jamesjames
Member
Context is everything
As we can see by the range of responses, carrying concealed can create a social situation for which many of us are unprepared. Ironic, since by carrying concealed we are preparing for the gravest extreme social situation.
So maybe in addition to your selection of carry firearm and holster and how to dress around it... we need to prepare ourselves for dealing with the public in different social situations when the issue of our own concealed carry comes up. After all, we practice the draw and firing of the weapon hundreds of times. Perhaps we need a primer on how respond to questions about our concealed carry without resorting to violence or rudeness. After all, we are responding out of discomfort in being questioned or discovered in concealed carry which tends to embarrass us or blow our cover. How do we not lose our cool in these situations?
At a gunshow or dealing with a holster maker, you are dealing at a semi-professional level with people in-the-know who are part of your RKBA world. In this context we should anticipate and understand that they are a gunny, they know you are a gunny, and they may engage you on the subject. Its like consulting an attorney about legal issues or a doctor about medical issues. You know you are going to discuss personal issues and there is professional discretion and privilege that attends the discussion.
Second is the non-threatening civilian interaction, when a older lady or a younger woman notices you are printing and asks an innocent question. This is not the time to fly off the handle, but to be able to engage with a thoughtful explanation of your responsible citizen status doing a lawful thing.
Finally, there is the situation of being asked about it in a possible threat situation like a bar, a party, or on the street by a stranger who could pose a threat. If you are carrying and are situationally aware, you have learned to avoid these situations in the first place. But if you find yourself in the situation, it is your responsibility to de-escalate, be graceful, be positive, be creative, be confident, use humor, be magnanimous, and generally take the high road to navigate through the situation.
As we can see by the range of responses, carrying concealed can create a social situation for which many of us are unprepared. Ironic, since by carrying concealed we are preparing for the gravest extreme social situation.
So maybe in addition to your selection of carry firearm and holster and how to dress around it... we need to prepare ourselves for dealing with the public in different social situations when the issue of our own concealed carry comes up. After all, we practice the draw and firing of the weapon hundreds of times. Perhaps we need a primer on how respond to questions about our concealed carry without resorting to violence or rudeness. After all, we are responding out of discomfort in being questioned or discovered in concealed carry which tends to embarrass us or blow our cover. How do we not lose our cool in these situations?
At a gunshow or dealing with a holster maker, you are dealing at a semi-professional level with people in-the-know who are part of your RKBA world. In this context we should anticipate and understand that they are a gunny, they know you are a gunny, and they may engage you on the subject. Its like consulting an attorney about legal issues or a doctor about medical issues. You know you are going to discuss personal issues and there is professional discretion and privilege that attends the discussion.
Second is the non-threatening civilian interaction, when a older lady or a younger woman notices you are printing and asks an innocent question. This is not the time to fly off the handle, but to be able to engage with a thoughtful explanation of your responsible citizen status doing a lawful thing.
Finally, there is the situation of being asked about it in a possible threat situation like a bar, a party, or on the street by a stranger who could pose a threat. If you are carrying and are situationally aware, you have learned to avoid these situations in the first place. But if you find yourself in the situation, it is your responsibility to de-escalate, be graceful, be positive, be creative, be confident, use humor, be magnanimous, and generally take the high road to navigate through the situation.
