Today, I went to a laundrymat/gas station to do some laundry. I was carrying at the time and got some looks. I had to go into the gas station to get some change and a little kid and his mother saw me walk in. After a minute or two, she came and said her son was wondering if I was a cop. I said I wasn't and she wondered why I was able to carry a pistol on me. I informed her that, in this state, a civilian can legally open carry a pistol on them with out a permit. Her kid (who I really liked btw) told me that my gun looked cool. I smiled and thanked him. He seems like the kind of kid that will grow up to become a proud, gun carrying American. Hopefully his parents will teach him proper usage of guns and not just tell them that all guns are bad except ones used by police. Basically, I made this post to see what the most asked question that is asked to open carriers.
I open carry often since it is legal with a permit here in TN. About a month ago I was approached by three different people all in the same evening, 2 shoppers and an asst manager at our local Walmart. Each one independent of the other asked me the same question, "Are you a policeman?" :blink:
I open carry often since it is legal with a permit here in TN. About a month ago I was approached by three different people all in the same evening, 2 shoppers and an asst manager at our local Walmart. Each one independent of the other asked me the same question, "Are you a policeman?" :blink:
I have most often been asked "is that a real gun?" I always think to myself that that is a stupid question. But I always try answer as politely as I can.
I have most often been asked "is that a real gun?" I always think to myself that that is a stupid question. But I always try answer as politely as I can.
To be honest I really don't respond much anymore depending on the persons attitude. The most common question I get is "Are you a cop"? usually followed with a "you can do that"?
I have only had 2 people say anything to me, both the same day, both at the same place.
First I was not wearing my cover shirt and OC is legal, my uncle asked me what was on my hip and I told him, and even showed him my CHL. Not that I had to, just wanted to let him see it since he did not know they existed.
Second, a guy at his house said "you sure dont believe in concealed carry" and I told him I did not have to conceal, then he asked if I had a permit which i responded in the affirmative and then he asked me if it was a .45, which i replied that it was much smaller and left it at that.
"Is that a Springfield XD 45 Compact with 4-inch barrel, 10-round mag, grip safety and white lettering in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?"
Most of the time people fail to notice, but those who do ask
"Are you allowed to carry a gun around like that?"
I just say "Yes open carry is legal in Alaska!" One guy said "I should get one!" I assume he meant buying a handgun which is cool. I can only hope he becomes proficient in its use.
Which is always met with a friendly "Nope, just an ordinary citizen."
Which opens up the "how can you carry a gun then?" and a great discussion on how NC is an OC state, how to get your CCHP, yes I am an instructor, yes my company does do Concealed Carry classes, here's my card.
As for me, my most often asked question is more a statement. To wit; "That looks like a gun." I usually tell them that it IS a gun. To which the next question is "Can you take it out of the holster so I can look at it?"
Which is a silly thing to say since you can hunt in SC and in order to hunt you need to be openly carrying a firearm. Since hunting is not the exclusive province of rifles, openly carrying a handgun in SC IS legal.
So, what you need to do is give your state legislature a bit of perspective and get rid of the "no open carry" stuff.
I have never been asked. I am a big guy, 6'3", 285, I guess people just dont notice it. I dont wear holsters that stick out either. All of mine are very close and tight against the body. I live by the thought that "if you act like you know what you are doing, most people will think you do, and never question."
mine is definitely along the lines of, "Why do you think you need to carry a gun?" I get so sick of hearing it from people I tend to just say that is my business, not yours.
Of the few times my sidearm was spotted, the first and only question was "Are you a cop or something?" My reply to this question, was..."Yep, or something." Nothing more was said.:image035:
OK...I'm standing at the Rx counter at Walmart waiting to get some meds and a lady walks up behind me and said, "Ohh...you're carrying a gun...you're not going to shoot me, are you?"
I politely turned to her and replied, "No, as long as you are not a threat to me, you're safe."
OK...I'm standing at the Rx counter at Walmart waiting to get some meds and a lady walks up behind me and said, "Ohh...you're carrying a gun...you're not going to shoot me, are you?"
I politely turned to her and replied, "No, as long as you are not a threat to me, you're safe."
Hmmmm. Reminds me of a line in "Wayne's World" where the guy behind the camera asks if he scares the lady looking at him. She says, "no", then he replies, "Do you want me too?"
I don't open carry, but I would have been real tempted to say to her, " No, but do you want me to shoot you?"
When I was in WA open carrying, nobody said anything. My dad asked me 3 days into my visit if I had been carrying the whole time...Yep! And when I drew down on one of the guys robbing my sister's place, told him I had a gun pointed at him (night time), he asked "you actually have a gun?".
Mine is usually a variation on "Are you a police officer?"
It's usually more along the lines of "Are you Security?" as I am 6'4" and about 300#, so my build isn't that of most LEOs around here (except several Sherriff's Deputies).
Although once or twice, it has been other things; usually when I'm in office semi-casual - slacks, shirt and tie - along with an OC'd 1911 and double mag carrier.
My experience (in only a couple of weeks!) is the same as TN Mike: "Is that a real gun?"
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