Loose lips

[lihpster]

I believe you guys are searching for something that isn't there.

Just pointing out that what's usual or normal changes and the outliers stick out. As far as the whole grey man idea vis a vis guns, if you feel that's best for your situation, by all means go for it. But I personally have converted 2 families of anti-gunners into avid shooters simply by talking about my hobby. The guns are locked up. And they aren't the only thing that people would like to steal. The tools alone! Much less the 5 tvs, 2 computers, cameras, binoculars, spotting scopes, radio equipment, motorcycle and hell, even prescription drugs. But I don't avoid conversations or tell people that I live in a cave with nothing but a blanket because I'm afraid they're gonna come for it. JMO and YMMV.

 

[dasnake]

Ya see that’s just it...........

The great thing about opinions, everyone has one and they never are the same.

 

[VonFatman]

i am doing my best to be invisible

 

[Absalom]

The great thing about opinions, everyone has one and they never are the same.

I think we all just have different perceptions of the potential threat

 

[pawngal]

Locally and here I have always been open and sharing regarding my gun ownership and shooting activities. Considering I've been a firearms dealer for 30 years there is no sense in hiding it. I try to promote ownership and the shooting sports to women by being an example of that. My business FB page promotes firearms(as much as they allow!), conceal carry classes and 2nd Amendment rights. My personal page has no mention. I know any miscant online can find my business address, phone # and my first name and probably more. That is what I have to accept in today's information age.

However, away from my home turf, I become that grey person.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I once dealt with a social construct compliance challenged individual back in the day with the following forearm tattoo, in block letters that looked like Woody from Toy Story wrote the script, and this is word for word: “Three can keep secrets if 2 dies”

He did not see the problem . . .

"Three may keep a secret if two of them are dead." Ben Franklin, 1735
I live in an apartment complex, I only take my firearms to and from my car under cover of darkness. Dean Grenell said he had no NRA/RKBA bumper stickers on his cars.

 

[InTheWoods]

Everybody where I live has lots of guns and everybody else knows it. I have NRA stickers on my old pickup. I will post a picture or video of me or my family or friends shooting at my backyard range. Whatever. I remember once several years ago, I was moving some guns to another safe in another house. I stopped at the convenience store to get a cold drank. A police officer, one of my former students, saw me and came over to talk. I rolled down the passenger side window. He stuck his head in, we exchanged pleasantries. He never even seemed to notice the dozen or so handguns and shot guns in plain view. Nothing unusual. Everybody has them, and everybody else knows it.

I am from rural Missouri and could have written a most exactly what you wrote. Everyone around here has guns. Guns and hunting are always a matter of common local discussion. Many feel their pickups are not complete without a gun decal or two, especially the Browning ones.

I have my own outdoor range, so hiding my gun ownership is impossible. All my neighbors shoot. When the weather is nice, it often sounds like the 4th of July! Everyone here is proud of owning guns and our LEOs and politicians are ALL strongly pro gun. Bragging about particularity valuable guns or number of guns is not often discussed, but I think that is more a matter of modesty than fear of theft or being "cancelled." We are also a relatively educated bunch, a trait required for the large scale farming we have here. I am a retired school principal, and my office was loaded with hunting and shooting related items. It created a positive feeling among most of my clientele.

BTW, residential firearms theft is pretty rare here. I feel so sorry for those that live under circumstances that curtail sharing of the pleasures that guns, shooting, and hunting bring.

 

[Golddollar]

When I was having my house built a guy came around who I later found out was well known to the local police. I would also see in the paper about his appearance before the local magistrate on theft charges. No way would I want him knowing about what I had.

 

[redlevel]

I am a retired school principal, and my office was loaded with hunting and shooting related items.

I taught American History and American Government in a public school here in Georgia. I had NRA decals on my chalk board. Never had any complaints from students, parents, or administrators.

 

[Ogandydancer]

"Three may keep a secret if two of them are dead." Ben Franklin, 1735
I live in an apartment complex, I only take my firearms to and from my car under cover of darkness. Dean Grenell said he had no NRA/RKBA bumper stickers on his cars.

Three may keep a secret if two of them are dead." Ben Franklin, 1735
Smart man.

NRA/RKBA bumper stickers on his cars, which is why I do not have Amateur radio license plate on my car nor ARRL stickers nor do I mention on repeaters that I am going to be out of town at any specific time. thieves may not be able to use the equipment but they can sure sell it. Which is why I do not mark myself as a target.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I would like to offer this vital admonition:

TELL YOUR KIDS NEVER TO TALK ABOUT YOU HAVING A GUN OR GUNS WITH ANYBODY. THAT IS PRIVATE INFORMATION. LOOSE LIPS CAN HAVE DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES.

John

 

[Muss Muggins]

And don’t let ‘em read your magazine articles or books either . . .

I would like to offer this vital admonition:

TELL YOUR KIDS NEVER TO TALK ABOUT YOU HAVING A GUN OR GUNS WITH ANYBODY. THAT IS PRIVATE INFORMATION. LOOSE LIPS CAN HAVE DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES.

John

 

[MRB1]

My remaining guns are just tools - nothing special or worth advertising about. Nobody but me knows, or even cares about them - and to my knowledge I've never been asked about them. Same goes for my workshop and tool inventory. I'm a firm believer that the less people know, the better for all concerned.

 

[PALADIN85020]

And don’t let ‘em read your magazine articles or books either . . .

Gun writers don't have special dispensation; we just have to willingly admit that we not only have some guns; we know how to use 'em effectively when they are needed. Let the would-be miscreants therefore beware and stay the hell away.

John

 

[Muss Muggins]

The rationale applies to my family talking about my guns. Don’t care if they do or don’t . . .

Gun writers don't have special dispensation; we just have to willingly admit that we not only have some guns; we know how to use 'em effectively when they are needed. Let the would-be miscreants therefore beware and stay the hell away.

John

 

[biku324]

I would like to offer this vital admonition:

TELL YOUR KIDS NEVER TO TALK ABOUT YOU HAVING A GUN OR GUNS WITH ANYBODY. THAT IS PRIVATE INFORMATION. LOOSE LIPS CAN HAVE DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES.

John

Last year I was visiting the Republka Srpska MOI police academy. They have a museum there with lots of firearms. The director was giving me the tour and mentioned a one child in a group tour pointed to an AK-47 and said, "Is that a Kalashnikov? My daddy has one of those, but he hides it." Yes, they did go get it. And daddy.

ADDED: The museum had a pristine M-1 Thompson in 45 ACP, a WW II OSS 'gift' to Marshal Tito's Nazi-killing partisans.

 

[M29since14]

Last year I was visiting the Republka Srpska MOI police academy. They have a museum there with lots of firearms. The director was giving me the tour and mentioned a one child in a group tour pointed to an AK-47 and said, "Is that a Kalashnikov? My daddy has one of those, but he hides it." Yes, they did go get it. And daddy...

Coming soon to America, if we are stupid and allow it to keep heading that way. John’s advice is good, but hard to apply. With children, all one can do is do the best you can - and hope for the best from them.