What do you tell people?

[4thfin]

I am new to the ideas of having a permit (just recently got mine) and actually carrying. I have had the opportunity to listen to others get into a near debate over the issues of concealing & carrying and just wondered how you all have responded!

thanks

fin

[DeanC]

When people are having a debate, generally, I don't volunteer that I have a permit. It's better kept to yourself. They don't need to know.

Besides, it generally stifles the conversation.

[Squib Joe]

If they somehow know that I carry and ask why, I give the standard "Sometimes I carry a gun because I find it impossible to carry a police officer"

[IDPA Shooter]

When people are having a debate, generally, I don't volunteer that I have a permit. It's better kept to yourself. They don't need to know.

Besides, it generally stifles the conversation.

+1 - It is impossible to untell someone.

I've also got the reaction to carry and IDPA competition what, you are an educated person, you don't belong to the NRA too do you? Surprise, shooters and NRA members come in all shapes, sizes, ages, religions and ethic and educational backgrounds, and we all know that, but it does seem to surprise most non gun folks. My big surprise was how many IT types are shooters, but we do have a lot of stress to relieve!

[princewally]

My big surprise was how many IT types are shooters, but we do have a lot of stress to relieve!

IT folks tend to have 'hands-on' hobbies. Models, gardening, guns, furniture making, etc. I'm pretty sure it has to do with the 'intangible' nature of our day jobs.

[tt3]

I follow the advice that I read somewhere, can't remember where I first saw it. Anyway:
Always carry, Never tell.

[ttousi]

When seconds count the police are only minutes away.

Also as stated above ..........you can't untell

[cmj685]

I don't volunteer it generally, and I would never volunteer it in the midst of a public debate about it...for a whole bunch of reasons. In the midst of a public argument is not the time to try to convince someone. Now in private, with friends and family, at the right times--that is the right time to reveal it if you are going to reveal it. Like several have said: once you've told you can never untell. Far better to never tell until it is the right time.

[4thfin]

I agree with all of your answers and really appreciate the straight forward no b.s. way that you put it.

great group to learn from.

thanks

[JoeH]

I subscribe to "Always carry, never tell."

However, it depends on how much of an evangelist you want to be. Sometimes I'll engage in the debate. It doesn't mean that I need to tell them that I'm carrying.

I'll bring Permit to Carry up to friends and acquaintances when I feel that the time is right. They are usually surprised that a normal (shows what they know about me) person would carry. That's my intention and a good point to get across.

[drkarrow]

I've never been afraid to tell. If others have a problem with it, well that's their problem and it's not going to stop me. I'm also not afraid of open carrying, and well, it's hard to hide that one. My anti-gun mother was one of the first I told, and I asked her if she cared if I carried in her house. I was amazed by her logical reply of "I'd rather you keep it on you than leave it in the car where someone could steal it."

For most people who have found out about me, their first question is how they can get their permit. If the people you're around react negatively, I'd ask why you are around those kind of people so much.

As long as carrying is treated as a dirty little secret, it will always be treated as such by others.

After typing this it reminds my of gay rights. They used to have to hide "in the closet." It wasn't until they started standing up for their rights openly and publicly that they generally accepted. And now in the cities it's more common to see a same sex couple holding hands in public than to see someone open carrying a gun. So what do we have to do to get the same acceptance? Hiding it certainly is not the answer.

Just my opinion, I'm sure other will disagree.

[jaysong]

I do tell sometimes. How else am I going to get people to get involved and take my classes?

[MsT]

Joe - if you think people are surprised to find out that you carry, imagine the reaction that I get (after all, I'm just a girl)

[justaguy]

I just tell them “I carry just in case anyone ever tries to F’in kill me”.

[mnxd9]

I don't have any problems telling people I carry :shrug: I've yet to have any issue, haven't wish I could untell anyone yet.