FYI - Actual open carry incident report.

[PeteG]

Pete,

Cool story. I'm glad it was an uneventful one. Just one thing I need to ask....CITGO? You are kidding right?

No. Ideology is for suckers.

Ven. wanted to sell us all the oil we could use at $52 a barrel. But that would have cut deeply into the amount we buy from the House of Saud at $73 a barrel. The House of Saud has been in the oil business with the House of Bush for 30 years. So Daddy Bush said no; we will pay the $72 (and be forced to fight surrogate wars in the Middle East). That was NOT good for my country. Then we tried to kill the guy, and fomented a coup resulting in his being imprisoned. Now he is back in power, and people blame him for being pissed and saying bad things about Dubbya.

Actually, I have respect for a guy who is not easily intimidated.

All the current administration has to do is use the "S" word about someone ("socialist"), and all other facts are disregarded. As I said, ideology is for suckers.

Not that any of that has to do with open carry; but you brought it up.

[whoshisface]

Glad it didn't turn out bad but they had no reason to even approach you. What you were doing was 100% legal, if you had a licence since you obviously exited a motor vehicle. However there is never a need for them to check for a Licence unless you are violating the law in some way. I hate when they think it's okay to ask for your licence, it's not! They don't pull over everyone on the road to check if they have a drivers licence nor can they. They should always assume you're legal unless you're violating som other law.

[NineseveN]

Glad it didn't turn out bad but they had no reason to even approach you. What you were doing was 100% legal, if you had a licence since you obviously exited a motor vehicle. However there is never a need for them to check for a Licence unless you are violating the law in some way. I hate when they think it's okay to ask for your licence, it's not! They don't pull over everyone on the road to check if they have a drivers licence nor can they. They should always assume you're legal unless you're violating som other law.

If what they said was true, that they were following up on some impersonation reports, then I think this is a little different personally. Likewise, if someone was reported to have robbed a cashier at gun point just a few minutes ago somewhere in the vicinity, I have no reason to personally complain if they stop to ask me about the gun on my hip in the same manner they did with the OP.

If they were just using that as an excuse, then it's complete garbage.

[LightningMcQueen784]

Thanks a lot for the story, PeteG!

D-FENS, if this means anything to you, I frequent a GiantEagle in East Liberty (and that's why I carry). Most of the time, I am carrying concealed, either since I had had the firearm on me from being out all day already or if I was wearing something that wouldn't conceal well anyways. But I do deliberately open carry when that GE is the only destination. There's always an officer at the entrance, and I have never had a problem going in and out of that GE. Sometimes (while open carrying), I think the officer didn't even notice that I had a gun -- they're always so distracted, or just chatting with people -- and other times, we even nod and say hi, and I'd go about my business. Never a question asked.

The only time anybody mentioned about my "weapon" was this weekend when I walked into Lowes theatre at the WaterFront. A security personnel (with a nice fitting suit, little pins on the suit collar and a "hi-tech" ear piece, and a very straight face) came up to less than a foot from my face and quietly told me "you are not allowed to have a weapon in here". Then I simply simled, and said "sure, that's fine, I just bought a ticket for a later show, I'm gonna head out now anyways". Honestly, I wasn't so comfortable with him being that close in my face, but more likely than not, he was just trying to be quiet and discreet about it so we don't make a scene... but that's the only time anyone ever said anything about having a firearm.

After that, my friends said oh, they probably have that rule now because of that "50cent" movie (I think it's called Live Free Or Die Trying?) and the shooting not too long ago, and they thought it happenned at this theatre. Does anyone know what happenned?? I was out of the country, and knew nothing of any shooting following a movie.

[PeteG]

If what they said was true, that they were following up on some impersonation reports, then I think this is a little different personally. Likewise, if someone was reported to have robbed a cashier at gun point just a few minutes ago somewhere in the vicinity, I have no reason to personally complain if they stop to ask me about the gun on my hip in the same manner they did with the OP.

If they were just using that as an excuse, then it's complete garbage.

