Bad CCW experiences?

[Carl]

Probably been done before, not sure though. For this thread, I'm not talking about incidents where you were forced to reveal/draw it to ward off an enemy or potential attack, I'm talking about incidents that were non-violent that were just an inconvenience to you. For instance if someone found out you were carrying by seeing you bend over a certain way or if you were printing and said something out loud against it, or if someone took it further than that and tried to call you out as some kind of criminal.

If so, how did you react and save face, or just save yourself from turning into that "man with a gun?" Did you try to educate them on the 2nd amendment or ignore their scowls and walk away? As a soon to be CCWer, I'd like to know how certain situations are handled. I know most people that've been CCWing for years probably never have this problem due to much experience learning how to successfully conceal it and recover if something slips. Perhaps during the first couple years of CCWing where you were just a newbie with the art of concealment? Share some stories, I'd like to have examples of how to intelligently and respectfully handle similar situations.

 

[mountainpharm]

my only bad experience

I was carrying my Walther P99 in an OWB holster concealed with nylon pullover windbreaker. I was in Best Buy looking for a router, and I bent over to look at one on the bottom shelf. When I did the windbreaker apparently rode up enough to expose part of the gun. Someone saw it and went to the management of the store to complain. I was then approached by the store manager and asked to leave the store. I was very polite -- I didn't argue or cause any sort of commotion. I went up the road to Circuit City and bought the router. Haven't been to Best Buy since.

 

[THe Dove]

I don't know about other states but in Oklahoma, if you accidently show you are carrying, no matter what, you have broken the law. The Oklahoma CCW laws are very clear on this. Therefore, my advise is don't take a chance and make sure when you cary, YOU CONCEAL!

Just my advise.

The Dove

 

[c5_nc]

Oklahoma is one of the toughest states on open carry so that wouldn't apply to most of the US.

 

[miconoakisland]

"Ma'am/Sir, I'm supposed to carry this weapon. Please call my boss to verify this if you feel uncomfortable."
I run the company and I'm the only one to answer the phone.

 

[Mr_Rogers]

I've always wanted to use the line:
" I could tell you but then I would have to kill you"

 

[CapnMac]

My bad ccw experience had to do with being in a southern city in my state with a group of people and we had stopped by Target for some reason. Coincidentally to this, some less-exemplary members of society wanted the pharmacist to issue them 2-300 tabs of psuedefidrine, which was creating an ugly "situation." Alert status having changed, I notice almost all of my group looking at me as if surprised I had not produced a weapon by this point.

Talk about changing a person's tactical perspective. i was trying to find a good way get my party disengaged before Loss Prevention made any of this worse--they were all presuming I could produce a rabbit out of my hat.

Had to have a post-incident briefing on this, and how, while I can qualify under subparas a), and c), in Texas, I do not qualify under d)--and I actively engage in prudence beyond that. Especially while many of us were enjoying adult beverages in cities outside the Counties of our residence.

Nothing quite so odd as being made but only in others' imagination.

 

[miconoakisland]

"Ma'am/Sir, It's a new quick-release colostomy system, you must be mistaken. You want me to unhook it and let you hold it so you feel better about seeing what you thought might have been a gun?"
Never had anyone call me out about carrying, but almost can't wait. But, around these here parts, cain't really envision it. Been carrying CHP legal for 10 yrs, no problems or even close calls. Been wearing a seat belt for 20 yrs, same situation. Never had to use/rely on either but trust my carry weapons to work before my seat belts. Never been called out for being a reckless driver for wearing my seat belt either.

 

[Sam1911]

My 6 year old daughter "made" me one day in front of family and a bunch of other Cabela's shoppers. She's hyperactive, fast, and a bit clumsy. She came flying down a row between some clothes racks and smashed fore-head first into the butt of my 1911! Made a canteloupe "THUNK" that I swear everyone in the store turned around to figure out "what was THAT?" She burst into tears and fell on the floor holding her head! Left a big white DENT right in the middle of her forehead.

