Posted on 05/21/2011 5:28:00 AM PDT by marktwain
So the misses and I decided to go to Chili's Grill and Bar in West Lebanon last night. I have OC'd there many of times in the past. We were sitting in the bar area, and the side of the table I was sitting at my strong side was facing out. After we sat down for about five minutes talking about our days at work. I short gentleman approached "The Manager" who looked to be someone new because I had never seem him before. He was extremely nervous, forehead sweating, hands shaking, stuttering his words, but he said "Excuse me may I see your firearms permit". I replied back with, "You know I am OC'ing and am not required to have a permit right?" Again he said very nervously "May I please see your permit". I started to pull it out of my wallet to hand it to him and he said "Thank you enjoy your dinner and walked away".
The misses and I after he walked away were talking about how scared and nervous he was to ask me. I actually felt bad for the guy because he was so scared to approach me. So after dinner I asked the waitress to go grab the manager. He came over and I started off by saying "The food and service was great I wanted to personally thank you very much". He said we were welcome and then said to me "That his district manager just left. That is why I asked for your permit because he told me to. After I asked for it and went back I told him we have to figure out what the gun laws are in New Hampshire because I do not think they are the same as in Massachusetts". At that point I chimed in and said "No they are nothing like Massachusetts" I then referred him to the state of New Hampshire website which details RSA 159 I also added that in New Hampshire if there is not a law in there that says you can not do it then it would be legal to do. Ie: Open Carrying. He said thank you and we were welcome back anytime.
To normatize private keeping and bearing of arms in the eyes of the public.
The more often one sees a private citizen OC-ing without incident, the more one will come to believe that such a thing is the norm rather than a cause for alarm.
It is already the norm for on-duty police to carry openly, and most members of the public will see the uniform and expect to see the gun, and feel safer thereby.
The practice of open carry by the civilian population has been normatized to a considerable extent in Constitutionally friendly jurisdictions, and those who practice it where it is legal* cause it to be normatized in their surroundings whether or not that is their primary motivation.
Finally, IMHO, those who refuse to OC where they can in order to prevent alarm in the public are, at least, not helping; at best, contributing to the problem of public hoplophobia; and at worst, damaging the cause of Constitutional Liberty.
*Those of us who believe that all gun laws infringe the Right of the People to Keep and Bear Arms notwithstanding.
Yeah, I get what you’re saying, I just think he did it for no reason other than to say “hey look at me, I have the right to OC.” BFD. I have the right to yell in public “the rapture is coming, the rapture is coming.” I’m glad I have that right, but it wouldn’t make me look any less the fool.
That's just weird.
Just look at what he wrote: "...table I was sitting at my strong side was facing out."
My "strong side"? Clearly the man has some sort of inferiority complex.
I read what he wrote a few times and seriously doubt this guy thought it through that far. You, on the other hand, appear to be quite articulate and able to put your thoughts into well thought out ideas. He struggled with correctly organizing sentences.
It’s far more likely he just wanted to make himself feel bigger than he is, much like the folks who drive ridiculously large trucks, live in the city, and work in an office park.
IMHO, he was being arrogant and using his constitutional rights to flaunt it. He was just being a provocative ass by exercising that right in that place.
"Strong side" is a technical term commonly used by people who train those who carry firearms. It refers to the dominant side. Most people are right or left handed. The "strong side" is the considered the dominant side. Right side if you are right handed, left side if you are left handed.
The use of the phrase in this context simply indicated to me that the man is familiar with the terminology used by those who train people in the carry of firearms. He has probably had some formal training.
I wonder: was it the gun or his DM that was making him nervous?
I find this opinion quite interesting. I see that your State is listed as Rhode Island, so that explains some of your mindset, as Rhode Island is one of those east coast states that have exhibited a rather strong tendency to severely restrict the right of people to keep and bear arms. Many people in other states find it incredible, for example, that you have to apply to the state for a permit to buy a handgun! Rhode Island is also one of the few states left where you can be denied a permit to carry a concealed weapon at the whim of the person issuing the permit, though this is being challenged in the courts.
While it is legal for a permit holder to carry openly in Rhode Island, apparently very few if any do. I suspect that the informal word has been put out: Open carry and we will revoke your permit.
Can you tell me if my suspicion is correct?
The combination. Rock -- hard place!
Absolutely correct. And, it should be noted that (with the exception of cross-draw configurations (like a shoulder holster) most holsters are designed to be worn on the "strong side".
Further, citizens who take competent courses in handgun use and the (very serious) responsibilities of being armed, are often required to learn to use their "weak side" hand for shooting -- as a survival tactic when the "strong side" is injured or immobilized. (And that is not easy...)
The writer was addressing a forum of knowledgeable, like-minded folks, (on opencarry.org) so he used "insider shop talk shorthand" to covey (to his peers that he was seated such that his sidearm was readily visible.
raybbr & imfleck, your projection of your own emotional inadequacies by attributing nefarious motives to another citizen is most unbecoming of FReeperdom. At the very best, it shines an unflattering spotlight on your ignorance and bias.
'misses' is plural of 'miss'
Add me to the list of those two. There is OC, then there is wearing bling designed to provoke reactions.
Your attempt at practicing psychology on FR reveals you to be a nut.
Okay, what he's saying is that he sat perpendicular to a table in a restaurant with his gun hanging out. No, he wasn't be provocative.
The larger point being they are his Constitutional rights, and he may flaunt them for all lawful (if impolite) purposes without let or hindrance.
I for one will not so much as criticize his actions because, as I said, "those who practice it where it is legal cause it to be normatized in their surroundings whether or not that is their primary motivation."
I love to see OC-ers in action, for just that reason. I'd be one myself, but I decline to subject myself to the infringing laws that prevent my ability to buy my sidearm of choice the way I can buy a socket wrench.
Exactly correct. It is the Second Amendment version of: "I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
If we allow local societal norms to disenfranchise people of their rights, we are the "silent men" who allow evil to win because we do nothing.
Except he said he'd OC'd there before many times with no issues. Pretty poor choice if his intent was to be provocative.
~~~~~~~~~~
Without comment:
raybbr: "Clearly the man has some sort of inferiority complex."
" ~~~~~~~~~~ Without comment:
raybbr: "Clearly the man has some sort of inferiority complex."
Pointing out inconsistency is encouraged on freerepublic. Wasn't there some old saying about hoisting, petards, and such?
Some old English author or other?
Still I think this guy went looking for a confrontation. He got what he wanted by sitting with his "strong side" out.
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