I was carrying openly while out picking up posters from our garage sale. I parked on the corner of Lowery and Penn Aves N and got out with my 5 year old daughter. Approaching us on Lowery were 2, well, uh, potentially not well-intentioned individuals. They slowed down as they got to my car and kind of "hung out" for a moment, without letting their eyes leave us. I had them in view the entire time, while carrying on a pleasant conversation with my daughter. I am left handed, hence, my carry gun, the remarkably outstanding, accurate, and did I mention, large, P7, was not immediately visible to them. We were about 45 feet from them as we reached the corner. While my daughter grabbed the signs, I casually turned about 115 degrees. I paused, making sure they saw my gun, silhouetted nicely against a white shirt, and rested my hand, innocently enough, on the pistol as I continued to make small talk with my daughter.

Their demeanor changed dramatically and an animated conversation took place between them. One said, in not-quite-a-whisper-end-of-exchange-way, "Damn, that is a big gun, Nxxxxr! I'm out." As I led my daughter around a large column on the sidewalk to keep the distance manageable if things got hinky, they were on the move in their original direction. As they passed, we were now on the street side of my car, one remarked, "Evenin' officer" with eyes straight ahead. The other guy had his head bowed.

Now, I am not the brightest bulb in the drawer, but I have a small suspicion that my openly carried firearm may have refocused these particular gentlemen’s intentions. Thoughts?

I suspect you are correct.

Talk about a tactical-advantage.

Thanks for sharing. I think you are correct in your assumption that OC'ing played a role in the outcome of this situation. While I usually always carry concealed, I would prefer to OC. I don't most of the time simply to avoid all the hassles that go with it. I believe there are advantages to both methods of carry but believe that OC is a very strong deterrent in many situations simply because there are much easier targets out there. Thanks again for sharing and I'm glad things ended without incident.

Nice work, perfect example.

I am a solid supporter of carrying concealed, but there are occasions that displaying your tactical advantage can change the outcome of a situation into a non happening. There was another post somewhere that a father felt that he and his young daughters were being followed as they were grocery shopping. The father removed his cover garment in this situation, exposing his advantage and again the person of concern saw it fit to leave their area.

Good to hear that another possible situation turned into a non happening.

This was most likely one of those non-incidents we hear about happening up to two million times a year where the mere presence of a gun averted a crime from being committed. You never read about it in the paper or hear about it on the TV or Radio news, but they happen far too often.

The location is 4 blocks from where I grew up, I know it very well. Same place where the deaf gentleman was beaten at the bus stop because the perps thought his sign language was "gang signs". The decline of the neighborhood today vs, the one I remember from my youth saddens me; especially when I read the weekly 4th Precinct reports from mplscrimewatch.

I'm guessing that OC may have averted trouble in this instance. Please be extra careful and vigillant so that you are not targeted for the gun.

Oddly enough Moby's example is one reason I'm a big fan of concealed carry. By carrying concealed I don't draw unneeded attention, plus if the tactical situation calls for it I can remain one of the "sheep" until necessary to be otherwise. But I carry in a IWB so it's easy to pull up the shirt and reveal if the situation calls for that...which as I think Moby's example and yours clears shows can be a life-altering advantage at times.

Devil's advocate....

So you were open carrying while taking down signs advertising where you live...

Good Job! You stopped two poor misguided individuals from possibly going down the path of crime.

You did it for the children

I'm sure they went straight to the old folks home and offered to read the bible to the residents.