Why Bother To Conceal If You're Going To Announce You're Armed To The World?

[Smoke]

This is an offshoot of a thread from another forum in which it was asked why concealed carriers go to so much trouble to conceal and then tell everyone and their brother that they're carrying?

When I took my permit class the instructor stated that whenever he entered a business that had uniformed security he always asked if it was OK to carry there; which is just begging for a "no" IMO.

Some folks feel the need to inform their friends that they're carrying in their homes. I understand that in some states this is legally required but barring that requirement why create an issue where none should exist?

I have worked with people in the past that felt the need to display their permits, if not their firearms, to me within minutes of meeting me and again I have to ask why?

I understand that guns aren't something to be ashamed of but I have to ask as the poster I paraphrased did why go to the trouble to conceal if you're going to announce that you're armed to the world?

 

[Jaysq]

I agree with you 100%. It is called Concealed Carry for a reason. I read in another forum that if this guy saw a policeman he would go over to him and ask if he was "Printing". Now isn't that asking for problems? I think this is immaturity or the newness of having a carry permit.

I have seen some people announce they were carrying by their actions, such as always touching their weapon. A good practice is to make sure it is concealed, before you leave home and keep your hands away from it unless you need to draw.

 

[KKECK5]

I agree with you 100%. It is called Concealed Carry for a reason. I read in another forum that if this guy saw a policeman he would go over to him and ask if he was "Printing". Now isn't that asking for problems? I think this is immaturity or the newness of having a carry permit.

I have seen some people announce they were carrying by their actions, such as always touching their weapon. A good practice is to make sure it is concealed, before you leave home and keep your hands away from it unless you need to draw.

Let me also jump in and agree.....My youngest son recently acquired his LTC....After taking him to the range we sat down and talked about the responsibility of carrying a gun. I told him as a newbie you might feel the need to brag to your friends. He then informed me, that after seeing some of his friends do exactly that and in some cases take it out to show them, he had no desire to do the same. In fact, he doesn't even want to tell people he has a gun in his home. He might have got his brains from his mother.

 

[MP1518]

When I am off duty I try to conceal my gun the best way I can . (PER POLICY)

However, I don't really care that much if someone THINKS that I MIGHT be armed.

 

[shouldazagged]

I don't see the sense of telling everybody and his anti-gun brother-in-law that I'm licensed and carrying a gun. Very few people, all folks who are close to me, are aware of it, and I intend to keep it that way. At my age few people would notice if I was printing or suspect I was. Fine with me.

 

[Kanewpadle]

There are many do' and dont's while carrying concealed. Some people just haven't learned or haven't cared enough to learn.

Kind of goes along with the "I have a gun so I got it covered syndrome".

 

[P&R Fan]

That attitude is indicative of somebody who is inexperienced in CCW and is also immature.
Most people are excited when they get their first carry permit. I understand, as I certainly was. But to have to tell everybody about it just shows they do not have the proper mind-set. I try to educate people when they ask me about carrying. This is one of the areas I talk about.

I would never tell anybody I was armed, outside of an LEO who asked me to get out of the car, and then VERY carefully.

If somebody asks me if I'm carrying a gun, and I'm not, I say no.
If they ask me if I'm carrying a gun, and I am......I say no.
Jim

 

[Proline]

In the concealed carry classes I have taken this point has always been stressed. No one should know your carrying. Letting people know you're carrying is just asking for a hassle. Thats why its called "concealed".

 

[Hodgin]

I don't and have no idea why someone would other than trying to act like a big shot.

 

[Xtasy]

I don't tell people but I don't really care if they might see some printing or somehow think I carry.
We have over a million licenses here in Florida and I live more country side in a little town where guns don't stress anybody out besides of course our winter birds.

 

[RevTracy]

I think there is a natural tendency to want to share that you are a CHP holder and that you carry. Whether to brag or simply to share that you have something that most people don't. However, it is in a person's best interest to control that tendency and NOT inform everyone they know. As many have already posted, the whole idea is to CONCEAL carry so that no one knows you are carrying. Telling everyone and their brother only defeats the purpose.

In my case, only my family and three close friends know...two of those friends also carry. The one who doesn't carry is an avid gun enthusiast and two days ago he came to me asking how and what I carry because he is applying for his CHP! By the way, all three of these folks attend my church...it is probably the safest place in my area to worship...

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

Those are the people who buy these to flash around:







"Badges???? We don't need no stinkin Badges!"

 

[Old cop]

I fully support open carry (OC) from a Second Ammendment standpoint but it is not something I would ever do. It just does not make sense on so many levels that are too numerous to list. Feel free to disagree but to me OC is just asking for trouble. As to the badge I have one too that is marked "Retired" and it will never be flashed.

 

[Ransom]

WWBFD - What would Barnie Fife do?

 

[sac-gunslinger]

to me OC is just asking for trouble

For those of us old enough to remember, what was the sign we used to pin on the back of the kid everyone picked on? "Kick me!" (for the record, I was that kid). OC is the same even where it is legal.

Back when I was first in uniform I had a friend who had joined a local department. He used to love to go into a store and "just accidentally" let his coat flash open to reveal that he was carrying. He quickly got a stern talking-to.

 

[raymo2u]

i open carry every day. people around me never have gave a second look, it depends where your from and how your "toting" it. have a happy day

 

[shouldazagged]

I sold a little Rossi 88 clone of the M60 (quite a decent little gun, by the way) to an acquaintance, only to find out later from someone else that this idiot had one of those stupid badges and liked to wear blue uniform-style shirts with epaulets while out partying. The damn fool thought it might help him if he were stopped by the police. Or so he said. I think he had more sinister ideas, but I haven't seen him since. That was fifteen years ago.

 

[bluegrassarms]

In the concealed carry classes I have taken this point has always been stressed. No one should know your carrying. Letting people know you're carrying is just asking for a hassle. Thats why its called "concealed".

I definitely tell people in the classes I do that the "concealed" part of concealed carry includes not doing things like bragging about it or whipping out your gun to show some guy you just met at the grocery. Everyone I've taught seems to agree on that point.

I can't imagine why, barring a legal requirement in a state, I'd ask a security guard if I could carry there or not upon entry. Absolutely don't get that at all.

On a personal level I do at times answer people honestly if they ask if I'm carrying but it's in the context of them asking me about taking the class or other things, and they're asking me as an instructor, even then I only answer definitively if I know the person. People will have questions about how to carry and such if they are new to handguns, so I try to help without crossing over into irresponsible behavior like announcing to the room I'm carrying.

 

[mc5aw]

People who brag about carrying a handgun do so based upon their own respective barrel inadequacies.

 

[cmort666]

In Ohio, if a place isn't either statutorily prohibited or posted, you can carry. No need to ask, and I wouldn't.