williamrights
Marksman
So the women folk were going to Mama Mia in Fort Wayne what were us men folk to do. We decide to go camping at Chain O Lakes. It was me my 2 boys and a nephew. I open carry as it is hot and I refuse to look the slob by untucking my shirt. We arrived around 7 purchased firewood and got the kids some candy at the store. Went to our site in the primitive area and set up camp. That being done the kids wanted to go the play ground so I walked them there and went to check the boards as to the goings on that weekend. I went and told them 10 more minutes and we would do marshmellows. I then sat and observed human nature. Funny thing was I saw a group of about 8 adults drinking beer and about 4 loose dogs. We go back do the marshmellows and hang out for awhile. Around 9 we go to brush our teeth wash up. By now it is a little chillier and we had on jackets. We headed back to our site and saw a DNR truck parked in front of it. He drove my way when he saw me I geuss my cowboy hat sticks out. He got out of the truck and asked me "do you have a piece?" I answered to the affirmitive. He asked if I was aware it was illegal to have it out in the opening. I asked him to site the code. He could not. He asked where I was from and I told him Fort Wayne he asked if I carried in that manner there. I said yes we then debate the finer points of carrying. After I believe he realized I knew the laws and showed him the park literature stating with a license I could carry. I informed him that the park rules changed several years ago and when I contacted DNR then they informed me as long as I followed state law I could carry there. And state law says I can carry in the open. He begged to differ. I stated code 35-47 states that in order to carry I had to have a license which I showed him. It allows me to carry concealed but does not mandate concealment I said we could clear it up if he could supply the law I was breaking or park rule. He said he would get the Conservation officer out to the park. He did tell me the rule change merely meant I could keep it in my vehicle. I stated that that was the rule before. He told me people were concerned. I told him to just tell them I was legal and the concern might go away. I told him as a favor I would put in my truck until he got clarification as long as when he realized it was legal he would go to the woman that complained and inform her that I was in fact following the law. He agreed we shook hands and I went to bed.
I went hiking the next day and cleaned the trails as we went (people are messy 9 beer cans on one trail alone.) No conservation officer seemed to want to show. I had told the ranger exactly where I would be the whole day. We were done for the day and went back to prepare for dinner in my own spot gun went back on. The people 3 spots down came and asked what the ranger wanted. Seems they also knew the law. Well dinner was cooking when the ranger came back. He informed me that the conservation officer should be coming by later it was already 6. I then used it as a teachable moment discussed the law and as a side note I explained why escpecially in the state park I carry. One the reasons was I was ultimately responsible for my safety and my kids' and with no cell phone getting help if a cop was neccessary the response time would be atrocious. Also I have been the victim of a vicious dog attack that hospitalized me and required surgery over a prolonged period of time and with this amount of dogs I would not be bitten again. I then asked him oh by the way why am I being hassled over an non existent rule when you are not citing anyone for dogs off leashes or leashes longer than 6 foot. No answer and then I mentioned the drinkers. He told me it was permissable. I informed him it was not allowed in the common areas just your site. He said he contacted the assistant manager about it and he did not have an answer he did tell me that he told him I was very polite and not argumentative. I asked if he found it telling that the conservation officer had been informed the night before and still was not there. I then invited him for dinner pizza puddgy pies and baked potatoes. He declined but thanked me. I do believe he knew at this time I was correct in the law. I asked him again so that no one else was apprehensive in the future he needed to look into the law and from now on tell people gun carriers with a license were well within the law. He told me the CO would be bye later. I told him we were going to bed around 9 and were packing up early in the morning. We then invited the neighbors over for smores had a very pleasent conversation and found out they worked for the park when they asked why the DNR was coming bye. They said well carrying is legal isn't it. I told them the laws. CO never did come by. I plan on calling the park this week to make sure they followed up on everything so the campground office could be informed.
One last side note my main point for him was people would not be so apprehensive if instead of DNR getting right on top of it and confronting the individual that they know the law and inform people that it is legal. When they have a talk with the individual people think I am glad I said something and if it is not followed up with the complainer they will just report it again. He told me well people are just concerned. I told him I was concerned with all the dogs and would he do something about that. He told me they had the right. That is what i wanted to hear as I stated I also have the right. He did tell me I could just cover it up and I stated that they could just leave their dogs home.
All in all he was calm as was I and I believe he will actually will find out what the law is. He just seemed ill informed
I went hiking the next day and cleaned the trails as we went (people are messy 9 beer cans on one trail alone.) No conservation officer seemed to want to show. I had told the ranger exactly where I would be the whole day. We were done for the day and went back to prepare for dinner in my own spot gun went back on. The people 3 spots down came and asked what the ranger wanted. Seems they also knew the law. Well dinner was cooking when the ranger came back. He informed me that the conservation officer should be coming by later it was already 6. I then used it as a teachable moment discussed the law and as a side note I explained why escpecially in the state park I carry. One the reasons was I was ultimately responsible for my safety and my kids' and with no cell phone getting help if a cop was neccessary the response time would be atrocious. Also I have been the victim of a vicious dog attack that hospitalized me and required surgery over a prolonged period of time and with this amount of dogs I would not be bitten again. I then asked him oh by the way why am I being hassled over an non existent rule when you are not citing anyone for dogs off leashes or leashes longer than 6 foot. No answer and then I mentioned the drinkers. He told me it was permissable. I informed him it was not allowed in the common areas just your site. He said he contacted the assistant manager about it and he did not have an answer he did tell me that he told him I was very polite and not argumentative. I asked if he found it telling that the conservation officer had been informed the night before and still was not there. I then invited him for dinner pizza puddgy pies and baked potatoes. He declined but thanked me. I do believe he knew at this time I was correct in the law. I asked him again so that no one else was apprehensive in the future he needed to look into the law and from now on tell people gun carriers with a license were well within the law. He told me the CO would be bye later. I told him we were going to bed around 9 and were packing up early in the morning. We then invited the neighbors over for smores had a very pleasent conversation and found out they worked for the park when they asked why the DNR was coming bye. They said well carrying is legal isn't it. I told them the laws. CO never did come by. I plan on calling the park this week to make sure they followed up on everything so the campground office could be informed.
One last side note my main point for him was people would not be so apprehensive if instead of DNR getting right on top of it and confronting the individual that they know the law and inform people that it is legal. When they have a talk with the individual people think I am glad I said something and if it is not followed up with the complainer they will just report it again. He told me well people are just concerned. I told him I was concerned with all the dogs and would he do something about that. He told me they had the right. That is what i wanted to hear as I stated I also have the right. He did tell me I could just cover it up and I stated that they could just leave their dogs home.
All in all he was calm as was I and I believe he will actually will find out what the law is. He just seemed ill informed
