[imperialism2024]

I was just going to write one post about my incident today, but figured I may as well start a log so as to perhaps give others in the area a realistic idea of what to expect.

Mind you, most of my time is spent at home, at the range, at pro-gun friends' houses, at places where I consume alcohol, at work (where I can't carry per US law), and in my work uniform (and thus can't openly carry). But I'm making an effort to openly carry the rest of the time, given the recent arrival of nice weather, and the receipt of my LTCF which enables me to openly carry effectively.

Date: 21 April
Time: Mid-afternoon
Location: The Waffle House on Airport Road, Allentown-ish
Setup: G27 in Blackhawk Serpa CQC
Dress: Blue button-down dress shirt, gray slacks

I was busy browsing PAFOA on my new Blackberry while waiting for my food and, just as a nice big bowl of grits is placed in front of me, a gentleman behind me asks, "Are you with the State Police?"

Anticipating a comment regarding my mode of carry, I reply with my rehersed line, "Nope, just a regular citizen."

Him: "Oh, I saw your sidearm, and knew that the barracks were nearby. A guy I went to school with works there..."
Me: "Nah, though one day I might end up working there. I just figured that that since the weather's so warm today, I may as well carry like this since it's so much more comfortable than trying to conceal."
Him: "Is that a Glock you're carrying?"

And so began a brief discussion of Glocks, 9mm v .40, our respective sportscars, crime, reciprocity agreements, and New Jersey gun laws.

So I'd rate it overall a positive encounter. Except that I ended up with cold grits... but there are worse things in life.