Positive open carry in alabama today.

fox2102 · September 21st, 2009, 03:53 AM

So i was coming home from my girlfriends house in gardendale about midnight tonight. I was thirsty so i stopped at a cheveron right by the interstate to get a drink. Well as I'm pulling in I see a gardendale squad car in the parking lot. For some reason I was feeling adventurous and slightly curious to see how it would play out. So since I was already OCing my 1911 in an IWB holster i figured to just go with it. SO I walk in and say hello to the clerk and the officer and i head for the drinks. Well as i walk up to the counter they both kinda stop and look at me. The clerk glances toward my gun and then checks me out. She tells me to have a goodnight and then I leave without so much as a word said. =]

The officer seemed to be middle aged and had probably been a LEO for some time. Wonder if it would have turned out differently with a younger inexperienced LEO

I carry IWB · September 21st, 2009, 04:28 AM

LEOs commonly refer to gas stations in the early morning hours here as "Stop & Robs." Even in an OC state, walking into a Stop 'n' Rob at midnight with a holstered 1911 worn IWB in plain view seems more than a little "adventurous."

I love open-carry because if the wind were to blow my cover garment up and over my piece, or if my shirt got stuck up on my pistol for whatever reason, I wouldn't get in trouble for brandishing, so I consider open-carry more of a safeguard than anything. If I were you I'd keep it concealed whenever possible. I understand OC is indeed a personal decision many people make though, so don't take my previous sentence as a suggestion - I'm just saying, if I were you. I support OC for different reasons than most, I'd assume. Massad Ayoob has talked about it on at least one occasion, and I feel I'm mostly on the same page with his logic.

Anyhow, I'm glad everything went alright with you!

EvilMonk · September 21st, 2009, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fox2102

The officer seemed to be middle aged and had probably been a LEO for some time. Wonder if it would have turned out differently with a younger inexperienced LEO

You know how that would have turned out.

I carry IWB · September 21st, 2009, 06:58 AM

Wow, Alabama is a traditional open-carry state. 18 y/o to carry and without a license anywhere except a vehicle. Hmm. I'm still sticking to what I had said in my above post regarding my opinion towards open-carry. If I lived in Alabama and had a license to conceal, I'd keep it concealed. I wish we had OC here in Texas though to some degree, just for the reason I stated above (to protect against the odd chance of accidental exposure of firearm). Take it easy.

Monkeytown · September 21st, 2009, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I carry IWB

Wow, Alabama is a traditional open-carry state. 18 y/o to carry and without a license anywhere except a vehicle. Hmm. I'm still sticking to what I had said in my above post regarding my opinion towards open-carry. If I lived in Alabama and had a license to conceal, I'd keep it concealed. I wish we had OC here in Texas though to some degree, just for the reason I stated above (to protect against the odd chance of accidental exposure of firearm). Take it easy.

The problem in AL is that many LEO do not recognize our right to open carry. Many Sheriff's include the words "this permit does not allow you to open carry" on the CCP, as well as other restrictions that are not part of the law. Alabama is a "May" issue state. So here is the scenario...

1. I open carry, b/c it's legal;
2. LEO decides I'm not supposed to;
3. I get ticketed for disorderly conduct or some other misc. offense;
4. Sheriff revokes my permit as his "discretion".

Kinda sucks!! We are trying to get the legislature here to change the law so it is CLEAR that it is legal to OC and to make AL a "Shall Issue" state.

I think the OP's purpose was to show that he was not harassed by LEO for open carry in AL. Nothing more, nothing less.

JMHO,
MT

fox2102 · September 21st, 2009, 04:34 PM

That's strange because on my permit I have no restrictions written on it at all. Are the restrictions varied depending on the county?

And normally I do CC but i wanted to see how it would turn out

justherenow · September 21st, 2009, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monkeytown

1. I open carry, b/c it's legal; I do the same. I am starting to love OC.
2. LEO decides I'm not supposed to;
3. I get ticketed for disorderly conduct or some other misc. offense; Not sure if it was the US Supreme court or not, but it was ruled that Open carry is not disorderly conduct, but that may just be specific to my state, sorry if it is.
4. Sheriff revokes my permit as his "discretion". I love Shall Issue

My replies are in bold

TN_Mike · September 22nd, 2009, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I carry IWB

LEOs commonly refer to gas stations in the early morning hours here as "Stop & Robs." Even in an OC state, walking into a Stop 'n' Rob at midnight with a holstered 1911 worn IWB in plain view seems more than a little "adventurous."

I love open-carry because if the wind were to blow my cover garment up and over my piece, or if my shirt got stuck up on my pistol for whatever reason, I wouldn't get in trouble for brandishing, so I consider open-carry more of a safeguard than anything. If I were you I'd keep it concealed whenever possible. I understand OC is indeed a personal decision many people make though, so don't take my previous sentence as a suggestion - I'm just saying, if I were you. I support OC for different reasons than most, I'd assume. Massad Ayoob has talked about it on at least one occasion, and I feel I'm mostly on the same page with his logic.

Anyhow, I'm glad everything went alright with you!

