[Jeff Higgins]

I had a similar experience with a couple of county sheriff deputies years ago. I had driven the 911 out into the boonies to shoot in a gravel pit with a couple of buddies, and was on my way home - with the trunk full of guns, and a Peacemaker on the passenger seat.

My buddies and I were discussing the current condition of a washed out bridge that was being rebuilt, situated some distance up a logging road that was kinda sorta on my way home, so I volunteered to investigate. Since I knew the road dead ended that time of year (mid winter) at a gate that was closed seasonally, I figured no one was up there, so I was kinda hauling ass...

Well, there were two deputies up there in a Blazer or something, and they took exception to my driving, so they stopped me. I told the guy at my window right away that I was armed. He asked for my gun, so I gave it to him, and he went back to his rig. Next thing I know, his partner is getting out... ruh-roh...

These two guys walk up saying "jeezus, whataya doin'? None one carries one of these anymore...". So I told them it was what I was used to, I'd had it forever, and it seemed to work... So they let me go. I unloaded it for them, let them play with it, and even offered to let them shoot it (but they declined). It was amazing the "icebreaker" that old Peacemaker proved to be.