OPEN CARRY IN A CONCEALED CARRY STATE

[Philadelphia Patriot]

 

[Mainsail]

.... I noticed a very slovenly dressed individual standing at the buffet bar with a 9mm pistol in a holster on his hip. His sleeveless t-shirt was pulled up over the holster so that it was openly displayed, and he walked around the restaurant with a sense of bravado that was intimidating to some of the diners. Having spent the better part of my adult life in law enforcement, it was obvious to me that this guy was not an undercover cop and was just showing off.

I know some old guys here in WA that have openly carried for decades. They aren't doing it to show off, or to make a statement; they just carry their sidearm that way. They don't care one whit what anyone else thinks about it, and complainers won't make them leave.

These are the guys I try to emulate. I view my sidearm no different than any other accoutrement I might have when I leave the house: keys, toque, umbrella, or wallet. All are equally lawful for me to carry openly or concealed.

If you had called the cops on me the result would be that you'd still be eating with an open carrier. I would not have had any discussion with responding officers (if they even bothered to come; most times they don't) because lawful activity cannot trigger a Terry stop. How do I know? Because I've done exactly that several times.

Your bias is obvious from the words and phrases you used. I would encourage you to be more open minded about people that are 'different' than you. Only after you have achieved perfection you will be in a position to judge the motives and actions of others. You are not the standard.

 

[snuffy51]

I live in Tennessee. I open carry all the time. The only thing it shows is I have the ability to protect myself. Always remember the golden rule, M Y O D B. I always do.

 

[Smoke]

I just don't believe it's the right time, to being flaunting it.

Thank you, your opinion has been noted

 

[caleb4387]

That is the wrong reason to carry a firearm.

That is not why I carry a firearm. That's ONE of many reasons I OPEN carry

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Oh my.....

For starters, Tennessee doesn't issue "CCW" or "concealed carry permit" as repeatedly asserted in the OP. We issue a Handgun Carry Permit. There are no carry conditions, open or concealed. A Tennesse law enforcement officer should know this. As well, there are no dress code requirements.

Restaurants may establish various dress code and firearms policies. Apparently, the manager was satisfied that his customer was not violating any policies.

It is true that some people in society suffer anxiety at the mere sight of things, including a gun being carried by someone not wearing a uniform. This particular malady is documented by mental health professionals and identified as a form of hoplophobia. Severe hoplophobic spasms may include calling the police. 911 operators should be trained in dealing with such a caller.

Don't know what part of Tennesse this occurred, but where I live running around disarming law abiding citizens would be worthy of a promotion to crosswalk duty.

 

[AlHunt]

• Micro-aggression - Me wearing an NRA ballcap or reading "The Devil's Paintbrush" (history of the Maxim gun) in a public place.

Are you saying that wearing the cap is an act of aggression, or that *other* people see it as an act of aggression?

 

[cmort666]

Are you saying that wearing the cap is an act of aggression, or that *other* people see it as an act of aggression?

Others see me wearing an NRA ballcap as a "micro-aggression" because it is a visible contradiction of their pseudo-religious dogma. They feel the need to confront me because no contradictions of their "beliefs" can be tolerated. ALL must conform or be crushed.

I don't "crush" so easily. It's kind of like "crushing" a punji stake with your bare foot...

 

[CH4]

With all the senseless random shootings in public places that have occurred recently, all of us who have CCW Permits should exercise some common sense.

This morning, My family and I were having breakfast in a local restaurant here in Tennessee when I noticed a very slovenly dressed individual standing at the buffet bar with a 9mm pistol in a holster on his hip. His sleeveless t-shirt was pulled up over the holster so that it was openly displayed, and he walked around the restaurant with a sense of bravado that was intimidating to some of the diners. Having spent the better part of my adult life in law enforcement, it was obvious to me that this guy was not an undercover cop and was just showing off. I quietly brought the situation to the attention of the restaurant manager and his attitude was that he didn't want to offend his customer. I guess he didn't care about the many other customers who were offended and intimidated (after all there are a lot of people who are just plain afraid of guns).

