What Would You Do?
- Thread starter Old cop
- Start date
Yes, let's not be snarky. There is enough of that on the Internet these days, never mind elsewhere.
One time, I saw a guy get into his car and his handgun was totally exposed. This was in the late 1990s, just after concealed carry was legal here. I decided to say something for his benefit. Dummy me - I should have known he was a cop!!!
I live in a gun world of don't ask, don't tell. But if a service person came into my home to fix something and he was printing I'd advice him accordingly.
One time, I saw a guy get into his car and his handgun was totally exposed. This was in the late 1990s, just after concealed carry was legal here. I decided to say something for his benefit. Dummy me - I should have known he was a cop!!!
I live in a gun world of don't ask, don't tell. But if a service person came into my home to fix something and he was printing I'd advice him accordingly.
Pisgah
Member
In my state (SC) legal carry ends at the door of another person's residence unless the carrier has the homeowner's permission. That being the case, I'd probably say, "You know, I have no objection to your handgun as long as you are licensed to carry, but you might want to be a bit more discreet in other people's houses."
If it would have been a female service person.............I'd frisk her.
I'd have called his employer and got him fired. I'm anti gun..... (kidding)
I can't see why calling his employer would even be a consideration. I'd have most likely just kept my mouth shut and let him go about his job.
I can't see why calling his employer would even be a consideration. I'd have most likely just kept my mouth shut and let him go about his job.
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gman51
Member
I go with the sign at the front door of LGS. If you draw your carry gun here there is a chance you could be shot. You could be suspected of robbing us or you are just stupid. Your gun shall remain holstered while in our shop.
Someone comes into my house that is carrying then I probably would pay closer attention to their actions. If I felt he was cool then I might ask what he was carrying. I wouldn't call his office unless he got stupid with his holstered gun.
I walk my dogs and I always carry. Sometimes I have open carried a few times while walking them because it was so hot outside. No doubt my neighbors know I carry a gun. Since it is legal here now I will do it on my street but not in general public places. I have stopped to talk to neighbors and not once have they said anything to me about carrying a gun. I am usually concealed. If anyone asked me not to carry when I talk to them then I would respect their decision but it has never happened. I have been carrying since 2011.
The UPS driver said he wouldn't want to be delivering here at night. He was smiling when he said it. He has delivered often after dark.
Only once in 8 years have I noticed someone looking close at my pants. I am guessing he figured I was carrying in my front jeans pocket. He didn't say anything to me though. LOL Maybe I should have checked him out to see if he was carrying. People for the most part couldn't care less about people around them in stores.
Years ago I noticed an older stocker at the grocery store wore a belly pouch which I figured he had a gun in. He told me was a cop on the local police force before he retired. It never bothered me suspecting he had a gun in his pouch while at work.
Someone comes into my house that is carrying then I probably would pay closer attention to their actions. If I felt he was cool then I might ask what he was carrying. I wouldn't call his office unless he got stupid with his holstered gun.
I walk my dogs and I always carry. Sometimes I have open carried a few times while walking them because it was so hot outside. No doubt my neighbors know I carry a gun. Since it is legal here now I will do it on my street but not in general public places. I have stopped to talk to neighbors and not once have they said anything to me about carrying a gun. I am usually concealed. If anyone asked me not to carry when I talk to them then I would respect their decision but it has never happened. I have been carrying since 2011.
The UPS driver said he wouldn't want to be delivering here at night. He was smiling when he said it. He has delivered often after dark.
Only once in 8 years have I noticed someone looking close at my pants. I am guessing he figured I was carrying in my front jeans pocket. He didn't say anything to me though. LOL Maybe I should have checked him out to see if he was carrying. People for the most part couldn't care less about people around them in stores.
Years ago I noticed an older stocker at the grocery store wore a belly pouch which I figured he had a gun in. He told me was a cop on the local police force before he retired. It never bothered me suspecting he had a gun in his pouch while at work.
Triggernosis
Member
I personally wouldn't mention him printing. I don't care if I print. Why should I care if someone else prints?
