Concealed carry on a trip to Kittery Trading Post

[depicts]

I've got plans to go to Kittery Trading Post Sunday morning. This will be my first trip there since I got my non-resident permits in New Hampshire and Maine.

I sure am glad I can exercise my rights. While I don't see real danger in being at the Trading Post, I think regular concealed carry is like car insurance or fire extinguishers. You hope you never need them, but you'll sure be glad you have it if you do.

 

[Junglerott]

I'm heading there tomorrow too. Unfortunately I don't have my NH permit yet and have not applied for ME yet either.

 

[FeeBear]

I've got plans to go to Kittery Trading Post Sunday morning. This will be my first trip there since I got my non-resident permits in New Hampshire and Maine.

I sure am glad I can exercise my rights. While I don't see real danger in being at the Trading Post, I think regular concealed carry is like car insurance or fire extinguishers. You hope you never need them, but you'll sure be glad you have it if you do.

I have carried concealed for a while now (okay almost a year). They don't check you and as long as you don't draw attention to yourself you will be fine. Unfortunately for me being a brother I kinda always draw some attention but I am used to it now.

Fee

 

[depicts]

FeeBear, I try to stay low, low, low under the radar ALL the time.

My cars inspected, my lights all work, I follow the laws and don't speed. I don't get mad and give people the bird, and I try to be polite and courteous all the time. I keep my concealed handgun CONCEALED. No one needs to expect me to be anything but the choir boy I act like. LOL

 

[Underwhere]

I'm right by Kittery now.

Have fun guys.

 

[jamz]

The shooting sports staff loves to see people carrying.

Oddly, one counter guy said that CCW was great, but check the gun in at the front counter so no one thinks you are trying to leave with an unpaid gun. Whenever I'd check in the gun, they would ask "Selling or repair?" and get really confused when I said I was just carrying it. I eventually stopped telling them.

 

[KMaurer]

I was in there last week. Since I believe in concealed carry, I'd never think of checking my gun where it wasn't required by law. Nobody saw it so nobody thought I was trying to swipe it. I'd never be so silly as to limit my concealed carry to times and places that I deemed to present some particular risk, preferring instead to simply avoid such situations. While having a gun and knowing how to use it properly and effectively is a great thing in such situations, being in some completely different place is even better.

Ken

 

[Rob Boudrie]

I have yet to see any dealer that does not directly supervise any handgun being examined by a customer. It's not like they leave the handguns sitting out on tables for shoplifters.

 

[FeeBear]

I was in there last week. Since I believe in concealed carry, I'd never think of checking my gun where it wasn't required by law. Nobody saw it so nobody thought I was trying to swipe it. I'd never be so silly as to limit my concealed carry to times and places that I deemed to present some particular risk, preferring instead to simply avoid such situations. While having a gun and knowing how to use it properly and effectively is a great thing in such situations, being in some completely different place is even better.

Ken

Great points Ken, I'd like to ask you a question if I may? I have been to a couple of gun shows now, I have been asked if I was carrying and since I saw everybody else give up their weapon I figured it was the right thing to do. My question to you is would you have given up your firearm or when ask would you have said you weren't carrying? I am just curious, everybody is open to answer....

Fee

 

[fubar]

When I drive to Kittery I lock my gun in the car , because I do not have a Maine Permit. I have a Mass & NH non res. which is not valid in Maine for CCW... Did I miss something ?

As for checking my gun anywhere : No. I'll lock it in the car before I hand it over to anyone I haven't trained with. ....

 

[FunYun]

I'm heading there tomorrow too. Unfortunately I don't have my NH permit yet and have not applied for ME yet either.

IIRC, you can open carry in both states without a permit.

 

[Joe G]

IIRC, you can open carry in both states without a permit.

I don't believe this is true. Maybe you can open carry, but not concealed. Otherwise why would they have CCW permits in both NH and ME?

I'm sure somebody more knowing will be able to cite chapter and verse.

 

[ScottS]

I don't believe this is true. Maybe you can open carry, but not concealed. Otherwise why would they have CCW permits in both NH and ME?

I'm sure somebody more knowing will be able to cite chapter and verse.

Re-read what he wrote.

 

[dbhn]

IIRC, you can open carry in both states without a permit.

Sounds nice in theory. Around the Kittery shopping area I wouldn't give you 15 minutes before you had LEO on you because of multiple calls from the yuppie shoppers. Even in the Trading Post, most shoppers are just there to look around - they are not outdoors or shooting enthusiasts.

To carry concealed with a MA permit in NH and ME you need a NH AND a ME non-resident permit.

-Derek

 

[Joe G]

Re-read what he wrote.

My bad...

 

[guywithglasses]

Sounds nice in theory. Around the Kittery shopping area I wouldn't give you 15 minutes before you had LEO on you because of multiple calls from the yuppie shoppers.

I've open carried numerous times at KTP. I've also done the same in LL Bean and up and down the main drag in Freeport.

