[Wynder]

So, I take my 2-year old daughter up to Lancaster today to visit the outlet stores; today I decided to conceal, just because of the clothing I wore. My first stop is in Gymboree to pick up a couple of things for my child -- I get them and pay and, when I pulled out my wallet to pay, my shirt must've caught on the grip of my pistol.

In any case, I head up a bit to the Bean store to return a shirt my wife had gotten in the wrong size. While I'm looking for my size, I notice I'm being observed by a security officer who's carrying a revolver. I shake it off, make the exchange, then browse around a bit more and wind up buying another outfit. I leave and make a quick third stop up to Bass and see nothing I like. I leave the store and head down the walkway in the direction of my car... That's when I saw the guard again.

He steps into the middle of the sidewalk with his arm out in a manner someone would if they were going to tell them a secret. I know what's coming, so I figure I'd humor him at the very least and engage in a discussion. So I stop and he puts his hand on my shoulder -- this kind of sends a red flag for me since 1) I'm carrying and 2) I have my daughter in my stroller. So, I take a step away from him to put some distance between us.

Him: Excuse me, sir... are you carrying?

Me: Yes.

Him: (pause) Do you have a license?

Me: I don't need a license to open carry (pre-programmed response).

Him: You do need one to conceal.

Me: (I look down and remember I'm concealing, and roll my eyes). Yes, I have my LTCF.

*pause while he looks at me expectantly*

Him: Can I see it?

Me: Are you with the police?

Him: Yes.

Me: *looking at his rent-a-cop uniform* A police officer?

Him: Yes.

Me: Law Enforcement? May I see your badge?

Him: It's right here. *He shows me the badge attached to his jacket that reads "SECURITY GUARD"* I tried not to chuckle.

Me: That's not law enforcement identification.

Him: Well... I'm off-duty. Look, she was worried and called in the concern, as law enforcement, we have to follow up, right? (I think he may have been using those pronouns to probe if I was an officer as well). In Lancaster, at least in this county, you need a conceal license...

Me: (And he's a cop?) No, there's a Uniform Firearms Act in Pennsylvania, so whatever the counties may have enacted are...

Him: Right, I know. So, may I see your license?

Me: No.

Him: Well, then you're trespassing, and I can call the police and have them...

Me: (Thought he was a cop?!) No, you can ask me to leave the premises and if I refuse, THEN you can have me arrested for criminal trespassing. And I'll gladly leave unless you're holding me here...

Him: No, not at all.

Me: Well, I have no intention of showing you any identification unless you're willing to provide me with your law enforcement ID.

Him: Well.... You're free to go, then.

So, I don't know what the deal is here -- if he really WAS an officer, he retains all of his powers of arrest, so I don't know why he'd have to call the police. I don't know if I'm more ticked off at the rent-a/real cop or the merchant who stuck her nose in where it didn't belong, like a father with his two-year old daughter buying leggings and a turtleneck in 2T was a threat.

Annoying. Any thoughts?