Triggernosis
Member
Exactly, his employer may even encourage carrying a weapon on the job. I know of at least two companies here in my town who have no problem with their employees carrying weapons.
Triggernosis
Member
Yes, let's not be snarky. There is enough of that on the Internet these days, never mind elsewhere.
One time, I saw a guy get into his car and his handgun was totally exposed. This was in the late 1990s, just after concealed carry was legal here. I decided to say something for his benefit. Dummy me - I should have known he was a cop!!!
I live in a gun world of don't ask, don't tell. But if a service person came into my home to fix something and he was printing I'd advice him accordingly.
I'm curious. Why do you care if he prints? Are you scared of his gun?
I disagree but respect your right to do as you please. But if done properly you will never know if someone is carrying concealed in your house.
I understand that but in this specific case Old Cop did know the person was carrying.
I'm not saying I'd be a prick about it and I certainly wouldn't report it to his boss but I'm not comfortable letting an armed stranger into my home.
Maybe it's a result of my life experience but I don't trust people (really, in general) I don't know. I'm sorry if that offends some of the people participating in this thread (Actually I couldn't care less if it offends a couple of you. ) but my home, my choice.
S&WsRsweet
Member
I would read the person and then decide whether to mention the printing issue .If I did it would be in a very polite and positive manner explaining that I to carry and just wanted to make him aware.If y’all see me printing PLEASE tell me .Rather hear it from a brother or sister gun enthusiast than anyone else.I agree though my house my rules your house your rules and if I’m taking your money you are the boss.
What I really don't understand is that there are any number of threads on this forum about hardening your house, reinforcing your door jambs so that somebody can't kick them in, planting thorn bushes under your windows so people can't get in, motion detector lights, cameras and the like and now I'm being advised to ignore all that when somebody I don't know wants to walk into my house with a gun.
I'm sorry but that makes zero sense to me.
I'm sorry but that makes zero sense to me.
Rastoff
US Veteran
It doesn't make sense to you because you can't seem to see the difference.
Hardening your home is defending against the invader. This is a person who has nefarious intentions from the beginning. What we're talking about here is inviting a repairman into your home to provide a service. Their intention is to help you and you asked for it.
Do you not see the difference?
I have had the OP’s experience happen to me twice with repairmen in my home.
The companies were reputable. The guys gave off no danger signals. I had no problem with the fact they were carrying.
However, as a brother in arms, I had a problem with them not knowing, or perhaps caring, that they were printing. It would, not could, have been a problem for them with someone who was intolerant.
To help protect their right to carry, I thought it appropriate to have a friendly discussion about two things:
The concept of concealed carry.
How to do it (better).
Concealed means concealed, not just some of the time; all the time. There are many ways to carry without printing or exposing a gun, even when bending, reaching, twisting, climbing, etc.
In the case of both repairmen, neither was aware of different methods that would have provided true concealment. Both were appreciative of our conversation. It helps to show people what you are talking about. In both cases, as always, I was armed with my concealed pistol. During the discussion I went through the various physical movements that expose a poorly concealed gun. I asked if they could spot it. They couldn’t. One didn’t believe I was carrying.
In one case I was carrying a single stack compact 9mm in Thunderwear. I had on a suit and tie without the coat. In the other I was carrying my full sized M&P with a patterned shirt covering it, AIWB.
This of course led to further discussion. I don’t know if either changed what they were doing, but we had good, positive interactions.
So, I’m in the camp of inform and educate.
However, if your carry method allows your gun to be seen when performing physical movements like these guys had to do, then the education part of the discussion may be short.
The companies were reputable. The guys gave off no danger signals. I had no problem with the fact they were carrying.
However, as a brother in arms, I had a problem with them not knowing, or perhaps caring, that they were printing. It would, not could, have been a problem for them with someone who was intolerant.
To help protect their right to carry, I thought it appropriate to have a friendly discussion about two things:
The concept of concealed carry.
How to do it (better).
