Great thread full of valuable info. I know it's been awhile since anyone has posted, but I just wanted to share a story. Three TKs and myself decided to do a bit of random trooping the other night. By the time we were ready to go, it was about 9:00pm. So the only thing open in the immediate area was a Target department store that is connected to a local mall. (The rest of the mall was closed by this time) We suited up in the parking lot, and got a lot of stares and cheers. Also got a few cars that drove by multiple times. (One of which was playing the imperial march for our enjoyment.) We went in, and got some smiles and requests for pictures. We did a lap around the store and stopped for a quick look in the star wars section of the toys. We were then approached by a member of the staff, kindly asking our intentions for the evening. We replied that we meant no harm, and were just out for a stroll. She thanked us and as she left, said: "It's ok, they come in peace," into her radio. We had no interactions with the staff beyond that. Once we left, some shopping cart handlers (either teens or early 20s) approached us asking for pics. They thanked us, and mentioned something about "cops." Once we asked them to elaborate, they said a concerned patron had called the police shortly after we had entered. The cops arrived outside, and said they, "had received a call about some Star Wars guys... a Darth Vader, or something..." The employees said they told the police, "First off, it's not Darth Vader, and second, they're fine, don't worry." I got a kick out of that. We never did see the cops so I assume the store personel had turned them away. The crazy part was, we all left our blasters in the car. I had decided not to bring mine, and the TKs had followed suit. We were glad we did. So it just goes to show that even without blasters, the general public can still freak out.
Although we were fully aware what we were getting into going into a department store in goofy costumes, unannounced at 9:00 at night.