Flat out asked "are you carrying now?"
- Thread starter MattNH
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jimmib
US Veteran
I was put on the spot two days ago by a friend with several people around in a public place...he asked me point blank if I was carrying and he knew that I always do...I gave him a look as if to say...did you really ask that and then said...of course not...he called me later and apologized...my answer in public will always be no
elm_creek_smith
US Veteran
Did you say npe?
I asked if I was still wearing pants.
The citizen looked and said, "Oh!" At least I wasn't carrying my rifle.ECS
TheBigC1234
US Veteran
My friends that know I carry ask me all the time, I always answer no. The only person that knows I am carrying no matter what I say is the wife. Because she knows I carry no matter what. Sometimes I will tell my friends at a later time or when we get home that I was carrying. They don't carry and don't understand why I lie about it.
I've had a couple friends accidently touch my gun and ask what it was. I just say my cell phone in a case. I never have my phone in a case but they pay no attention to it.
I've had a couple friends accidently touch my gun and ask what it was. I just say my cell phone in a case. I never have my phone in a case but they pay no attention to it.
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67 GTO
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A few years ago I was traveling to Charlotte Autofair with my best friend, who happens to be a doctor. After a few hours we had to stop for gas late at night along the interstate, and choices were limited when we got off the exit.
After a couple of minutes of pumping gas in this very sketchy area with people milling around the store front, he asks "are you carrying?" with a hopeful look on his face. I replied "do I look like the kind of guy who would have a gun?". After he gave a nervous chuckle and a look like "well, are you?", I raised my shirt tail so he could see the 642 in my Lobo cross draw.
He has since developed a strong interest in hand guns and owns several, and has taken the concealed carry course.
Even my wife is surprised sometimes when we return home and I remove my Lobo (an excellent holster, btw). She always thinks it's in my pocket.
He's not a bad guy, and I will see him again in February. Since we'll be in Switzerland, I won't be carrying. It's a good discussion point on he etiquette and further his education.
Thanks!
rock_castle
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I wonder if Bill Engvall was nearby. Here's your sign.
bluegrassarms
Member
Like Lobo I get asked the question as a matter of profession.
I look at it as a chance to help someone who, most of the time is a responsible person who just doesn't know they may have breached etiquette or put someone on the spot.
if it's in a crowd or some such I may not answer, if it's more intimate and I know the person enough I may answer but I do NOT show them the weapon and I explain why, that it is a safety thing that I do not draw the weapon unless necessary in a public place. That the safest place for the firearm is in its proper holster.
If it is a non-public place I may be able to unload and demonstrate a gun, but I prefer to not go from "loaded carry weapon" to "unloaded demonstration weapon" if at all possible. It's only ever come up with employees who need to be educated as part of the job, and again I take that as a teaching moment about how to properly clear a weapon, going through the rules as I go and it's only me and that person in the room.
There are a lot of people out there looking at buying a gun for the first time, maybe carrying a handgun when they are only familiar with long guns or no guns. Don't breach your own rules but I have no problems trying to answer their questions so long as safety isn't breached for anyone. Most aren't trying to be smart***es they genuinely are trying to wrap their minds around carrying and if they should do it and how it works. At least those who approach me are in that mode, but again that's job specific in many ways.
Now, out in public with some dipstick trying to act macho? No I'm not answering that question honestly or trying to engage in an educating moment. I'm just not carrying at that point even if I am, which I am unless I'm someplace it's straight up illegal.
I look at it as a chance to help someone who, most of the time is a responsible person who just doesn't know they may have breached etiquette or put someone on the spot.
if it's in a crowd or some such I may not answer, if it's more intimate and I know the person enough I may answer but I do NOT show them the weapon and I explain why, that it is a safety thing that I do not draw the weapon unless necessary in a public place. That the safest place for the firearm is in its proper holster.
If it is a non-public place I may be able to unload and demonstrate a gun, but I prefer to not go from "loaded carry weapon" to "unloaded demonstration weapon" if at all possible. It's only ever come up with employees who need to be educated as part of the job, and again I take that as a teaching moment about how to properly clear a weapon, going through the rules as I go and it's only me and that person in the room.
