Kicking off the OC season for 2008 - Phila and suburbs

[lprgcFrank]

Going to start my journal of OC'ing for 2008 here....

As a warm up to attending The Great Eastern OPEN CARRY Luncheon MEET & GREET in Palmyra PA today I had an interesting adventure while carrying my 1911 in an OWB holster.

Thanks to Useless Air (USAirways) who canceled my flight from Canton OH (Again) I had to drive home in a rental car yesterday - so I needed to take it back...

AVIS car rental at Phila. Airport - no one noticed
Terminal B/C baggage claim at Phila. Airport - no one noticed
Standing waiting for the train at the airport platform - no one noticed
On train to Suburban Station in downtown Phila. - conductor noticed and kept an eye on me - but nothing said
Walking around Suburban Station and waiting on the platform for the train - no one noticed
On train to Wayne - conductor noticed and kept an eye on me - but nothing said
Walking home from train station through downtown Wayne - no one noticed

Now for the fun part - Wawa in Wayne - I've OC'd there hundreds of times with no issues - I'm getting a cuppa and having a conversation with a neighbor about our daughters when this starts...disapproving mother ('DM') with 2 boys about 5 and 7 years old - conversation is the best of my recollection...

DM: in a loud voice so everyone in the store can hear...Isn't there some law that says that you can't have a gun out in the open like that
Me: Nope - this is perfectly legal
DM: That's Disgusting
Me: That's why America is great - you can have your opinion and I can keep on doing what I'm doing
DM: So you feel that you need a weapon to protect yourself (Condescending tone)
Me: I'm the only one responsible for my safety
DM: Well what if one of these kids grabs that away from you and hurts someone
Me: Not going to happen
DM: Why Not
Me: I'm very aware of who is around me and I will definitely notice if someone attempts to touch my firearm -
DM: Well as you're flirting with that woman you don't seem to be paying attention
Me: So I can't have a conversation with one of my neighbors...Do you notice that my elbow is resting on top of the firearm - kind of hard to move the firearm with out me noticing
DM: Guns are evil - most people are killed with guns
Me: No guns are just inanimate machines - just like cars - and last time I checked - there were far more people killed by cars than firearms. Firearms aren't evil - but people can be evil
DM: Well it just isn't right
Me: Well then vote for Obama as he doesn't think I should have the right to do this either
DM: mumbling - I'm not sure who I'm voting for
Me: I do want to compliment you for noticing that I have a firearm - most people don't notice
DM: I didn't notice my boys did
Me: Good job boys - you noticed something unusual and then told your mother - Good job
DM: Well can't WaWa say that you can't come in here
Me: They could
DM: I'm calling Wawa
Me: Go ahead - call the police if you want to - what I'm doing is perfectly legal
DM: I'm going to write the President of WaWa and tell him to keep the guns out of these stores.
Me: Go ahead - I vote with my dollars - If Wawa bans firearms, they lose my business - I only spend my money where I'm welcomed with my firearm and I know lots of other people that feel the same way
DM: Harrumphs out of the store.
Clerk: Grinning broadly - Nice job defending your position
DM: (outside store) - .....boys - remember that guns are evil
Me: (not resisting the chance for the last word) - No People can be evil - Guns are just machines like cars.


Camiel rest stop on turnpike - no one noticed
Great Eastern Carry Meet and Greet - about 40 people OC'ing - most I've ever seen at one time other than competitions.... lots of positive notice and excellent conversations with a fine group of folks. Learned new things and met people I'd be proud to call friends.

[ReefBlue]

DM: Guns are evil - most people are killed with guns

Shoulda said:
Would it make you feel better if they were pushed out a window?

[stopphillysmrdrrate]

I really got some respect for you OC'ing in one of the most anti-gun cities on the east coast (especially at the AIRPORT). With all these young kids beating up and killing people on the SEPTA railways as of late it was probably one of the best moves you could make. Thank You SIR for sticking up for everyone's rights.

Joe

[gnbrotz]

Congratulations and thank you!

[PisnNapalm]

Thanks for the report Frank. See you at the club.

[TaePo]

Me: No guns are just inanimate machines - just like cars - and last time I checked - there were far more people killed by cars than firearms. Firearms aren't evil - but people can be evil

One could add to the last statement...
-but people can be evil, rude, ignorant and obnoxious.!

Good Job.

And, it is hard to believe people believe that kind of rhetoric and vehemetly so. And what idiot decides to argue any issue with someone who is obviously armed? Apparently she did not think you and your gun were real threats, then, huh?

[headcase]

Congratulations! The funny thing is the DM would have hugged you and professed her undying gratitude had you been put in a position to defend her and her boys from the threat of bodily injury.....

[lprgcFrank]

Since I work in Ohio, I wasn't aware of the murder and the beatings that have happened on SEPTA until I was talking to my wife this morning. Based on that, I decided that instead of just my usual 1 spare mag - I was carrying 2 mags and a BUG....

[gf45acp]

Good job, and always carry a bug!

[Pa. Patriot]

DM: That's Disgusting

Oh boy.

Lady, sticking your nose in other peoples business is "disgusting" not to mention obnoxious, rude and why would anyone, less a complete stranger, care to hear your unsolicited opinion?


In all seriousness. I probably would have just smiled and said well then don't do it.


Great job Frank. Glad I got to meet you today. And I can't believe some wombat called your purty 1911 "disgusting".