Unofficial Open Carry Non-event 2011

The Husband and I were planning on participating in the non-event a day early while at the Palouse car show. But, we all know that no plan survives first contact with the enemy.  Grocery shopping was going to follow the car show, but it was delayed by a day.  I went out by myself to Wal-Mart and Winco and open carried the entire time.  Though I did not get actual action shots since I was going about my business as usual and therefore had no camera.  However, I did get a shot before I left.

June 5 2011 oc

Wal-mart was a complete non-event with maybe a look, but then again I always smile and act pleasant whether I am openly carrying or not.  Win-co for the most part was a non-event.  I was going about my business choosing bacon when a gentleman rounded the corner and almost immediately said something along the lines of “ now that’s cute” in reference to my .357 snubbie safely secured to my hip.  A very long conversation ensued and sadly the man has a lot of misguided knowledge.  To be nice, I listen to what he had to say.

This man felt that concealed carry on the person was much better than open carrying or even purse carrying, which is what I normally do as I don’t have any other option for the time being.  He wanted to make sure I knew the dangers of open carry with respect to someone approaching me and removing my side arm and using it against me.  As I open carry with a Bianchi AccuMold® Belt Slide holster, I would know if someone were to try to take it and act accordingly.  As for purse carry, the man mentioned razor blades being used to slice the purse straps and stealing the purse before you even knew what happened.  My purse happens to be a backpack style and I think that would be rather difficult to remove when actually worn as a backpack as the straps would be harder to slice without slicing the person carrying it.  There were many more things he mentioned, but I don’t really feel like going into all that detail.

I think he was a little disappointed when he learned that I was married because he is looking for a girlfriend who shares his interest in guns.  He asked me if I knew any single ladies around who are interested in guns.  I don’t and as he had a mullet, I’m not sure many woman would go for him, even if he is super nice.

I ended up getting home much later than planned and the husband was actually worried that he was going to have to bail me out of jail.  Usually my grocery shopping trips last about an hour and a half including drive time.  This one, however, lasted almost twice as long because of the man at Win-co being excited to see a woman out carrying a firearm.

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4 Responses to Unofficial Open Carry Non-event 2011

  1. anonymous_coward says:

    glad it went well for you.

  2. Robert says:

    You said: “As for purse carry, the man mentioned razor blades being used to slice the purse straps and stealing the purse before you even knew what happened. My purse happens to be a backpack style and I think that would be rather difficult to remove when actually worn as a backpack as the straps would be harder to slice without slicing the person carrying it.”

    My wife (well before I met her) almost lost the use of her arm in a purse-snatching. He used a box cutter to cut the strap while she was shoulder-carrying the purse, left a several-inch scar along her elbow. Doctor who stitched her up said a quarter-inch different placement would have cut the main nerve.

    If they want your purse, they’ll cut you if need-be without any regard for you — at all. Please re-consider purse carry, especially if you have a backpack-style purse (awfully hard to get to quickly).

    • Barron Barnett says:

      You constantly hear what if they grab your purse, what if they try and cut it off, etc. At that point you have failed already miserably. You are flat footed and were in condition white.

      My mother carried with a purse when I was little without any issue. The purse my wife carries actually has reinforced straps with steel braid in them. Retention isn’t a problem. If someone goes for it there’s going to be a brawl period and she knows it. Other than purse carrying or open carrying there isn’t much choice for her due to clothing choice. This is where men and women differ, her clothes will print no matter where she carries. About the only thing she could use is the flashbang that creates a new problem since it would probably rip open her front closing bra. Further more purse carry was extremely beneficial for other reasons that I won’t go into on the blog.

      Along this same vain against purse carry you shouldn’t open carry because someone will see your weapon and can snatch it.

      It’s personal preference and what you’re comfortable with. If she didn’t carry in the purse and left it at home would she really be better off?

  3. The No-Big Deal Open Carry Day says:

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