Police do not need an "excuse" to inquire. A fellow walking around with a gun on his hip is legal, but it is out of the ordinary. Checking out things that don't look quite right is part of what police are paid to do. Walking up and asking me who I am and why I am carrying is not abusive; not in the least. Police have a right, and sometimes a duty, to inquire. He asked, I told him, there was nothing to indicate what I was saying was not true, he went about his business, end of story.

Attitude makes a difference.

Some people have the idea that any time a policeman asks them a question they are being "hassled." That's childish. If one is going to walk in public with a firearm (concealed or otherwise), they should be prepared for the fact they may draw additional attention. Relax; and deal with it for what it is.

Certainly the day might come when a policeman who does not know his job very well oversteps his authority. If an when that happens, I will deal with it. The present fact is, however, that has not happened in the past despite many routine, day-to-day encounters with police while I have been armed. It did not happen in this case. I see no reason to live in a state of anxiety that it might happen someday.

[D-FENS]

Thanks a lot for the story, PeteG!

D-FENS, if this means anything to you, I frequent a GiantEagle in East Liberty (and that's why I carry). Most of the time, I am carrying concealed, either since I had had the firearm on me from being out all day already or if I was wearing something that wouldn't conceal well anyways. But I do deliberately open carry when that GE is the only destination. There's always an officer at the entrance, and I have never had a problem going in and out of that GE. Sometimes (while open carrying), I think the officer didn't even notice that I had a gun -- they're always so distracted, or just chatting with people -- and other times, we even nod and say hi, and I'd go about my business. Never a question asked.

I know where you mean. I live in Friendship and went to that one *ONCE*. Never again!

There's a CITGO at Negley and Baum that is close to me, I thought PeteG may have been talking about that.

The only time anybody mentioned about my "weapon" was this weekend when I walked into Lowes theatre at the WaterFront. A security personnel (with a nice fitting suit, little pins on the suit collar and a "hi-tech" ear piece, and a very straight face) came up to less than a foot from my face and quietly told me "you are not allowed to have a weapon in here". Then I simply simled, and said "sure, that's fine, I just bought a ticket for a later show, I'm gonna head out now anyways". Honestly, I wasn't so comfortable with him being that close in my face, but more likely than not, he was just trying to be quiet and discreet about it so we don't make a scene... but that's the only time anyone ever said anything about having a firearm.

I imagine this is due to the murder that occurred there a year or two ago. Do you know if the guard was armed, by chance?

After that, my friends said oh, they probably have that rule now because of that "50cent" movie (I think it's called Live Free Or Die Trying?) and the shooting not too long ago, and they thought it happenned at this theatre. Does anyone know what happenned?? I was out of the country, and knew nothing of any shooting following a movie.

http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/...03/detail.html

I think it's pretty funny that this 50 Cent cat runs around promoting this sort of lifestyle, then people play it out at his movie and because of it, it bombs nationwide.

I think my original post was fairly drunken, my apologies for it's oddities.

Pete G: Excellent points and stated very well. Too often in the 2nd Amendment realm we're bogged down by punitry and as you stated, ideology. Unfortunately this comes with the territory to a degree as there's very distinct niche markets in Mass Media.

[sixshooter]

I wouldn't have made the connection that fast, I probably would have said "I'm with my wife, and friend here, why?"

Glad to hear the good experience, every one I hear brings me a bit closer to doing it

Ok I'm clueless - what DID he mean by "who are you with"? Gangs? 'Cuz I would have said/thought the same thing - I'm with my friends...

[Emptymag]

Ok I'm clueless - what DID he mean by "who are you with"? Gangs? 'Cuz I would have said/thought the same thing - I'm with my friends...

"what department(police)are you with"

[sixshooter]

Ahhhh ok - thanks EM! I gotta start hanging around the forum more...

[markheck1]

What Department are you with...IE he thought he was police Officer. Or as stated they were looking for the impersonater.....
Why ask? Got me. I wouldn't think the impersonater would stand there and tell a cop he was a cop...but criminals ARE usually pretty stupid........