-
Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
Out with the family (kid and wife) for Sunday groceries. Open carrying the S&W model 57 .41 magnum (6 inch barrel, basketweave Safariland duty rig).
In a crowded section of the frozen isle, an older woman blurts out to me:
Woman: "Are you a police officer"?
Me: No, I'm not.
Woman: "Then why are you carrying a gun"? (slightly elevated tone)
Me: "To protect my family and me"
Woman: (raised voice) "FROM WHO!!!"
Me: Hopefully, no one.
At this point, my wife leaned over to her and said something. The woman's face went ashen and she said: "I am".
I asked my wife what she said, and she told the woman: "Leave us alone now".
I was half expecting a local PD to be called, but nothing else happened.
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
Quote:
Woman: (raised voice) "FROM WHO!!!"
Me: From liberal whackjobs much like yourself that can't seem to control their emotions.
FTFY.
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
Many would say that we should try to educate folks like this but when they are that brainwashed its like talking to a wall. She and her ilk can not be so terrified of gun owners when they approach them and raise their voices as they ask the usual questions. I am wonder if your wife asked her if she was from NY/NJ in my past experience that is who does this. I live in PA long before I knew about OC/CC or even had an EDC and saw a number of folks carrying, I just smiled and nodded.
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
[QUOTE=streaker69;3702956][quote]
Woman: (raised voice) "FROM WHO!!!"
Me: From liberal whackjobs much like yourself that can't seem to control their emotions.
That deserves an Rep but the cheap bastard I am I can't seem to give you one :)
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
I hated Shoprite. The clients were on par with Wal-Mart shoppers.
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
Q: "Why do you have a gun, are you a police officer?"
A: "Thats my business."
Then while they stand there in a stupor, smile and walk off.
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Ricochet
Q: "Why do you have a gun, are you a police officer?"
A: "Thats my business."
Then while they stand there in a stupor, smile and walk off.
Exactly....my answer would have been,"who do you think you are for you to think that I have to answer to you?"
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
Quote:
Woman: "Are you a police officer"?
Me: Why? Someone nearby with a dog?
:)
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
Quote:
Woman: (raised voice) "FROM WHO!!!"..
Me: From the aliens who are trying to control my thought patterns. You DO see them don't you? I see them all around us. Shall I protect you from them? WATCH OUT! That was close...they almost grabbed you for their experiments. Do you believe in Bigfoot? He might be one of the alien life forms. What about the clouds? Do you like pizza with mayonnaise and lard? Do you thaw frozen food before you eat it? I like dirt. They're watching us ya' know...
:cool:
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
Quote:
Originally Posted by
DennisH82
Many would say that we should try to educate folks like this but when they are that brainwashed its like talking to a wall.
Yeah. I'm sympathetic to folks who just honestly don't realize OC is allowed here (more than you think, especially in the 'burbs where they rarely see it), and happy to (briefly) explain in the spirit of advocacy.
But it's often hard to tell where they stand initially. "Are you a police officer?" is a fairly neutral question, and certainly one I've heard. Might indicate lack of knowledge, or might be an 'opening salvo' by some anti nut. Other variants are 'why are you carrying a gun?' and 'are you allowed to have that gun here?' and similar.
For the neutral/can't tell questions, I'd typically answer them all something like "Any citizen of PA who's not a felon is allowed to carry a gun for their safety & protection." (and yes, not technically 100% accurate, but gets the point across). Their response to that would dictate how it went from there. I've found it to be about 30/70 with (unfortunately) the 30 being some variant of "oh I didn't know that" and reasonable dialog.
Raised voice / outrage / etc. and I'm done 'edumacating' and I walk away. Also, obviously-confrontational question and/or attitude/tone? Walk away. Yes, I know, some would say I should 'assert my rights' and such, but I've found that basically pointless. They're gonna most likely go home and talk about the 'gun nut' at the store today, 'report me' to a store manager, call the cops, whatever. I'm almost certainly NOT going to alter that by talking to them and getting into some sort of debate.
