Viper's OC log

[ViperGTS19801]

I had one of these a while ago, but with the hubub surrounding all the negative encounters lately, I wanted to make sure to show how rare they actually are.

Disclaimer: please keep in mind - I do not OC for attention. I OC because it's most comfortable for me, because I appreciate the deterrent factor, and because it's an excellent icebreaker for those who would like to learn more about firearms and the laws surrounding them but don't know who to ask.

Also, most importantly, I value my ability to defend myself and my family.

INDEX

• City Hall, Philadelphia - "You can't carry here."
• "When did we become an OC state?"
• Doctor's Office
• A Man with a Gun in a BANK!
• No, you can't pet my dog.
• DelCo Fair
• Rose Tree Park
• WalMart Ammo Counter - Misinformed Employee
• PPD Stop on South Street - I'm "That Guy," apparently
• Knocking Over the Joint
• Props to Target Loss Prevention - Springfield
• "Oh, shit!"
• "Jim Gardner doesn't mind open carry...but his boss does, apparently."
• Of Onions, Guns, and Maniacs
• Pennsylvania has no handgun registry, dammit
• Laundromat Larry
• "Next time...just hit the squirrel."
• Double Positive Encounters at Home Depot
• A Change in My Personal Landscape
• Ret. PPD Sgt. shared his opinion with me today
• The Zoo is extremely friendly, but not to carry.
• Another Negative Philadelphia PD Experience
• Forced to Respect Your Rights
• Angering the Oldheads
• My Anti-Gun Neighbor Apologized to Me Today

Other Relevant Threads:

• Negative encounter with PPD - My 1st Bad PPD Experience
• PPD Strikes Again - Confiscates weapon because I "refused to conceal" - Bad Experience #2
• Open Carry and The City of Philadelphia - Getting my Gat Back
• The Straw that Broke the Activist's Back

April 9th, 2011

Yesterday, my girlfriend and I spent a large part of the day out. We got breakfast at a local diner (the same one I was questioned by the police at the month after I started carrying) and I did notice a few looks from patrons - most of them appeared to be "Is that a real gun?" rather than "OMG he has a gun!!1!" The owner came by and said hello, but didn't mention it and was rather pleasant.

We went to an arts and crafts place where one of my friends works, and I started painting a big clay dragon. The place was full of kids and their parents, as there were three birthday parties scheduled that day. No one said a word, the cops weren't called, and I happily painted half of my dragon before I got too cross-eyed to continue and needed to put it off til next time. A few of the parents and at least one 5 year old saw it, but none seemed too bothered.

While standing outside on the sidewalk of the strip mall with my friend (she needed a smoke break), I stood with my back to the big concrete pillar that supports the overhang. Since it was the first really beautiful Saturday of the season, EVERYONE was out - and I did get a few looks. No one said anything, but a few cute girls had googly-eyes and a few white "gangster" types got very green as they looked me over.

Afterwards, we went to WalMart to pick up a few things, including some extra .40 ammo for our upcoming range trip. Not a single word was said to me and no one seemed to notice, not even the clerk at the ammo counter who engaged us in a conversation for a few minutes - very nice guy, he was.

--end of log entry--

[Ricochet]

I find these OC logs interesting.
Hope to read more about your public OC experiences.

[Metz]

Afterwards, we went to WalMart to pick up a few things, including some extra .40 ammo for our upcoming range trip.

Did Philly Gestapo return your P85 eventually?

[ViperGTS19801]

Did Philly Gestapo return your P85 eventually?

Yes, I went to City Hall and picked it up a few months ago - but they "destroyed" $50 worth of my ammunition (Hornady Critical Defense is expensive!).

Interestingly, when I went to City Hall (hadn't been there since I was like 9 and for a school field trip), I had to ask a LEO how to get into the damned building. He pointed me to the corner, where there were doors. As I walked away, he called out to me again -

"Hey, Sir? Are you a cop?"
"Nope!"
"What are you, then?"
"Just an armed citizen."
"Oh - you can't take guns into City Hall. You have to go to the Criminal Justice Center across the street to check it before you go in."