I called the local police who responded and quietly walked the individual out of the restaurant. They verified that he was legal, had a valid Tennessee concealed carry permit, and instructed him with regard to Tennessee Law. After placing his pistol in his vehicle he returned to the restaurant.

It is situations like this that make life more of a hassle for those of us who have CCW and or LEOSA permits, and make points for those people who would restrict our rights to properly carry weapons.

As long as he wasn't breaking the law, it's none of your business. If he was violating restaurant policy, it's management's job to take action. If you see offended, you had the option of leaving.

I frequently visit TN and am aware of TN law. OC is a lawful option that's left to the discretion of the licensed individual and to the discretion of individual establishment whether or not to allow it. Likely the buffet was a greater hazard to public safety.

 

[Ogandydancer]

Open carry is and has always been legal in N. C. for as long as I can remember, without permit. I however choose not tdo do it because of some of the very reasons already mentioned in some of the previous post's, un-wanted attention, element of surprise, etc, etc.

 

[AlHunt]

Others see me wearing an NRA ballcap as a "micro-aggression" because it is a visible contradiction of their pseudo-religious dogma. They feel the need to confront me because no contradictions of their "beliefs" can be tolerated.

Well, that's fascinating to me. I don't own an NRA cap but I see people wearing pro-gun attire all the time and I can't remember any confrontations over it, including NRA ball caps.

I guess you learn something new every day.

 

[cmort666]

Well, that's fascinating to me. I don't own an NRA cap but I see people wearing pro-gun attire all the time and I can't remember any confrontations over it, including NRA ball caps.

I guess you learn something new every day.

Right after Columbine, a friend and I were on our way home from the rifle range, and stopped in at a Starbucks for a cup of coffee.

The slacker behind the counter commented to me, "Boy, it must take a lot of guts to wear that hat these days", to which I replied, "Why? Who's going to make me take it off?"

There are few things more satisfying than to look a crybully in the eye and say, "no". Most of them never heard it from their parents and their reactions are invariably priceless.

 

[keith44spl]

I'm ah feelin a lit'l tricked out.....

The OP's MIA from his own thread here.

And it ain't April 1st is it? This has got to be a joke anyhows!

No one on this forum and in their right mind
would actually do what the OP sed he did, is there?

This whole deal has been kinda like a big ol' snipe hunt...


.

 

[Smoke]

FWIW the OP hasn't logged in since shortly after he posted this

 

[bagga]

i've witnessed people carrying open in a restaurant 2 times. i liked it and didn't call the police.

 

[Neumann]

You should have left well enough alone.

It's your job to enforce the law as it been written. Your personal opinion or feelings about the law shouldn't matter.

But in this case you took the law into your own hands and you were wrong. Learn from it and move on.

The OP did nothing of the sort. "Taking the law into your own hands" would be to personally confront the alleged offender. Calling the police, whether justified or not, is something else.

If anything, the police should have informed the OP that open carry was legal in Tennessee for license holders.

 

[caleb4387]

Methinks we has been trolled

 

[Philadelphia Patriot]

Methinks we has been trolled

 

[Prestonj12]

I'm just not a fan of open carry. It's legal in Colorado. When I see hunters in rural areas I don't think anything of it. But in cities it causes unnecessary concern. I agree you have the right. Colorado has had several high profile shootings. I just don't think it makes other citizens comfortable. I think you also run a high risk of being shot by law enforcement.

My question is why would you give up your tactical advantage???

I don't want jumped or shot first. Just my thoughts.

I'm with you on this one. Idaho had open carry but I personally prefer to conceal when in public. Out hunting or otherwise out in the weeds I'll open carry weather permitting. However, most of the year out in the weeds I'm wearing a jacket anyway, making open carry a moot point.

Just an observation. How come the open carry in town crowd mostly prefer the cheap nylon holsters? I can't recall ever seeing an open carry guy in town using a Milt Sparks holster.

 

[AlHunt]

Just an observation. How come the open carry in town crowd mostly prefer the cheap nylon holsters? I can't recall ever seeing an open carry guy in town using a Milt Sparks holster.

It's tactical nylon.