Hello all! My name is Matt and I am from the Commerce area. Still waiting for my CPL to get here so I decided that I would open carry until then. I've been doing a lot of reading and studying in regards to the laws and statutes that need to be known before OC'ing. I recently purchased a lovely Sprinfield XD SC. I love this thing.
Today I decided to OC and take it slow. I had one great experience and one poor experience.
Good:
Went to Gander Mountain in Novi to see if they had the Blackhawk Serpa 2 holster in stock. While I was at work I was on their site and knew that they fully support both OC and CC of their patrons so this was not a concern. I went to the store and holstered my weapon after unlocking it from my trunk. Walked in making sure that no ill conceived manager put a sign up or anything. Walked to the firearms department to search for the holster. Had no looks of terror as this is Gander Mountain
. A sales rep asked if I needed any help and I inquired about the holster. Unfortunately they did not have it in stock so I thanked him for his help and just browsed around looking at some other stuff. Went to my car and locked the firearm back up.
Bad:
After Gander Mountain I thought that Dicks Sporting Goods in Fountain Walk might have the holster I'm looking for. I unlocked my firearm and holstered in. Before walking in I scanned their doorway for any notice or sign that states that firearms are not allowed to be OC or CC. There were none. However they are having a 4th of July sale! Walked in with no issue. Went up the escalator to the firearm area. Not lingering around or browsing as I was walking directly to there. I browsed around and quickly came to the conclusion that they do not even have any holsters. Walked straight back to the escalator. As I was walking back out towards the exit the door greeter had stopped me and asked if I found what I was looking for. I kindly informed them that I did not. (Mind you this is the same door greeter that I walked passed as I was walking in). He asked what I was looking for and I let him know. He then noticed that I was OC'ing. He told me that this was not allowed by store and company policy. I stated that I did not see a sign on the door and that OC was legal in Michigan to anyone who is legally allowed to posses a firearm. He said I was absurd and that he didn't think that it was true. "There would be some sever security issues if we just let anyone walk into our store with a weapon. The customers would be scared". I kindly smiled and informed him that a law abiding citizen would not OC a firearm to invoke fear but to exercise their right. A criminal that is concealing when not allowed is what you would need to worry about. He asked me to leave the store. I kindly obliged and let him know that I was on my way out regardless. This just gives me another reason not to go there. Not only are the rpices absurd but the way the situation was handled by whom I assume a kid that just graduated high school.
Anyhow, even though I had one bad experience this will not stop me from OC'ing. It will stop me from giving Dicks Sporting Goods my business though!
I look forward to OC events as well as learning and contributing to the forums!
Cheers!
