imperialism2024's Lehigh Valley OC log, 2009

[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.

[thatJeffguy]

Great story! Some people get upset if you're asked if you're a LEO, I don't mind and I enjoy discussing any of my hobbies, be it shooting, carrying, or mountain climbing. I always am receptive to courtesy.

Rep inbound.

[duane1]

Great story and by the way I like grits too.

[Falcon118]

Great report. Rep button has syrup on it from breakfast and is stuck it seems Owe you next time around.

[TinGLOCK]

Cold grits ain't so bad! Oh, and good story.

[Paradigm]

Grits rock.

And at least you had cold grits from a positive encounter. If you had to eat cold grits after some nebby-nose codger yelled at you for the destruction of modern civilization, that would be bad.

[headcase]

Great post.

BTW, it isn't so much the asking, it's the attitude behind the asking that bunches up most of our panties. I have no problem answering questions from polite, even if hesitant, people, at all.

[ReconLdr]

I OC'd all over allentown yesterday (Mon 20 Apr) and not one comment, question or anything but a few looks at the South mall. I even had a few fliers with me just in case.

[imperialism2024]

Date: 29 April
Time: Early evening
Location: Styles by Alison in Coplay; Pantry One Food Market in Catasauqua
Setup: G27 in Blackhawk Serpa CQC
Dress: Solid grey t-shirt tucked into nice blue jeans

Nothing happened. Got a haircut, then went to the convenience store to get some cash from the ATM and an energy drink. No strange looks that I could tell, no cops called, no arrests.

[imperialism2024]

Date: 1 May
Time: Late afternoon
Location: Lukoil gas station at Front & Pine streets in Catty
Setup: G27 in Blackhawk Serpa CQC
Dress: Solid beige t-shirt tucked into nice blue jeans

Just gassing up the car. I don't think anyone noticed, but a guy at the pump behind me seemed kind of fidgitey. That may have just been him.

Date: 1 May
Time: Late afternoon
Location: First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union at Union Boulevard in Allentown
Setup: G27 in Blackhawk Serpa CQC
Dress: Solid beige t-shirt tucked into nice blue jeans

Yup, the Holy Grail of OCing, doing it in a bank. I made sure to comply with the "no sunglasses" sign on the door. I don't think anyone noticed my open carry, as I didn't get any strange looks and didn't hear anyone say anything about it. No cops followed me home, either.

Date: 1 May
Time: Late afternoon
Location: Lehigh Valley Post Office on South Commerce Way in Bethlehem
Setup: Blackhawk Serpa CQC
Dress: Solid beige t-shirt tucked into nice blue jeans

I parked on the street, locked the G27 in the glovebox, and walked into the post office with an empty holster, in order to not become an instant felon. Got lots of strange looks for having parked my car on the street in an industrial park...

Date: 1 May
Time: Evening
Location: Cabela's in Hamburg
Setup: G27 in Blackhawk Serpa CQC
Dress: Solid beige t-shirt tucked into nice blue jeans

Went in and browsed the .22 semi-auto pistols, and ended up getting a Walther P22. I was there probably an hour or so, and no strange looks or problems with employees.

Date: 1 May
Time: Late evening
Location: 14th street in Catty
Setup: G27 in Blackhawk Serpa CQC
Dress: Solid beige t-shirt tucked into nice blue jeans

One of Catasauqua's finest decided to pull me over by claiming that I was going 55 (exactly) in a 35 on Race Street. I have no problem admitting to speeding when I do it, but I wasn't doing it here, as I would never do more than 45mph on that road, and usually go about 40mph... so I suspect there was an element of a fishing trip going on there. Anyhow, the officer came up to the left side of my car, and I didn't even think to notify, especially since my gun wasn't very visible on my right hip while sitting in a bucket seat... I also forgot that there was a pistol case on the passenger seat with a big orange sticker on it that said "All Firearms Sales Are Final". But... the cop either didn't notice or didn't care, and after seeing that I had a valid license and registration and didn't smell like alcohol or other substances, he let me go without so much as a verbal warning.



Overall, no one noticed. I honestly was hoping that I didn't have any problems, but I definitely did expect to get at least one comment or question. Nope, none.