Saw a guy packing a pistol getting harassed at Costco

[iusmc2002]

Most people that open carry want the attention.  A guy I know is one of them.  He purposely wore his gun on the hip and walked into a bank. When they told him he could not carry his weapon in the bank, he demanded that they show him their policy in writing.  I do not understand why you'd want to create an issue just because you have the right to do something.  The bank produced their policy and then asked him to leave.  Which of course caused a scene with others in the bank.  I have a CPL as well and would rather go the route of concealing than draw attention to myself.  As someone else said, these types of folks only draw negative attention to the issue and can't truly be doing any good for our future rights.  Maybe there are some places where this is acceptable, but I am positive I couldn't make it a mile where i live before someone had a cop on my ass.  The woods are a different story for me as well.

First off, the guy you know is a complete fool, won't disagree with you there. 

You wouldn't make it a mile without having a cop on your ass?  So what?  If a LEO is in such disregard of the law, maybe you're the one to teach him about it.  You can't expect EVERY citizen and EVERY LEO to be aware of the Open Carry law, but why are you afraid of having a cop on your ass because you are excercising a right?  Worrying about being ID'd by a possible attacker, I can sort of understand that.  Open carry in a store?  What's inflammatory about that?  Just because Citizen Joe doesn't like it, why should that affect how you carry?  So if you won't open carry, or don't think others should open carry because its inflammatory, why even bother to have the law?  I believe thats called ATROPHY = Use it or lose it. 

[Guy]

Love the fact that in this liberal state, we still have open carry. Sometimes it amazes me when I reflect on the liberal tendencies of Washington, but when it comes to firearms we're still pretty good.

That said - it does attract attention. Frankly it scares people. Much simpler and easier to just carry concealed. Legal to carry openly? Sure. Smart? I don't know... Cops still have to investigate if someone gets scared and calls 911 and reports a "man with a gun." In fact, that will likely cause quite a response, because cops don't like the idea of someone shooting up a bunch of people in a park, school, store or wherever. All they know when they start for the call is that there's been a "man with a gun" reported. Could be anything from a guy walking down the street to show a new shotgun to his neighbor, to a gang banger looking to shoot somebody.

Regards, Guy

[sirfunkeybut]

My grandpa was carying his pistol concealed under a button up shirt and when he bent  over it was exposed and someone called the cops. this happened at true value. Cops showed up and made him prove he had a cpl. I got stopped one time for carying a shotgun 3 blocks down the road from an orchard. I was wearing my full hunters orange vest with double barrel broke open. Both cops had guns drawn.

[bobcat]

If more people would walk around with a handgun plainly visible on their hip, maybe people wouldn't be so jumpy and call the cops so quickly. I think it's a good thing  there are people willing to exercise their rights. However, I am not one of them. Just not brave enough I guess, to go walking around town with a .357 on my belt.

[predator guy]

If more people would walk around with a handgun plainly visible on their hip, maybe people wouldn't be so jumpy and call the cops so quickly. I think it's a good thing  there are people willing to exercise their rights. However, I am not one of them. Just not brave enough I guess, to go walking around town with a .357 on my belt.

I agree. The more exposure of your sidearm, then people may become more accustom to seeing one and not be so "offended".

[spookgus]

iusmc2002
I concur. Exercise your rights as damn well seen fit. There is always going to be some pinko against liberty. In the end the only mortals to answer to is the family.

[DOUBLELUNG]

I don't hide my defensive firearm in order to not offend.  In a self defense situation I will already be disadvantaged as I will be in a reactive, not proactive situation.  I choose to minimize that disadvantage, in the remote chance I ever display it openly, it is very likely someone is getting shot.  I'm going on 26 years with a CPL and have never seriously considered pulling out my pistol.  I appreciate and value the right to carry, too much to jeopardize that on principle.  Open carry in an urban environment is dumb, lots of bad guys out there with knives and clubs who would far rather have a pistol - and they can easily take yours if they can see it.  It's not like they are going to go to the sporting goods store and put down cash, and clubbing you and taking your pistol is easy when you are surrounded by people in a public place. 
 
If I was a bad guy and wanted a pistol, I'd rather take it off some *censored* who is wearing it like jewelry in the mall parking lot, than break into a home to try and find one with no idea what might be waiting for me inside.  Ask a cop about the effectiveness of a sidearm within 20' of an attacker with a knife - and that's seeing and being aware of the threat coming at you.  Open carry in a crowded environment to make a statement, might as well carry unloaded - that way the d-bag who takes your pistol can't shoot you with it.

[stumprat]

I was at Costco in Tumwater on Saturday returning something when I overheard a customer complaining to an employee about a person carrying a weapon.  Then the pistol packer came over and I overheard him mention that it is within his rights to open carry and besides that he has a conceal carry permit.  Then I heard him say something about the other customer had been harassing him about the weapon.........then he walked out of the store.

When I was done returning my item, the customer was still outside complaining to a manager about the guy carrying a weapon in the store.  He must have been giving the poor manager an earful for quite a while.

Just thought I'd share.  Kind of interesting, I thought.  Not sure why the guy didn't conceal carry (since he has a CPL) and avoid the hassle, but it is his right and I'm glad there are people out there standing up for their rights.....

