simmonsjoe
Regular Member
Most of you know I CC 90% of the time. Recently I have moved to 90% OC. Prior to today, my only LEO encounters were at OC events. I have been in the presence of LEO while OCing previously, but there didn't notice. (Many here may recall when I drew my pistol but left it pointed down, for a shady guy, who ran off as a police car parked RIGHT NEXT TO ME and I holstered after they got out of their car. There were TOTALLY OBLIVIOUS. that was technically brandishing, not OC but hey.)
anyhow, back on subject. My first two LEO encounters were today! It really showed the glaring difference in how OC is handled by LEOs around the state. How is one supposed to know how to act when such irregular and random procedures are followed?
Today I traveled from West Point, to Craig Springs(about 10 mi from WV) and back.(My sister's car broke down, I went to trailer it back) total of 500 miles.
The first LEO encounter occurred in Craig Springs, VA. I was at the Sub-Way getting a tasty-ass Big Philly Bacon and Steak sub. As I was leaving, a sheriff (deputy?) in blue DBUs was waiting next to a truck that was parked next to the door, looking inside at me as I was hobbling to the exit. Another customer who was in the store walked over and got the door for me, and followed me out. The sheriff started talking to the guy who opened the door for me. (They apparently were friends). As I was walking by the sheriff glanced in my direction, glanced down at my firearm, then nodded at me absent-minded as he continued his conversation with his pal. I nodded likewise and continued on.
Second encounter was at the 7-11 in West Point, VA. (250 driving miles from last encounter) I stopped for some chocolate milk. As I went in there was a Deputy to my immediate right, in front of the magazine rack. He was looking at gun mags.(nope, not kidding). I turned down the same isle as him because it's shortest to the milk. He saw me and my firearm and... wait for it... WINKED.
So now I'm screwed. Do I nod? Do I wink? It's OK for one guy to wink but if both do it the second guy is gay right? I forget the rules. A wink is a pretty active gesture. Would a quick smile be seen as dismissive? I took a chance, and went with the combo, slight-nod with a quick small smile. Didn't really look at him the rest of the time I was there.
The lack of uniformity is dismaying. I'm not a socially adept person. All these nuances confuse me.
---
So I took the creative writing version of telling my story here because my first two LEO encounters were non-events. And that is a good thing!
happy in VA!
anyhow, back on subject. My first two LEO encounters were today! It really showed the glaring difference in how OC is handled by LEOs around the state. How is one supposed to know how to act when such irregular and random procedures are followed?
Today I traveled from West Point, to Craig Springs(about 10 mi from WV) and back.(My sister's car broke down, I went to trailer it back) total of 500 miles.
The first LEO encounter occurred in Craig Springs, VA. I was at the Sub-Way getting a tasty-ass Big Philly Bacon and Steak sub. As I was leaving, a sheriff (deputy?) in blue DBUs was waiting next to a truck that was parked next to the door, looking inside at me as I was hobbling to the exit. Another customer who was in the store walked over and got the door for me, and followed me out. The sheriff started talking to the guy who opened the door for me. (They apparently were friends). As I was walking by the sheriff glanced in my direction, glanced down at my firearm, then nodded at me absent-minded as he continued his conversation with his pal. I nodded likewise and continued on.
Second encounter was at the 7-11 in West Point, VA. (250 driving miles from last encounter) I stopped for some chocolate milk. As I went in there was a Deputy to my immediate right, in front of the magazine rack. He was looking at gun mags.(nope, not kidding). I turned down the same isle as him because it's shortest to the milk. He saw me and my firearm and... wait for it... WINKED.
So now I'm screwed. Do I nod? Do I wink? It's OK for one guy to wink but if both do it the second guy is gay right? I forget the rules. A wink is a pretty active gesture. Would a quick smile be seen as dismissive? I took a chance, and went with the combo, slight-nod with a quick small smile. Didn't really look at him the rest of the time I was there.
The lack of uniformity is dismaying. I'm not a socially adept person. All these nuances confuse me.
---
So I took the creative writing version of telling my story here because my first two LEO encounters were non-events. And that is a good thing!
happy in VA!
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