Local Store Visit While CC

[LeadReign]

Everyday carry have become a way of life for me since I obtained my CC permit. All the Goodies from Flashlight, lighter, multi tool, pocket knife, extra magazine and firearm. I walk into my neighborhood grocery store just yesterday and I get this weird feeling at the check out. I notice that the rent a cop has come around behind me and has setup on me 6' behind my left shoulder. Now i can see this with my periphreals and see how a cashier has taken the people that came up behind me in line to another line. So the rent a cop/security guard is watching me with his arms crossed and I am still keeping my back to him and he still doesnt know i have noticed him yet. I am keeping my strong side slightly facing away from him.

This is the weird part. Most of the people that work there know me as a regular customer. Even the rotating security guards that work there have conversed with me more than once in the past 3 years.

Why would this one day be so different that they would have to make the hairs on my neck stand up?

Granted my attire was the same as always; but I was wearing my FS M&P and not my compact cause i sent it in for a throat job and apex parts.

Just curious on your thoughts.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[NC Bullseye]

And what makes you think it was due to you carrying a concealed handgun? Did you get approached and questioned about it? If not it sounds like you may be over thinking things a bit.

If you start acting suspicious you will be looked at with scrutiny gun or no gun.

[noway2]

Did you consider either turning around or not, and asking, "Is there something I can help you with?" By the description of the rent-a-goon's posture, it looks like they suspected you of something. It may be that you were 'spotted', it may be something else.

[kelcarry]

With all due respect, I find the "tone" of the commentary on this thread to be a bit "scary" from its wording to the description of the amount of equipment being carried. I realize Lead is just relating his story, but I cannot but feel "conspiracy" and "distrust" and a hint of paranoia one step away from some kind of action. Just sayin what kind of vibes I got from the commentary and I apologize if I have offended.

[BugDude]

In a situation such as that, I'm likely to turn and make small talk. Such as, "Hey buddy, how's it goin? Noticed the Sunday traffic in here thin out since football season started?"

That gives you a chance to feel him out and likewise for him.

[Saber]

Despite our civilized social order we still retain our more primal instinctive qualities. If you were apprehensive in your body language or you were not as concealed as you thought, this could have attracted the attention you described. BTW: Some of these store security guards are actually pretty sharp with their observation skills.

[phreddy]

It was the cashier's break time or time to leave and they did not want anyone else in her line?

[JoJoGunn]

Call it intuition, ESP, or Spidey-sense, but we all have it at some point. We can become aware of things outside the "normal" senses of sight, hearing, touch, etc. We can also call it a survival instinct. I feel that these things are hardwired into each of us.

I believe the OP was experiencing a bit of it. I know I get funny feelings sometimes and usually they are warnings of some impending bad stuff. I have heeded those unusual warnings and saved myself from harm or grief of some sort.

[LeadReign]

Lots of Local people thats nice. Thank you all for your input helps me feel a little at ease now. I probably was over thinking it and probably printing. Never felt spidey sense go off like that in while is all. Posture and attitude is everything i agree. felt like my everyday normal friendly self. Just weird considering they see me in there almost every day. First day wearing a bigger weapon i dont think thats a coincendence. Just lack of layering i think.

[BkCo1]

No gun signs in the store. Open carry legal. You have a permit. Don't worry about it. Security will not attack you. If they do and you are legal, call a lawyer. Just don't fight back in the store. Let your lawyer do that. By the way check your self in the mirror in the morning.
Semper Fi

[lawaia]

I would guess that it may have been time for the cashier to clock out. Security was there to escort cashier with cash drawer to the back room to count out drawer. Just a guess.

[ITW]

No gun signs in the store. Open carry legal. You have a permit. Don't worry about it. Security will not attack you. If they do and you are legal, call a lawyer. Just don't fight back in the store. Let your lawyer do that. By the way check your self in the mirror in the morning.
Semper Fi

I find this comment somewhat interesting.

I heard a statistic the other day that 60% of the cops killed in the line of duty are killed with their own weapon.

Therefore, if one isn't prepared to fight back when carrying how does one maintain control of their own weapon?

A security guard has no arrest powers or authority over your CCW. Anymore so than he can come up and wrestle your wallet away from you. You could be law enforcement. How would he know?

I second the engage him in conversation tactic, feel him out a little and put him at ease. If he's noticed your print, and tells you it's not allowed on the property, at that point you leave.

If you have a valid permit, and there are no signs indicating it's not allowed then one has no reason to be self conscious in the presence of a security guard or store management. Except in regards to keeping in control of their own weapon.

Becoming belligerent, argumentative or using ones CCW as some sort of political statement is a mistake. If he wants to call the cops, pull out your permit. He still may not understand the law. At that point it's better to leave. Because all the cops are going to hear is man with a gun. That could get ugly.

I'll admit the possibility of problems resulting from such carry if discovered could have serious ramifications. Most people will assume your armed because you are up to no good. And this is part of the conundrum of concealed carry in tightly controlled public spaces. And considering the general paranoid attitude of society I don't expect that to change anytime soon.

[nn]

ITW:
Don't over think the thread. He is just getting to know us.

[jarhead79]

I would guess that it may have been time for the cashier to clock out. Security was there to escort cashier with cash drawer to the back room to count out drawer. Just a guess.

This is the theory I support.

[threefeathers]

Was your fly open and someone didn't want to openly tell you?