Why conceal if you're going to announce it to the world?

[Trunk Monkey]

This is an offshoot of another thread in which it was asked why concealed carriers go to so much trouble to conceal and then tell everyone and their brother that they’re carrying (Trunk Monkey paraphrased version).

When I took my permit class the instructor stated that whenever he entered a business that had uniformed security he always asked if it was OK to carry there; which is just begging for a “no” IMO.

Some folks feel the need to inform their friends that they’re carrying in their homes. I understand that in some states this is legally required but barring that requirement why create an issue where none should exist?

I have worked with people in the past that felt the need to display their permits, if not their firearms, to me within minutes of meeting me and again I have to ask why?

I understand that guns aren’t something to be ashamed of but I have to ask as the poster I paraphrased did why go to the trouble to conceal if you’re going to announce that you’re armed to the world?

 

[ny32182]

Some people view their gun as a fashion accessory. These people feel the need to announce it to the world.

 

[PJSprog]

Agreed. It only accomplishes two things; 1) makes many around you unnecessarily uncomfortable, and 2) makes you a primary target of any potential bad guys within earshot. It serves no purpose beyond pretentious bravado.

 

[JustinJ]

Discussing firearms and that one concealed carries with friends and family is hardly "telling everyone and their brother". How does telling such people limit one's ability to use their weapon, if ever needed, against a threat? I don't "feel the need" to tell anybody but guns are an interest of mine so naturally I discuss them. Unless one likes to pretend their gun makes them a secret agent I don't see what the problem is with discussing it with people they know.

I have worked with people in the past that felt the need to display their permits, if not their firearms, to me within minutes of meeting me and again I have to ask why?

Can you elaborate?

 

[CoRoMo]

I've experienced everything that Trunk Monkey has posted. It's comical.

One of the most recent examples is a business meeting I attended a few weeks ago. Nobody there knew anyone else beyond very superficial details (name/occupation). So a group of us guys are standing there in a small circle and chit chatting. Hunting comes up and it turns out that most of them in that circle were hunters, me included. Then the topic jumps real quickly to guns in general and then to concealed carry. One by one they all start talking about what they carry, when they got their permit, how awesome they each are, how the Taurus Judge or .50 Desert Eagle is the best choice for CC, yada yada yada.

Every time I am in one of these discussions, I just stand there and watch them each strut their stuff. It's my nature to be hesitant to speak anyhow and I enjoy my privacy, so I let them do all the talking.

I've also had one or a few encounters where I'm having to check the ID of a customer of mine (credit card says 'see photo ID'). And the fella whips out his driver's license and I take a look. He then says, "Or how 'bout this one!!", and tosses his carry permit at me with a big grin. Yeah, bravo stud [rolls eyes].

 

[Unistat]

Well, I would say that some people don't care about the "conceal" part as much as the "carry" part.

If you live in a state, say, Texas, where there is no open carry but firearms are generally not a pariah, your only option is to get a concealed carry permit, even if you don't feel the need or social pressure to conceal it.

 

[scaatylobo]

Exchanging info

I do not consider it bragging or a show off thing if your in a group of like minded "gun guys & gal" to talk about you CCW guns and gear.

I was LEO for more than a few decades and that was a VERY common subject [ even among the many that did not carry ].

If you go to a gun show and meet some fellow gun buffs,the subject of the laws and gear are about as likely to happen as the sun is to rise.

Playing "show and tell" is not what I mean,just exchanging ideas and information.

That is how we all learn.

btw - now the current political atmosphere is here,MANY of the retirees and the newbies are asking for advise and buying like crazy !.

 

[CoRoMo]

Most every permit holder that I've met treats their carry permit like a FOID card. Meaning, they honestly claim that they only got the permit so that they have a document stating they are allowed to own their guns. Many of them have repeated the same phrase, almost verbatim to me at different times, "I'm not going to actually carry a gun or anything".

 

[rodinal220]

Concealed means concealed. No need to ask permission from a rent-a-cop or anyone else.Blend in,ditch the taci-kool clothes,set your carry rig up properly and no need to touch it every 5 seconds.