FWIW, I was -never once- "asked" by someone who actually knew the deal. A few folks "in the know" would strike up a conversation by saying "Whatcha carrying?" or similar. It makes sense, I'd never walk up to an OCarrier and say "Are you allowed to have that?" or similar.
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Krichardson
Exactly....my answer would have been,"who do you think you are for you to think that I have to answer to you?"
Yes, the correct response is "I do not owe you an explanation for my behavior and do not wish to speak with you, if you do not leave me alone I will call the cops"
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
Quote:
Originally Posted by
priell3
I hated Shoprite. The clients were on par with Wal-Mart shoppers.
Interesting observation. In my observation and I have delivered to both stores, every store in every location is different and attracts a different client base.
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
From the tone and manner with which the lady asked the first question, I knew what this was going to devolve into.
After open carrying for about 7 years now, almost every day, I can tell from the first word where the conversation will go. I've had genuinely interested/curious folks. Some even asked me about gun ownership and whether they should go that route themselves. I've also had people tell me they feel safer seeing my handgun. I've also (much more rarely) had drama queen d-bags who 1) know that I'm not a threat to them 2) hate me because I have a gun 3) feel perfectly safe being angry and confrontational toward me because they know I'm not a bad guy.
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
Are you a cop?
Let's see how many answers I've used that I can recall:
Fuck you! Why would you accuse me of that?
Not right this minute.
Not today. Not this week, I'm on vacation.
Why? Do you need one?
Why, what did you do? Grab the gun while asking that one and move forward aggressively. Fucks with their mind.
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
Quote:
Originally Posted by
American1776
Out with the family (kid and wife) for Sunday groceries. Open carrying the S&W model 57 .41 magnum (6 inch barrel, basketweave Safariland duty rig).
In a crowded section of the frozen isle, an older woman blurts out to me:
Woman: "Are you a police officer"?
Me: No, I'm not.
Woman: "Then why are you carrying a gun"? (slightly elevated tone)
Me: "To protect my family and me"
Woman: (raised voice) "FROM WHO!!!"
Me: Hopefully, no one.
At this point, my wife leaned over to her and said something. The woman's face went ashen and she said: "I am".
I asked my wife what she said, and she told the woman: "Leave us alone now".
I was half expecting a local PD to be called, but nothing else happened.
So, what did your wife say to her?
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
Earlier today, I was eating lunch out with my wife and daughter, wearing the same rig. I heard a mom talking to her young son, saying "Well, not all police officers wear uniforms". This does look like a 'Rick Grimes' rig. On the other hand, the only LEO I've seen with a revolver was at Philly International, and he looked about 60 years old.
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
My wife said to her: "Leave us alone now".
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
The nerve that some people have is just amazing.
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
As my employer has extremely anti-gun policies I have trained myself to answer
questions like that with "I am not at liberty to discuss my employment."
I do not carry, OC or CC, when wearing anything that would identify me as an employee,
such as an access badge, clothing, etc. The company has never made such a stipulation
a part of their policies, I just want to make sure I keep things separate.
My employment would truly be none of her business and it's not really the question she wanted
to ask in the first place anyway so when I sense the tone right from the start it's always a good
idea to knock them out of their OODA loop at the first chance and take the lead in the encounter.
I even used it once with a PA State Trooper, successfully, simply by making a one-liner that had
us both smiling. I knew he was going to say something and as soon as he opened his mouth I
interrupted and spoke first. Worked like a charm. Even his partner laughed.
*rep to OP, and to Streaker for Dennis and me!
OODA Loop: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OODA_loop
.
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Curmudgeon
As my employer has extremely anti-gun policies I have trained myself to answer
questions like that with "I am not at liberty to discuss my employment."
I do not carry, OC or CC, when wearing anything that would identify me as an employee,
such as an access badge, clothing, etc. The company has never made such a stipulation
a part of their policies, I just want to make sure I keep things separate.
My employment would truly be none of her business and it's not really the question she wanted
to ask in the first place anyway so when I sense the tone right from the start it's always a good
idea to knock them out of their OODA loop at the first chance and take the lead in the encounter.
