New member here. I've been open carrying since April, but I've been shooting since I was 12 (thanks, old school Boy Scouts, and my Marine father). I've open carried in Delaware, Virginia, and North Carolina, where my son lives.
Last week I drove to NC to visit my son and hang out with his soon-to-be-ex-wife (we're on good terms, even if they aren't). As soon as I hit the NC line, I stopped in the welcome center to load up my .45 for open carry (Springfield Armory 1911 Range Officer). Then, on the way into Jacksonville on 258, at about 2300 hours, I ran into a DUI checkpoint. I was nervous about how the interaction would go, but it was smooth as glass. The officer asked if I had a permit, to which I said none needed, North Carolina is an open carry state. The officer said, "so it is," and we proceeded to have a very pleasant conversation about open carry, the second amendment, his envy over my 1911, good places to shoot while visiting, and the endless debate of 9mm vs. .45. Then he wished me a safe visit and sent me on my way. I proceeded to OC everywhere I was legally allowed to do so, and had no issues in NC.
Yesterday, however, when I was out walking my 5.5 miles around my neighborhood, one of my neighbors saw my pistol and called 911. The officer (NCC) was polite but distrustful, so he had me put my hands on a mailbox while he disarmed me. Then he ran my driver's license, personal information, and the gun's serial number. I told him it better NOT come back stolen since I'd bought it on the way out of town to NC a week and a half ago (I was carrying my new Glock 17 Gen3). He got a grin out of that. Fortunately, I've never been arrested for anything, much less convicted, so everything came back clean. Meanwhile, his backup showed up with two more officers. This was in the Stenning Woods development. He re-holstered the pistol for me, and then I re-inserted the mag without drawing the weapon (his instructions). Then we had a brief conversation about open carry vs. concealed carry, and they recommended I get a Delaware CCW just to save the hassles. The youngest officer, though, said, "second amendment, I get that. Good for you," and his partner said, "yeah, the world is a different place now." Then they wished me a good day, and I continued my exercise.
I say that's interesting because I happen to have taken two weeks of vacation from work, so I was walking in the middle of the day. Usually I walk after work, which means deep twilight or dark, and I am always carrying. I've also OCed in ACME in Lantana Square, and at various gas stations, without any problem at all. This was the first time anyone has said or done anything, other than youngsters in the gas station tugging on mom's hand and pointing.
One of my more ardent OC supporter friends (from TX) said that was an illegal detainment, since I was just out minding my own business and open carrying. I sort of disagree with him, since cooperative open carriers who interact with LEOs will improve our reputation. I also can't blame the officer for being distrustful, since OC is not as common here, and there have been several attacks on police officers lately. I'd be interested to hear the group's opinion on this event.
I'll be open carrying later this morning when I go meet a young lady at Starbucks on Main Street in Newark. It will be interesting to see how that goes.
Last week I drove to NC to visit my son and hang out with his soon-to-be-ex-wife (we're on good terms, even if they aren't). As soon as I hit the NC line, I stopped in the welcome center to load up my .45 for open carry (Springfield Armory 1911 Range Officer). Then, on the way into Jacksonville on 258, at about 2300 hours, I ran into a DUI checkpoint. I was nervous about how the interaction would go, but it was smooth as glass. The officer asked if I had a permit, to which I said none needed, North Carolina is an open carry state. The officer said, "so it is," and we proceeded to have a very pleasant conversation about open carry, the second amendment, his envy over my 1911, good places to shoot while visiting, and the endless debate of 9mm vs. .45. Then he wished me a safe visit and sent me on my way. I proceeded to OC everywhere I was legally allowed to do so, and had no issues in NC.
Yesterday, however, when I was out walking my 5.5 miles around my neighborhood, one of my neighbors saw my pistol and called 911. The officer (NCC) was polite but distrustful, so he had me put my hands on a mailbox while he disarmed me. Then he ran my driver's license, personal information, and the gun's serial number. I told him it better NOT come back stolen since I'd bought it on the way out of town to NC a week and a half ago (I was carrying my new Glock 17 Gen3). He got a grin out of that. Fortunately, I've never been arrested for anything, much less convicted, so everything came back clean. Meanwhile, his backup showed up with two more officers. This was in the Stenning Woods development. He re-holstered the pistol for me, and then I re-inserted the mag without drawing the weapon (his instructions). Then we had a brief conversation about open carry vs. concealed carry, and they recommended I get a Delaware CCW just to save the hassles. The youngest officer, though, said, "second amendment, I get that. Good for you," and his partner said, "yeah, the world is a different place now." Then they wished me a good day, and I continued my exercise.
I say that's interesting because I happen to have taken two weeks of vacation from work, so I was walking in the middle of the day. Usually I walk after work, which means deep twilight or dark, and I am always carrying. I've also OCed in ACME in Lantana Square, and at various gas stations, without any problem at all. This was the first time anyone has said or done anything, other than youngsters in the gas station tugging on mom's hand and pointing.
One of my more ardent OC supporter friends (from TX) said that was an illegal detainment, since I was just out minding my own business and open carrying. I sort of disagree with him, since cooperative open carriers who interact with LEOs will improve our reputation. I also can't blame the officer for being distrustful, since OC is not as common here, and there have been several attacks on police officers lately. I'd be interested to hear the group's opinion on this event.
I'll be open carrying later this morning when I go meet a young lady at Starbucks on Main Street in Newark. It will be interesting to see how that goes.