 

[OregonJohnny]

I've fallen into the trap a few times when in conversations with groups of friends or new acquaintances about guns in general, where the subject of CCW comes up. It almost always leads to them eventually asking me, "So are you 'packing' right now?" I've tried to skirt around the question or change the subject in the past. In the future, I'll either change the subject before CCW comes up, or I'll flat out lie when asked if I'm carrying. I'm just uncomfortable with anyone besides my family or closest friends knowing I have a firearm on me.

But I'm one of the more paranoid CCW'ers out there. I've pretty much narrowed my carry down to pocket carry only, to avoid printing around the waistband.

I think that a lot of younger people who get their CCW permit for the first time might feel a sort of excitement in carrying a loaded firearm around in public for the first time. This can lead to a "need" to share this excitement with others.

I think that strangers or acquaintances asking you if you're carrying is as personal (or even more) as asking how much money you make. It's none of their concern. By the same token, outwardly talking (or bragging) with strangers or acquaintances about the fact you are carrying is kind of like pulling out a wad of hundreds to pay your bar tab, just so others can see how well off you are.

I do not consider it bragging or a show off thing if your in a group of like minded "gun guys & gal" to talk about you CCW guns and gear.

I agree. If it's the right kind of crowd (people you can trust, and who you know won't make a big fuss about it, and who also are into guns and CCW), it's much less of an issue.

 

[dtwalters]

In my opinion concealed carry rule one: don't talk about concealed carry.

 

[medalguy]

If ya wanna let everybody know you're carrying, get one of those big shiny CHL badges and pin it to your waistband. That outta do the trick!

 

[coloradokevin]

I only ever discuss the issue with people I'm comfortable with, or among obviously like-minded folks when the time is right. I've certainly shown my CCW rig to gun counter employees I know (I'm a regular shopper) when in shops where CCW is not frowned upon, and I've discussed it with friends and family when the time and circumstances are right.

I have police credentials rather than a typical CCW permit in my wallet, and it is in a prominent place in my wallet in case I ever need to produce them in a hurry. But, I go out of my way to make sure I'm not flashing my police/weapon ID around for all to see, because I don't want or need most people to know that I'm carrying.

I also try to avoid dressing the part under most circumstances. Sure, I have some clothing that might be suggestive to those that know, but most of the time I'm subdued. Today I'm wearing a Caterpillar hoodie that someone gave me, and jeans. Yesterday it was a free t-shirt I received from the Chaco sandal company some time ago.

One of the things I like hearing the most (when I do reveal anything about my profession on my own time) is a response of "I'd have never guessed that you were a cop". Exactly! And, that's precisely the look I'm trying to convey.

I love discussing gun stuff with other people, so I don't mind doing it after I feel out the situation a bit. But, I don't try to appear (or act) in a manner that brings the subject up prematurely! It astounds me that some CCW instructor would encourage his students to ask a security guard for permission to carry. That simply doesn't have any tangible benefits that I can think of!

 

[RedLyons]

I haven't been asked, but in my head I plan to answer the question by asking something along the lines of "Are you wearing boxers or briefs today?" Or maybe ask about bra size or type if that is more appropriate...

In reality, I would probably just give a non-commital answer and move the conversation along. I don't like overly personal conversations with the common people, and I am courteous enough to not pry into their personal business either.

Showing off your carry is no different from showing off your underwear, and they are equally dangerous for everyone I've encountered so far in my life.

 

[bayjoe]

People that go around bragging that they are carrying, are in my opinion stupid. Which in turn makes them scary to be around.
Those that say nothing and carry are the responsible gun owners only interested in protecting themselves and their families.

 

[Midwest]

If ya wanna let everybody know you're carrying, get one of those big shiny CHL badges and pin it to your waistband. That outta do the trick!

........and lets not forget about the sash...

 

[CoRoMo]

I haven't been asked, but ... I plan to answer the question by...

This is entirely different than eagerly blabbing in an attempt to draw attention to yourself. I'm like you; I don't enjoy discussing private things with people that are not in the appropriate circle of my life.

But I've been made a very few times in my days and I've been asked by a couple new gun owners that I was shepherding into our ranks; a guy and two ladies who had never fired a gun in their life. They were innocent inquiries because they knew next to nothing about guns and such, and were just asking all kinds of questions and popped the big one, "Are you a concealed carry person?" or "Do you do the concealed carry?". I simply said 'Yes' and that was the end of it for one lady and the fella. The other lady asked how often I carry and I kindly told her, 'All the time'.

