Your carry is spotted in a restaurant. What would you do?

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

My understanding is that this situation was not real, but hypothetical. I am pretty sure that if this happened as originally stated, the complainer would have been a person who was actually crazy, as in stark raving bug****. Such a person is far more likely to be violent than some aggressive drunk or would-be drunk panhandler. What do you think is the best way to handle such a person?

I would speak in soothing tones and summon the manager, but, above all, I would try to avoid being within attack distance of this person, including leaving the restaurant if necessary.

I don't think this ever actually happened.

 

[Lightfoot4]

This is a very good question. You don't want some nut calling the police to report a man with a gun because you never know how the police will react when they show up. I would probably just thank the guy, tell him I'm authorized, then hope he drops it. If he doesn't, then I'd probably tell him I'll place it in my car to make him feel better.

Another thing you don't know is what kind of manager runs the place. Could be an anti-gunner. I use to carry my S&W 642 in an inside the waistband holster, but also with my shirt tucked. So just part of the handle would show, basically an open carry. Most people didn't notice it. Was in my local McDonald's and the manager approached me and asked me if it was a real gun. He said a customer had complained and that a gun wasn't allowed in McDonalds. While there weren't any "no guns" signs on the door, I took the gun to my car. I didn't want to make a big deal out of it because I don't want my McDonalds to ever put a "no guns" sign on the door. That manager is gone now, and I still carry in there, but now I only carry totally concealed.

 

[Mule88]

Apologize that your gun was showing and probably say Im sorry for the lose of your son. I may even buy his dinner (maybe).

 

[rljohns]

This is a very good question. You don't want some nut calling the police to report a man with a gun because you never know how the police will react when they show up. I would probably just thank the guy, tell him I'm authorized, then hope he drops it. If he doesn't, then I'd probably tell him I'll place it in my car to make him feel better.

Another thing you don't know is what kind of manager runs the place. Could be an anti-gunner. I use to carry my S&W 642 in an inside the waistband holster, but also with my shirt tucked. So just part of the handle would show, basically an open carry. Most people didn't notice it. Was in my local McDonald's and the manager approached me and asked me if it was a real gun. He said a customer had complained and that a gun wasn't allowed in McDonalds. While there weren't any "no guns" signs on the door, I took the gun to my car. I didn't want to make a big deal out of it because I don't want my McDonalds to ever put a "no guns" sign on the door. That manager is gone now, and I still carry in there, but now I only carry totally concealed.

That is what the open carry movement might cause. I'm all for open carry and wish ppl would just get over themselves. It has already started in CA with several towns trying to rush through anti-gun laws. I doubt CA at the state level has a pre-emption law and if they did places like SF, LA, etc would claim "home rule".

You just never know what direction such an event could go. In this senario at least you have multiple witnesses that could testify that you were peacefully eating and not branishing the firearm.

 

[RufusG]

What in the world do you think you're doing in here with that?"

Eating dinner. Sorry about your son. Have a nice day.