Concealed means concealed, not just some of the time; all the time. There are many ways to carry without printing or exposing a gun, even when bending, reaching, twisting, climbing, etc.
In the case of both repairmen, neither was aware of different methods that would have provided true concealment. Both were appreciative of our conversation. It helps to show people what you are talking about. In both cases, as always, I was armed with my concealed pistol. During the discussion I went through the various physical movements that expose a poorly concealed gun. I asked if they could spot it. They couldn’t. One didn’t believe I was carrying.
In one case I was carrying a single stack compact 9mm in Thunderwear. I had on a suit and tie without the coat. In the other I was carrying my full sized M&P with a patterned shirt covering it, AIWB.
This of course led to further discussion. I don’t know if either changed what they were doing, but we had good, positive interactions.
So, I’m in the camp of inform and educate.
However, if your carry method allows your gun to be seen when performing physical movements like these guys had to do, then the education part of the discussion may be short.
Will you demand...
...the next occasion you call a service worker to your home that he/she be unarmed?
Be safe.
...the next occasion you call a service worker to your home that he/she be unarmed?
Be safe.
sigp220.45
US Veteran
I don’t carry my gun into other people’s homes. If I feel a need to, I don’t go. If you want to carry a gun in my house you better ask. And I’ll tell you no. Leave it in the truck.
In this case I would have shown him the door. I’ve tossed them out for being drunk (movers) and rude (cable guy).
Your house, do what you want.
In this case I would have shown him the door. I’ve tossed them out for being drunk (movers) and rude (cable guy).
Your house, do what you want.
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Ivan the Butcher
Member
While doing A/C service in various rental homes and apartments, I've had people threaten my life and 4 or 5 times turn dogs loose on me. At the time CCW wasn't legal so I made my way off the property, and called the owners. I waited while the police showed up, and cuffed and stuffed these obnoxious (and really stupid) people.
It has been said, "An armed society is a polite society."
In talking to guys still working in our field, they go armed, or you don't get service! PEROID! Bounced checks are as bad as ever, but people are a lot nicer to your face!
Ivan
To Sig220.45's comment about not wanting armed service people in his home. I agree with "My house, My rules". But since you invited them to your home, you should have pointed that out when you called to order service. Around here, you might get the large (and expensive) service companies to accommodate your request/demand, but I don't think any of the small or independent service contractors would agree, when there is a 5 day waiting list, and they are carrying cash. (Lots of HVAC and Appliance repairs are cash only!) I would perceive this as disrespect, and I have dropped 10 year customers for becoming disrespectful. There is nothing that says they are required to accept you as a customer!
One solution might be to open carry when service people are at your place.
It has been said, "An armed society is a polite society."
In talking to guys still working in our field, they go armed, or you don't get service! PEROID! Bounced checks are as bad as ever, but people are a lot nicer to your face!
Ivan
To Sig220.45's comment about not wanting armed service people in his home. I agree with "My house, My rules". But since you invited them to your home, you should have pointed that out when you called to order service. Around here, you might get the large (and expensive) service companies to accommodate your request/demand, but I don't think any of the small or independent service contractors would agree, when there is a 5 day waiting list, and they are carrying cash. (Lots of HVAC and Appliance repairs are cash only!) I would perceive this as disrespect, and I have dropped 10 year customers for becoming disrespectful. There is nothing that says they are required to accept you as a customer!
One solution might be to open carry when service people are at your place.
bigmoneylewis
Member
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I would not worry about it at all . It wouldn't bother me if they were printing , I would not even mind if their shirt came up while working and the gun was exposed . As long as it doesn't fall on the floor I don't care , and I would not see the need to even mention it out loud unless he had something really cool that we could strike up a conversation about like a Belgium made Browning Hi power , or a S & W 27-2 , or heck even an old Ruger security six . Assuming it was just a plastic dildo gun I would let the guy go about his business undisturbed .
Lewis
Lewis
REM 3200
US Veteran
You hope that is their intention. Do you really know? You know nothing about this person.
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