This is different because I had no intention to bring it up or to offer the info. I was helping them navigate the first footsteps of gun ownership and gave them the opportunity to ask anything and everything they wanted so that they could learn what they needed.

The times that I've 'been made' were simple; another gun owner notices my belt hooks or sees that I'm imprinting. Each one said something like, "Hey, (pointing) whatcha carrying?". Oh, uh... okay, it's a...

 

[Ryanxia]

A) That sash is pretty decent.

B) I usually forget I have it I'm so used to it. My motto is out of sight out of mind for everyone else too But jokingly when some friends are out to dinner one of us will ask who's carrying to see how much of the group is and we all chime up that we are (usually 5 out of 6/7 of us).

 

[Schwing]

I have admitted to carrying many times. I have been in circles where the discussion comes up and someone inevitably goes down the road of "only gun nuts or pansies carry".

These people are almost always shocked to find out that I carry. Not only does it get them asking questions, but it often changes their perception. There are 3 people in my circle who had this opinion who now carry themselves after joining me at the range etc.

For me it has nothing to do with "being macho".

 

[Flfiremedic]

Quiet Professional

Gray man

'nuff said.

 

[Godsgunman]

I only talk about it with people who already know I carry. I never announce when I am carrying and my wife usually never even knows when I am unless she starts feeling a little frisky . I do show my CC permit when I purchase a new firearm because here in KS it serves as the NICS check.

 

[Warp]

I've experienced everything that Trunk Monkey has posted. It's comical.

One of the most recent examples is a business meeting I attended a few weeks ago. Nobody there knew anyone else beyond very superficial details (name/occupation). So a group of us guys are standing there in a small circle and chit chatting. Hunting comes up and it turns out that most of them in that circle were hunters, me included. Then the topic jumps real quickly to guns in general and then to concealed carry. One by one they all start talking about what they carry, when they got their permit, how awesome they each are, how the Taurus Judge or .50 Desert Eagle is the best choice for CC, yada yada yada.

Every time I am in one of these discussions, I just stand there and watch them each strut their stuff. It's my nature to be hesitant to speak anyhow and I enjoy my privacy, so I let them do all the talking.

I've also had one or a few encounters where I'm having to check the ID of a customer of mine (credit card says 'see photo ID'). And the fella whips out his driver's license and I take a look. He then says, "Or how 'bout this one!!", and tosses his carry permit at me with a big grin. Yeah, bravo stud [rolls eyes].

The more people (% population wise) that are licensed to carry, I think, the less this happens

People that go around bragging that they are carrying, are in my opinion stupid. Which in turn makes them scary to be around.
Those that say nothing and carry are the responsible gun owners only interested in protecting themselves and their families.

I don't think that I'd paint with such a broad brush, there, bayjoe. Talking about or "bragging" about their gear, IMO, isn't necessarily irresponsible.

That's just the way people are, about everything, especially hobbies, be it their guns, guitars, motorcycle, hot rod/car, home entertainment system, fantasy football team, whatever.

 

[JohnBiltz]

Concealed means concealed but its not Top Secret either. I live in Arizona its not that unusual for guys to talk about guns. For instance my brother was thinking about buying a gun. I'm not going to tell him I don't know anything about those nasty things. I told him every time he has seen me in the last four years I was carrying a gun. He was fairly surprised by that. Bear in mind for four years I said nothing on the issue. Being concealed is one thing, but I'm still going to be who I am.

 

[DBryant]

As to the OP's question, I think some people just feel the need for a few more layers of covering over their rump. Yeah, the law may not require it and it might make people uneasy but if you get a "yes" answer, you know without a doubt that you're allowed to carry at that place.

I, and apparently a lot of other people here, think that is unnecessary and creates more of a scene than most people would appreciate.

As for bringing it up in conversation, it's completely contextual. If I'm with friends that know I carry, then I'm pretty comforatable with talking about it. If I'm with people that I know are gun friendly, then I'm pretty comfortable with talking about it. If I'm in a group of people that I don't know as well or know wouldn't care for it, then I don't bring it up.

 

[tomrkba]

You cannot control what other people say. When you tell someone, expect them to tell others. It may come back around on you in conversation sometime.