dave_in_delaware
Regular Member
imported post
8th time: Jan 23, 2008 5:45pm-7:00pm
Well, being Wednesday, I had visitation w/ my kids. I've been reluctant to OC around them in public, because I don't want them drawing attention to me (us), or making a big deal about me having a gun. BUT, tonight I decided it was time to test the OC waters w/ my kids.
We decided to go to McDonald's on 202 (Fairfax) and eat there for dinner. I told my kids to not make a big deal about Daddy carrying a gun, and for them not to say anything. And, for the record, they did just fine. Luckily for me, I've "exposed" them to my guns before and educated them on gun safety and told them about CC/OC and what I can/can't do....
Anyway, we get inside and go up to the counter. While asking the kids what they want and ordering it, the manager (who was at the cash register next to us) asks:
"Who are you with?"
to which I sort of looked at her a little blankly (since I wasn't aware she was actually talking TO me). Afer realizing she's asking me, I say:
"Just me." (yeah, a lame answer I guess, but my kids were distracting my thoughts for a perfect answer).
She patted her hip (in reference to my gun), and asked "No, who are you with?"
So I said "Oh, no one. Just me."
And she said "Oh, OK." (which wasn't an "Oh, OK?" sort of confused thing, but more of an understanding "Oh, OK." final thing. [did that make sense?]... I meant it in that I wasn't with any LE entity, group, etc. I'll admit that I should have answered it a bit more precisely, but at the same time, I don't have to explain myself, either.
So, we sit down to eat, and have a good time. I went back up to the front twice to get ketchup (my kids seem to inhale the stuff) and more napkins. Later, after everyone was done, we all went up to the counter and ordered desserts. The same manager waited on us this time, but she didn't say anything. I almost explained to her about civilians being allowed to OC, blah blah... but she didn't seem concerned, so I didn't "offer" any aditional info or explanation.
After dessert, we got our coats on and headed for the back door (we were sitting near it). A woman who had her son with her stopped us:
"Excuse me, can I ask you a few questions about that" as she pointed quickly to my gun. I was like, uh oh, here we go....
So I say "sure..."
She asks "Are you law enforcement or military?"
to which I reply "No, just a civilian."
To my surprise, she starts asking questions about OC vs CC, and what's necessary to apply for a CCDW, and background checks, and etc. She even says that she thinks it's more of a deterrant to OC than it would be if I was CCing, and that she hasn't seen much OCing by civilians but wishes she did. She was just curious and I answered her questions to the best of my knowledge (which seemed to be good enough for her), and I even mentioned this site for her to check out. I also gave her the "prototype" OC business card I showed you guys at the NCC meeting. I told her about some of the reasons that I choose to OC, and she totally agreed it's about protecting yourself and your family. She thanked me very much for my time (which was only about 5 minutes), and we went on our way.
So, this was the first time anyone wanted to "get into" anything beyond "Are you a cop?" kind of stuff. And it was a pleasant experience to inform the woman about OC. And the fact that it was a woman asking the questions kind of blew my mind. But she was very interested and seemingly curious about the whole concept.
Who knows? Maybe she'll be OCing with us some day! :celebrate
My only regret about the whole evening was answering the manager's original question kind of wierd. I should have been more "professional" I guess, but at the time it's what I thought was an accurate answer to what she asked....
(And by the way, my kids did just fine w/ me OCing. The only issue was at the counter when my son bumped his head on it twce when he went to hug me. LMAO.)
8th time: Jan 23, 2008 5:45pm-7:00pm
Well, being Wednesday, I had visitation w/ my kids. I've been reluctant to OC around them in public, because I don't want them drawing attention to me (us), or making a big deal about me having a gun. BUT, tonight I decided it was time to test the OC waters w/ my kids.
We decided to go to McDonald's on 202 (Fairfax) and eat there for dinner. I told my kids to not make a big deal about Daddy carrying a gun, and for them not to say anything. And, for the record, they did just fine. Luckily for me, I've "exposed" them to my guns before and educated them on gun safety and told them about CC/OC and what I can/can't do....
Anyway, we get inside and go up to the counter. While asking the kids what they want and ordering it, the manager (who was at the cash register next to us) asks:
"Who are you with?"
to which I sort of looked at her a little blankly (since I wasn't aware she was actually talking TO me). Afer realizing she's asking me, I say:
"Just me." (yeah, a lame answer I guess, but my kids were distracting my thoughts for a perfect answer).
She patted her hip (in reference to my gun), and asked "No, who are you with?"
So I said "Oh, no one. Just me."
And she said "Oh, OK." (which wasn't an "Oh, OK?" sort of confused thing, but more of an understanding "Oh, OK." final thing. [did that make sense?]... I meant it in that I wasn't with any LE entity, group, etc. I'll admit that I should have answered it a bit more precisely, but at the same time, I don't have to explain myself, either.
So, we sit down to eat, and have a good time. I went back up to the front twice to get ketchup (my kids seem to inhale the stuff) and more napkins. Later, after everyone was done, we all went up to the counter and ordered desserts. The same manager waited on us this time, but she didn't say anything. I almost explained to her about civilians being allowed to OC, blah blah... but she didn't seem concerned, so I didn't "offer" any aditional info or explanation.
After dessert, we got our coats on and headed for the back door (we were sitting near it). A woman who had her son with her stopped us:
"Excuse me, can I ask you a few questions about that" as she pointed quickly to my gun. I was like, uh oh, here we go....
So I say "sure..."
She asks "Are you law enforcement or military?"
to which I reply "No, just a civilian."
To my surprise, she starts asking questions about OC vs CC, and what's necessary to apply for a CCDW, and background checks, and etc. She even says that she thinks it's more of a deterrant to OC than it would be if I was CCing, and that she hasn't seen much OCing by civilians but wishes she did. She was just curious and I answered her questions to the best of my knowledge (which seemed to be good enough for her), and I even mentioned this site for her to check out. I also gave her the "prototype" OC business card I showed you guys at the NCC meeting. I told her about some of the reasons that I choose to OC, and she totally agreed it's about protecting yourself and your family. She thanked me very much for my time (which was only about 5 minutes), and we went on our way.
So, this was the first time anyone wanted to "get into" anything beyond "Are you a cop?" kind of stuff. And it was a pleasant experience to inform the woman about OC. And the fact that it was a woman asking the questions kind of blew my mind. But she was very interested and seemingly curious about the whole concept.
Who knows? Maybe she'll be OCing with us some day! :celebrate
My only regret about the whole evening was answering the manager's original question kind of wierd. I should have been more "professional" I guess, but at the time it's what I thought was an accurate answer to what she asked....
(And by the way, my kids did just fine w/ me OCing. The only issue was at the counter when my son bumped his head on it twce when he went to hug me. LMAO.)