First off, I realize the negative attention that OCing can bring, especially in certain places. I have OCed in the past, but since acquiring my CCW have only CCed daily for fear of others knowing I am actively practicing my right to keep and bear arms. Isn't that ironic, that we are scared of people knowing we are legally practicing a right because of what their reaction might be. (I know that's not the only reason) I realize the pros and cons. And I think that after that encounter and the replies to this post you likely will think twice about OCing again, at least in Lincoln. However seeing all the previous posts I'm going to bring a different perspective to this post, just because.
"Tackled you on the way in?" Wow, I don't even know what to say about that, other than that was uncalled for and idiotic. The ironic thing is that these same customers who were disgruntled with you would likely be the ones you would be defending should something bad happen. Not that guy who felt so big by stating he almost tackled you and certainly not the police who would arrive 20 min. after an occurrence. I'm not going to rag on you OCing, something that is legal and perfectly within your rights. I understand that it can draw bad attention, but I highly doubt any of these people in the grocery store will go to the polls bent solely on voting for whomever will abolish guns. Should they, they will be sad to find that candidate not on the ballot. I'm sure many didn't even notice your firearm, while some saw it but didn't think anything of it because they know our rights, others thought "what is that guy doing carrying a gun around" but didn't say anything, and the few you encountered decided to open their mouth about it. The last two obviously are uneducated and misinformed on something as simple as our 2A.
I know there are negative aspects but, a positive aspect of your encounter you did inform a few about our rights, and that what you were doing is perfectly legal. They may not have liked that but maybe next time they see someone OCing, they won't feel the need to open their mouth about it because you informed them that it is perfectly legal.
We have all seen the videos on youtube of those OCing and video taping their negative encounters with the public and/or police. I have seen some videos of a guy OCing and people actually asking him questions and him handing out pamplets and he seemed to be truly educating the public. He also after having some negative encounters with police, had videos of positive interaction where they would just stop see that it was him, have a casual conversation with him, and both go on their ways. I always wondered why the dispatcher doesn't simply say, "guy has a gun, that's legal." Or simply drive by say hi, see whomever isn't a danger and go on there way.
I have an acquaintance who frequently OC's everywhere around my town (a town of around 25k ppl 20 min from Omaha). One time I saw him at walmart, he was OCing and I stopped to talk to him. While talking to him I overheard a man and his daughter talking at the checkout behind us. The daughter said to her dad, "that guy has a gun." I then heard the dad say, "yes, he could be a cop, or a security guard, or anyone. It's ok for someone to have a gun as long as you aren't a bad guy". What a great example of how the media has slandered and biased ppl (the girls reaction), but yet the dad was obviously educated on our rights and able to inform her. I don't know whether he supported it or not, but at least he seemed to be knowledgable of our rights and respectful of them. I wish every OC encounter could be like this one.
From your post you don't seem like the kind of person OCing to prove how cool you are or that you a real man because you have a gun, or the kind that was purposely trying to draw attention to yourself. And when someone did say something to you you didn't freak out on them, and stated that you weren't rude to them. So I don't feel I can be judgmental of you.
Bottom line they want guns gone whether their on your hip or under your shirt. The mind set of, "a real man carries his gun on his hip, a criminal tries to conceal it," has gone. Originally we couldn't conceal it, but we could carry it openly. Then because less and less OCed, when someone did want to carry people weren't "comfortable" with it. So now we have to hide it and CC so no one knows it's there. We can't let anyone realize that we are practicing a right. If they knew we were practicing a right legally, they would wish to take it away. Kind of crazy to me when you think about it, but I guess that's the way it is. Sad though that we have to tip toe around our rights like we do.
