic comes in here shooting up the place?" Well, I went back out to the car and strapped it on. She seemed happier. Not a single horse (there were over a dozen, as well as some goats, miniature donkeys and a barn cat) fainted or went running wild.
 

websterz

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2012
Messages
107
Location
Ponca City, OK
I was OC'ing my SR9, as usual, in Walmart yesterday when I noticed a young father with his 8 or 9 year old in the checkout lane next to me. They had a Red Ryder and a huge jug of BB's in the cart. About the same time I noticed them the dad said to his son "He's got a real one", referring to me. I replied, " So does he", nodding towards their cart. The son smiled real big and the dad and I started chatting about carry licenses, pistol choices, etc. It is great to see people teaching their kids about gun safety at an early age. Good job dad!
 

okiephlyer

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2008
Messages
423
Location
Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
Took the family to El Tequila in Broken Arrow Thursday evening. Sat in a booth with my Glock to the outside. Enjoyed a meal and talk with the family. When I got up to leave, two tables of families nearby then saw the Glock and several gave me the googly eyes, but not a word was spoken. Been to this restaurant many times and never had a problem there.
 

OkiePilot

Newbie
Joined
Feb 2, 2016
Messages
1
Location
Tulsa
okiephlyer, how coincidental that our usernames ended up so close. I just registered and this is the first thread I visited. Are you a pilot in the area?

Anyways, after a 32 day wait I finally received my card in the mail!:banana:
Long story short - I walked into Kohls seeking a new belt that would better support my holster. I ended up taking a few selections to the dressing room so I wouldn't expose my weapon to anyone nearby. All of the stalls held clothes in them from previous shoppers so I just picked one and shut the door and locked it behind me. I sat the glock down on the bench in the stall so I could try on the new belt, and almost immediately after a man opened the door unexpectedly due to faulty lock. He went googly eyed and his jaw dropped as his eye fixated on my pistol that was in plain sight in the dressing room. I grabbed the pistol and held it to my side as he gathered the clothes he had been trying on. He apologized quickly and went on his way.

I saw him after I exited the dressing room. After making momentary eye contact he veered off in the other directions and I went on my way.
I wanted to explain to him that I was legally carrying this weapon and that there was no reason to be afraid, but I decided against it as it is none of his business and that if he notified a store employee I could explain to them if need be.

Phew, there is no room for complacency in carrying a weapon. It shook me up a little as I felt I was doing something wrong by allowing him to see the weapon (even though he only saw it due to a faulty dressing room lock). I should've known that an encounter like this would slap me in the face on the first day I carried.

Any tips or suggestions for trying on clothes, etc when CCW?

Thanks
 

qednick

Regular Member
Joined
May 1, 2007
Messages
499
Location
Bandera, TX
okiephlyer, how coincidental that our usernames ended up so close. I just registered and this is the first thread I visited. Are you a pilot in the area?

Anyways, after a 32 day wait I finally received my card in the mail!:banana:
Long story short - I walked into Kohls seeking a new belt that would better support my holster. I ended up taking a few selections to the dressing room so I wouldn't expose my weapon to anyone nearby. All of the stalls held clothes in them from previous shoppers so I just picked one and shut the door and locked it behind me. I sat the glock down on the bench in the stall so I could try on the new belt, and almost immediately after a man opened the door unexpectedly due to faulty lock. He went googly eyed and his jaw dropped as his eye fixated on my pistol that was in plain sight in the dressing room. I grabbed the pistol and held it to my side as he gathered the clothes he had been trying on. He apologized quickly and went on his way.

I saw him after I exited the dressing room. After making momentary eye contact he veered off in the other directions and I went on my way.
I wanted to explain to him that I was legally carrying this weapon and that there was no reason to be afraid, but I decided against it as it is none of his business and that if he notified a store employee I could explain to them if need be.

Phew, there is no room for complacency in carrying a weapon. It shook me up a little as I felt I was doing something wrong by allowing him to see the weapon (even though he only saw it due to a faulty dressing room lock). I should've known that an encounter like this would slap me in the face on the first day I carried.

Any tips or suggestions for trying on clothes, etc when CCW?

Thanks

Welcome to the forum OkiePilot! At least you didn't do like former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair's body guard and actually forget it and leave it in there.
 

websterz

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2012
Messages
107
Location
Ponca City, OK
okiephlyer, how coincidental that our usernames ended up so close. I just registered and this is the first thread I visited. Are you a pilot in the area?

Anyways, after a 32 day wait I finally received my card in the mail!:banana:
Long story short - I walked into Kohls seeking a new belt that would better support my holster. I ended up taking a few selections to the dressing room so I wouldn't expose my weapon to anyone nearby. All of the stalls held clothes in them from previous shoppers so I just picked one and shut the door and locked it behind me. I sat the glock down on the bench in the stall so I could try on the new belt, and almost immediately after a man opened the door unexpectedly due to faulty lock. He went googly eyed and his jaw dropped as his eye fixated on my pistol that was in plain sight in the dressing room. I grabbed the pistol and held it to my side as he gathered the clothes he had been trying on. He apologized quickly and went on his way.

