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PALADIN85020

PALADIN85020

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One of the things I try to observe religiously is to tell no casual acquaintance that I carry discretely. "Loose lips sink ships" and loose lips can also undo your element of surprise when you least expect it. People knowing that you carry, with even a casual remark such as "It's OK to walk in the park at night; Joe has his gun with him," or "What are you carrying today, Joe?" could alert the wrong people of your potential surprise and put it in jeopardy. A remark of this sort in a bank about to be robbed could make you the first target. The value of discrete carry is in the element of surprise. It should not be compromised.

Very few people know that I am routinely armed. I'm always happy to discuss the value of being armed discretely, but whether or not I am carrying at any given moment remains on a strict need to know basis. I have heard newcomers to discrete carry broadcast that they have become invincible with their concealed weapon to any and all who will listen. I think that's a bad idea.

What's your feeling on this subject?

John
 
Your theory certainly cant be faulted as there is no down side. I never have belived in advertiseing. Now that I am retired and moved to a safe area I seldom carry anyway. I do carry when we leave our area and we do a lot of quad rideing where I carry, but in the boonies depending on the area I might sometimes casualy carry, or just have one in my box or bag. One of the guys I ride a lot with open carrys, another guy who sometimes rides with us is a retired deputy, he doesnt open carry either. It seems a little odd that we open carried on our careers and now dont when we can, and others do. I think it may be a novelity thing with some like that guy I ride with. I have suggested to him why dont you get a ccw? It`s easy here. I guess thats trying to goad him into it as sometimes its a little embarassing rideing with him. At least I wish he would spring for something other than the nickle H&R snub .32 that he carrys!
 
You are right on the money, Paladin. Unfortunately, as an instructor, I live in a glass house, and pretty much everyone who knows me either knows or at least assumes that I am always armed. (They are correct.) I instruct my CHL students to tell only those who genuinely need to know, and to instruct them to keep their mouths shut. I trained my kids at an early age to not say things in public like, "Dad, you got your gun?" It is amazing how stupid some adults are about such things, though.
 
Only my family knows that I carry, that and a couple of buddies who are LEO's. What gets me is the people who buy those "Concealed carry" badges and wear tshirts with concealed carry slogans and such on them.
 
I've had a permit for over 25 years. Several people know I'm a "Gun person" and they know I have a permit. My Wife is the only one who knows when I'm carrying, which is almost always. My philosophy is if I am asked if I'm carrying by anyone except an LEO in their official capacity, if I'm not carrying, I'll say no. If I am carrying, I'll still say no.
 
My close friends (all 4 of them) know I carry. I don't tell anyone outright, but I have been outed by a couple of hugs in the last 20 or so years. IMO, your dead on.
 
I have been carrying for over 40 years. No one in my family but my wife knows I carry.

I have very small circle of friends that know I have a permit, and they ain't the kind to talk about it.
 
..mums the word!

I don't tell anyone. My wife and my son know that I sometimes do and sometimes don't. They don't ask. - 'ole joe
 
I have a very close circle of family and friends that know I carry. I don't make a big deal out of it so it is not in the front of everyones mind.
 
The lack of bad guys attacking police stations, armories, military bases and such prove the known presence of a gun deters attacks.

I do not mind people knowing I am armed, be it at home, off work shopping or at work which is more or less required.

A person is less apt to confront you knowing you to be armed. The perps will pick someone elderly, physically challenged or one they feel is not armed. Perps are smart enough to not attack an armed person. Those that practice open carry can attest to that as the stats show fewer, too low to count, are ever confronted.

The same is true for your home. The potential for you having firearms in the home will cause perps to go somewhere else.

What I will NOT do is put decals on my car advertising the NRA, GOA or "this vehicle is insured by Smith & Wesson." Cars with pro gun stickers in a parking lot is a sign to perps that there is likely a gun in an unattended vehicle they can steal.
 
