Discussion of Guns in Public - Dumb?

[Blain]

Ok, hear me out. I was just at an Army Surplus store today and was checking the place out, was asking the owner if he had this or that. Well apparently the guy thought this was real humorous that I actually had knowledge of such items. He was joking around, asking if I was in the military, etc. He was all smiles and giggles. He was joking around to my two friends I brought with me asking them questions like,

"When the SHTF you're going to be going after this guy"

He then asked me how many guns I owned, what types, where I lived, etc. I didn't mind telling him about what guns I owned. I don't usually mind talking about guns in public so I told him about a few of them, etc.

He then also asked me smart a$$ questions like,

"So....when do you think the SHTF? 10, 15 years? HA HA HA HA"

To which I replied it is always smart to be prepared because it is better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.


He then made other smart comments to humor himself as I was leaving the store.

As I left the store my friends were all scared and saying,

"You shouldn't have told him anything about your guns, that guy has a file on you now."

And,

"I was going to buy something there until you exposed yourself."

I was like, ***? What exactly did I do that was illegal? Why are you acting so paranoid? The Government knows about all the guns I have anyway due to the background checks.

Some people seem overly foolish and paranoid. Sure, the owner acted like an ???, but should I be afraid to talk legal guns to the guy or anyone else because of it? Maybe it's because of the liberal environment up here, people are already living in a police state mentality. I don’t know, maybe it’s just me. What are your thoughts?

 

[AJ Dual]

It's hard to tell from your post, but I get the impression that the surplus store owner really did want to talk SHTF, but was trying to probe you out first, playing a belief in SHTF off as a joke in case you didn't wear as much tinfoil as he really does.

If the guy really had such a low opinion of survivalists and gun owners, why does he own a surplus store?

 

[Werewolf]

If the guy really had such a low opinion of survivalists and gun owners, why does he own a surplus store?

To benefit economically from their paranoia... uhh survivalists that is not gun owners - we're all normal rational people - right? RIGHT?

 

[pax]

He then asked me how many guns I owned, what types, where I lived, etc. I didn't mind telling him about what guns I owned. I don't usually mind talking about guns in public so I told him about a few of them, etc.

Umm.

Worry more about thieves than about government knowledge, in this case.

pax

This is the 90's, bubba. There's no such thing as paranoia. It's all true. -- Hunter

 

[Carlos Cabeza]

Ditto what Pax said. I NEVER discuss details concerning number of guns, types, storage locations etc.

 

[Blain]

Not like I gave the guy my address or storage locations, LOL! Hey...if he wishes to take them he is welcomed to try. Though I can read people, and that is not what he was trying to do. I have no problems with telling people some types of guns I own. Why should I?

 

[Hkmp5sd]

Sure, I talk about guns all of the time in public. However, when talking to strangers, there a no specifics about how many guns I own, why I own them or whether I carry concealed. If someone wants to talk about this or that gun, gun control, politicians or such, no problem.

 

[DMK]

I talk to people at the range about guns all the time, heck they actually see them. Some folks I see there all the time. If they kept count, they'd get to see all of them eventually.

So what's the difference between them and some guy who owns an Army surplus store?

"You shouldn't have told him anything about your guns, that guy has a file on you now."

LOL! I agree with you Blain. Just who was wearing the tinfoil hat anyway?

 

[Lightsped]

I enjoy talking about my guns. It is one of my hobbies, however I normally don't discuss guns with liberals. Unless I know the person VERY well, I don't give away info such as "how many guns?", and "where do you keep them?" type comments/questions.

Sounds like the store clerk was just a talker. Someone wanting to chit chat. Don't see any harm in that.

 

[Blain]

MY friends (foolish yuppie types) thought the guy was making fun of me, and thought it was dangerous to be talking about my guns.

 

[Standing Wolf]

...should I be afraid to talk legal guns to the guy or anyone else because of it?

Nope. Living in fear is precisely what the leftist extremists want us to do. From the sound of it, the surplus store guy doesn't have his head screwed on straight, but that's his problem, not yours or anyone else's, I'd say.

 

[C.R.Sam]

Strangers...
I'll listen but volunteer little.

Sam

 

[Lennyjoe]

I've been educating my class here on RKBA and gun issues since I been here.

Got a few folks changing their outlook on guns and protecting themselves.

Might convert a few while Im here.

 

[cracked butt]

About the only people I talk to about guns with alot are my coworkers- they always ask me questions on cartridges, and advice on what kind of firearm to buy. I never give out specifics on how many I own, but I had one of my coworkers over after he bought a new shotgun to show him how to assemble and clean it, he was in absolute awe when I showed him my racks of rifles.

 

[Kamicosmos]

I used to eagerly engage in conversation about gun rights, shooting, reloading, what have you. Always kept it fairly generic unless the topic was a specfic gun type or I knew the person a bit (like a fellow range regular, pro-gun co-worker).

Lately though, seems like everytime I get in a gun related discussion, especially a political one, it turns sour. Guess I'm surrounded by more and more [insert political sphere here] types.

So now, I pretty much keep my mouth shut. Hermit on the hill, ya know.
Not just gun stuff, most anything. Like CR Sam, I listen and don't say much.

Although, I will rant and rave about work issues with the coworkers at lunch. Oh yeah....gotta let that steam out!

 

[Horsesense]

"was asking the owner if he had this or that"

what exactly were you asking about?

You didn’t give him the secret code did you ????


Seriously though, suppose he wants to get in good with some G-man and he figures if he drops a dime on some "suspicious character", he's in. You don’t have to break any laws to get trouble from THE MAN.
You don’t have a bayonet on a post-ban SKS do ya? If so tomorrows headline could read "the (insert name of anyone wanting to make a name for himself) taskforce, acting on a tip, seized an E-legal assault rifle and survivalist gear. One suspect is in custody"

 

[Blain]

I simply asked him if he had some common surplus items in stock. Such as ammo cans, magazines, BDUs, alice packs, MREs, bayonets, and any surplus ammo.......not all at once of course.

 

[Tamara]

I do nothing but talk about guns all day at work.

MY friends (foolish yuppie types)

Between this quote and the "Would you loan a gun to a friend?" thread, I'm beginning to suspect that my definition of "friend" may differ from the norm.

 

[Blain]

Hey.....I don't know how it is south of Dixi, but up here behind enemy lines, you either have friends which are "so-so", or you don't have them at all!!

So believe me, I don't have too many friends.

 

[swingset]

Tell you a story about loose lips.

My ex brother in law got talking stereos with a car mechanic, actually just the guy behind the counter at a service garage. They talked about what each other owned, etc. My BIL had really high end stuff.

Flash to 3 weeks later there's a breakin and most of his stuff gets stolen, almost $15k worth of audiophile components.

Cops caught the guy in the act of burgluring someone else a few months later and recovered most of my BIL's gear, at the car mechanic guy's house. He talked stereos, then looked up my BIL's addy on his computer, and even made a key of his house (my BIL gave it to him on a key-ring when he left the car for service).

Lesson? If someone has access to your personal info, give them NO INCENTIVE to come to your pad.