One of the down sides of OC’ing.....

[RandomTask]

Originally Posted by carterbeauford

I am guilty of drinking when carrying concealed, no more than one or two good strong beers, at 275# not enough to cause impairment.

Same here. I'm 275 and I limit myself to two beers (or two 4oz glasses of wine) stretched out over a 1hr period of time when carrying (CC only for me). I generally can't afford booze anyway, so that's easy for me to handle.

[Gary in Pennsylvania]

Originally Posted by BearTitan

OK, I'll bite. You have detailed one of the many reasons that I chose to CC the majority of the time. Sure I have a right to OC, but the perception is a reason I choose not to.

I chose to OC cuz I want to. I used to refrain from OC’ing, like you, because of the possible perceptions issue.

But I see it differently now. The GUN doesn’t deliver the perception……But rather it’s ME and how I CARRY MYSELF while wearing the firearm that delivers the perception.
Now that I understand that, the public’s possible perception is one of the major contributors behind my convictions to carry. I have the ability to make right what mainstream media has painted wrong.

Originally Posted by BearTitan

Please notice that I am detailing the reasons for my choice, not condemning yours.

Clearly understood. Let’s keep a’talkin’!

[Rule10b5]

Originally Posted by Gary in Pennsylvania

But I see it differently now. The GUN doesn’t deliver the perception……But rather it’s ME and how I CARRY MYSELF while wearing the firearm that delivers the perception.

I hope you're right, and appreciate your position. But 'round here you're mostly (i) just scaring the shit out of the soccer Moms; or (ii) assumed to be a cop. They don't see a man with a gun behaving himself, they see A MAN WITH A GUN IN THE WAWA!!!!!! A GUN!!!!! A GUN!!!!

While righting the wrongs of the media is a good, solid goal, I'm not entirely sure you're going to achieve that end because the behavior is so far outside the cultural norms in Pennsylvania.

But I'll still buy you a beer for trying!

[Pa. Patriot]

Originally Posted by Rule10b5

...They don't see a man with a gun behaving himself, they see A MAN WITH A GUN IN THE WAWA!!!!!! A GUN!!!!! A GUN!!!!

Originally Posted by Rule10b5

because the behavior is so far outside the cultural norms in Pennsylvania.

[Small point]
I see this speculation repeated a lot, but the reality folks report after having OC'd doesn't typically lend evidence to these speculations... (excluding Aran)

[Gary in Pennsylvania]

Originally Posted by Rule10b5

I hope you're right, and appreciate your position. But 'round here you're mostly (i) just scaring the shit out of the soccer Moms; or (ii) assumed to be a cop. They don't see a man with a gun behaving himself, they see A MAN WITH A GUN IN THE WAWA!!!!!! A GUN!!!!! A GUN!!!!

The (ii) assumed to be a cop part of that may be right……..But damn, the more and more Pennsylvanian’s that OC, pretty soon the public is gonna start to wonder “Gosh….do we REALLY have this many cops around?” – but that is just me embellishing your example.

Originally Posted by Rule10b5

While righting the wrongs of the media is a good, solid goal,

WHOA! Checkfire! Checkfire! (any prior service folks out there?! )
That ain’t my ‘goal’.
I OC cuz I want to.
Being a good image for OC and my possible positive impact on public perceptions is just a welcomed benefit.

Originally Posted by Rule10b5

I'm not entirely sure you're going to achieve that end because the behavior is so far outside the cultural norms in Pennsylvania.

EXACTLY!
I keep saying it….but I truly believe it.
The only way to normalize OC is to make OC normal.

Originally Posted by Rule10b5

But I'll still buy you a beer for trying!

Whoo Hooo! That’s better than REP!
Like I said early on in this thread – “I will likely never indulge in an alcoholic beverage when I am the minority OC’er in a very public place. “

But if we’re ALL doing it, I won’t be the minority! Rolling Rock or Stegmeier will do (Should I be ashamed of admitting Stegmeier??? )

[Rule10b5]

Originally Posted by Gary in Pennsylvania

Whoo Hooo! That’s better than REP!
Like I said early on in this thread – “I will likely never indulge in an alcoholic beverage when I am the minority OC’er in a very public place. “

Therein lies the joke, no?

[Gary in Pennsylvania]

Originally Posted by Rule10b5

Therein lies the joke, no?

DON'T MAKE ME REPORT YOU so that you get the square root of 36.872 points against you according to the New Rule System by-law commandments!


If yer gonna quote me, quote me right!

"Whoo Hooo! That’s better than REP!
Like I said early on in this thread – “I will likely never indulge in an alcoholic beverage when I am the minority OC’er in a very public place. “
But if we’re ALL doing it, I won’t be the minority! Rolling Rock or Stegmeier will do (Should I be ashamed of admitting Stegmeier??? )

Therein lies my catch....

[DaveM55]

I'd like to see a true scientific experiment performed.

I'd like to have someone OC in a public restaurant or bar for say a couple hours and then leave.

Then I'd like to talk to all the other patrons individually and ask them if they saw a man with a gun, and what was their initial reaction?

Any Phd's in the crowd?

[Gary in Pennsylvania]

Too bad you're not closer.

I'd be game.

I betcha that most wouldn't notice though.

I choose to not drink & OC just because there may BE some folks who see......not to mention all the liability baggage if SHTF (as discussed by other members in this thread)

[Montanya]

I certainly have been known to OC for comfort, if I have a jacket on it's concealed, when I take it off my shirt is often tucked in and it is therefore exposed. I certainly agree with the making OC normal, so I go about my life as I would if I was not carrying a firearm. I am not going to stifle my desire to have a beer or 3 just because I have my gun. The gun is no safer with my jacket over it than it is exposed.

I did that at the dinner at Quaker Steak (and got PM'ed from someone who disagreed with my decision) but like so many things, no one has to agree with me, just like driving a car, if i get all sloshed while carrying then be pissed at me or give me hell for it etc just like drinking and driving. I am no small guy, it certainly takes a decent quantity of beer for me to be inebriated. I am not OC'ing to make a point, or to be an ambassador, if that happens, great. If I am OC'ing while drinking and you don't like that, sorry but really it's not anyone's business but my own. If I am being irresponsible or dangerous, by all means OC or not, call the police.