Outed at the Grocery Store

[magillapd]

Well, it finally happened. I got called out today by the cashier at the checkout line. I had just put my groceries on the belt and was waiting for her to ring them up. She was halfway through and she said to me, "Are you a cop?" I was like great, is my gun exposed? I told her no (I am a 911 dispatcher, but not a cop, so answer stands. She then asks, "Is that a gun on your hip?" I said no again. She said "I'm only asking becasue I'm new to the area and I want to know if this is a safe area to live in". I told her that it was as safe as anywhere else.

Notes. I told her no, because quite frankly, it's none of her business. I know that my gun wasn't exposed, but was probably printing real bad (I'll explain that in a minute). She's not a police officer, so I don't have to be honest with her. I also didn't make a move towards the gun to make sure it was covered, and I didn't act all nervous or anything. I wasn't rude I just told her no.

Ok, now, why was it printing. Well I'm a bigger guy and when carrying I have to wear suspenders. I had just bought a new pair from a company called Perry Suspenders. I got them last week and have been testing them out. I got the kind that as 2 clips that go on either side instead of 4 clips with front and back clasps. They actually do a good job holding my pants up, but because of they way they clip to my belt, it was causing my gun to ride slightly farther back and outward then my normal suspenders. I had decided to give it a week or 2 of trying them out, trying to see where exactly I needed to position everything.

Well today ended that experiment. I put the old ones back on and presto, my gun once again disappears from beneath my shirt.

I think I handled this calling out ok, but it's something I don't want repeated!

[Purplehood]

Well, it finally happened. I got called out today by the cashier at the checkout line. I had just put my groceries on the belt and was waiting for her to ring them up. She was halfway through and she said to me, "Are you a cop?" I was like great, is my gun exposed? I told her no (I am a 911 dispatcher, but not a cop, so answer stands. She then asks, "Is that a gun on your hip?" I said no again. She said "I'm only asking becasue I'm new to the area and I want to know if this is a safe area to live in". I told her that it was as safe as anywhere else.

Notes. I told her no, because quite frankly, it's none of her business. I know that my gun wasn't exposed, but was probably printing real bad (I'll explain that in a minute). She's not a police officer, so I don't have to be honest with her. I also didn't make a move towards the gun to make sure it was covered, and I didn't act all nervous or anything. I wasn't rude I just told her no.

Ok, now, why was it printing. Well I'm a bigger guy and when carrying I have to wear suspenders. I had just bought a new pair from a company called Perry Suspenders. I got them last week and have been testing them out. I got the kind that as 2 clips that go on either side instead of 4 clips with front and back clasps. They actually do a good job holding my pants up, but because of they way they clip to my belt, it was causing my gun to ride slightly farther back and outward then my normal suspenders. I had decided to give it a week or 2 of trying them out, trying to see where exactly I needed to position everything.

Well today ended that experiment. I put the old ones back on and presto, my gun once again disappears from beneath my shirt.

I think I handled this calling out ok, but it's something I don't want repeated!

LOL. Denial is a fundamental tactic in my book.

[speedsix]

It's kept me alive through 25+ years of marriage and many a gun purchase...

[fishman]

You did good. Business as usual.

[74novaman]

Handled it well. If she was just refering to a bulge, and not a holster or gun poking out from underneath a shirt I think a good tactic besides just saying no would be to call it a medical device.

For example...someone points at the bulge:

"Is that a gun?"

No, it is a medical device.

or even "what is that?" if they see a bulge..

Oh, its a medical device...


People are normally polite enough to leave medical issues alone. If they're nosy, say its an embarrassing medical issue and end the convo.

You did great, but just wanted to give you some more options if anyone asks again.

[Crossfire]

LOL. Denial is a fundamental tactic in my book.

I agree. Deny everything. Even if caught with your hand smack in the cookie jar. Even if they have pictures.

Innocent looks and big blue eyes beat all proof. Learned this from my kids.

[Keith B]

LOL. Denial is a fundamental tactic in my book.

I agree. Deny everything. Even if caught with your hand smack in the cookie jar. Even if they have pictures.

Innocent looks and big blue eyes beat all proof. Learned this from my kids.

It wasn't me!

[RoyGBiv]

LOL. Denial is a fundamental tactic in my book.

I'm getting older and more forgetful, so I keep a key fob to remind me....

[knotquiteawake]

I am such a terrible liar. If somebody "outed" me I would probably turn bright red... At which point even if I tried to deny it I would be confirming it in my face. It would be less of a big deal to me to just make as little deal as possible about and and act relaxed instead of trying to cover it up or mislead.

[JustMe]

I guess I just look at it a little different. I'm not doing anything wrong, so why would I lie? Just say yes and drop it. the more people react with an "it's no big deal" attitude, the more people will become comfortable with it. Instead of getting a positive opinion of someone who carries a gun, now they have the attitude that not only do they carry a gun--they are a liar too.

[DocV]

I am not good a lying. But asking:
"Have you heard of a colostomy bag?"
goes well with looking embarrassed

[karder]

I have never told a fib that did not come back to bite me in the rump. I generally deflect those types of questions by asking something along the lines of "now why would you say something like that?" I have found that when you keep answering questions with questions, people tend get confused and loose their inquisitiveness fairly quickly. That's just me though.

[MoJo]

I had a similar occurrence at the hospital cafeteria (correctly posted with 30.06) When I was asked if that was a "gun clip" on my belt. What else to do I said yes but the gun is in my car. I then told her a person can't be too careful nowadays and she agreed. No harm done but I'll have to remember to leave the extra mags in the car with the gun next time.

I use the Perry suspenders with three belt clips one in the middle in back and two in front. I love them.

[RPB]

lol great story thanks for sharing

I'd do the answer a question with a question thing before saying it wasn't ... like "why do you ask?"

BECAUSE

I need more details like ...

was she new to the area and ...

wanted someone to go shooting with?

OR

looking to date someone who was either a cop or CHL and hadn't met either yet ... being new to the area?

(I've known several girls who ONLY date/marry guys in 1)Navy ... 2) Law Enforcement

[MeMelYup]

Try the spenders under the shirt. It works with mine.