[Mr.C]

Glad to hear you and your girlfriend had a uneventful day out.That's the way it should be.But really glad to hear Philly's finest or worst didn't give you no B.S.

[ViperGTS19801]

But really glad to hear Philly's finest or worst didn't give you no B.S.

Thanks! However, we also didn't GO to Philly...hehe. We're gonna go out tonight, so I should update this evening.

[Mr.C]

My mistake there Viper,thought you guys went to Philly.And what I meant about Philly P.D. not giving you any B.S. was when you went to pick up your P85 they confiscated.Not trying to hijack your thread here,but I was wondering what your pistol of choice is when you O.C.?

[gbrown221]

Yes, I went to City Hall and picked it up a few months ago - but they "destroyed" $50 worth of my ammunition (Hornady Critical Defense is expensive!).

Interestingly, when I went to City Hall (hadn't been there since I was like 9 and for a school field trip), I had to ask a LEO how to get into the damned building. He pointed me to the corner, where there were doors. As I walked away, he called out to me again -

"Hey, Sir? Are you a cop?"
"Nope!"
"What are you, then?"
"Just an armed citizen."
"Oh - you can't take guns into City Hall. You have to go to the Criminal Justice Center across the street to check it before you go in."

I have addressed this issue in another thread. After many years of houndin my city council and the city solicitor I got Mr. Leonard in the solicitors office to indicate that yes individuals are directed to Criminal Justice Center across the street. I can not get them to acknowledge weather or not City Hall meets the definition of a court facility under 913. The statute is clear that lockers have to be made availabe WITHIN the building. I am seeking donations to file a writ of mandamus. I have an attorney willing to litigate it pro bono in Common Pleas Court and Commonwealth Court if needed but it will be tough for me to fork over the nearly $500 dollar filing fee on my own but if needed I will save my pennies in my piggy bank to do so. If their are other members willing to help me with nominal support please feel free to email me at gbrown@team-life.org

[ViperGTS19801]

Yesterday, PiP and I were out cruising around and stopped at the rest stop on the highway. As we were walking in, there was a guy climbing up on the tire of his truck to clean his windshield, and his shirt rode up over his CC gun which he was keeping at 6 o'clock. I chuckled, and called over to him.
"Hey man...nice piece."
He turned around, looked confused, then it hit him, and he tugged his shirt down and nodded at me. I was openly carrying the 1911, which he pointed at while grinning. Inside, he walked past me and said, "Rather have it and not need it, you know?"

Then, at the Auntie Anne's stand, one of the cashiers pointed out the 1911 and said that her supervisor carries the same kind of gun. She said that he's "crazy" about firearms (not in a bad way) and that if he had been there, he'd probably want to talk with me.

[ViperGTS19801]

"You, sir...are bad ass."

That's what a guy at the Media Super Sunday event said to me after walking by, stopping, then turning around to take a second look. PrettyInPink and myself were out for a nice day on the town, and I was OCing the 1911. While eating a couple slices of pizza and hanging out in front of Spasso, a man pushing a stroller and walking with his wife were going past when the little one in the stroller decided he wanted to be out - NOW - so he just bailed off the front, making daddy stop. After recollecting the suicidal child, they walked on a bit, then the man paused, turned back, and grinned like he just found out he won the lottery. That's when he said what he did, and continued on. That's not why I OC, but I got a chuckle out of it anyway.

Later on while perusing the little stalls on State Street, another gentleman stopped and asked me whether or not I often get harrassed by the police for OCing. After chatting a little bit (and attracting a small crowd of people craning their necks to see what I was carrying), he said, "Oh, you must be one of those PAFOA guys!" After I gave him my screenname, the words, "You're THAT guy!" were used with a smile.

A little later, I had brough Barrett out to get him some social time and exercise. He's a LOT cuter than I am so everyone wanted to stop and say hello, and an older lady asked me why I had a gun.
"Rather have it an not need it, that sort of thing."
"But this is Media...you're safe here."
"I'm sure the children in Sandy Hook elementary school thought the same thing."
"..."