OCed in Las Vegas this last week

**steveforopen** · April 24th, 2008, 12:14 AM

Just got back from staying at The Stratosphere Hotel and Casino for three days. Upon arrival, I noticed casino signs indicating that firearm carry is prohibited in the hotel. With much hesitation, I left it locked in the trunk.

Second day I am there, I decide to OC. Started walking from The Stratosphere down Las Vegas Blvd with my girlfriend. Stopped at the "World's Largest Souvenir Shop", bought a couple gag gifts for friends. Kept walking until I got to the Venetian/Palazzo part of the Strip and did some sight seeing. Decided we were hungry and ate at the gun-hating Outback Steakhouse.

Only here did I have any issues carrying. Upon entrance, I gave my name and was told it'd be 20-25 minutes. Grabbed the pager and a menu and took a seat in the foray of the restaurant. Pager went off, and I went to get seated. Waitress immediately notices my firearm. She had her eyes glued to it, then seemed to brush it off and was friendly through seating us.

About two minutes into reading the menu, I am approached by a younger-looking manager. He asks if I am with LVMPD or Clark County Sheriffs. I tell him I am neither, and am on vacation and legally carrying my pistol in accordance with Nevada law. He seemed reassured by my response, and apologized for bothering me.

Rest of the meal was pretty good, finished up and headed down towards Caesar's Palace. Then, walked the good mile or so back to the Stratosphere.

I had a Blackhawk Slide Detachable Leather OWB holster. I was dressed in business casual, but was relatively unshaven. Got a couple looks but other than Outback, zero issues as usual.

But man, Vegas is seedy...

**headcase** · April 24th, 2008, 12:17 AM

Good report! Hope you didn't drop to much

**Slingshot Engaged** · April 24th, 2008, 12:30 AM

Did you go to the top of the stratospshere see the view and go on any of those crazy rides up there?????? I have some pics when I went it was sweet.

When I was there (last october), there were metal dectectors and a guard at the elevators that led to the top.

**policemedic** · April 24th, 2008, 02:32 AM

Step off the Strip, or go too far to either end and the areas become a tad dicey. That's just one of the reasons I won't go to Vegas (or anywhere, really) without carrying.

However, with my HK on my side, Vegas is hellafun.

**Philadelphia** · April 24th, 2008, 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by steveforopen

But man, Vegas is seedy...

Sounds like you had fun. I agree with your assessment of Vegas. It's like they imported everything wrong with coastal cities (most notably lots of PIA type of people) to the middle of the desert.

I think the cops out there are pretty cool though. In front of the Bellagio a motorcycle cop stopped someone for a MV and ended up letting some of the crowd hop on his bike to get pictures with him (I got one -- my wife thought it was hillarious). Whoever he was, he definitely spread a lot of good will that night.

Next time you head out to Vegas, think about a stop out near Pahrump -- Front Sight. A lot of people criticize their marketing but the training is top notch and it's a blast.

**Scrumpyjack** · April 24th, 2008, 06:15 PM

Vegas has become a real shithole in the past 10 years. We walked from the Luxor to Fremont Street on many ocassions back in the 90s. I won't step 1 block off the Strip if walking nowadays. With as many hotels as have gone up in the past 15 years, all the required housekeeping, maintainence, construction workers had to come from somewhere. The bulk of the services workers came from 4 hours west. From the barrios and hoods of L.A. And brought their kids with them.

**policemedic** · April 25th, 2008, 02:20 AM

Originally Posted by Philadelphia

Sounds like you had fun. I agree with your assessment of Vegas. It's like they imported everything wrong with coastal cities (most notably lots of PIA type of people) to the middle of the desert.

I think the cops out there are pretty cool though. In front of the Bellagio a motorcycle cop stopped someone for a MV and ended up letting some of the crowd hop on his bike to get pictures with him (I got one -- my wife thought it was hillarious). Whoever he was, he definitely spread a lot of good will that night.

Next time you head out to Vegas, think about a stop out near Pahrump -- Front Sight. A lot of people criticize their marketing but the training is top notch and it's a blast.

And the sporting goods guy at Wally World will pre-order ammo for you...much cheaper than buying in Vegas and less hassle than shipping. Haven't been there in a while, but working on getting the job to send me on their time.

Did the 4 day class with the wife, then surprised her with a suite at Paris. Figured she earned it.

**Philadelphia** · April 25th, 2008, 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by policemedic

Did the 4 day class with the wife, then surprised her with a suite at Paris. Figured she earned it.

Smart man. When the wife's happy everybody's happy.

She must be a keeper since she did the class with you.

I'm trying to convince my wife to go to NC with me this Sept (Blackwater). Vegas/Pahrump is great but the need for a car rental made it a little on the expensive side. Either way, I plan to get back to Front Sight sooner or later. It was awesome -- great people and a lot of fun. A PPD guy was even in my class (which was a huge coincidence given the number of students out there from all over the country).

I will say that while in Vegas proper, I never felt the least bit unsafe inside any of the big casinos. They have so many cameras and my impression is so much security, plus a huge vested interest in making sure nothing bad happens in their place that ever makes the news, I figure if the SHTF all I need to do is find cover long enough for the security teams to come out of the woodwork and TCB.

Out on the strip (or beyond) that's a different ballgame.