What I've found is the literature like catalogs, magazines, and mail from the NRA is a problem. Who knows how many people handle those documents between the sender and you? About 15 yrs ago I was buying a lot of AR and FAL parts thru the mail. Shortly after I received catalogs and such almost on a daily basis. I wound up on a mailing list for AW fanatics I guess. When my mail lady then, who looked a little "rough around the edges" started calling me "the gun man" I started a little campaign to eliminate mail. First was the cessation of magazines and mail from the NRA. I quit buying parts through the mail and UPS and it took almost 10 yrs for catalogs with MG's on the cover to stop coming to the house.
 
oldman45 said:
The lack of bad guys attacking police stations, armories, military bases and such prove the known presence of a gun deters attacks.

I do not mind people knowing I am armed, be it at home, off work shopping or at work which is more or less required.

A person is less apt to confront you knowing you to be armed. The perps will pick someone elderly, physically challenged or one they feel is not armed. Perps are smart enough to not attack an armed person. Those that practice open carry can attest to that as the stats show fewer, too low to count, are ever confronted.

The same is true for your home. The potential for you having firearms in the home will cause perps to go somewhere else.

What I will NOT do is put decals on my car advertising the NRA, GOA or "this vehicle is insured by Smith & Wesson." Cars with pro gun stickers in a parking lot is a sign to perps that there is likely a gun in an unattended vehicle they can steal.
Click to expand...

I disagree to a point.

I would like to think that someone chooses not to mess with me because of my situational awareness, my attitude and how I present myself. Not simply because they can see that I'm carrying a gun.

And I don't know of any stats on open carry. If they exist, I would like to see them.

In my experience with those that open carry in this state, 99% of them open carried for the wrong reason. Normally youngsters with something to prove. They carried openly because it made THEM feel better. Not as a deterance.

I do however agree with the sticker thing. No gun related decals, stickers, hats or shirts.
Cracks me up when I see a "Glock Perfection" sticker on some guys back window.
 
I too try to keep it quiet and only share my carry status with a handfull of friends, plus 100,000+ on the forums I am on! Ha! Ha!

I like the peace of mind that it gives me in certain situations to know I have a alternative means to protect myself. I do try to carry pepper spray at times when I walk in public to avoid having to shoot a dog or a mental case that can be controlled with a mild form of defense.

The gun is hidden well and will only be brought out to save my life or that of another.
 
I keep it to myself.

When someone I don't know very well works into the conversation that he has a CCW or is carrying, I usually feel he's an excited newby or that he is trying to impress me.
 
Kanewpadle said:
I disagree to a point.

I would like to think that someone chooses not to mess with me because of my situational awareness, my attitude and how I present myself. Not simply because they can see that I'm carrying a gun.

And I don't know of any stats on open carry. If they exist, I would like to see them.

In my experience with those that open carry in this state, 99% of them open carried for the wrong reason. Normally youngsters with something to prove. They carried openly because it made THEM feel better. Not as a deterance.

I do however agree with the sticker thing. No gun related decals, stickers, hats or shirts.
Cracks me up when I see a "Glock Perfection" sticker on some guys back window.
Click to expand...

Well, if you talk with the bad guy long enough, he may see your attitude. Most bad guys are not going to be around you long enough for you to develop an attitude. They are more of a hit & run style out of convenience.

My experience with open carry is just the opposite. Those I know and see carrying openly generally appear to be over 50 yrs of age. Open carry is common in LA and I do not recall seeing any young people carrying.

That said, I got into a disucssion that ended badly on another site about young people carrying. Those I see carrying do so concealed but they have to carry 2-4 extra mags, at least one extra gun (different caliber) and they usually brag about their being able to carry. OTOH: None of the stats I see on revoked CCW in this state ever shows the younger guys getting into trouble either. My position on either type carry is up to the individual but all that extra ammo and backup gun is virtually useless.

As to stats on open carry, all I have to go on is what is written on the open carry web sites and the fact I have never worked, seen or heard of a person being accosted that carried openly. The open carry sites tend to bring this out as well. Not saying it has not happened, but perps prey on the weak, defenseless and the aged. I doubt any of those would apply to those here.

But different areas of the country see different issues, different crimes and different way of life. Stop 20 cars anytime day or night around here and 4 of the drivers will be intoxicated and 17 of the cars will have a firearm inside. Other states usually will not have that high of a rate.
 
