"Do you carry a gun?"

[JWarren]

My answer to this question is always the same:


"Why?"


Their answer dicates how the rest of that conversation will go.


The only exception to this is every time I show up at my father's house when my nephew is there.

He always asks me "Uncle John, do you have a gun in your jeep?"

My response is always the same... "Harrison, its, Uncle John you're talking to... of course I do."


This ends with him shooting all my ammunition up.


-- John

 

[scurtis_34471]

I keep it a secret from nobody.

 

[geekWithA.45]

"It depends...there are times and places when the option's a good thing to have."

 

[mokin]

My work takes me many places guns are specifically prohibited. Not only that, many of my co-workers know next to nothing about guns and/or are very anti-gun. As a result, I frequently don't carry when traveling for work (it feels really strange...). But, in some cases, as a permitted member of society, security chiefs not only permit such permitted folks as myself but encourage us to carry. On other occasions, people who have bothered to go through the hoops to get permitted are singled out for extra scrutiny when entering some places , that is, if certain background checks have been conducted (on these occasions, I have been asked). Presently, I'm trying to get a handle on what causes some areas to be very pro "permitted" gun and others no-guns-no-matter-what. What I percieve as very ironic is that even 50 years ago a sidearm was not only accepted, but expected when venturing into the woods/desert.

 

[Green Lantern]

Depends on circumstances. My stock responses are 'Why, do you need one?" or " Does something need shooting?"

Oh man, that reminds me of when I was asked at work, once. My supervisor knows I OWN guns, not that I carry. I was...doing the order, I think, and he asked, "Hey, do you have a gun with you?" My gut hit the floor, because:

1) I thought that he'd spotted a threat - we work in a drugstore, so that's been known to happen!
2) Said drugstore has a "self-defense free" policy that I abide by...

I just said, as casually as possible, "Whyyyy - ?

Turns out that it was a remark made in jest, when my sup. noticed a rabbit hanging out in the grass, through the drive-thru window...:banghead:

I 'splained to him what I THOUGHT he was getting at, he's been more 'tactful' in gun discussions since then.

More that I think about it, "why" might be a decent answer, whether one carries/IS carrying or not...to nitpick I voted other, because I like JUST "why" as opposed to "Why specifically do you need to know?"

 

[rhubarb]

"I got my pants on, ain't I?"

Why are all the choices in the poll verbal dodges to the question? Is carrying a gun something that should cause me to exhibit shame or dissemble? I've never denied carrying to anyone. I preach the gospel of protecting myself and my family.

 

[koja48]

Mind your own business . . . I carry a spare tire in my vehicles, have fire extinguishers in my house, have health, vehicle, home, & life insurance, and have never planned either an illness; a heart-attack; an accident; or any other of life's potential surprises. And when intimacy was a driving force in my life, I carried a condom. The Boy Scouts taught me to "Be Prepared." I will NEVER be a "helpless victim" (as has been discovered). Grab a dictionary at your leisure and learn what the word "concealed" means . . .

 

[JWarren]

Why are all the choices in the poll verbal dodges to the question?

Just wanted to clarify my "Why?" response.


Just about EVERYTHING in my life with people around me is on a "Need to Know" basis. This includes whether I wear boxers or briefs, what I ate for supper last night, or what my favorite soap is.

It DEFINATELY comes into play when people ask me about my ability to defend myself.


I don't give out my home's alarm code, I don't talk about any martial arts training, and I surely don't talk about whether I have a firearm.

...unless you can give me a good reason as to why I would want to you know any of those things.


-- John

 

[Bezoar]

asking someone this question is like going up to a fat woman in public and asking for her due date.

Or going up to a group of females and wagging your unit around in the breeze.

Its just not done in polite society, unless its showing, fallen on the ground, or the LEO is asking you.

 

[JWarren]

Or going up to a group of females and wagging your unit around in the breeze.

Its just not done in polite society, unless its showing, fallen on the ground, or the LEO is asking you.

Wait... just to clarify... we aren't talking about wagging anything for a LEO, right?

I mean, we are still talking about handguns, right?




-- John

 

[230RN]

Something else: "How much money have you got in the bank?"

They say, "Why that's none of your business."

I say, "As a Good Man once said, 'Thou hast said it.'"

Works for a lot of things.

(Mat 26:25)

 

[WayneConrad]

I carry openly. Not fit for polite society?

Anyhow, I'm not likely to ever be asked this question.

 

[arflattop]

I'm all for encouraging the RKBA, but for MY safety's sake, no one other than my wife knows or needs to know I carry. I read of a case where an off duty LEO was identified by a store clerk during a hold up. It caught him off guard and he was killed. Not to sound haughty, but most people don't have enough sense to know how to handle the fact that "we" carry concealed. As has been said before -- concealed means concealed. If I wanted you to know I'm armed, I'd carry openly.

 

[gym]

Leading question, don't answer this kind of question, it is a fishing trip.

 

[Just Jim]

It's funny. Over the years , and I have been carrying a gun for 35 years, there have been alot of questions. Back when not many carried it was "why do you carry"?
Now it's "what are you carrying"?

jj

 

[Ed Ames]

Main thing to remember is that a defensive "why?" or clumsy subject change will be like blood to a shark... they'll scent vulnerability and circle for the kill.

Learn to give whatever answer you want to give ("yes", "no", "I gave them up for lent", "I wish! Did you see the news the other day?", or whatever) as though it was the bone simple truth and as natural as fusion. Practice if you need to. Even if you plan to tell the truth practice until you can deliver it like it's The Truth.

 

[Cuda]

To those friends or family who may inquire I always say the same thing. "no worries". Although I've never been asked by a stranger I would look around check out the surroundings then decide if he/she needed to know..

C

 

[ColinthePilot]

I voted other, because there was no option for "yes." 90% of the time I CAN carry legally, I'm with someone who watched me strap up. Since I live on a military base(a situation I'll be rectifying shortly), its illegal for me to keep mine here. They all live with a trusted friend, and hang out with his guns. Therefore the only time I carry these days is usually going to the range. So when someone asks me, its almost always someone I know and trust with my life, so the answer is yes.
Other than that, its a non issue, since I conceal and conceal well.

 

[paramedic70002]

Ann Landers had a reply for such questions: Excuse me, that is a rude question and I will not discuss the issue. Or something like that.

Or:

No, it's my wife's turn tonight.

Gee, I don't remember. Hold on a minute while I check.

Is there a dangerous criminal nearby who needs to be dispatched?

Do you see a bulge? Oh my how embarrassing. You've caught me pilfering the ________. I'll cut you in for half if you can keep cool for 5 days til I get this stuff unloaded.

 

[grog18b]

"I only carry on days of the week that end in 'day'".
or
"Why... Would you like to see it?"
or
"I'll show you mine, if you show me yours..." (Works best with females)

 

[sprithitler]

My answer would, wether i carry or not, be "I would if i could, but in this country only outlaws and cops can carry guns."

 

[Grizzly Adams]

Depends on the situation and who is asking.

 

[USMC - Retired]

My response would be:

"Yes I do! What was your first clue the stainless steel 1911 on my hip or the "I provide my own SECURITY" on the back of my T-shirt?

 

[Hokkmike]

Weird poll choices. How about just a big 'ol "Yes."

Like HE said.

 

[Pat McCoy]

Sometimes.