-Sam

 

[geronimo509]

Was eating dinner with my father in-law, his boss and my son. They had come from TX to PA for business and we met for dinner. After eating I let my 2 year old walk around the table and play a little. He started to act bashful but he was only messing around and playing peek a boo (he is a really funny kid and attention getter) Anyway, my 2 year old felt my 1911 in my IWB while I was sitting across from my father inlaw and his boss. He starts to lift my shirt and say Gun? Gun? It was so funny, I grabbed his hand and started to tickle him, he started laughing and running around the table again. It wouldn't have been a big deal but not something I would like to happen again.

 

[Buck Snort]

The manager of Best Buy didn't know you from Adam and was forced by company policy to play it safe and protect his staff and customers. Its your responsibility to keep you Roscoe covered.

"Haven't been to Best Buy since."

 

[miconoakisland]

Only bad experiences have been from trying new holsters/new firearms. Need a bigger, higher capacity gun(too big to conceal), need a new holster (clip digs into my hip/shoulder holster not right for my body type--too thin), need smaller firearm(not enough), need safety/decocker(too much extra movement), need iwb(new pants/belt), new owb(need cover shirt/jacket), etc, etc..
After all the different situations, I have a holster/firearm for all situations. It's trial and error and more error. But I'm set up (finally)for whatever I need (handguns on my person from .380 to .45 or within reach 24/7) and long guns close enough if needed.

 

[Starship1st]

I wonder what Worst Buy manager would have done if you had been an under cover officer or off duty cop?

 

[mpress]

I was caught once a few weeks after I started carrying. I was at a birthday party for a friends child. One of my wifes girlfriend gave me a hug and immediatly felt the grip of my XD45c. She asked what it was, but I was able to gracefully avoid the question without saying anything. She apparantly thought I was wearing a back brace. The next day at a girls dinner party she asked my wife about my wearing a back brace. My wife was so befuddled (and mad that I carried to the party) that she blurted out the truth to not only her... but to another friend that was also in ear shot. I don't claim to know much about women, but I do know how they like to talk. My primary concern was that they kept their mouths shut and I was on the phone the next day doing damage control with both girls. Our friendship with the first girl hadn't been the same since (an Obama Momma) the other girl that overheard my wife leans the other way and was much more understanding of what and why. The wife and I had a little conversation (again) about why we don't tell people such things.

 

[Carl]

I'm assuming most people don't think twice about it due to them just thinking you're an undercover LEO or detective of some kind.

 

[Wesson Smith]

I try my best not to print when I'm carrying, but sometimes I can see a trace, especially if I have on a sweatshirt. I don't spend much time worrying about it anymore.

 

[chris in va]

Oh sure. Got tapped on the shoulder by a dead ringer for Olive Oyl while standing in line at a convenience store.

"Excuse me, are you a police officer?"
No ma'am, I'm not.

"Why are you carrying a firearm then?"

Because I can, it's my right to do so.

"I've lived here all my life and have never seen anyone do this. I don't think it's right that you carry a gun."

Thank you, I don't know what to tell you. Perfectly legal.

She was weird, had this Cheshire Cat grin the whole time. Freaked me out.

 

[TRGRHPY]

My two boys often accidentally bang their heads on my carry gun when they come up to hug my waist. They do a very good job of not mentioning the word "gun" while crying. I've gotten to the point of calling them retards for doing the same thing over and over and not learning to put their head on the other side. dorks..

 

[ChCx2744]

mpress

The wife and I had a little conversation (again) about why we don't tell people such things.

You show some good restraint by just having a LITTLE conversation. I get really, REALLY irritated when my girl or buddies talk about my carrying/job around other people, especially if i don't know them/just met them. I have a LONG, SERIOUS DISCUSSION with whomever decides to freaking jaw-jack about my buisness. Very un-cool.

I've actually ended a friendship because of this situation actually...

There was a thread about people knowing how many guns you have/owning guns, and my view on that is a little more lax, but the issue of CARRYING, that is DEFINATELY something I do NOT want people to know. It is one thing to know I own guns, but there is a reason I am conceal carry. I open carry sometimes too, but If I am concealing, there is a dad-gum good reason.