Hi friends!
Well it's been a while since I've been on here. I always thought my first OC experience would be in the great state of Michigan! But finally we got OC here in Texas, and I OC'd for the first time the night of January 1st. I live in Dallas, and I keep a log every time I OC, and where, etc. At first I would just go OC at night, when I'd take my son to skateboard at a fairly empty but nice park area. Except for my first OC on January 1st, I've been doing it on my own ever since. So I'll be honest, I was a bit apprehensive at first, and kept my OC log so it would encourage me to get braver.
After about the fifth time I had OC'd in that park, a police officer showed up and watched me for 15 minutes - but no encounter (maybe he was just having lunch). But that gave me the courage to finally OC inside the local 7-11. Wow, was I unprepared for the response that followed. They LOVED it. Now I knew the owner and the guys that worked there, and I saw it as a "safe haven" since the owner had already told me he was in favor of it in his 7-11. But as it turns out, the guy who is 2nd in command there was THRILLED to have me come in OCing with my Beretta 92FS (I use a Blackhawk carbon fiber retention holster by the way).
As it turns out, that very 7-11 employee had been held at gunpoint by a robber at the store just a month earlier, and it had really shook him up. So he told me "I love it! I want you to carry that in here every time!". Well, for a guy new to OC, and a bit apprehensive of police and just the situation in general (not that I thought I was doing wrong - on the contrary I'm a huge proponent of OC and helped promote it during the last 2 years of debate here), that was a big confidence builder. But meanwhile, while I was trying to build my confidence and OC in new and more places, I couldn't find any other gun-friendly friends of mine willing to try and OC with me. They kept telling me they only want to CC. So I've been on my own except that first day, January 1st. So to find such a friendly store to begin to OC in was a real blessing. It helped build my strength and courage to begin to OC more, and in more and more locations.
So a few days ago, after having gone from OCing only at night in the park... to now every day in the 7-11 as well, I got the courage and went directly from that 7-11 to the local Kroger. I'd heard that the CFO of Kroger was very pro-gun and basically had told Moms against Guns to get lost. I even googled the topic and read an article about it before I headed into the Kroger. It was another safe have for OCing, as I saw it, and it was the next natural progression for me. I'm sure a lot of people saw my Beretta, but all in all it was a very uneventful time in the store. Now I was getting confident, and I went next to the Taco Bell, and inside the restaurant there. Another receptive audience! The guy behind the counter saw my gun and he was giddy, asking me all kinds of questions about OC. I was really beginning to enjoy this, educating the people about their new found ability to OC here.
Now, here in just the past 2 days, I've made the decision I never thought I would: I've decided I'm going to OC everywhere I go, all the time (except work and places I can't, plus church where I'll continue to CC - I keep the Beretta in the holster and put it in a pretty cool bag I use for a variety of things, but mainly my gun. Yep, it's a man purse but so much more really).
Today I OC'd in 7-11 and later in an In-N-Out Burger. That was cool because that's a California restaurant and they are pro-OC. Yet Whataburger, the famous local Texas burger joint has come out against OC. Guess what? I think I'll keep my business at places that allow me to OC. Sorry Whataburger.
So that's my story. It's day 21 of my new found freedom to OC here in Texas. I'm really loving it - far more than I ever imagined! I feel real freedom, and I enjoy it. I enjoy letting others know that they have rights as citizens. I think I've also learned that many CC-only types are that way because of something they won't admit: they are actually SCARED to OC. Maybe they are worried what others think. Or they are worried about an encounter with the police. But I know their opposition to OC is NOT for the reasons they usually give. They'll say it makes you a target, or it takes away from the element of surprise. They come up with a number of ways to explain away why they won't OC. But the real reason is, in my opinion, that they are simply scared to do it. It takes some guts. And until you have experience at OCing, it's not an easy thing to do.
The good news is, the more you OC, the more your resolve and your courage grows. Now, I'm not where I want to be yet, but I'm on my way. I've made the trip from scared to sure, and it's possible you guys at MOC won't understand me. After all, you've been OCing for quite some time now. You are pros. But I'm the new guy, just the novice. I haven't seen anyone else around that's OCing... it's just been me. I haven't had really any support from all my gun friends, who continue to CC and don't accept my offers to OC with me.
So to you, my future friends at MOC (who I will be OCing with one day soon, I hope), I say "THANK YOU". Thank you, because for over 2 years I have been a part of your group, and have been encouraged by the mere fact that there are others already out there, OCing, who have gone before me.
Oh, and what do I think about the CC guys who say concealed carry is superior to OC? I simply laugh, and give them a nice long list of why OC is far superior..... carry the firearm of your choice.... carry a bigger firearm.... more firepower... more bullets... more comfortable... faster draw.... protect and preserve a right by making it seen in public, versus hidden... and finally, because I believe OC is a deterrent to the criminal, as criminals seek to attack the weak (not the strong and armed) - and thus I am the one who tries to avoid conflict, whereas the Concealed Carry proponent appears to prefer to have to attack with a violent response once the criminal unknowingly begins to carry out his crime in the presence of someone who is armed with a weapon. So much for the benefit of "the element of surprise".
I choose OC because it is, quite simply, FAR SUPERIOR than concealed carry in so many important ways. Especially and including the way it gives me a better chance to avoid an armed conflict. AND because I love my Beretta 92FS, so much more than my tiny little Ruger LCP. The LCP is great for it's ability to be carried concealed.... but not much else LOL!
Long live MOC! God Bless!