There are a lot of people out there looking at buying a gun for the first time, maybe carrying a handgun when they are only familiar with long guns or no guns. Don't breach your own rules but I have no problems trying to answer their questions so long as safety isn't breached for anyone. Most aren't trying to be smart***es they genuinely are trying to wrap their minds around carrying and if they should do it and how it works. At least those who approach me are in that mode, but again that's job specific in many ways.
Now, out in public with some dipstick trying to act macho? No I'm not answering that question honestly or trying to engage in an educating moment. I'm just not carrying at that point even if I am, which I am unless I'm someplace it's straight up illegal.
colts4u
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One place I worked I was in charge of security as well as a bunch of other things. I think mainly because I was the new guy, not to smart on company rules, and willing to make security runs all night long.
I carried concealed every day, and had that type of question frequently. Are you armed, can I see it, please, pretty please, can I hold it? And the begging goes on nearly every day. I reacted just like you, I did not ever reveal where on my body it was, and never showed it to anyone.
I believe as the concealed carry bubble has burst in this country, most questions are innocent, and just genuine curiosity.
A fair number of Americans have never held, or shot a hand gun and they are curious what it looks like.
For the licensed person, showing or even printing is not a good plan. Here in Ohio open carry is permitted, so its not a problem if someone sees your CCW, but it may get you a visit from a LEO and some definitive questions, and perhaps some form of show & tell.
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Welcome to the forum! That's the best thing about it: learning from other people's wealth of wisdom and experiences.
Welcome to the world of carry Muddratt. Forums are a great place to gather information, but sometimes things can and do go bad no matter how right you are and we are in an epic battle for our rights. A state or city hostile to citizen gun ownership sometimes cannot be avoided. Check this story that a family friend just emailed to us. He is an FBI agent stationed in Baltimore Maryland. Our friend said stories like this embarrass him.
http://tbo.com/list/columns-tjackson/jackson-gun-owner-unarmed-unwelcome-in-maryland-20140112/
I have my own story of how Las Vegas police humiliated me for 30 minutes in rush hour traffic by handcuffing me and making me stand in the hot sun right in front of God and everyone (I nearly passed out). All because they pulled me over for an expired plate that wasn't really expired and I answered truthfully when asked if I had any guns in the car or on my person. I had my concealed carry permit and registration and told them yes I have my carry on me and I have a permit to carry in my wallet. It didn't matter to them and I was treated as a criminal until proven otherwise.
Playing by the rules doesn't always work but it's what we honest people do in spite of hostile civil servants (many who now act as if they were law enforcement, like EPA agents and other federal agents). We must know at all times that hostile cops, Feds, and governments can and do trample on our rights with impunity.
After you have carried for 15 or twenty years, I have no doubt you will have your own horror stories to tell given the direction our country is heading.
http://tbo.com/list/columns-tjackson/jackson-gun-owner-unarmed-unwelcome-in-maryland-20140112/
I have my own story of how Las Vegas police humiliated me for 30 minutes in rush hour traffic by handcuffing me and making me stand in the hot sun right in front of God and everyone (I nearly passed out). All because they pulled me over for an expired plate that wasn't really expired and I answered truthfully when asked if I had any guns in the car or on my person. I had my concealed carry permit and registration and told them yes I have my carry on me and I have a permit to carry in my wallet. It didn't matter to them and I was treated as a criminal until proven otherwise.
Playing by the rules doesn't always work but it's what we honest people do in spite of hostile civil servants (many who now act as if they were law enforcement, like EPA agents and other federal agents). We must know at all times that hostile cops, Feds, and governments can and do trample on our rights with impunity.
After you have carried for 15 or twenty years, I have no doubt you will have your own horror stories to tell given the direction our country is heading.
I avoid discussing guns with the vast majority of people because I don't want them to even have an inkling that I carry, or even own, guns. The only people with whom I'll discuss guns are a few trusted family members (who have their own CHLs), the UPS guy who delivers my internet ammo purchases(he knows what heavy boxes marked ORM-D are), and a handful of friends who run my favorite range facility. Given that, the guy asked a question of you that he had no right to ask, and I think you handled it wisely. It was none of his business, IMO.
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.... or her weight ....
I was shopping for a new truck a while back and ended up talking guns with the salesman. He ended up asking me if I was packing. Normally I'm a big fan of the truth, but that day I lied and told him "no". As others pointed out, his next question would have been "can I see it?".
