I open carry practically all the time. I do it primarily for convenience. I rarely get comments. But whenever I do it is generally questions about the lawfullness from people interested in the practice.
I don't post my experiences because I just don't want to leave a trail of places I frequent. And it would be pretty boring to read about where I go.
However, yesterday I had my first real interaction with some "authority figures" that did not like it that I was carrying a gun on their turf. Here is the story. This is not verbatum. I don't carry a recorder.
As some know I generally mexican carry a stainless1911 (not to be confused with brainless1911). However, I keep a belt slide holster in my vehicles for when I open carry in accordance with the required statutes for OC in PFZs.
Yesterday I went to the Macomb Community Services complex behind the Macomb County Sheriff's Department. Seeing school buses parked in the back of the complex parking lot, I donned my holster in order to OC properly in case I was on some sort of school property. I entered the building and made my way to the area of the Unemployment Insurance Agency office. I approached the security guard (Guard 1) seated at a desk in the waiting area and this is how things went...
CV67PAT: Can you tell me where the unemployment office is?
GUARD 1: Right behind you by that guard (GUARD 2) over there. Go see her and she will show you.
CV67PAT: Thank you.
I turn and walk over to GUARD 2. I do this in front of about 100 people that are waiting for assistance with the unemployment office and the DHS office. I observe the requisite sign on the door leading to the DHS offices stating that firearms are not allowed past that door.
CV67PAT: Where is the unemployment office?
Guard 2: Through that door (not the DHS door) on the left.
CV67PAT: Thank you.
I enter the door to the unemployment office and see a number ticket dispenser and a sign with instructions to take a number and have a seat in the lobby. I follow the instructions and go back out to the lobby and have a seat. Within moments GUARD 1 comes over to me to.
GUARD 1: Who are you with?
CV67PAT: I'm not with anyone. I'm here by myself.
GUARD 1: I mean who do you work for.
CV67PAT: I don't work for anyone. That's why I am here at the unemployment office.
GUARD 1: Do you work for the police?
CV67PAT: I don't work for anyone. I am unemployed.
GUARD 1: Then you are just a private citizen?
CV67PAT: Yes.
GUARD 1: Then you aren't allowed to have a firearm in a state office.
CV67PAT: Yes I can.
GUARD 1: No you can't.
CV67PAT: Yes I can. I am fully cognizant of the firearm laws in the State of Michigan. I am here for a lawful purpose. And I am conducting myself lawfully.
Guard 1: You will have to take you gun outside.
CV67PAT: I will not.
GUARD 1 goes back to his desk. A few moments latter GUARD 2 approaches me and gives me the finger wag to come to her. I give her the finger wave back for her to come to me. She comes over and asks me to go with her. I follow towards the exit. I stop about 30 feet from the door.
CV67PAT: I'm not leaving the building. You can't make me leave either.
GUARD 2: You are going to have to take your gun outside and come back in. You are scaring the people. You can't have a gun in here because DHS has their office here.
CV67PAT: I am not here for DHS. I am here for the unemployment office.
GUARD 2: DHS and unemployment are affiliates of each other. So you can't have a gun in here.
CV67PAT: DHS is not affiliated in any way with UIA. DHS is the Department of Human Services. It is a separate from UIA which is an agency of the Department of Economic Growth. If you think I am doing something unlawful, call the police.
GUARD 2: You are scarring the clerks.
CV67PAT: That is not my problem. I have not seen anyone get up and run out in fear. I am here for a lawful purpose and I am conducting myself lawfully. If you think that I am breaking the law, call the police.
Guard 2: You think you're the first person to carry a gun in here? Every one else doesn't have a problem taking it outside. Why do you?
CV67PAT: Because I am conducting myself lawfully. You have no authority over me. I do not have to comply with your unlawful commands. Again, I am conducting myself lawfully. Call the police if you have a problem with what I am doing. I am not leaving the building either.
I returned to my seat in the lobby. Now there is some interest from those around me. One guy said he didn't even know I had a gun until the guards started making a scene. Meanwhile the two guards are communicating with each other via walkie talkies at a distance of about 50 feet from each other. It's as if they were doing some sort of surveillance of me. LMFAO!!! About 10 minutes passes and I am approached by a woman...
UIA MANAGER: You can't have that gun in here. We will not serve you unless you take your gun outside.
CV67PAT: I will not take my gun outside. I will not leave the building. Call the police if you think I am doing something wrong.
UIA MANAGER: You will not be served, unless you take your gun outside.
CV67PAT: I will not take my gun outside. I will not leave the building before I have completed the business that I cam here for. If you have a problem call the police. Otherwise, I will be sitting right here awaiting my turn.
The UIA MANAGER walks away. Clearly thinking she has gotten the upper hand. I remain in my seat and watch the two guards play surveillance. I continue to talk with a couple of the other people about Michigan firearm laws and the Birmingham case. At this point I am about 50th in queue for service. And at the rate they are going, I have about a 4 hour wait ahead of me. After about 15 minutes I am getting tired of waiting and am contemplating just leaving for the day. The UIA MANAGER again approaches. This time she has a cell phone in her hand...
UIA MANAGER: Will you talk to the person on the phone please?
CV67PAT: Certainly.
The UIA MANAGER hands me the cell phone. I am expecting to hear a police officer on the other end. I am surprised when the other party introduces herself as the state's lead UIA customer service supervisor. The UIA MANAGER is standing over me with a smug look.
CV67PAT: Hello.
SUPERVISOR: (Introduces herself and states her title.) I understand that you are there with a firearm. You certainly understand that there is some concern by the staff.
CV67PAT: I can appreciate that. But at the same time, they have to understand that I am not doing anything unlawful. They however have stated that they will refuse me service. You obviously know that once that happens I will seek remedies.
SUPERVISOR: I understand that completely. We don't want that to happen. What is it that you are in the office for?
I tell the SUPERVISOR what it is that I am there for. The SUPERVISOR has another party join us in a conference call. We go over my situation and it is resolved. During the discussion, I can see a lot of people looking at me getting special treatment. Of course I am speaking just loud enough so as to not create a scene. Yet everyone can hear me getting special treatment.
SUPERVISOR: Is there anything else I can help you with?
CV67PAT: No that takes care of everything. I appreciate you assistance in resolving my problems I was having. Thank you very much.
SUPERVISOR: Would you let me talk to UIA MANAGER please?
CV67PAT: Certainly. She is right here.
I hand the phone to the UIA MANAGER. She now has a totally different look on her face. So do the 50 people in queue ahead of me.
CV67PAT: (TO UIA MANAGER as I hand her the phone) Thank you for your assistance. Have a nice day.
I stand up from my seat and depart the building.
Conclusion: If you want prompt service ahead of everyone else in line at the Unemployment Insurance Agency, just open carry. It worked for me. However, YMMV
