Got made yesterday

[DWARREN123]

Not supid, just doesn't know or understand guns or gun laws and about the really bad people out there. Maybe go back and try to explain to her the why's and wherefore's or maybe not.

 

[SniperStraz]

I think that every one of us would probably have reacted a little differently. Given that the OP was taken off guard, I think that he did alright. I also think that one of the reasons this thread was opened was to get feedback in order to use the information for a similar future incident.
As far as the "Please don't shoot me" goes... I don't walk around flashing my guns at people but I have had people spot my knife clip. Some know what it is and others say "what's that?" But I have had a few people say "don't stab me" or "do you ever stab anyone?" Other people find out in conversation that I do martial arts and I have heard responses like "just don't kill me ok?"
People just say stupid things. Its not all that uncommon. I think you'll find that most things that people say in general don't need to be said and are in fact just space fillers. Anyway, she was probably making a poor attempt at a joke, or else she just didn't have anything else to say.

 

[busy_squirrel]

I think that every one of us would probably have reacted a little differently. Given that the OP was taken off guard, I think that he did alright.

Nope, I would've and have said the same thing. Doesn't make it the perfect answer but understandable given the impromptu situation.

 

[Warren]

As far as the "Please don't shoot me" goes... I don't walk around flashing my guns at people but I have had people spot my knife clip. Some know what it is and others say "what's that?" But I have had a few people say "don't stab me" or "do you ever stab anyone?" Other people find out in conversation that I do martial arts and I have heard responses like "just don't kill me ok?"

Years of being conditioned to have a victim mentality and years of weapons being demonized is the cause of this. I think a lot of these folks cannot even imagine being able to fight back and win. And the idea that they could and should carry tools and get the skills to help them do that has likely not ever crossed their mind.

So the chance that anything he said putting her on the right path is very slim. He and all of us would have to carry around literature and easels with dry erase boards and be prepared to give a proper lecture on the issue in order to idealogically maximize one of these encounters.

 

[SniperStraz]

Quote:
I think that every one of us would probably have reacted a little differently. Given that the OP was taken off guard, I think that he did alright.

Nope, I would've and have said the same thing. Doesn't make it the perfect answer but understandable given the impromptu situation.

Fair enough

 

[helpless]

BECAUSE I CANT CARRY A COP.

Nice

 

[bogie]

Heck, if people see the clip for my Kershaw Boa (or if I use it in front of them, and they freak...).

"Hey, I'm now a tool using primate - these things are great. Lemme tell you about the time I tore off a fingernail on some of this tape! It was really gross and disgusting!"

Best one was where one told me that I shouldn't have something that sharp around... So I asked him to reach around, and pass me one of the scalpels from the drawer next to him so I could peel it out to open the box... I guess that's an MBA for you...

Fun part was when cow-orkers who freaked out (omigawd - how can you have a knife like that at work!) started asking me to borrow it to cut stuff...

I think that every one of us would probably have reacted a little differently. Given that the OP was taken off guard, I think that he did alright.

I think he answered like... well... a "High Road Tacticool Person." Lots of posturing goes on here on the infonaut... Fine and dandy, but when it carries over to "the civilian population," well, some of them may turn a wee bit skittish.

THINK, people...

We've learned a lot. Why? We sat down and examined the situation. There's lots more out there where we can possibly turn a non-gun (swing, but easily influenced by antis) voter into a pro-gun (doh... you figure it out...) voter.

 

[BigSoundRacing]

I think this is an excellent discussion, and I like the PR angle. Lots of good opinions.

 

[CNYCacher]

Why do you need that?

Fun part was when cow-orkers who freaked out (omigawd - how can you have a knife like that at work!) started asking me to borrow it to cut stuff...

I can totally relate. I work at a computer all day and from time to time there is something that needs cutting. Usually its some kind of computer peripheral packaging. Everyone knows to bring this crap to me now. However, I wont forget the first time I saw a co-worker struggling to open one of those damn clamshell things, I whipped out my Kershaw Leek, and opened it up. Initial reaction:
"Why do you carry a knife on you?"
"Comes in handy though doesn't it?" as I handed back the package, now opened.

Same question when the power went out and I found myself in the dark with 5 co-workers. I pulled my Surefire Nitrolon and lit the room back up with it.
"Why do you have a flashlight?"
"Because the lights went out!"
You could almost hear the gears grinding in their head.

God forbid I will ever need to "clear leather" but if I do I secretly hope some bystander will ask the inevitable question.
"Why do you carry a gun?"
I will point to the threat who is hopefully merely running away scared and not actually shot and simply say:
"DUH!!"

 

[PAshooter]

Another thought on a possible response to the "Please don't shoot, me, ok?" statement:

"I wouldn't do that. But if someone came in here and tried to hurt you I might shoot them."

