Funny and true!!!

[festus]

My son and I found ourselves in a fast food burger joint before he went to basic. We ordered our food and I was standing in front of the counter holding my receipt waiting on the burgers and fries while my son excused himself to the men's room. As I was standing there a lady that was probably pushy 60 decided to go around me and she was one of those touchy feely people who put her hand on the small of my back to "gently" nudge me out of her way ( I still do not understand the need for that...bless her soul). Her hand landed straight on my SOB carry weapon. She immediately backed up and her eyes were the size of saucers. I gently explained to her using calm tones..."It's all right" and "Don't worry about it". She was turning about the same color as the white tile floor when I reached for my wallet and that's where it got funny. I think she thought I was drawing my weapon. I showed her the CCW credentials and again told her..."It's all right" and "Don't worry about it".
She asked if i was a cop and I replied to her no I am retired military. She made the comment of "that explains a lot about my appearance and mannerisms etc. She then proceeded to try and become chatty kathy. Boy was I glad that my order was up. She was OK with knowing someone had a gun as long as they have a license.

Long story short...don't be afraid of situations like this. They can be easily turned into a teaching experience. Remain calm and put the person's mind at rest. It was also helpful that the Manager commented on his appreciation of military and law enforcement veterans and the important role they play in continuing to keep the community safe by upholding higher standards (remind me to tip him better the next time I am getting a burger)

[mappow]

Glad it turned out good for you and all. It could of escalated into something bigger. Congrats on your son going into basic. May God guide and directed him and keep him and all that serve safe. My niece graduates Army OCS tomorrow, can't attend but proud to see her making something of herself. A lot of these kids are really stepping up to the plate and assuming excellent roles in life. We may still be able to survive this administration after all.

"The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities." --author and philosopher Ayn Rand (1905-1982)

[FN1910]

I am afraid that your actions would be condemned and criticized by many in the way you responded to he but in my opinion were perfect. Rather that spout off "what about it" and "It's my right" type declaration you acted as it was a normal activity and no big thing. Amazingly that is exactly what it is supposed to be, no big deal. I really get peturbed, if that is the correct word, by some that seemingly want eveyone to leave them alone but announce on an Internet board their OC or CC schedule for the next week. "I plan to OC at such and such next Tuesday" If there is nothing wrong with it, you want everyone to ignore you etc. the why are you making such a big deal out of it? It comes off to me that it is like a bunch of kids talking about doing something naughty for the thrill of getting away with something. Here you realized her concern and respected her concern, you went out of your way to reassure her, you went the extra mile and everything was fine. You could have made a scene and all that stuff but you acted like, "Oh that, just a part of everyday life". If there is nothing wrong with OC or CC and is a natural part of you then why make a public report of it every time you do it. Maybe next is a report of when you plan to use the bathroom.

I am glad you posted this as it will maybe give some people an idea of how you are supposed to act while carrying and how to handle it if someone asks you about it. I was at the administrative staff meeting one day at the college and the subject of guns in cars in the parking lot came up and a comment was made. Several of us looked up with a shocked look on our faces and someone said what's wrong. One person said "You mean some of you don't have one"? BTW - This was before the law was changed.

To Festus: I do not want you to take this as saying your posting was anywhere close to those I was referring to in my diatribe. An actual story making a point is what we need. However these with "I OC'd in Wal-Mart today" as the title and in the actual post you have "and nothing happened other than one person looked at me weird"........

[tcox4freedom]

Well done festus; and well said FN..

[JSDinTexas]

Yeah, funny - I got a chuckle out of this story.

Hello Festus and hope your kiddo stays out of harms way.

[HK4U]

Thanks for sharing your experience festus.

[GeneM]

If that ever happens to me, hopefully I will learn from your experience and handle it as well as you did.

[Mobuck]

On the few occasions where someone noticed I was carrying, many ask "what are you hunting?" My standard comment is "varmints" which usually stops them. Years ago, I carried a Hi-Power cocked and locked and was asked a couple of times if I knew my pistol was cocked and once that I can remember I was asked if it was loaded. My answer for those questions is "yes, they don't make very good clubs". Before I retired, a calm "I'm a Federal employee licensed to carry a firearm" was quite enough. Now iI just add retired to the line.

[Luckad5583]

I'm new here, just sighned up as a matter of fact. I liked the way you handled that. Like some one else stated it Is no big deal. So why make it into one. Had a similar experiance with a differant end. I am active duty military but work at a gunshop off duty. We open carry in the store because it is in the middle of town, and we get some off kilter people in. I used to go to the pet shop accross the street after to buy rats for my snakes. My not then but is now wife worked there. So i was leaning on the counter trying to spark her interest. When some lady realized i was armed. She was not calm at all. I tried a similar aproach to yours. Did not have a permit at the time Because active military are not required to have one in Ga. She was histarical, the owner came out and listened to her. Then revealed that he as well as my soon to be wife carried. Then asked her to eather calm down or leave.

[colt4me]

I'm new here, just sighned up as a matter of fact. I liked the way you handled that. Like some one else stated it Is no big deal. So why make it into one. Had a similar experiance with a differant end. I am active duty military but work at a gunshop off duty. We open carry in the store because it is in the middle of town, and we get some off kilter people in. I used to go to the pet shop accross the street after to buy rats for my snakes. My not then but is now wife worked there. So i was leaning on the counter trying to spark her interest. When some lady realized i was armed. She was not calm at all. I tried a similar aproach to yours. Did not have a permit at the time Because active military are not required to have one in Ga. She was histarical, the owner came out and listened to her. Then revealed that he as well as my soon to be wife carried. Then asked her to eather calm down or leave.

Being that the other lady was quite hysterical one wonders why she didn't run from the store and out into the street to get away from you and the manager and your fiancée while screaming the proverbial, "Man with a gun!" Good for the 3 of you for how you handled the situation. Was she able to calm down enough for the manager to explain the law to her?