Just a friendly reminder, this is the OPEN CARRY topic section of the website. It is not the place to come and tell people that you think they should conceal. That gets threads closed down and people in trouble.

I used to live in Alabama and I never was brave enough to OC when we lived there even though the is an Alabama AG opinion that states OC is legal. It always just seemed that there were no LEOs that knew it was legal. I just didn't want to be the test case.

Glad it seems to be starting to change though...

I carry IWB · September 22nd, 2009, 04:34 AM

TN Mike,

You quoted my words , "If I were you I'd keep it concealed whenever possible," in bold. I believe you took my statement completely out of context. Immediately after I made that statement I wrote, "I understand OC is indeed a personal decision many people make though, so don't take my previous sentence as a suggestion..." I wouldn't tell anyone how to live their life. I was merely placing myself within his shoes. Theoretically speaking, my words were no different than you saying, "I just didn't want to be the test case." I don't think we'll have to worry about anyone getting in trouble or having this thread closed down as long as everyone follows the rules. So far there has been no breach in doctrine to the rules. Take care and keep enjoying DefensiveCarry.com!

Monkeytown · September 22nd, 2009, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fox2102

That's strange because on my permit I have no restrictions written on it at all. Are the restrictions varied depending on the county?

And normally I do CC but i wanted to see how it would turn out

It must vary. I am in Elmore County and have 6-8 restrictions on mine, including the following that are not restricted by "law" but by the conditions set on my permit by the Sheriff.

- no carry in public buildings
- no carry in establishments that serve alcohol;
- no carry while consuming alcohol;
- void if arrested for ANY reason.

Since AL is a "may issue" state I have no redress if the Sheriff decides to revoke my permit for violtaing any of these conditions. If we can get the state to "Shall Issue" then the Sheriff cannot place conditions on our permits above and beyond those of the State Law (which includes very few restrictions).

Where is Livingston County?

MT

September 21st, 2009, 03:53 AM	#1
fox2102 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: vestavia hills, AL Posts: 131	Positive open carry in alabama today. So i was coming home from my girlfriends house in gardendale about midnight tonight. I was thirsty so i stopped at a cheveron right by the interstate to get a drink. Well as I'm pulling in I see a gardendale squad car in the parking lot. For some reason I was feeling adventurous and slightly curious to see how it would play out. So since I was already OCing my 1911 in an IWB holster i figured to just go with it. SO I walk in and say hello to the clerk and the officer and i head for the drinks. Well as i walk up to the counter they both kinda stop and look at me. The clerk glances toward my gun and then checks me out. She tells me to have a goodnight and then I leave without so much as a word said. =] The officer seemed to be middle aged and had probably been a LEO for some time. Wonder if it would have turned out differently with a younger inexperienced LEO

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September 21st, 2009, 04:28 AM	#2
I carry IWB Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 65	LEOs commonly refer to gas stations in the early morning hours here as "Stop & Robs." Even in an OC state, walking into a Stop 'n' Rob at midnight with a holstered 1911 worn IWB in plain view seems more than a little "adventurous." I love open-carry because if the wind were to blow my cover garment up and over my piece, or if my shirt got stuck up on my pistol for whatever reason, I wouldn't get in trouble for brandishing, so I consider open-carry more of a safeguard than anything. If I were you I'd keep it concealed whenever possible. I understand OC is indeed a personal decision many people make though, so don't take my previous sentence as a suggestion - I'm just saying, if I were you. I support OC for different reasons than most, I'd assume. Massad Ayoob has talked about it on at least one occasion, and I feel I'm mostly on the same page with his logic. Anyhow, I'm glad everything went alright with you!

September 21st, 2009, 06:58 AM	#4
I carry IWB Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 65	Wow, Alabama is a traditional open-carry state. 18 y/o to carry and without a license anywhere except a vehicle. Hmm. I'm still sticking to what I had said in my above post regarding my opinion towards open-carry. If I lived in Alabama and had a license to conceal, I'd keep it concealed. I wish we had OC here in Texas though to some degree, just for the reason I stated above (to protect against the odd chance of accidental exposure of firearm). Take it easy.

September 21st, 2009, 04:34 PM	#6
fox2102 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: vestavia hills, AL Posts: 131	That's strange because on my permit I have no restrictions written on it at all. Are the restrictions varied depending on the county? And normally I do CC but i wanted to see how it would turn out

September 22nd, 2009, 04:34 AM	#9
I carry IWB Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 65	TN Mike, You quoted my words , "If I were you I'd keep it concealed whenever possible," in bold. I believe you took my statement completely out of context. Immediately after I made that statement I wrote, "I understand OC is indeed a personal decision many people make though, so don't take my previous sentence as a suggestion..." I wouldn't tell anyone how to live their life. I was merely placing myself within his shoes. Theoretically speaking, my words were no different than you saying, "I just didn't want to be the test case." I don't think we'll have to worry about anyone getting in trouble or having this thread closed down as long as everyone follows the rules. So far there has been no breach in doctrine to the rules. Take care and keep enjoying DefensiveCarry.com!