I even used it once with a PA State Trooper, successfully, simply by making a one-liner that had
us both smiling. I knew he was going to say something and as soon as he opened his mouth I
interrupted and spoke first. Worked like a charm. Even his partner laughed.
*rep to OP, and to Streaker for Dennis and me!
Thanks. My employer, too, is as anti-gun as it gets (I'm a professor). If anyone at work even found out I shoot guns at a range, let alone own them, let alone CARRY THEM OPENLY, I'd be the most hated person on campus. They'd find a way to get rid of me too. Luckily, I my workplace is over an hours drive away.
I, too, never wear anything that would identify my place of work when OCing.
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
Quote:
Originally Posted by
American1776
...I can tell from the first word where the conversation will go. I've had genuinely interested/curious folks. Some even asked me about gun ownership and whether they should go that route themselves. I've also had people tell me they feel safer seeing my handgun. I've also (much more rarely) had drama queen d-bags who 1) know that I'm not a threat to them 2) hate me because I have a gun 3) feel perfectly safe being angry and confrontational toward me because they know I'm not a bad guy.
You're more intuitive than I am.
I can tell where it's going from an initial question/posture/attitude with about 2/3 accuracy. But I've been wrong often enough to not assume. I've had folks say "So are you a cop or something?" in a fairly pushy manner and it was a good encounter. Had folks say something pretty innocuous in a pretty mild manner - like "Hey, does this store allow guns?" - and yet it went South fast.
Not trying to argue with you, nor excuse d-bags. Just saying kudos if you can truly 'get the sense' of it that fast.
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
Quote:
Originally Posted by
American1776
On the other hand, the only LEO I've seen with a revolver was at Philly International, and he looked about 60 years old.
Every now and then I will spot an officer with a revolver in his or her holster and it is usually an older looking officer.
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
Quote:
Originally Posted by
American1776
Thanks. My employer, too, is as anti-gun as it gets (I'm a professor). If anyone at work even found out I shoot guns at a range, let alone own them, let alone CARRY THEM OPENLY, I'd be the most hated person on campus. They'd find a way to get rid of me too. Luckily, I my workplace is over an hours drive away.
I, too, never wear anything that would identify my place of work when OCing.
I don't have it quite that bad. Everyone I work with (men and women!) owns guns, shoots guns, most hunt, including
my boss, my boss's boss, and even my boss's boss's boss is former career military so he may be a safe bet.
It's human resources that would be a problem.
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Ricochet
Q: "Why do you have a gun, are you a police officer?"
A: "Thats my business."
Then while they stand there in a stupor, smile and walk off.
I like it ! Good reply !
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
If the opening question has an attitude (all Progressive snowflakes have an attitude), feel free to respond accordingly.
(staring at your gun) "Are you a cop or something?"
(look her up and down slowly) "Are you a prostitute or something?"
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
Quote:
Originally Posted by
American1776
Thanks. My employer, too, is as anti-gun as it gets (I'm a professor). If anyone at work even found out I shoot guns at a range, let alone own them, let alone CARRY THEM OPENLY, I'd be the most hated person on campus. They'd find a way to get rid of me too. Luckily, I my workplace is over an hours drive away.
I, too, never wear anything that would identify my place of work when OCing.
Ah, the benefits of self-employment.
My employees and I always carry. We are frequently meeting new-and-unknown-to-us folks with large amounts of cash. To do otherwise would be silly.
BUT, for business purposes we all carry concealed and make every effort to NOT freak someone out unnecessarily.
Bottom line is I (or any of my employees) can OC to the local store driving a jeep with NRA stickers all over it, with a pistol on each hip, a rifle slung over the shoulder and wearing a company shirt and hat. No problem.
But as a practical matter we do, when dealing with customers, always conceal and try to avoid any 'discomfort' they may have with us being armed.
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
Lucky you weren't arrested for brandishing your wife like that!
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
Quote:
Originally Posted by
GunLawyer001
If the opening question has an attitude (all Progressive snowflakes have an attitude), feel free to respond accordingly.
