I was out to dinner with my cousin and his girlfriend tonight as we usually do every other week or so. He's only a year older than me, but he's about to graduate law school whereas I am only just about to start. We started talking about lawschool stuff and I asked him if he had registered for the bar yet. He said he's filled out all the paperwork, but just today got his fingerprints done. I asked whether he used the electronic method or the standard card. He said that he used the electronic scanner, and then he said, "But it doesn't really matter because they're both the same. You get a printed piece of paper with the electronic method that you have to send in just the same."
Then I kind of slipped. I said, "Well, actually, they're not quite the same. The electronic method digitizes the prints and they get automatically sent to a central database that I believe is hosted by the FBI. While you send the card, they don't have to process and scan it like they would have to do with the standard card - therefore it usually speeds up the process, or at least ensures you have no delay from the processing of your prints."
Before I even realize how stupid it was of me to say that, he asks the inevitable question, "How do you know this? You haven't had to apply for the bar yet."
and without thinking I say, "Well, I haven't applied for the bar, but I have had to get my fingerprints scanned just like you."
at this point, I finally realize what I've just set myself up for and I'm thinking, "Why am I an idiot?"
The logical question comes - "For what?"
Here's where I just really didn't know what to say. I don't like telling people that I have a permit. Not even family. I say it online here because none of you know who I actually am, therefore it's relatively safe. Even if you do, chances are you have one too, so I'm not worried. However, there's just too much potential for a problem when friends or family know, as I've already found out from my own parents who can't keep their mouths shut.
So I say, "Oh well, it probably sounds much more interesting than it is. It was just for a license I needed."
He asks, "Oh you mean your ham radio license?"
I actually started to lie, "Um.... yeah... that's it." and then I felt bad about lying, "Actually, what was that, ham radio? Oh no, that's not it. It's just another license. Nothing important."
they start probing, "what for?"
and all I can think of as I try to squirm out of it is, "Oh... well it's a long story. It's nothing bad or interesting though." - truth was that it's a very short story, and I would imagine if I did tell them it would probably be of some interest or novelty.
They kept probing a bit and ultimately dropped the subject... but all in all I think I handled it very poorly. I just didn't know how to regain control once I had made that initial slip.
Obviously, I know not to make that same mistake, but I was wondering how (in general) you guys handle stuff like this.
I know it's not that big of a deal to just be honest about it, but I just don't feel comfortable. I have a family that is not used to the notion of guns and permits at all - in fact most are blatantly anti (and one is a journalist whom has been quoted here on more than one occasion with his anti articles - of course I won't name him). I have an aunt who stopped speaking to one of her nephews (not my side of the family) who is in the business of manufacturing sex toys. Just manufacturing and selling to distributors. He just contracts with factories in China to make them, and gets them to distributors, and that's his whole business. She also goes on rants about guns and why they should be banned. I've never debated the topic with her because I'm pretty sure she'd stop talking to me too just because that's how she obviously deals with anybody who does anything she disagrees with. I only mention all of this to better explain why I'm not open about the whole permit thing and pro-RKBA thing with family.
Also, how would you have answered the "For what?" question without mentioning the permit and at the same time not making it sound weird?
Then I kind of slipped. I said, "Well, actually, they're not quite the same. The electronic method digitizes the prints and they get automatically sent to a central database that I believe is hosted by the FBI. While you send the card, they don't have to process and scan it like they would have to do with the standard card - therefore it usually speeds up the process, or at least ensures you have no delay from the processing of your prints."
Before I even realize how stupid it was of me to say that, he asks the inevitable question, "How do you know this? You haven't had to apply for the bar yet."
and without thinking I say, "Well, I haven't applied for the bar, but I have had to get my fingerprints scanned just like you."
at this point, I finally realize what I've just set myself up for and I'm thinking, "Why am I an idiot?"
The logical question comes - "For what?"
Here's where I just really didn't know what to say. I don't like telling people that I have a permit. Not even family. I say it online here because none of you know who I actually am, therefore it's relatively safe. Even if you do, chances are you have one too, so I'm not worried. However, there's just too much potential for a problem when friends or family know, as I've already found out from my own parents who can't keep their mouths shut.
So I say, "Oh well, it probably sounds much more interesting than it is. It was just for a license I needed."
He asks, "Oh you mean your ham radio license?"
I actually started to lie, "Um.... yeah... that's it." and then I felt bad about lying, "Actually, what was that, ham radio? Oh no, that's not it. It's just another license. Nothing important."
they start probing, "what for?"
and all I can think of as I try to squirm out of it is, "Oh... well it's a long story. It's nothing bad or interesting though." - truth was that it's a very short story, and I would imagine if I did tell them it would probably be of some interest or novelty.
They kept probing a bit and ultimately dropped the subject... but all in all I think I handled it very poorly. I just didn't know how to regain control once I had made that initial slip.
Obviously, I know not to make that same mistake, but I was wondering how (in general) you guys handle stuff like this.
I know it's not that big of a deal to just be honest about it, but I just don't feel comfortable. I have a family that is not used to the notion of guns and permits at all - in fact most are blatantly anti (and one is a journalist whom has been quoted here on more than one occasion with his anti articles - of course I won't name him). I have an aunt who stopped speaking to one of her nephews (not my side of the family) who is in the business of manufacturing sex toys. Just manufacturing and selling to distributors. He just contracts with factories in China to make them, and gets them to distributors, and that's his whole business. She also goes on rants about guns and why they should be banned. I've never debated the topic with her because I'm pretty sure she'd stop talking to me too just because that's how she obviously deals with anybody who does anything she disagrees with. I only mention all of this to better explain why I'm not open about the whole permit thing and pro-RKBA thing with family.
Also, how would you have answered the "For what?" question without mentioning the permit and at the same time not making it sound weird?
... lawyer.