Just to plant a seed about ordinary citizens using a firearm for defensive, rather than offensive purposes.

 

[jojosdad]

Double Naught Spy

So, you have a vest that you wear that rides up over your gun and you got spotted by a woman in a truck stop and you don't think you need a longer vest because all you need to do is to check your back after you get out of the truck-where it rides up?

That's correct - I think being made twice in 4 years of everyday carry in CA is a pretty good record.
50 Freak - great advice - I'll remember that if this ever happens again.
Bogie - I've never thought of myself as "tacticool" before - but in hindsight (and with a lot of different perspective offered), I see how my response could have been interpreted as saying f-you, I'll do what I like.
I've got to go back over to that part of the country today, if I stop back at that truckstop and get to talk to the waitress again I'll let y'all know what happens.

 

[DF357]

I'm still trying to figure out why a girl who is obviously afraid of guns, is afraid of you, and who is afraid you might shoot her would go up to you and tell you that she sees your gun.

Very puzzling.......

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

That's correct - I think being made twice in 4 years of everyday carry in CA is a pretty good record.

That's twice someone has said something to you. Most folks aren't going to approach so guy with his gun hanging out and say anything. There was a thread here a few months ago about wheather you'd tell someone their gun was showing. Ah, here it is. About half the people said not to say anything. Based on that, chances are that you've been made at least 4 times and no one said anything. Keep in mind this is also a gun board. If half the people on a gun board say they wouldn't mention it, how many of the non-gun folks are going to walk up to you?

Just because no one said anything doesn't mean that no one saw anything.

That's just a little food for thought.

 

[SkiLune]

Watching too many episodes of Law and Order has been known to create this reaction. On that TV show, anyone other than an LEO who carries is either a killer or a rapist.

 

[SniperStraz]

Although its not the purpose of this thread, I'd say that Jorg has a ver valid point. Maybe its time to reconsider your carry method. Unless you don't mind in which case enjoy your "almost open carry" and more power to ya.

 

[jim d]

Having worked in gun shops the last couple of years I can't tell you how many times that I have told people that their weapons were showing. Other customers have came to me to point this out and alot of them were very nervious that people had weapons. The average person doesn't realize how many people in todays world are armed.

 

[SniperStraz]

Having worked in gun shops the last couple of years I can't tell you how many times that I have told people that their weapons were showing. Other customers have came to me to point this out and alot of them were very nervious that people had weapons. The average person doesn't realize how many people in todays world are armed.

I don't get it. You work in a gunshop. Of course they're armed.

 

[Old Dog]

Other customers have came to me to point this out and alot of them were very nervious that people had weapons.

Customers in gun shops nervous about other customers carrying? Must be a California thing. Up here, it's expected that if you're in a gun store, you're most likely packing.

Bogie has provided the most compelling case for having a calm, reasoned response for any situation in which a (non gunnie) citizen discovers that you actually exercise your Constitutional rights. Like it or not, we are in a position where we must always be ambassadors of civility, educators of the ignorant, and role models of good citizenship. Gun owners have a huge image problem in this country, and we continue to be our own worst enemies.

 

[jojosdad]

Jorg - the point I was trying to make is that I live in a very hoplophobic state, where the sight of a non-LEO carrying a gun is almost certain to bring some kind of official response. The fact that I have lived in a very liberal town, in daily close contact (I drove a cab) with very vocal liberals and have heard nothing about my carrying tells me that my method is reliable enough for me. The incident that I mentioned in the OP took place in another town.

 

[SkiLune]

My instructor, who is a bit of a character, told me he was "made" by someone once, and the person asked why he was carrying a gun. My instructor told me in such a situation, I should look very puzzled and ask, "Doesn't everybody?"

Probably not the right response, but I thought it was pretty funny.

 

[jim d]

SniperStraz, the shops that I worked in also sold other sporting goods. The people that I told that they were uncovered were customers and plain clothed off duty law officers. We as employes did not carry in the store except in circumstances where we had been notified by the local law units that there was problems in the area. We did however have weapons that were at the ready.

 

[RCouch]

Bogie +1
"because I can't carry a cop" +1

 

[.cheese.]

I've had an incident or two where I thought I might have gotten made... but wasn't sure.

In my case I think it was just a bulge that may have given it away... but I'm not sure. 99.9% of the time you can't tell with me. It's when my shirt snags and then creates this snag/bulge thing that somebody could tell (if they think about it for a minute). I stopped using shirts that do that though.

As for why she approached you, my guess is she was 99% sure you weren't a threat, but was still nervous. She probably expected you to say that you were a cop and wasn't sure what to make of your response.