Is it rude

[ironhead7544]

If asked if I am carrying a gun, I would say no. The shotgun is probably at home and is full sized.

 

[Brian41]

Once my Dad asked my brother and I if we were carrying at his house and we both produced the carry gun of the day. Dad asked if we scared and brother beat me to it and said not scared of a darn thing when carrying. We caught him off guard I know as he lived in a nice safe city and he walked around there in a white state and unarmed. Guy in a tire store in town though got carjacked and kidnapped and we used that as an example of what can happen.
I've been asked by people I know if I own guns before and I've answered honestly and said I hunt and own some for that and also collect old revolvers. That settles it for them and only reveal this to close friends.
I have friends that do own guns and carry and we might discuss guns but seldom has anyone asked if I was carrying as I suspect they assume I do.

 

[gatchelguy]

You should feel flattered to be asked. That means you are doing a good job of concealing it.

 

[CH4]

I have been asked, because I work with people who were evidently born in barns. I generally quote James Bond.... "That isn't the sort of question a gentleman answers."

Or... "That isn't a question a gentleman carrying a gun answers."

Seriously, if someone knows me, they know I am carrying; if they don't know me, I won't give them any reason to ask. Been carrying just about every day for the past 30 years and have never had anyone ask me. There are some, however, that just think I am happy to see them.

 

[Johnmuratore]

I've never mentioned to anyone that I have an LTC so no one has ever asked. Why would they unless they saw something that led them to believe I might be? I think if someone did, I would say "what made you ask me that question?".
I understand that LEOs and retired or off duty LEOs are a completely different matter.

 

[Neumann]

If a complete stranger were to ask, my answer would be "No." Most of the time, that would be a lie. If the stranger were up to no good, he would understand that answer as "Yes. Time to move on."

I recall reading of least one instance where a man was searched, cuffed, accused of lying and his car searched when he truthfully answered he did not have a loaded weapon in the car, but his wife answered that he usually did.

In other words, this information is on a "need to know" basis.

 

[steelslaver]

My question is why would anyone even think to ask unless they suspected you might be? Does somebody close to you have loose lips??? Do you??
Even if I was an idiot, why would I walk up to anyone and ask such a question, unless I had some reason to believe they were.

Where did this person get a clue, would be my concern.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Horsefeathers.

It is not against the law to admit you are carrying nor is it against the law to tell a lie unless you are under oath.

Be careful about what you say to any agent of the government, whether LE or any other government employee. This is the federal statute. Some states also have statutes.

18 USC Section 1001
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, whoever, in any matter within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the Government of the United States, knowingly and willfully—
(1) falsifies, conceals, or covers up by any trick, scheme, or device a material fact;
(2) makes any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation; or
(3) makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry;
shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years or, if the offense involves international or domestic terrorism (as defined in section 2331), imprisoned not more than 8 years, or both. If the matter relates to an offense under chapter 109A, 109B, 110, or 117, or section 1591, then the term of imprisonment imposed under this section shall be not more than 8 years.
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply to a party to a judicial proceeding, or that party's counsel, for statements, representations, writings or documents submitted by such party or counsel to a judge or magistrate in that proceeding.
(c) With respect to any matter within the jurisdiction of the legislative branch, subsection (a) shall apply only to—
(1) administrative matters, including a claim for payment, a matter related to the procurement of property or services, personnel or employment practices, or support services, or a document required by law, rule, or regulation to be submitted to the Congress or any office or officer within the legislative branch; or
(2) any investigation or review, conducted pursuant to the authority of any committee, subcommittee, commission or office of the Congress, consistent with applicable rules of the House or Senate.

 

[kcode]

The only person ever to ask me if I was carrying is my wife. That's only because she wants to lock her purse in the trunk and not carry hers.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

I believe all of the answers about are correct. The one question that I detest is "Why do you have do many guns?"

 

[2hawk]

If you have to ask if it's rude...

Dollars to doughnuts it is.

Put me in the "don't ask, don't tell" camp, aka concealed means concealed in all ways.

Exceptions made for officers of the law, and significant others... of course.

 

[XD40inTX]

It's never happened to me, but a friend had a woman come up to him at a party and say, "What's that lump under your shirt?" (This was before everyone carried a cell phone.)

He said, "Thank you for calling attention to my colostomy bag."

I envy people who can think that fast.

 

[Hunter61]

The OP said a lady friend ..... Maybe a girl friend.....that could be a good question depending when and where it was asked.

 

[zeke]

Would consider the following exception to all of the above. Certainly some may disagree. If you are in a place where it is posted no carry, and someone asks you if you are carrying, you might want to be prepared to confirm you are not carrying.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Are you kidding me...

Right before I walk out the front door with the wife she always quizzes me-- Do you have your wallet, glasses, iPhone, keys, gun.... And YES it's rude and irritating!

 

[jimmyj]

Q: "Are You carrying?" A. "Carrying What?"
Q: " Do you have a gun" A. "NO ! I am frighten of gun!"

 

[sgtsandman]

Generally speaking, those who know me already know the answer. If they have to ask, they don't need to know unless they are law enforcement. That being the case, yes it is rude.

 

[scott1970]

I vote no.

I guess I'm not sensitive enough to the perceived offenses resulting from concealed carry. It doesn't bother me, and I've never gotten my drawers in a wad over it.

 

[Old cop]

After retirement I was teaching in a CJ program in a small four year college. One student asked me the "question" in the midst of a deadly force chapter. When I answered truthfully her eyes got big and she backed away from me. It is a rude question, period.

 

[Rastoff]

I vote no.

I guess I'm not sensitive enough to the perceived offenses resulting from concealed carry. It doesn't bother me, and I've never gotten my drawers in a wad over it.

I'm glad you have this attitude. There are some things that just aren't worth getting bugged about. However, that doesn't mean it's not rude.