I like concealed and secret just fine. Knowledge of gun's presence may be a deterrent, but not knowing which person's armed is a much better one!
 
I don't advertise that I carry any more than I advertise if I wear boxers or briefs . . . it ain't no one's business.
 
oldman45 said:
Well, if you talk with the bad guy long enough, he may see your attitude. Most bad guys are not going to be around you long enough for you to develop an attitude. They are more of a hit & run style out of convenience.

My experience with open carry is just the opposite. Those I know and see carrying openly generally appear to be over 50 yrs of age. Open carry is common in LA and I do not recall seeing any young people carrying.

That said, I got into a disucssion that ended badly on another site about young people carrying. Those I see carrying do so concealed but they have to carry 2-4 extra mags, at least one extra gun (different caliber) and they usually brag about their being able to carry. OTOH: None of the stats I see on revoked CCW in this state ever shows the younger guys getting into trouble either. My position on either type carry is up to the individual but all that extra ammo and backup gun is virtually useless.

As to stats on open carry, all I have to go on is what is written on the open carry web sites and the fact I have never worked, seen or heard of a person being accosted that carried openly. The open carry sites tend to bring this out as well. Not saying it has not happened, but perps prey on the weak, defenseless and the aged. I doubt any of those would apply to those here.

But different areas of the country see different issues, different crimes and different way of life. Stop 20 cars anytime day or night around here and 4 of the drivers will be intoxicated and 17 of the cars will have a firearm inside. Other states usually will not have that high of a rate.
Click to expand...


I disagree with your first paragraph completely. They all take the time to size you up. If you look like a victim, then you will be. Crimes of opportunity happen all the time. They look for a weakness and try to exploit it.

I don't like open carry at all but that's another arguement. Glad it works for you.
 
I've thought about this subject and a topic that is analogous to this one, long before I've CCW. I know the majority of posters on this forum will take what I'm about to write in the spirit in which it is intended. For well over 30 years, I've actively and continue to train and instruct in Japanese martial arts. I attained dan rank (i.e. black belt) many years ago. However, I have never felt the need to go around bragging about being a "black belt" or wear a shirt with a dragon on it. The same applies to CCW. Those who do know will only know on a need to know basis. Loose lips...
 
Not even the James Brothers open carried in Missouri....I read that they made a exception in Northfield Minn. We all know what happened there..We in Mo. have a choice. I see no no reason unless you are in the bush to open carry. Having been in Law Enforcement for 40 years (retired now) I always got a little nervous when I saw a stranger with a handgun with open and I might add obvious carry. Don't see it much any more/ I think the novelty has worn off.. Just my opinion !!!
 
Open carry is generally poor idea, and I have seen first hand the police being called about "a person with a gun" as a resultof open carry.

You will have a hard time finding many legitimate self defense instructors/schools to promote open carry. You lose the element of suprise. There is a reason uniformed officers have holsters with extra retention and security devices in their holsters. A gun won't neccesarily deter a bad guy, and could possibly just present a potential weapon for them.

Disagree? Look up the recent string of people being killed at outdoor ranges. The perps find someone shooting a nice NFA gun (supressor, full auto, SBR, etc) at the range, kill them, and take their full out assault gear. If a full auto M4 with supressor and combat optics don't deter criminals, don't think a little snub nose will.

As far as advertising concealed carry, I have ran into people who do this - both young and old. You need to question the motives of this type of person. Is it survival in a violent society or the result of watching too many bad action movies?

As to seeing young people carrying "2-4 mags", I have never seen anyone carry 4 mags on a belt - and I have a lot of experience in meeting people who concealed carry. Even in training classes, the sidearm typically gets 2 mags on the belt. In the real, it's rare to see someone carry ONE extra mag (which is a good idea IMO), much less a double mag pouch or two. I do think an extra mag is a good thing to carry though, particularly if your gun carries under 10 rounds (or speedloader if revolver). Another big reason for carrying a spare mag is to quickly fix a malfunction should one arise. It's cheap insurance....

Just my $0.02 based on a fair amount of experience and training. YMMV

Steve

 
I'm the the only one who needs to know if I'm carrying - my wife just assumes the answer is "yes" ............
 
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