I have a Maine CCW but sometimes it's just too hot to wear an overgarment in the summer.

I dress nicely, am very polite, and go about my business. Most people don't even notice the gun, the ones that do... I guess they don't see anything about me that concerns them. And, what I'm doing is perfectly legal.

 

[dbhn]

I've open carried numerous times at KTP. I've also done the same in LL Bean and up and down the main drag in Freeport.

I have a Maine CCW but sometimes it's just too hot to wear an overgarment in the summer.

I dress nicely, am very polite, and go about my business. Most people don't even notice the gun, the ones that do... I guess they don't see anything about me that concerns them. And, what I'm doing is perfectly legal.

Wow! I stand corrected. I've been to both places more times than I can count and I never would have thought that. I've actually been in a couple of arguments, etc. over little things like the self-important, better-than-you type cutting in line in front of me. I figured these people would be running away with their children just from the sight of it.

Very good news though.

Maybe I should give the general public a bit more credit (ahh, maybe not).

 

[FunYun]

I've open carried numerous times at KTP. I've also done the same in LL Bean and up and down the main drag in Freeport.

I have a Maine CCW but sometimes it's just too hot to wear an overgarment in the summer.

I dress nicely, am very polite, and go about my business. Most people don't even notice the gun, the ones that do... I guess they don't see anything about me that concerns them. And, what I'm doing is perfectly legal.

Is the Maine permit required for open carry or just concealed like NH is?

 

[squeeze]

Great points Ken, I'd like to ask you a question if I may? I have been to a couple of gun shows now, I have been asked if I was carrying and since I saw everybody else give up their weapon I figured it was the right thing to do. My question to you is would you have given up your firearm or when ask would you have said you weren't carrying? I am just curious, everybody is open to answer....

Fee

Unless I'm asked by a LEO, I never tell someone if I'm carrying. That's why they call it "concealed carry". But that's just my .02.

Kurt

 

[Junglerott]

Wow! I stand corrected. I've been to both places more times than I can count and I never would have thought that. I've actually been in a couple of arguments, etc. over little things like the self-important, better-than-you type cutting in line in front of me. I figured these people would be running away with their children just from the sight of it.

Very good news though.

Maybe I should give the general public a bit more credit (ahh, maybe not).

Funny you should say that. On Sunday I went up with the family and waded through the whole strip waiting patiently to go to KTP. When we finaly got there, I was waiting at the counter and had someone step in front of me. I kept to myself about it because I have no tolerance for those kinds of people. He handles two rifles and walks away.....excellent now my turn. The rifle I want is not in stock. I then try to wheel my baby stroller past some guy who gets pissed at me for saying excuse me TWICE to get by him.

 

[Rockrivr1]

I was there last Saturday afternoon and was conceal carrying. To get a permit for Maine and NH is easy and fast so there's not reason not to get it. Great place KTP. I can spend a good amount of time there without a problem.

 

[jpwoodrow]

The Kittery Trading Post does try to discourage open carry now. The reason for it has been previously stated. People from the south freeking out. They don't make a big deal about it the just ask you to conceal the firearm while in the store. I don't know if anyone else has noticed, but employees only carry concealed also.

 

[Biff Quizler]

Great points Ken, I'd like to ask you a question if I may? I have been to a couple of gun shows now, I have been asked if I was carrying and since I saw everybody else give up their weapon I figured it was the right thing to do. My question to you is would you have given up your firearm or when ask would you have said you weren't carrying? I am just curious, everybody is open to answer....

Fee

Fee,
It's a personal choice I suppose. But, if you do decide to continue concealed carry in a place where it is posted not to and for some reason your weapon is spotted, realize that there may be repercussions. With the general publics freakiness and new threats of "legislation" about guns shows after the Littleton CO killings it's tough.
I know at the West Spfld shows (Big E) they have signs saying you will be charged with criminal trespass, which is arrestable in presence of an officer. I haven't actually seen laws to describe this (nor have I researched them) as the Big E is private property. Kind of like hired uniformed detail officers can arrest at bars (private property) for disorderly conduct. They do hire uniformed W. Spfld officers at the door to do the checking. The posted sign is, I guess, a legal "trespass warning" if not heeded. Worst case scenario, I believe that one could very likely be potentially be arrested, gun/ammo seized as evidence of the "crime" and I'd say at least 50/50 chance of being successfully prosecuted for trespassing.

Anyone else actually done reseach on or have any thoughts on this situation?

Hope this helps.......

 

[KMaurer]

Great points Ken, I'd like to ask you a question if I may? I have been to a couple of gun shows now, I have been asked if I was carrying and since I saw everybody else give up their weapon I figured it was the right thing to do. My question to you is would you have given up your firearm or when ask would you have said you weren't carrying? I am just curious, everybody is open to answer....

I tend to mumble or give completely irrelevant non-answers when I'm asked that sort of question. Most of the time, it works just fine.

Ken