How to respond to "Why do you have a gun" while OC

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stressed

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One thing I notice the most, especially from women oddly, is when they see you Open Carrying they stare and the first thing they blurt is probably the first thing oin their mind -"Why do you have a gun"

I usually say "because I am an American" or "It's our right" etc but I would like something witty to say. What do you guys say, or what should be said?

One of the best things I heard when asked the question "Are you a cop" was when the persona responded "Would it make you feel better if I said I was?"

Some girl (adult) saw me today and said "You're scary, you have a gun" all nonchalantly, can't really respond to that witty. But would really like to the know the best way to respond to "Why do you have a gun"
 
Smile and keep doing whatever I am doing. (Not that I've ever had any negative reactions to respond to)

Some things just aren't worth responding to or arguing over.
 
Open carrying invites such questions (or, more likely, similar unspoken thoughts).

In my state, Virginia, open carrying is legal. I would like to keep it that way. But open carrying just to "make a statement" (in the absence of an actual threat) is likely to backfire. The particular area in which I live (Fairfax County) is urbanized and is not particularly gun-friendly. The last thing we want to do is rile up the soccer moms by needlessly open carrying. If you feel the need, get a permit (which is easy to do) and carry concealed.
 
You could always respond with ma'am do not worry, I promise not to use it to defend your or your loved one. I will only use it to protect myself. When seconds count, the police will be here for you in a few minutes.
 
I would just act nonchalant about it. As suggested, "Why not?" or a casual "No reason" would suffice. I've never open carried, but I would guess that they ask because they either disapprove or it makes them uncomfortable. If it's the former, a casual response let's them know that you don't care what they think. If it's the latter, perhaps it will calm them that it's no big deal to you.

A lot of people respond to you based on your own behavior. Kind of like how interacting with a really nervous person will probably put you a little on edge while a calm, easy-going person can even relax you in your interactions.

I guess you could also just say, "You never know when you might need one," if you don't want to do the nonchalant routine.
 
MErl said:
Smile and keep doing whatever I am doing. (Not that I've ever had any negative reactions to respond to)

Some things just aren't worth responding to or arguing over.
Click to expand...
90% of the conversations I have had with people who have asked about my gun have been positive. I think it does make a difference when the person with the gun is capable of maintaining a calm, logical discussion with the person asking.

My answer:

"If you were a criminal who was looking to steal a purse or a wallet, who would you pick to steal a purse or wallet from? Would you choose the person carrying the gun to steal a wallet from, or would you wait for me to leave so you could steal a wallet from any of the people around us without the gun? I carry my gun openly because, honestly, I would rather a criminal just wait for me to leave or move on to someone else so that I never have to actually use my gun against them. It might be selfish, but my family's safety is the most important thing to me and if the criminal just leaves me or my family alone because they see my gun, that is the way I can provide for their safety the best. Most crime is against the quick and easy target of opportunity that poses the least threat to the criminal and the least threat of getting caught. The one person out of the 100 people here in this Wal Mart is probably the last person that a criminal would choose to attack."

By far the most plentiful and vehement negative reactions I have had to my gun have come from concealed carry only snobs who can't resist the urge to tell me they have a concealed pistol license, they carry their concealed, and I should to. It is those people that I just ignore.
 
Sure looks like a lot of people here are interested in making ourselves look like the south end of north bound horses. Isn't better that we allow the anti-gun people to just think what they do about us with no basis in reality rather than make efforts to confirm their thoughts?
 
Never had to answer that, but I have been asked "is that legal?"

Never miss a good opportunity to teach someone. If I am asked, my response will likely be something along the lines of "It's perfectly legal." If they press on, then I'll go through the whole song and dance about seat belts and fire extinguishers.
 
Question:
Why do you have a gun on you?

Possible Answers:
1. "...because my holster didn't have room for two guns."
2. "I have a gun on me!?? Get it off!! Get it off!!"
3. "Shhh!! I'm hunting wabbits..."
 
Being 19 and not "of age" for a CPL here in WA, I have been asked both, "Is that legal?" after, "Why do you have a gun?". Thanks to WA state law, I do not need any kind of license to open carry while hiking (aka "legally participating in outdoor recreation")

On the first occasion this occurred I said, "Because the mountain goats that you'll run into in about 20 mins charged me. They stopped and backed off because (I think) they were somehow aware of my lack of fear." (Should have seen the guy's face :evil:) then I said, "Yes, it's legal under RCW 9.41.060." (I have that one memorized backwards to forwards...).

The second time I said, "Because there has been a history of criminal activity on the public land in this area" and "Yes, it's legal under RCW 9.41.060".

It seemed that once I provided a legitimate reason for carrying and cited the law that allowed it, people relaxed and carried on.

Side note about the mountain-goats:
I was hiking with a father and his two sons. When the goats decided to go on the offensive, I drew mine (from under my shirt at the time) and he drew his (also concealed) at the exact same time :cool:...we chuckled at the novelty of the situation and proceeded to negotiate the goats. No shots were fired :)

After separating from the father-and-sons group I spooked a mother and her baby as I was coming around a bend. Fastest draw+curse combo EVER...
 
As posted in a similar thread:

I would answer simply to be polite. It might be a little bit of a political play to say I would rather have an LEO on my side than suspicious of me. I carried when I was in AZ, and I carry either concealed or open any time I am not headed on base (Marine Corps). When you carry a 1911 it can be difficult to conceal anyways in 90* heat without sweating to death.

I am polite to anyone who asks me anything. It has led to a few more people carrying and I would rather have more than less. Never had a yelling match with anyone, though some would ask stupid questions.

"Do you think that is safe around your kids?"
"Yep, since I am borrowing it from them" Shuts them up pretty quick.

"Aren't you afraid someone might start something because you have that?"
"Not half as scared as they will be when they realize it ain't the only one I got" Works most of the time too.

"You're going to shoot your foot off someday."
"Only if it tries to rob me"

"Do you really need to flaunt that thing around my kids?"
"Nope. I just like letting you know your kids are safe while I'm here."

"Aren't those things dangerous?"
"Not until it meets another one pointed my way."

Yeah, I gave up logic long ago as most anti's don't want to hear it. Now I just try to surprise them a little.
 
I never OC in town but only when out hiking, but I think if I did, and being the smart aleck I was raised to be, if asked, I'd use part of GJSchulze quote, "Ma'am, please understand that I AM compensating for the fact that I'm way too SMALL to carry a Cop around all day", smile and go about my business.

I've seen several people OC here in Las Vegas. I'm the only person I know or have heard to actually ask one of the gentleman doing so what he was carrying in his well used holster. He replied "Wilson 1911" and smiled, as did I when I replied, "Sweet". (we were in a grocery store at the time)
 
I usually say "because I am an American" or "It's our right" etc but I would like something witty to say.
Click to expand...

Those aren't good opening lines since they don't answer the question as it is asked. The answer that best serves is the reason we all carry.

You could try the clever, "Because a cop is too heavy".

You could try a getting personal, "My sister was raped and I was stabbed when my wife and I were mugged once and I don't want to ever be helpless again." (That should speak to their personal fears).

You could say, "I carry a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit and a blanket in the car for accidents, but criminals don't care where I am or what I'm doing so I carry this all the time".

Opening with ideological rhetoric does nothing to get the other person to be receptive to our message. Explaining the basic reason the founding fathers guaranteed us the RKBA is far more valuable than spouting "It's my right".
 
"You don't need to worry about me. I'm just exercising my rights, but I'll also protect YOU, should anything bad happen, since you appear to be unarmed."
 
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