(staring at your gun) "Are you a cop or something?"
(look her up and down slowly) "Are you a prostitute or something?"
Depending on the pulchritudity of the asker... "If I am will you s*** my d***?" would also work nicely.
Asterisks since we're not in the Lounge, and they stand for "spin my dial" of course.
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
A sensible response to someone asking if you are an officer is, Why, do you need one?
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
Pulcri???????? Gotta look that word up. Familiar with S M D though.
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
Quote:
Originally Posted by
American1776
Woman: "Are you a police officer"?
Me: FUCK YOU!!
FIFY again
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
them, "are you a cop?"
me, "nope"
them, "then why are you carrying a gun?"
me, "yep."
(the non answer is designed to cause confusion )
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
It's times like that you need to start reciting some islamic prayer. Make the liberal's head explode as to whether or not they should be scared of a man with a gun or try to hide their actual fear of a muslim with a gun.
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
Quote:
Originally Posted by
GunLawyer001
If the opening question has an attitude (all Progressive snowflakes have an attitude), feel free to respond accordingly.
(staring at your gun) "Are you a cop or something?"
(look her up and down slowly) "Are you a prostitute or something?"
That's the same type of quip response someone taught me years ago when they ask me if I ever played basketball because I'm pretty tall. It goes like this.
Q:My you're tall, have you ever played basketball?
A:No, have you ever played miniature golf?
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
Quote:
Originally Posted by
JenniferG
That's the same type of quip response someone taught me years ago when they ask me if I ever played basketball because I'm pretty tall. It goes like this.
Q:My you're tall, have you ever played basketball?
A:No, have you ever played miniature golf?
LOL!
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
Quote:
Originally Posted by
American1776
Out with the family (kid and wife) for Sunday groceries.
Your wife is our kind of gal.
Attitudes regarding OC change, depending on where you are in the state. For perspective, where is “somewhere, Pennsylvania”?
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
"do those legs go all the way up?"
looking forward to your comeback for that :D
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
From this thread: Constitutional Open Carry - Think about it!
Those Offended at Seeing Open Carry
Wikipedia includes an explanation of Hoplophobia as "from the Greek hoplon, meaning armor, is defined as the 'fear of firearms' and as the 'fear of armed citizens'. While these fears may account for some of those offended, I believe there are many others who have a deeper problem.
Much of the public is not 'scared' by a visibly displayed firearms. The fact is that the majority of average police officers Openly Carry their firearm while on duty. And, contrary to true Hoplophobia, most people don't flee in terror every time they see the officer's firearm openly displayed. For most, it is not about being scared of the firearm.
There may be some who truly 'fear armed citizens' as in expecting them to act dangerously and create mayhem. These would fall under the above definition of Hoplophobia. But there are many more who are offended at Open Carry for another reason.
Much of the public (along with the media and government) has created a myth that the police are required to and are capable of protecting them. The typical advice from the media and government regarding dealing with any threat is to call 911 and wait for the police to arrive. While in many cases this might be sufficiently effective, it certainly does not prevent immediate personal attacks and bodily harm. The typical police response is 'after the fact' and the damage is already done. In responding to this fact, the average citizen carrying a firearm (concealed or openly) for self-protection asserts (by mere possession) that police protection is truly a myth.
Openly Carrying a firearm publicly denies the myth that the police are required and capable of protecting the citizenry. It publicly declares that this person believes in the 2nd Amendment Principle that every citizen has the right & responsibility for self-protection.
It is this TRUTH that scares the public!
So why are they (begrudgingly) accepting of Concealed Carry but take offense at Open Carry? With Concealed Carry, they can simply act as if no one is carrying a firearm - it allows them to maintain the myth in their heads. No matter what the facts are (that people they see and pass every day are carrying a concealed firearm), the idea that out-of-sight is out-of-mind clearly applies. They 'feel better' by not having to see the openly carried firearm and be reminded that, as the saying goes, when seconds count the police are only minutes away.