This guy should have known that Costco has always had a no firearm policy. Most of the guys that open carry. Spend alot of time on opencarry.org
Costco's  policy has been repeatedly documented there.

[ghosthunter]

Well I have been a open carrier for a few years now. And a member of the forum. I do not open carry to draw attention to myself. When I open carry it is because it is the easiest thing to do on that day at that time. I also have a CPL and I go back and forth depending on what I am doing and wearing. As for Costco it is well know that Costco does not allow firearms. Any firearms. It is the policy in all their stores. Do I agree ? Nope but I do not open carry there.
What bothers me most about Costco is they have no signs posted. They try to slip under the radar. Addressing members one at a time.
The courts have already ruled that carring a firearm in plain view may cause alarm. But that alarm is not warrented. Unless there are other factors. Aggressive behavior, handling the firearm, yelling whatever. Walking around pushing a shopping cart with a holstered gun no problem.
What the concern should be is that while you are exercising your 2A rights another person does not like it so they try to get you in trouble. Maybe someone does not like your T shirt, or what you say or write. Are you willing to give those rights up?
A right is a right and if you do not take it for a walk once in a while than you will loose it. People need to learn to look at the person instead of the gun. What some are arguing here is no different than anti hunting rhetoric. Except hunting is not a protected right under the Constitution.
You do not have to exercise your rights but please do not  be willing to give them away just because you are not interested in that right. Because the right you care about will be the next one on the chopping block.
As far as cops. Every police force in this state has been or should have been trained in the law pertaining to open carry. There is no excuse for some of their behavior.
Please be protective of all our rights in this country. They were bought and paid for with American blood.

[Swannytheswan]

Well I have been a open carrier for a few years now. And a member of the forum. I do not open carry to draw attention to myself. When I open carry it is because it is the easiest thing to do on that day at that time. I also have a CPL and I go back and forth depending on what I am doing and wearing. As for Costco it is well know that Costco does not allow firearms. Any firearms. It is the policy in all their stores. Do I agree ? Nope but I do not open carry there.
What bothers me most about Costco is they have no signs posted. They try to slip under the radar. Addressing members one at a time.
The courts have already ruled that carring a firearm in plain view may cause alarm. But that alarm is not warrented. Unless there are other factors. Aggressive behavior, handling the firearm, yelling whatever. Walking around pushing a shopping cart with a holstered gun no problem.
What the concern should be is that while you are exercising your 2A rights another person does not like it so they try to get you in trouble. Maybe someone does not like your T shirt, or what you say or write. Are you willing to give those rights up?
A right is a right and if you do not take it for a walk once in a while than you will loose it. People need to learn to look at the person instead of the gun. What some are arguing here is no different than anti hunting rhetoric. Except hunting is not a protected right under the Constitution.
You do not have to exercise your rights but please do not  be willing to give them away just because you are not interested in that right. Because the right you care about will be the next one on the chopping block.
As far as cops. Every police force in this state has been or should have been trained in the law pertaining to open carry. There is no excuse for some of their behavior.
Please be protective of all our rights in this country. They were bought and paid for with American blood.

 

and not to mention those same ppl that are offended by seeing your gun are also offended that you hunt and kill the cute animals. The guy that open carries to offend such as the guy going in the bank to make a scene does hurt the cause but someone just open carrying in lowes or anywhere else does help the cause as more exposure will reduce the number offended (look at the Gay rights movement) In my opinion the guy in costco handled it well he informed of the law and calmly left the store .(i am assuming as I didn't see anything to state the opposite) Does costco have the right to prohibit it? yeah its their business and if you don't like it don't do business with them!

[ghosthunter]

Any property owner can ask gun carriers to leave. No problem. Any 2A person should leave upon request.

My one last thought is this.

Because I am a law abiding citizen of the US (and anyone like me) I should be able to strap on my gun and go coast to coast with no problem at all. No permits, hoops, nothing. Until I prove I am not worthy of that right. There should be no laws that restrict my method of self defense across this country.

[BIGINNER]

Any property owner can ask gun carriers to leave. No problem. Any 2A person should leave upon request.

My one last thought is this.

Because I am a law abiding citizen of the US (and anyone like me) I should be able to strap on my gun and go coast to coast with no problem at all. No permits, hoops, nothing. Until I prove I am not worthy of that right. There should be no laws that restrict my method of self defense across this country.

 

[Curly]

In my opinion the guy in costco handled it well he informed of the law and calmly left the store .(i am assuming as I didn't see anything to state the opposite) Does costco have the right to prohibit it? yeah its their business and if you don't like it don't do business with them!

I don't think he was even told to leave, but he did leave anyway  (I didn't hear everything that was said though).  He sounded a little irritated (and rightly so IMO), but yeah, I think he did the right thing and just left.  The guy doing the complaining sounded like a raving lunatic and it seems like he just wouldn't stop talking about it with the manager.

[TheHunt]

I would have talked to the Costco manager with my support of open carry right in front of the person who was complaining.  I was at Red Robin burger place when a person came in with a pistol strapped in an open carry format.  People complained and I supported the effort.  It was interesting when there was a group of four people complaining to the manager then I walk up in support they manager changed his opinion and said it was his right. 

[high country]

Discretion is the better part of valor.     Prov. It is good to be brave, but it is also good to be careful.; If you are careful, you will not get into situations that require you to be brave.