December 31st

I decided to exercise my right to open carry a handgun on the last day that I was "allowed" too. While I open carry fairly often, it is usually only for a short period of time (after work). This day I went to the hardware store for a couple hours, followed by the grocery store for about an hour and a half doing a lot of New Years Eve shopping. I can't believe the reactions I got!

While at the hardware store the only person I caught looking at my weapon (more than a glance) was the gentleman at the paint mixing station. He was not at all noticeably disturbed and was more than happy to help me out with several different things. I didn't get a single offensive look. Not a single "He has a gun!" look. Not a single "hey can he do that?" look. It was as if I didn't have the gun at all. Even the elderly ladies waiting for their paint didn't seem to have a problem with me hanging out by them while I waited for service.

While at the grocery store I was noticed even less. The lady at the counter was a new person that I have never seen before, she didn't seem at all alarmed. The people who work there that recognize me obviously didn't have a problem. All in all the mass hysteria that the opponents often preach was false on this particular day. "Precious police resources" were not wasted by calls to 911 and police responding. NOTHING happened. Why is this such a big deal to the uninformed?!?!?!

-Matt