Would you inquire about a stranger's CCW?

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woolfam

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At the grocery store last Friday evening I noticed a gentleman wearing a "loud" red Hawaiian shirt. Because that is somewhat non-typical for this area, it caught my attention and made me wonder if he had a CCW. Sure enough, as he turned around I could see the outline of a pistol grip at about the 4:00 position.

I thought about asking what he was carrying, but then thought it might be too personal of a question to ask a complete stranger.

Would you have asked? Would you mind being asked?
 
Don't ask, don't tell...

Unless he is carrying a gold plated glock then just ask him how much he paid for it.
 
I probably wouldn't have asked, but might have quietly told him he was printing, as a courtesy.

As for being asked, I have been, it generally doesn't bother me, unless the person doing the asking is someone who is in some way or another making alarm bells go off.
 
I wouldn't want to make someone uncomfortable just to satisfy my curiosity.

I wouldn't ask about a ladie's bra strap or slip either.

If they were open carrying I might ask or comment (and I'm not unaccustomed to folks asking about my open carry), but otherwise no.
 
Just to clarify, my intent in asking would have been to strike up a conversation about a topic in which we were both interested. My hesitation centered around not wanting to embarrass him.
 
I have wondered this question myself many-a-time. My problem would be how to ask the question so that it sounds genuinely interested and non-confrontational or accusational, and at the same time show that I carry too, and not that I just think its SOOOOOO COOL...

I thought I would try with something like; "Oh I see that you carry as well! What kinda 'iron' you got?" or maybe if I can see a bit of it try to identify and start a converstaion, like, "Oh hey thats a nice HK! Is that a P2000 or a USP?"

Telling someone that they're printing under your breath I think would just confuse and probably make someone a little nervous, especially if they weren't familiar with the phrase "printing".

The other thing I would be worried about is bringing it up in public. If you waited until the two of you were alone to approach, he/she may be a little taken aback and feel uncomfortable, at least at first. If you started talking about the gun he was carrying in front of the lady or gentleman at the checkout stand, with the bagger and customers all over the place, I can't say that would be appreciated either.

Long story short, last time I noticed someone was carrying I said nothing.
 
I would never bring up this subject with a stranger, which could be construed as an outrageous invasion to privacy, and perhaps safety. I also would not jump on a store robber, hoping for assistance from that the guy with a gun under his loud shirt (which was really a banana which he pilfered cause he is a devout cleptobananiac who misses Florida).
 
Why would you let a complete stanger know, that you know, that he has a gun? This guy could have been a nutjob waiting to shoot up the place, and now you are target #1. Or it could have just been a law abiding citizen with poor taste in clothing, exercizing his 2A rights.
 
And what if it is an otherwise law-abiding citizen exercising his 2nd Amendment rights, without "benefit" of a permit? A VERY real possibility here in PRK. I wouldn't want to blow his cover.
 
No

While in the vacinity I would be more aware of his/her actions. BGs carry guns too!
 
The last few have spoken what I was thinking when I responded earlier. You know nothing about the guy and might want to consider that his carrying might not be legal or that his intentions not be honorable.
If however, you were to not think that way and were to ask me, I would answer you as i have evidently not concealed to my expectations.
 
If it was printing very badly, I might consider mentioning it. Otherwise no way, and probably not anyways.

But I don't care to strike up gun conversations with strangers because I consider myself a very biased gun nut....as in, there are more than a couple firearms I do not care for at all, I hate trying to act like I care, and I always feel like I sound rude/bored while pretending to be interested. Two simultaneous conversations going on upstairs.

"Oh, I have heard about those. (ugly as sin) Never shot one, but I hear they are great. (the thing was a jam-o-matic POS)"
 
Now if I had really wanted to talk to him I might have asked him something like this,

" Hi, this might sound weird but do you ever read the internet message board called The High Road?" Maybe he is one of us, if not it would have opened up a conversation possibly.

Unless he was a psycho gunman looking for a nosey person to go off on:rolleyes:
 
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