I saw him after I exited the dressing room. After making momentary eye contact he veered off in the other directions and I went on my way.
I wanted to explain to him that I was legally carrying this weapon and that there was no reason to be afraid, but I decided against it as it is none of his business and that if he notified a store employee I could explain to them if need be.

Phew, there is no room for complacency in carrying a weapon. It shook me up a little as I felt I was doing something wrong by allowing him to see the weapon (even though he only saw it due to a faulty dressing room lock). I should've known that an encounter like this would slap me in the face on the first day I carried.

Any tips or suggestions for trying on clothes, etc when CCW?

Thanks

Well, considering the fact that you are licensed to carry, and that includes legally OPEN carry, and you had a reasonable expectation of privacy in the dressing room, I don't see why you are worrying about it. Just laugh it off and consider it a story you can tell your buddies. :)
 

Grapeshot

Legendary Warrior
Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
35,317
Location
Valhalla
--snipped--

Any tips or suggestions for trying on clothes, etc when CCW?

Thanks
Always test the dressing room lock first.

Place gun on seat and cover it with a garment while trying on the merchandise.

Don't forget - you are likely on candid camera.
 

MSG Laigaie

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jan 10, 2011
Messages
3,239
Location
Philipsburg, Montana
This lends aid to the argument that "OC'ers will be shot first" is balderdash and confirms both the deterrent value of OC, and the perpetual ignorance of criminals.

These are generally "non-events" 'cause nothing happens.

I have a very good friend some of you may know, and he had a similar "N-E" and did not even get to enjoy it.
Scenario unfolded as follows: SVG (Sudden Valley Gunner), is in a 7-11 checking out at the register, door behind him. As he hands his finances to the clerk, the clerks face contorts and he fidgets. SVG turns to look behind and sees nothing but the door closing. Excited clerk says, "A guy with a gun just came in the door......He saw you and ran back out again". SVG was unhappy/happy. He foiled a crime, but he did not even see the BG. Another "Non-Event"

OC Rules!!
 

Grapeshot

Legendary Warrior
Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
35,317
Location
Valhalla
These are generally "non-events" 'cause nothing happens.

I have a very good friend some of you may know, and he had a similar "N-E" and did not even get to enjoy it.
Scenario unfolded as follows: SVG (Sudden Valley Gunner), is in a 7-11 checking out at the register, door behind him. As he hands his finances to the clerk, the clerks face contorts and he fidgets. SVG turns to look behind and sees nothing but the door closing. Excited clerk says, "A guy with a gun just came in the door......He saw you and ran back out again". SVG was unhappy/happy. He foiled a crime, but he did not even see the BG. Another "Non-Event"

OC Rules!!
Similar thing happened to a BoD member of VCDL. He was talking to a teller when a BG came in the side door, pulling a ski mask down over his face. After seeing Dennis's gun, the BG did an immediate, hasty 180 departing the bank.
 
Last edited:

1245A Defender

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 7, 2009
Messages
4,365
Location
north mason county, Washington, USA
Wowwie!!!

Also,,, Eric acp 45, and ex poster, was getting his change from the clerk,
he saw the face change and the big eyes look to the door,
turning he saw the dropped jaws and big eyes of the other patrons, and the door closing!
Yep,,, A gunman had come in, seen Erics open carried gun and ran away post haste!!!
Eric ran to look/find the bad guy, but he was Long gone, fastly!!!
 

1245A Defender

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 7, 2009
Messages
4,365
Location
north mason county, Washington, USA
Also...

Their are more of these stories that we never hear, but I have one of my own to add.

Many years ago, on a road trip after a night in a motel,
Im walking across the now empty parking lot,
from the other corner a guy is walking directly toward me!
Their is Nothing,,, for anyone to be walking toward to go to, Except ME!!
At about 50 ft away I stopped walking and turned strong side to him!
Suddenly,,, He found that their was really some place else that he was needing to go!
He turned 90 degrees and walked off,, hurriedly!!
 

Grapeshot

Legendary Warrior
Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
35,317
Location
Valhalla
Their are more of these stories that we never hear, but I have one of my own to add.

Many years ago, on a road trip after a night in a motel,
Im walking across the now empty parking lot,
from the other corner a guy is walking directly toward me!
Their is Nothing,,, for anyone to be walking toward to go to, Except ME!!
At about 50 ft away I stopped walking and turned strong side to him!
Suddenly,,, He found that their was really some place else that he was needing to go!
He turned 90 degrees and walked off,, hurriedly!!
VCDL president and another director were walking late at night on an otherwise deserted street when two individuals popped out and began to angle towards them. When our two good guys stopped and allowed the new comers a full frontal view, they pulled a disappearing act. Poof!

Come on OK - chime in.
 

okiephlyer

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2008
Messages
423
Location
Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
okiephlyer, how coincidental that our usernames ended up so close. I just registered and this is the first thread I visited. Are you a pilot in the area?