Ordinary citizens Openly Carrying their firearms is an affront to that myth and the reality it forces upon the offended public's mentality is frightful. This revelation (that self-protection is necessary) is so frightful that it even emboldens them to confront those who Open Carry and demand that they hide their firearm. Surely, no one who is a true Hoplophobe would willingly approach someone with a firearm (who they fear). No, it is not fear of the firearm or the carrier that drives these offended crusaders.
It is fear that their myth is invalid that drives these offended people to adamantly demand that other citizens not exercise their rights. The peaceful myth (of police protection) cannot be maintained in the face of others claiming that life holds too many potential dangers to go unarmed. The offended people demand respect and support of their self-soothing myths -- and demand that the rights of others MUST be surrendered.
Think about it!
ID
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ImminentDanger
From this thread:
Constitutional Open Carry - Think about it!
Those Offended at Seeing Open Carry
Wikipedia includes an explanation of Hoplophobia as "from the Greek hoplon, meaning armor, is defined as the 'fear of firearms' and as the 'fear of armed citizens'. While these fears may account for some of those offended, I believe there are many others who have a deeper problem.
Much of the public is not 'scared' by a visibly displayed firearms. The fact is that the majority of average police officers Openly Carry their firearm while on duty. And, contrary to true Hoplophobia, most people don't flee in terror every time they see the officer's firearm openly displayed. For most, it is not about being scared of the firearm.
There may be some who truly 'fear armed citizens' as in expecting them to act dangerously and create mayhem. These would fall under the above definition of Hoplophobia. But there are many more who are offended at Open Carry for another reason.
Much of the public (along with the media and government) has created a myth that the police are required to and are capable of protecting them. The typical advice from the media and government regarding dealing with any threat is to call 911 and wait for the police to arrive. While in many cases this might be sufficiently effective, it certainly does not prevent immediate personal attacks and bodily harm. The typical police response is 'after the fact' and the damage is already done. In responding to this fact, the average citizen carrying a firearm (concealed or openly) for self-protection asserts (by mere possession) that police protection is truly a myth.
Openly Carrying a firearm publicly denies the myth that the police are required and capable of protecting the citizenry. It publicly declares that this person believes in the 2nd Amendment Principle that every citizen has the right & responsibility for self-protection.
It is this TRUTH that scares the public!
So why are they (begrudgingly) accepting of Concealed Carry but take offense at Open Carry? With Concealed Carry, they can simply act as if no one is carrying a firearm - it allows them to maintain
the myth in their heads. No matter what the facts are (that people they see and pass every day are carrying a concealed firearm), the idea that out-of-sight is out-of-mind clearly applies. They 'feel better' by not having to see the openly carried firearm and be reminded that, as the saying goes, when seconds count the police are only minutes away.
Ordinary citizens Openly Carrying their firearms is an affront to that myth and the reality it forces upon the offended public's mentality is frightful. This revelation (that self-protection is necessary) is so frightful that it even emboldens them to confront those who Open Carry and demand that they hide their firearm. Surely, no one who is a true Hoplophobe would willingly approach someone with a firearm (who they fear). No, it is not fear of the firearm or the carrier that drives these offended crusaders.
It is fear that their myth is invalid that drives these offended people to adamantly demand that other citizens not exercise their rights. The peaceful myth (of police protection) cannot be maintained in the face of others claiming that life holds too many potential dangers to go unarmed. The offended people demand respect and support of their self-soothing myths -- and demand that the rights of others MUST be surrendered.
Think about it!
ID
Possibly true.
It's also possible that sheep get skittish and uncomfortable when they encounter someone who's not acting like every other member of the herd. I'm no farmer, but my understanding is that primitive herd or pack animals will actively exclude any member who acts outside some predetermined behavioral limits.
And snowflakes are primitive herd animals.
-
Re: Negative encounter at the Shop Rite
Quote:
Originally Posted by
JAKIII
Your wife is our kind of gal.
Attitudes regarding OC change, depending on where you are in the state. For perspective, where is “somewhere, Pennsylvania”?
Somewhat rural Montco. I’ve had many more compliments on OC around here than bad encounters