I would answer, "That is the value of the Second Amendment, Society I safer when no one knows who is armed." Then say no more.
mtheo
Member
Keep it SECRET!....only you should know.
I posted this in another thread:
I carry concealed because I feel there are tactical advantages and some people are not comfortable in the presence of firearms.
When I became of age to obtain a permit I learned that part of carrying concealed was also not letting your associates know you were carrying concealed. They would do stupid risky things "Don't worry Theo's gotta gun." I was apparently being cast in the role of security. Literally riding shotgun and not knowing it .......No thanks!
I posted this in another thread:
I carry concealed because I feel there are tactical advantages and some people are not comfortable in the presence of firearms.
When I became of age to obtain a permit I learned that part of carrying concealed was also not letting your associates know you were carrying concealed. They would do stupid risky things "Don't worry Theo's gotta gun." I was apparently being cast in the role of security. Literally riding shotgun and not knowing it .......No thanks!
I don't understand why anybody would tell anyone you carried a gun ever.
Further more, it is in my opinion completely unwise to take a gun out in ANY public place to show someone and handle it.
We just had a local 71 year old man at a restaurant showing a gun to his friend shoot himself through his hand and knee.
A year or so a ago a man shot a teenage girl in Florida showing a friend in a coat room his gun.
Guns should be holstered and carried in a safe and concealed way ALWAYS.
Never handled and never shown to anyone when concealed carry.
Frankly I think it irresponsible and like the 4 rules of gun safety there should be rules of CCW.
1. Keep your gun holstered and concealed.
2. Do not show your gun to ANYONE, do not tell anyone you carry.
3. NEVER handle your gun outside the home or a range. PERIOD.
4. Carry guns in an way to reduce accidental discharge, dropping them or losing them is Extremely unlikely.
5. Never intentionally bring a gun someplace where it is illegal or into someone's home or business where it is not allowed. Respect the rights of others and if you choose disassociate yourself with them if carrying a gun is all so important.
6. Carry a gun that is safe and low risk of accidental or negligent discharge.
7. Get trained in the proficient use and carry of you gun. Such training be self done.
I have seen guys DROP guns concealed on their persons. I have seen people pull guns out and sweep others.
Frankly, these rules are HARD to live by, but I write them to give pause that too many casual and careless gun carriers give CCW a bad name.
Edited to remove one too strong opinion.
Further more, it is in my opinion completely unwise to take a gun out in ANY public place to show someone and handle it.
We just had a local 71 year old man at a restaurant showing a gun to his friend shoot himself through his hand and knee.
A year or so a ago a man shot a teenage girl in Florida showing a friend in a coat room his gun.
Guns should be holstered and carried in a safe and concealed way ALWAYS.
Never handled and never shown to anyone when concealed carry.
Frankly I think it irresponsible and like the 4 rules of gun safety there should be rules of CCW.
1. Keep your gun holstered and concealed.
2. Do not show your gun to ANYONE, do not tell anyone you carry.
3. NEVER handle your gun outside the home or a range. PERIOD.
4. Carry guns in an way to reduce accidental discharge, dropping them or losing them is Extremely unlikely.
5. Never intentionally bring a gun someplace where it is illegal or into someone's home or business where it is not allowed. Respect the rights of others and if you choose disassociate yourself with them if carrying a gun is all so important.
6. Carry a gun that is safe and low risk of accidental or negligent discharge.
7. Get trained in the proficient use and carry of you gun. Such training be self done.
I have seen guys DROP guns concealed on their persons. I have seen people pull guns out and sweep others.
Frankly, these rules are HARD to live by, but I write them to give pause that too many casual and careless gun carriers give CCW a bad name.
Edited to remove one too strong opinion.
Hmmm....I can't recall anybody ever asking, probably because I don't say or do anything that would give them that idea in the first place.
Oh, come to think of it...my 35-year old son did ask me once. We were walking through a shady part of town one evening and he quietly asked, "Dad, are you carrying?" My response, "Do I have my pants on?" He said, "Good. So am I."
Oh, come to think of it...my 35-year old son did ask me once. We were walking through a shady part of town one evening and he quietly asked, "Dad, are you carrying?" My response, "Do I have my pants on?" He said, "Good. So am I."
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