"We aren't asking you to leave, we want you to stay and shop"...

[Dirtebiker]

So, the moral appears to be: "be confrontational as much as you can, as often as you can"? The OP was asked nicely, politely, and more than once. A simple request turned into a confrontation.

Looks like nothing more than another story on INGO of a legal gun owner creating issues where there are none, for apparently NO reason other than 'he can'.

Yet many of these SAME people, IF I walked in smoking a cigar would have a damn hissy-fit, screaming and shouting about how *I* have to "respect THEIR rights!" They 'demand' others be courteous and respect to THEM, yet feel NO obligation to extend the same courtesy and respect to others.

This confrontation accomplished NOTHING except perhaps create some 'bad blood' between those who carry a gun and those who don't. And perhaps with the LP guy and Manager, who are already pro-gun. Won't be surprised to see "No Guns" or "NO Open Carry" signs going up at Meijer now, because of incidents just like this. Thanks.

All that "I don't give a f$%@ whatever other people think sounds really 'cool' on INGO. BUT, what these SAME people don't seem to realize is that the non-gun lady ALSO votes, and ALSO has a voice in her community about YOUR gun rights.

The "I have the RIGHT!" crowd can spew all the rantings they want, but they also KNOW that the right is not 'unlimited'. Neither is free speech, and so on. Maybe he'll be happier when OC'ing is prohibited because of 'too many complaints from non-gun (or gun neutral) people?

Don't Obama, 'Double Barrel Biden', Feinstein, et. al. already have ENOUGH people on their side without US intentionally adding to their numbers? Isn't the idea is to ADD people to the pro-2A side of the debate, NOT drive them over to the gun-haters?

Hey, this guy "has the RIGHT!", no doubt. For NOW. But it would appear he's doing whatever he can to help abolish that right.

GOOD JOB!

Neg rep incoming!

 

[indytechnerd]

Ask a breastfeeding mother to cover up. You'll see confrontation then.

I get confrontation when I ask if I can [STRIKE]see[/STRIKE]be next...

FIFY


On topic: Well done, OP. I can only imagine how the police situation would play out.

mgr: Officer, this man is carrying a weapon.
cop: LTCH, please?
OP: Here you go.
cop: He's perfectly legal, would you like him escorted from the store?
mgr: Well, no.
cop: So, he can stay?
mgr: Well, yeah, as long as he covers it up.
cop: Would you cover your weapon, sir?
OP: No, but I'll leave if they want me to.
<repeat ad nauseum from line 4>

 

[actaeon277]

Effect is a noun. You meant "affect." Affect is a verb.

I have to admit. That one always messes me up.

 

[ATM]

ATM approves.


ModernGunner... it seems another of your odd and misplaced attempts at a rant has been dismissed.

We're all very sorry you're not better at this.

 

[iChokePeople]

I'm going to go to a Meijers, or Target, or Walmart, or something and report everyone who's carrying a backpack. Or a pressure cooker. Or a cell phone. Or some other item that's completely legal, but for which I can quickly come up with a good story about why it scares me. Everyone who checks out a pressure cooker is OUT of there.

 

[Blackhawk2001]

FWIW, as a CC'er I think the OP did a great job of handling the situation. While I accept that the property-holder has the right to ask us to leave at his discretion - for any reason - I think it's also appropriate to object to the mindless terrors of a "hater" who objects to a lawful activity because it annoys or scares him.

 

[HeadlessRoland]

I dunno .. it was hard to tell.. the interaction was pleasant at least. They weren't being confrontational at all, and both made certain to mention that they were ok with me carrying, but 'out of sight, out of mind' was their preference.

During my conversation with Tim afterwards, we agreed on property rights vs OC/CC rights and the like.. We spent another 10-15 minutes there gathering other stuff and left without incident.

So you allowed them to lecture you for exercising your rights because they were polite about it?

You're a far more patient man than I, politeness or no.

I would have smiled all the way to the door.

You shouldn't have to tolerate lectures, no matter how polite, from managerial staff who know that OC is legal because they've tried to strongarm others before.

 

[sheepdogeef]

I think you handled it well.
All parties were non-confrontational, polite, and tried to get along.
Thumbs up for holding up on your rights without being rude.
Good impression of a gun owner with OC.

Ya know, the interesting thing to me in this encounter, is that they seemed to be "somewhat" educated in that they understood your right "and supported it". This to me seems like progress. Also, I think you made a really good point with them by challenging the fact that they should have educated the complainer. We need to keep working to get progress in this area too. I am maybe like some of the others here... CCing all the time and on the verge of testing the OCing waters.

 

[Manatee]

You know, quite honestly, I can respect your position (on the compromise.)

All that aside, I (personally) believe in non compromise. She mentioned that others before me have complied (maybe you were one of them ) but that's just not me. I will not cover something that I'm not ashamed of

All that (and the OC/CC debate aside).. I believe your post is spot on

It really DOES get to the heart of the debate. We don't need to hash out sides, but we DO need to remain vigilant, polite and respectful and maybe (just maybe) open the minds of the sheep one at a time.

Maybe I'll stop in after a couple days and have a sit down with the manager and see if we can have a friendly conversation about how to best handle these situations in the future (maybe SHE will compromise ? ).. if not, then I can safely say that I tried.

