Activists On Both Sides See Walmart's And Others Policy As A "Middle Ground"

The amount of folks scared by open carry on a gun site is pretty telling of the world we live in. Non rural folks aren’t used to seeing guns anymore. I’ve had family from Dallas area ask me several times if I had permits to carry rifles in my pickup. These are gun people mind you. Lady at the car seat place almost freaked on me when she saw my sky rack while showing me how to properly install a car seat when my first son got too big for the carrier. It’s a serious culture issue.

I don’t like the sloppy open carry, but love a nice leather holster on a well dressed person. It needs to be normalized before it’s too late.

I did see a guy in chick filet a while back wearing a NRA shirt with a compact pistol just stuck in his back pocket. He fit the belly brigade pretty good. I was in line in front of him and my oldest son was pointing at his gun. I started to just grab it and tap him on the shoulder. But I didn’t want to start anything. Lot of good that does, for the 2A or even protecting yourself.

I’ve had family from Dallas area ask me several times if I had permits to carry rifles in my pickup. These are gun people mind you. Lady at the car seat place almost freaked on me when she saw my sky rack.......it’s a serious culture issue.

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And, I assume this was in Texas, of all places? Yep, times are a'changin'.

In the '50's I used to hang out in a friend's gunsmith shop in deep south Texas a lot.

One day a "winter Texan" came in and asked if the gunsmith would install a gun rack in his pickup. Gunsmith replied in the affirmative and the WT asked what kind of gun he should get to put in the rack. Puzzled, GS asked, "Well, what are you planning to do with the gun?" WT replied, "Oh, I don't know, I just noticed nearly every pickup in town has a gun in a rack in them, so figured I should get one, too."

You almost never see the old time gun racks in vehicles any longer, but I guess that is a natural progression due to the fact that displaying a firearm in a vehicle anywhere other than tiny rural towns where everyone knows everyone in town is an open invitation for thieves, today. Yep, sadly, times are a'changin'.

Regards,
hps

hps1 said:

And, I assume this was in Texas, of all places? Yep, times are a'changin'.

In the '50's I used to hang out in a friend's gunsmith shop in deep south Texas a lot.

One day a "winter Texan" came in and asked if the gunsmith would install a gun rack in his pickup. Gunsmith replied in the affirmative and the WT asked what kind of gun he should get to put in the rack. Puzzled, GS asked, "Well, what are you planning to do with the gun?" WT replied, "Oh, I don't know, I just noticed nearly every pickup in town has a gun in a rack in them, so figured I should get one, too."

You almost never see the old time gun racks in vehicles any longer, but I guess that is a natural progression due to the fact that displaying a firearm in a vehicle anywhere other than tiny rural towns where everyone knows everyone in town is an open invitation for thieves, today. Yep, sadly, times are a'changin'.

Regards,
hps

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Yup in Texas. You still see some gun racks around here. Most have dart guns for cattle and hot shots in them though. Most of us have tucked the rack up in the roof so parking lot peeper folks can’t see it easily.

GEM said:

I have seen three people OC in San Antonio. Their characteristics:

1. T - shirt with giant belly.
2. Semi with no extra mag in a crappy holster which was flopping around under said belly.

I do see OC on nicely dressed folks:

1. Men in dress shirts and slacks and badges. We are near the FBI local HQ and they do lunch out.
2. Well dressed women with Glocks - gold shields, the detectives at lunch in a nice restaurant.
3. The black polo shirt, 5.11 pants crowd - t-shirt says the organization, again the law.

The latter groups are quite the sartorial contrast to the big belly brigade.

You might say to dress like the OC law but then, you look like the Law if a critical incident happens and that might interfere with various action plans - like running for your life.

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ROFL, I'm like your type 1 but I don't OC, I have an extra mag and nice holsters and other stuff in my pockets.

If I'm not going to work or meeting someone I know I pretty much look like a poorly dressed fat guy.

awww this guy has no money, nothing to steal. Nothing to see here, move along now.

I shop in Walmart every Saturday, and I always carry my concealed Kimber TLE/RL
stainless 1911 .45 Super. I've always thought "open carry" in the "city" was unwise,
as it creates the possibility of a number of problems/threats for the carrier.

GEM said:

I have seen three people OC in San Antonio. Their characteristics:

1. T - shirt with giant belly.
2. Semi with no extra mag in a crappy holster which was flopping around under said belly.

I do see OC on nicely dressed folks:

1. Men in dress shirts and slacks and badges. We are near the FBI local HQ and they do lunch out.
2. Well dressed women with Glocks - gold shields, the detectives at lunch in a nice restaurant.
3. The black polo shirt, 5.11 pants crowd - t-shirt says the organization, again the law.

The latter groups are quite the sartorial contrast to the big belly brigade.

You might say to dress like the OC law but then, you look like the Law if a critical incident happens and that might interfere with various action plans - like running for your life.

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A few questions about your experience;

1. What first made you notice the folks that were Open Carrying? Was it because of the recent discussions on THR made you more observant? Or were the guns being carried in a manner that made them more noticeable?

2. You said holster. Does that mean no long guns were being carried?

3. What was your first reaction you saw the gun? Fear? Immediately start looking for cover and escape route? Start scanning the area for the reaction of other people? Or that is a cool gun and holster?

4. Speaking of other people what were their reactions? Panic, screaming OMG he has a gun, pregnant women going into labor, mad rush for the exits? Or was everyone calm going about their business? Did anyone other than you even seem to notice the guns?

5. What made you decided the person Open Carrying was not a threat?
Was it when you saw the gold badges or was it their demeanor?

7. This is very important. Did any of the guns discharge by themselves?

Well I went into town this afternoon not only Open Carrying but also wearing my gang attire. The store was busy with a lot of men, women and children walking by and shopping.

Know what happened? Not a thing! I even wore a light colored shirt so my gun would be more visible.

But then I am not surprised as nothing negative has ever happened in the last 3 1/2 years I have been Open Carrying.