Open holster lunch at daughter's school.
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2016 12:14 pm
My wife and I decided to surprise our 2nd grade daughter by showing up to have lunch with her at her public elementary school.
We parked, I unholstered, stowed my pistol in the center console and locked the car. I was wearing a suit, sans jacket and tie, but still looking groomed and sharp. The open carry polished black leather holster was on display in the kidney position.
At the front office my wife provided her DL and I provided my LTC. I have also previously passed the schools background check and volunteer from time to time. Everything was fine and we got visitor stickers and entered the school.
We chatted with the nurse and then waited for our daughter near the entrance to cafeteria. At some point, I assume either the front office secretary or nurse called someone to complain about the holster.
While we were waiting, a woman approached us, introduced herself as the vice principal and shook our hands. There was zero small talk before she said she understood about the new open carry law and saw that my holster was empty, but would I mind unticking my shirt and covering it for the kids.
I politely responded that I do mind covering it. I elaborated that I understood her side, but that my wife and I feel differently. She responded that "in this day and age" (Those five words told me all I needed to know about her.) it's just better to shield the kids from anything gun related.
I stated that when I drop my daughter off, I open carry the same holster WITH my pistol in it all the way to the front door. I elaborated that I don't want to hide my holster and give my daughter the impression that I may be doing something wrong. I concluded by saying that I understand why she wants it covered, but she's a civil servent on government property and I wasn't doing anything wrong. I was polite and tactful throuout, but I'm sure my facial expressions didn't hide my annoyance in being asked to hide a piece of leather on my leather belt, while wearing my nice suit with Paton leather shoes.
She had been smiling the entire conversation and at this point delivered the most fake smile and patronizing tone of voice ever, saying "Okay, thank you soooo much." As she was walking away, she looked back still fake smiling, wagged her finger at me and said "I'm sure we'll have another chat in just a few minutes.", with that you'll be sorry type of inflection.
Our girl was so excited to see us and ran over to give us hugs. We introduced ourselves to her new teacher and had lunch with our daughter for half an hour. We gave her more hugs and my wife and I left the school holding hands, having never been re-approached by the vice principal or anyone else.
So, did I do anything illegal? Note that she never told me to cover the holster, but asked. Hypothetically, if she had told me to cover the holster or I would have to leave, would that be the schools legal right? I'm assuming she learned there was nothing she could do or I would have been approached again by either her, the principal or a LEO.
We parked, I unholstered, stowed my pistol in the center console and locked the car. I was wearing a suit, sans jacket and tie, but still looking groomed and sharp. The open carry polished black leather holster was on display in the kidney position.
At the front office my wife provided her DL and I provided my LTC. I have also previously passed the schools background check and volunteer from time to time. Everything was fine and we got visitor stickers and entered the school.
We chatted with the nurse and then waited for our daughter near the entrance to cafeteria. At some point, I assume either the front office secretary or nurse called someone to complain about the holster.
While we were waiting, a woman approached us, introduced herself as the vice principal and shook our hands. There was zero small talk before she said she understood about the new open carry law and saw that my holster was empty, but would I mind unticking my shirt and covering it for the kids.
I politely responded that I do mind covering it. I elaborated that I understood her side, but that my wife and I feel differently. She responded that "in this day and age" (Those five words told me all I needed to know about her.) it's just better to shield the kids from anything gun related.
I stated that when I drop my daughter off, I open carry the same holster WITH my pistol in it all the way to the front door. I elaborated that I don't want to hide my holster and give my daughter the impression that I may be doing something wrong. I concluded by saying that I understand why she wants it covered, but she's a civil servent on government property and I wasn't doing anything wrong. I was polite and tactful throuout, but I'm sure my facial expressions didn't hide my annoyance in being asked to hide a piece of leather on my leather belt, while wearing my nice suit with Paton leather shoes.
She had been smiling the entire conversation and at this point delivered the most fake smile and patronizing tone of voice ever, saying "Okay, thank you soooo much." As she was walking away, she looked back still fake smiling, wagged her finger at me and said "I'm sure we'll have another chat in just a few minutes.", with that you'll be sorry type of inflection.
Our girl was so excited to see us and ran over to give us hugs. We introduced ourselves to her new teacher and had lunch with our daughter for half an hour. We gave her more hugs and my wife and I left the school holding hands, having never been re-approached by the vice principal or anyone else.
So, did I do anything illegal? Note that she never told me to cover the holster, but asked. Hypothetically, if she had told me to cover the holster or I would have to leave, would that be the schools legal right? I'm assuming she learned there was nothing she could do or I would have been approached again by either her, the principal or a LEO.