It isn't just some "thing", is it? You said you were carrying TWO sidearms. Both exposed.

 

[jkaetz]

So you allowed them to lecture you for exercising your rights because they were polite about it?

You're a far more patient man than I, politeness or no.

I would have smiled all the way to the door.

You shouldn't have to tolerate lectures, no matter how polite, from managerial staff who know that OC is legal because they've tried to strongarm others before.

I think his attempt was to educate the manager since the manager and loss prevention person were semi-listening.

I wonder if the person who reported you was genuinely scared, or if they were just trying to cause you problems...

I believe this is a side effect of "If you see something suspicious, say something." Too many people don't know the laws so they think anyone with a firearm is suspicious. That's what the anti-gun folks want anyway, then it will be easier to determine if the person with a gun is a bad guy or not. Let's not assess the situation and see that this person is walking with is wife and a shopping cart full of goods. Yep, he must be about to do something bad.


Side thought, are you impersonating an officer if someone asks "Are you LEO" and you simply respond "yes" presumably ending the conversation?

 

[iChokePeople]

What would they have done if you'd said you WERE a LEO? They would have gone back to the scared shopper and said something like, "It's ok, we've checked him out, nothing to be afraid of, he's an off-duty policeman/deputy/etc."

Why could they not do the same here? "It's ok, sir/ma'am, we've checked him out, nothing to be afraid of, he's licensed and he's not doing anything illegal. Thanks for shopping with us and bringing your concern to our attention. Have a nice day."

 

[LP1]

So you allowed them to lecture you for exercising your rights because they were polite about it?

You're a far more patient man than I, politeness or no.

I would have smiled all the way to the door.

You shouldn't have to tolerate lectures, no matter how polite, from managerial staff who know that OC is legal because they've tried to strongarm others before.

By being patient and polite, what the OP may have done is left them thinking that maybe, just maybe, gun owners are thoughtful and responsible. If he simply turns and marches out the door with a smirk on his face, he will reinforce negative stereotypes and be dismissed as just another gun nut.

 

[Bang-bang]

Just cover up that mean ole bang-bang, and go find that nut job , and stand next to them. Then Just smile, and say Hello! You might ask them if they need any ehlp.

 

[Sfrandolph]

I think I will just put Meier on my do not shop list based on this. Not worth the effort.

 

[LockStocksAndBarrel]

So, the moral appears to be: "be confrontational as much as you can, as often as you can"?
GOOD JOB!

Good to know you are an equal opportunity troller. I was concerned you were limiting yourself to the "fed up" thread. Not going so well for you there, either...

 

[daddymikey1975]

Oh so many needed replies

Let me cook and eat dinner then we can talk some more

 

[np241or]

Did you notice they did not want to say the words"would you please leave ", I could see it now," shopper told to leave store by store managers. " by the way, I thought you did a great job .

 

[T-DOGG]

So, the moral appears to be: "be confrontational as much as you can, as often as you can"? The OP was asked nicely, politely, and more than once. A simple request turned into a confrontation.

Looks like nothing more than another story on INGO of a legal gun owner creating issues where there are none, for apparently NO reason other than 'he can'.

Yet many of these SAME people, IF I walked in smoking a cigar would have a damn hissy-fit, screaming and shouting about how *I* have to "respect THEIR rights!" They 'demand' others be courteous and respect to THEM, yet feel NO obligation to extend the same courtesy and respect to others.

This confrontation accomplished NOTHING except perhaps create some 'bad blood' between those who carry a gun and those who don't. And perhaps with the LP guy and Manager, who are already pro-gun. Won't be surprised to see "No Guns" or "NO Open Carry" signs going up at Meijer now, because of incidents just like this. Thanks.


All that "I don't give a f$%@ whatever other people think sounds really 'cool' on INGO. BUT, what these SAME people don't seem to realize is that the non-gun lady ALSO votes, and ALSO has a voice in her community about YOUR gun rights.

The "I have the RIGHT!" crowd can spew all the rantings they want, but they also KNOW that the right is not 'unlimited'. Neither is free speech, and so on. Maybe he'll be happier when OC'ing is prohibited because of 'too many complaints from non-gun (or gun neutral) people?

Don't Obama, 'Double Barrel Biden', Feinstein, et. al. already have ENOUGH people on their side without US intentionally adding to their numbers? Isn't the idea is to ADD people to the pro-2A side of the debate, NOT drive them over to the gun-haters?

Hey, this guy "has the RIGHT!", no doubt. For NOW. But it would appear he's doing whatever he can to help abolish that right.

GOOD JOB!

EPIC FAIL! TRY AGAIN, BETTER YET JUST STOP NOW.

 

[Roadie]

I still don't understand the logic here..

"Guns are bad, they scare our customers, could you cover it?"

So, now, suddenly and magically, that scary gun is somehow rendered harmless because it is covered by a t-shirt.. I just don't get it..

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

Now the pieces are coming together...

The Meijers' folks are afraid for your safety, Mike. They didn't want to alarm you by telling you there was a crazed, violent, anti-gunner in the store so they were trying to get you to go undercover for your own good. See what could have happened:

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...64-violence_from_the_non_violence_people.html