Flat out asked "are you carrying now?"

For me the answer is person AND situation dependent.

Someone I trust in a private setting - "Sure" and as Arik said I'm willing to let them see what I'm carrying if I feel it is appropriate.

Someone I don't know or necessarily trust, or in a public setting "Why do you ask? Do I need to be?" or something equally disarming.
 
My response has been "Do not ask me a question I might have to lie about."

Then correct them and advise that is not a question that is asked.

For those new to shooting sports and the arena of concealed carry, they may not know better.

For those who should know better, it serves as a pointed reminder.
 
I've been asked once or twice if I'm carrying.
I smile and say, "You'll never know if I am or am not carrying."
That usually ends it and we move onto other subjects.
 
I have a couple of different thoughts on this, the first is that this is one of those questions where (IMO) any avoidance of the question will be taken as a yes. So, as I mentioned earlier my default answer is no regardless. It's a lie but it's one I'm willing to tell in the interest of Opsec.

Second thing even if I know you I think twice about answering yes.

When I first got my permit I told two close friends about it. One outted me just out of the blue while he, I and another guy were having a conversation after church. My buddy turned to the third guy and just randomly said "Smoke is carrying a gun right now."

The second guy was one of those people that think carrying a gun is "cool" and one day in the course of a conversation we were having he informed me that he had told half the staff of the church I attended. Hs rationale was that they'd feel more comfortable knowing

Now maybe I'm too touchy about that but it's my business to let someone (or no one) know that not yours and the easiest way to keep that initiative is not tell anyone.
 
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If people are asking if you're "carrying", in my experience, they've likely been lead to believe that you are by your own words or actions.

Regardless I've never feigned indignation at the inquiry on the few occasions someone did ask.

Discretion in some matters, does matter.
 
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Went camping with a buddy of mine and each of our sons. He asked me, "Are you armed?" to which I replied, "I'm always armed; one left arm, one right arm!"
 
I don't discuss politics, religion, or guns with people that aren't close to me.

When I'm at work, it's not my job to educate people about those things and frankly I don't care.

I knew a guy that got canned at work. Because he liked to spend his lunch break at the indoor range next door, they were afraid of him and had him escorted off the property by the cops.

Separate your personal life with work.
 
I have no problem telling someone who asks if I'm packing. If they ask to see it, I simply say "viewing is restricted to those that give me justification for pointing it at them".

Can't say any conversations have gone any further.
 
BC38 said:
For me the answer is person AND situation dependent.

Someone I trust in a private setting - "Sure" and as Arik said I'm willing to let them see what I'm carrying if I feel it is appropriate.

Someone I don't know or necessarily trust, or in a public setting "Why do you ask? Do I need to be?" or something equally disarming.
Click to expand...

Yes, of course I ment that in a private setting or at least a closed setting with people you trust. If some guy is acting all gung ho and shooting air machine guns (like air guitar) and pretending to be Rambo of course in that case my answer is NO. However, if the person is seriously interested even if they are clueless and make assumptions (we all do about things we don't know) then I'd be glad to show them and teach what I can. Why not? We all had to start somewhere. No one in my family is into guns and I started by trial and error. I wish someone had explained and showed me how and why stuff worked. To me a gun was a gun....what's the difference?

A perfect example is I recently noticed a coworker looking on Ruger website. I asked and he said he's looking into a small revolver and that he owns a Beretta but doesn't know much past how to load it and where to point it.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
 
Kanewpadle said:
I don't discuss politics, religion, or guns with people that aren't close to me.

When I'm at work, it's not my job to educate people about those things and frankly I don't care.

I knew a guy that got canned at work. Because he liked to spend his lunch break at the indoor range next door, they were afraid of him and had him escorted off the property by the cops.

Separate your personal life with work.
Click to expand...

I guess it depends on where you work. No one cares at my work and some bring their rifles to clean during lunch

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
 
As I do, i never discuss it with anyone outside the few very close friends and family who took the classes with me.

I have other family members as well as other friends whom have no idea i'm carrying each and every time we are together. As far as im concerned it's not any of their business. If it was their business, i'd walk around with a shirt that says "Yes i'm carrying a gun, and No you can't see it.".
 
I've learned that it's best not to discuss guns at all and especially
anything personal about guns or carry with someone who isn't already
quite knowledgeable about guns. Sometimes it's hard to follow this
personal rule without being rude and so I just try to answer questions
and avoid talking about my self.
 
I answer yes and if they ask to see it and I am in a proper place I unload it and hand it to them and try and educate
 
Asking questions

[ If it was their business, i'd walk around with a shirt that says "Yes i'm carrying a gun, and No you can't see it.".[/QUOTE]

Reminds me of the old bumper sticker that read" Yes this is my truck--NO I won't help you move"

Jim in Iowa
 
Thanks for the input.

The hesitation is what got me. I don't like to lie to someone, but knowing this guys personality he would spread it around. He may even be spreading it around now assuming I lied.

I'm not concerned about any repercussions, we have an HR guy in the office and about a week before Christmas he came into my office and said got to show you something. We went to the truck of his car and he showed me a nice J Frame he got for his wife.

Other people in a one on one situation, I may answer yes, and safely show them. This guy just caught me off guard.

Matthew
 
Concealed or not?

Concealed means concealed. If you reveal that you are carrying, in whatever form, then it is not concealed.
A possible answer might be "Sometimes yes, sometimes no."
BUT, we should keep in mind the fascination about firearms that we in this forum have, and that is shared by many people who have never had the opportunity to experience the fun. So many people have never even seen a real gun and are extremely curious so they ask a genuine question about it. Another possible reply might be "If you are interested in learning about the shooting sports, I would be glad to take you shooting sometime."
I always try to not alienate people who might be "on the fence" about gun ownership. We might even convert a few.
Scott
 
Lots of people I deal with daily know that my business is holsters and accessories, primarily for those who need to carry concealed. I am regularly asked if I am carrying. I always tell them that the true test of my products is whether or not they can tell!
 
LoboGunLeather said:
Lots of people I deal with daily know that my business is holsters and accessories, primarily for those who need to carry concealed. I am regularly asked if I am carrying. I always tell them that the true test of my products is whether or not they can tell!
Click to expand...

Ray, even with my great big N-Frames, when I'm wearing the holster you sold me, NOBODY can tell.:cool:
Jim
 
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