Anyways, after a 32 day wait I finally received my card in the mail!:banana:
Long story short - I walked into Kohls seeking a new belt that would better support my holster. I ended up taking a few selections to the dressing room so I wouldn't expose my weapon to anyone nearby. All of the stalls held clothes in them from previous shoppers so I just picked one and shut the door and locked it behind me. I sat the glock down on the bench in the stall so I could try on the new belt, and almost immediately after a man opened the door unexpectedly due to faulty lock. He went googly eyed and his jaw dropped as his eye fixated on my pistol that was in plain sight in the dressing room. I grabbed the pistol and held it to my side as he gathered the clothes he had been trying on. He apologized quickly and went on his way.

I saw him after I exited the dressing room. After making momentary eye contact he veered off in the other directions and I went on my way.
I wanted to explain to him that I was legally carrying this weapon and that there was no reason to be afraid, but I decided against it as it is none of his business and that if he notified a store employee I could explain to them if need be.

Phew, there is no room for complacency in carrying a weapon. It shook me up a little as I felt I was doing something wrong by allowing him to see the weapon (even though he only saw it due to a faulty dressing room lock). I should've known that an encounter like this would slap me in the face on the first day I carried.

Any tips or suggestions for trying on clothes, etc when CCW?

Thanks
OkiePilot - Yes, I have a very good job flying in Oklahoma. Welcome to OCDO. Sounds as if you did nothing you need to worry about. I carry a Glock 23 in a Blackhawk Serpa. A couple years ago, i laid out the money for a belt from Looper Leather. IIRC, they are in OKC. Anyway, after a couple years of OC/CC, it still provides plenty of support, wears well and still looks good. Hope you find what you are looking for.
PM me if you want to get together and talk tall tales of adventure above the surly bonds of earth. I have a some really good tales, a few are even true.
 

solus

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2013
Messages
9,315
Location
here nc
OkiePilot - Yes, I have a very good job flying in Oklahoma. Welcome to OCDO. Sounds as if you did nothing you need to worry about. I carry a Glock 23 in a Blackhawk Serpa. A couple years ago, i laid out the money for a belt from Looper Leather. IIRC, they are in OKC. Anyway, after a couple years of OC/CC, it still provides plenty of support, wears well and still looks good. Hope you find what you are looking for.
PM me if you want to get together and talk tall tales of adventure above the surly bonds of earth. I have a some really good tales, a few are even true.

the true ones tend to be mundane as it is tough to 'expand and elaborate' as the true ones could be checked...

just saying...

ipse
 

Firearms Iinstuctor

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2011
Messages
3,428
Location
northern wis
VCDL president and another director were walking late at night on an otherwise deserted street when two individuals popped out and began to angle towards them. When our two good guys stopped and allowed the new comers a full frontal view, they pulled a disappearing act. Poof!

Come on OK - chime in.

Wife and I were on our way to Yuma AZ I was sick the wife was tired of driving we pulled into a motel in a rather bad part of town didn't know it then.

Lots of shady characters handing around I was OC my Glock 23 I let several that were hanging around see it did not have any trouble.
 

Koasecurity

Newbie
Joined
Feb 7, 2016
Messages
5
Location
Marrero
Great experience

I live in Merrero Louisiana in Jefferson parish and I OC everywhere. The bank, Sams club, Walmart gas station, everywhere I'm legally allowed to, and never once have I had an issue. When I leave my house I always have my SR 1911 Comander with me. The LEOS don't bother me don't question me. And I'm Indian like from India so I'm not white and yet I have not had an issue yet. I've only ever got one dirty look from another customer at a win Dixie other then that good to go.
 

kinggabby

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 8, 2013
Messages
84
Location
Duncan, Ok
Well it was bound to happen. On my way back to Duncan from OKC I got pulled over just before the McDonalds on H.E Bailey. Identified myself and handed over my ID's. He had me walk back and sit in his car ( Gun was left in my car) . While he was running my info he asked if I got the gun at Murf's in Duncan. I told him nope Sooner State Pawn in OKC ( southside ) .I asked what he clocked me at. He said fast enough to give me a ticket. I was clocked at 83 in a 75. After a little gun talk he told me to slow it down and just gave me a warning. All in all a positive encounter ( other than being stopped ) .
 

okiephlyer

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2008
Messages
423
Location
Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
Took my RV to drop it back in storage and had to walk home. It wasn't far but it was along a major arterial street between Tulsa and Wagoner County. Walked facing the traffic so my Glock was on the street side and very visible. Several BA police went by, an OHP and Wagoner County SO. None stopped, or turned around for another pass, probably didn't even see it. All in all it was a pleasant walk on a nice spring day.
Last week I went to lunch with a fellow pilot. We hit the Hickory House BBQ buffet in Sapulpa. Several noticed, none said a work. No horses fainting, old ladies running wild or anything else. Another good day.
 
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