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So here is my incredible Wally Walk experience, apparently I always catch the idiots--not sure why I attract them, but I've learned to laugh at it.

Wife goes with me on the Wally Walk (Tx plastic came in yesterday, so I retired my FL license... and to be a good sport did the Wally Walk anyway) to doccument with a camera. By the way, I will post pics in this thread as soon as she uploads them onto our computer. Anyhow, about halfway through the store I'm reaching up to the top shelve (as per WW rules) to grab a box of yahoo's, and my shirt rode up just enough to expose a part of the grip of my glock. I know--I probably failed the Wally Walk here, and depending on the census here I may need to go back and re-do it. This is where it gets interesting--some fella comes up and says, "hey, your handgun peeked out as you were reaching up there to grab that. Do you have a license to carry that?" I was actually not sure how to respond, so I said "Are you law enforcement?" He said that he wasn't, but wanted to ensure I wasn't some hoodlum running around with a pistol tucked into his pants, and wanted an explanation.. all in a very rude tone. I replied that if he wasn't LEO, my "insulin" pump wasn't any of his business and I would never carry a hadgun illegally anyway. He grumbled some more curse words about kids these days running around in gangs and what-not, and went on about his way.

I didn't get anymore flak or anything like that the rest of the time, but I wanted to share that story. In retrospect, I guess I can see why he was concerned. I'm not exactly a ....friendly looking person I guess. I have tattoos up and down both arms, on my calves... and a few that occasionally peek out from my shirt collar if i'm wearing a tee shirt. I have several scars, and according to my wife, a constant "scowl" on my face. I'm ex mil --thus tattoos. Sometimes I get aggravated that people just assume by my looks that i'm bad news, but have to check myself because I did it to myself. But still, I didn't like how he acted rude and talked down to me. I summarized the story so his tone wasn't really implied, but I assure you he was extremely condescending. Here is my point: I'm sure yall will agree that just because someone looks a certain way, you shouldn't judge them. Be nice to us tattood up military types :) I would have liked to point out to the guy my military decorations, that the scars he probably assumed were from street fighting are actually shrap and bullet wounds, and that I hold a degree in BioChemistry and am currently working on a history degree. Not a thug. I just didn't have time to waste because the Wally Walk mission was running a little behind!

Upon failing the WW, I would have gone just a little out of my way to make peace with the guy. He showed some courage giving you the benefit of the doubt and ASKING you (taking a risk talking to the tatted guy carrying a gun and scowling [your description]) about the gun rather than falling back and dialing 911. It could have been a big hassle for you if the guy wanted to make a phone call.

I'd have apologized to him for the transgression, thanked him for pointing it out and assured him that I was licensed to carry. Given him a positive outcome from the polite gentleman with the tattoos.

IMHO, YMMV

And... Thanks for your service.

I hate editing after the post because it takes away credibility, but I will anyway. Early on in the conversation before he got rude, I appologized for upsetting him, but assured him I was breaking no laws. Only after he called me a wannabe gangster did I respond in the same manner.

But I get your point. I agree that as defenders of the 2nd we should be well versed, and friendly to others. I try.

AND I see that you wrote I failed the Wally Walk. Do I have to go round 2 y'all? I dont mind. I love Walmart. Rather it be BassPro, but I'll settle with what San Angelo has to offer.

I'm ex mil --thus tattoos.

Back in the day, tattoos could be a disqualifier from enlistment. After 24 years of service, I have none. My how times change.

I don't really get the whole thing where non-LEOs do stuff like this. Whenever someone carries a gun they're either doing it legally -- in which case there's no need to bother them -- or illegally -- in which case they probably don't want any witnesses. Neither of those scenarios require or benefit from non-LEO intervention.

This guy is one brave man.

I've pointed that out to someone before, but they looked like an average Joe. I just said, "Hey, your 2nd Amendment is showing."
I figured this was a friendly, subtle way of saying, I can see your gun & that I'm in favor of your rights to carry (and that I'm not scared too I guess).

I think I would have probably thanked him for pointing it out to me, and reassured him that I do have a license to carry. It really isn't any of his business, but at least if there is a followup "man with a gun" phone call, you'll be able to reassure the po-po that you tried to deal with him reasonably.

As for the gang wannabe comments, I'd have told him that I acquired those tattoos in military, while defending his right to be obnoxious to perfect strangers. That would give him an opportunity to apologize to you. If he doesn't take it, then everyone within earshot will know something about his lack of character. The best way to hang someone is to give him all the rope he needs and let him do it himself.

Purplehood wrote:

I'm ex mil --thus tattoos.

Back in the day, tattoos could be a disqualifier from enlistment. After 24 years of service, I have none. My how times change.

Tats are still terms for disqualificTion...and in the last 2 years have become terms for seperation. I guess in the community i served in, no one really cared too much as long as everything could be covered in dress uniform.

The Annoyed Man wrote:
As for the gang wannabe comments, I'd have told him that I acquired those tattoos in military, while defending his right to be obnoxious to perfect strangers. That would give him an opportunity to apologize to you. If he doesn't take it, then everyone within earshot will know something about his lack of character. The best way to hang someone is to give him all the rope he needs and let him do it himself.

This is why your one of my favorite members. LoL

Good thing you took the Wally Walk before attempting the Costco walk...better the condescending question and lecture than the frantic call.

snatchel wrote:

The Annoyed Man wrote:
As for the gang wannabe comments, I'd have told him that I acquired those tattoos in military, while defending his right to be obnoxious to perfect strangers. That would give him an opportunity to apologize to you. If he doesn't take it, then everyone within earshot will know something about his lack of character. The best way to hang someone is to give him all the rope he needs and let him do it himself.

This is why your one of my favorite members. LoL

It's always fun to see what TAM has to say.

The Annoyed Man wrote: As for the gang wannabe comments, I'd have told him that I acquired those tattoos [and scars] in military.

Agreed... I'da stopped there though... no need for insinuating anything and risking possible escalation, even though I would be thinking it... Discretion/valor... or something like that....

I was more inclined to pursue verbal confrontation back when I wasn't carrying.
Now, not so much. I've got nothing to prove. I took the chip off my shoulder and put it in my holster.

As for "failing WW", I wouldn't worry much about it... Myself, I never took the test. At least not specifically.
Shopping in ANY store other than a gun shop or a bike shop for more than 10 minutes gives me hives...

Here is my point: I'm sure yall will agree that just because someone looks a certain way, you shouldn't judge them.

/shrug

While "judge" may not necessarily be the appropriate word, appearances can certainly offer information about an individuals' culture and potential behavior. Those that "play the part" generally tend to "dress the part", and while sometimes the slovenly bum is an undercover LEO, more often than not, it's just a slovenly bum.

Well, I guess I can understand why someone with tats all over might be stereotyped into bing a gang banger. Maybe if you wear one of these you won't look suspicious, no one will stereotype you and you can also cover your gun better.





Seriously, it is more and more the norm these days to see current or ex-military with heavy tattoos. My nephew is in the Army and an MP. He seems to have more and more tats on is upper body every time I see him or new photos of him. Just not my cup of tea, but people should understand it doesn't mean you are a banger or even a bad person just because of it .

Keith B wrote:Seriously, it is more and more the norm these days to see current or ex-military with heavy tattoos.

From my own personal experience, tattoos in general are becoming more normal. They aren't my cup of tea, but I've seen a few that really were works of art. I still wouldn't want one, though.