What Would You Do?

[fiasconva]

I made the mistake of telling a guy his firearm was showing at a local mall last year. He got pretty defensive and copped an attitude saying it was supposed to be showing. I didn't even bother to tell him that firearms weren't allowed there. I made up my mind right then that I'll keep my mouth shut from now on.

 

[TTSH]

I swear to God, I never knew that going around telling strangers that they are "printing" is a thing. Apparently, from the responses, it's very popular. I never knew.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I swear to God, I never knew that going around telling strangers that they are "printing" is a thing. Apparently, from the responses, it's very popular. I never knew.

Well, you ask could them if that’s a gun in their pocket or are they just happy to see you.

 

[TTSH]

Well, you ask could them if that’s a gun in their pocket or are they just happy to see you.

Heck, I don't even stop and tell strangers when I see that they are flying low. It's none of my business!

 

[GerSan69]

Well....
These days, folks aren't as friendly as they used to be. (Probably one of the reasons that OP's contractor was carrying, don't ya think? ) Consequently, what used to be a friendly "Say, friend, your zipper is down" type of courtesy comment is as likely to be taken the wrong way as it is taken as intended. Maybe more so. It's a sad state of affairs, but I didn't invent it, so there's not much that can be done.
So I say, keep quiet unless you're able to say something in an official capacity, like you're a cop. At least the badge will keep most (not all, but most) exchanges like this civil.

 

[buzzkillbob]

How many of you have had a similar experience and how did you handle it?

I had it happen once. I simply asked, "So, what are you carrying?" One, I let him know he was printing. Two, I was able to strike up a converstation with a fellow firearm enthusiast. YMMV...

 

[dr. mordo]

I'm always pretty friendly with repairmen, so if I had established a bit of a relationship I might have mentioned it. Otherwise I'd keep it to myself.

 

[4506517]

When I was detailed to evictions/padlocks, I encouraged landlords and their agents to carry.

It was a non issue.

Now someone in my home to provide service?

Honestly not sure. If they presented themselves as relatively intelligent, I would most likely not have an issue.

You bring up a great point OP.

 

[Rastoff]

What would I do?

• First take a moment to judge the guys demeanor.
• If he seems amenable, I would discretely talk to him.
• If he seemed stand offish, I'd let it go without saying anything.

Under no circumstances would I call his company or "call him out" openly.


To all those who are saying to mind your own business...

That is of course your choice and I wouldn't look on any one poorly should they decide to say nothing. Even so, we are a community and should support each other. It's polite to tell someone discretely they have something on their face or their zipper's down. I would appreciate it if someone said it to me.

 

[Protected One]

Just last month I purchased a new house and had an inspector out to look it over for anything I needed to know about. When he was on a ladder heading into the attic his shirt rode up a bit as he was reaching above his head, revealing that he was carrying in the small of his back. I was not upset or offended, and were I doing his job I would be carrying also...but in a manner that would not be accidentally revealed.
I didn't say anything to him.

 

[GypsmJim]

An acquaintance of mine had a best friend that he had known for 30 years. He and their wives often went out to dinner together. Long story short, the guy was arrested and DNA proved he was the jogging path rapist and had murdered several of his victims. Who woulda thunk it?

The repairman may have had a carry permit and been on the up and up, or he might have just murdered his wife that morning after a violent argument. How do you know?

I say MYOB, keep your mouth shut, quit the small talk so he leaves quickly and find another repairman. Life is too short to chance anything. That's why I carry.

 

[ExcitableBoy]

So many woulda-coulda-shouldas and what-ifs to consider by the imagination...

My only concern would be that his carry piece stayed holstered in my presence. If not, that's when a problem would start.

 

[zzclancy]

See NOTHING say NOTHING.

 

[alwslate]

If he was in my house I would probably just ask him what he was carrying
and explain that I also carried. I see people printing in public places
sometimes and I say nothing. IN is an open carry state and I did have a
good conversation with a guy who was open carrying recently. I was
CCing at the time but did not mention it.

 

[Smoke]

Outside my house: not my circus not my monkeys.

Inside my house: not happening. If I don't know you you're not bringing a gun in my house end of discussion.

 

[tops]

I find it ironic and elitist that there are gun people that carry guns out in public where other people don't know them but don't want people they don't know carrying guns in their homes. They would not like it if they were out in public and someone saw them carrying a gun and got upset. I had rather think that the repairman carrying a gun and I have a lot in common and he is one of the good guys.
One argument I hear about people having CC permits is that they have been checked and don't have any kind of criminal history so they are good guys. Maybe the repairman that isn't carrying a gun is a felon and not allowed to carry.
Talk to the repairman and you will probably find out he is a good guy and one of us. Larry

 

[Smoke]

I find it ironic and elitist that there are gun people that carry guns out in public where other people don't know them but don't want people they don't know carrying guns in their homes.

Hey Larry you can address me directly you know.

There's quite a bit of difference between public and my home.

I don't really care if you think it's elitist or not, you are not crossing my threshold with a gun if I don't know you. Protecting my home is kind of my primary mission as a husband and father and I don't need your consent to do that.

YMMV

Good day.

 

[Protected One]

We were invited to a dinner party by one of my wife's long-time girlfriends and her new husband. I wasn't sure if I should carry or not because I didn't know their position on guns, but I wasn't going to ask either. I opted to carry since no one would know...unless something very bad happened.

Turned out that her husband is a retired cop, and I noticed that HE was carrying under his sweater, and printing "just enough" that I could tell is was a full size semi-auto (Sig P226 I suspect).

I grinned inside, and felt more likely that he would have been OK with me carrying if he had known.

 

[JJEH]

Everyone is armed, period. Don't matter if I can see it or not. If you leave yours where it is, I'll leave mine where it is... works out pretty good.

 

[Rastoff]

I find it ironic and elitist that there are gun people that carry guns out in public where other people don't know them but don't want people they don't know carrying guns in their homes.

Indeed it is, but that's just how some people roll.

I don't really care if you think it's elitist or not, you are not crossing my threshold with a gun if I don't know you.

Please tell me you see the irony here. It's OK from them to "cross your threshold" if they don't have a gun. So, the phone guy, gas guy, electric guy, whomever, comes in your house to fix something. How exactly do you know they have a gun or not? Do you frisk them? If you see the gun print after they enter, do you draw down on them and tell them to leave?