tell or not to tell

[StrykerDM]

so would you guys recommend telling close friends that you carry? I have a small group of friends I frequently associate with (none of which would be scared or bothered by me carrying), but I was wondering how "secret" is "secret"?...I'm just not sure how to keep it a secret from them, especially if I get the hug/what's that on your hip thing (they all know it can't be a medical device since we're all medical students).

[HighVelocity]

I would not go out of my way to tell them. Why would they need to know? Besides, it might be amusing to see how long it takes one of them to notice.

[Laneman]

I would not tell a soul if I were you. Our instructor ephasized that over and over and gave several valid reasons. There are two people who know that I carry, my wife and my pastor (he carries too, and we are both sworn to secrecy). If you haven't already done so, at least wait until you hear from several CHL's before you tell anyone at all. Once you do everyone will know, and someone who has not had your training will surely blurt out at the wrong time that you have a gun on you.

[Kalrog]

I can see valid reasons on both sides. From a tactical side - surprise can be your biggest advantage and your friend could give you away at some point and loose that advantage.

From a long term general rights standpoint, I could see many people trusting their friends enough to be comfortable with them carrying all the time and hence being more comfortable with CHL and 2A rights in general if they know who has a CHL.

Personal decision, but I of course fall somewhere in the middle. There are some friends that know I carry.

[seamusTX]

Here is a complete list of the people who know my carry status:

• my wife

If the subjects of CHL, self-defense, or firearms come up in conversation, I will talk about them in a general way, but never with reference to myself.

- Jim

[ELB]

Perhaps more accurately...

Here is a complete list of the people who know my carry status:

• my wife
• everyone on this forum

Heh.

But I catch your drift. I do not advertise my carry habit lightly -- as a rule, my wife and I do not tell others, even our siblings and in-laws, that we are actually carrying (they know we have CHLs, but we never bring up the subject, and the inlaws have never asked about it). I have told a couple people when the circumstances seemed correct, e.g. the guy I buy guns from at the guns store, holstermakers, what not,-- and have a couple close friends when having "serious" discussions about CHL and self-defense and all that. I go to great lengths to make sure my handguns is not just covered up, but truly concealed. I do not like surprises, either "tactical" (i.e. a ne'er-do-well spots it) or emotional/political "EEK! You carry a GUN!??" Truly concealed holster, no bumberstickers on my truck, never casually mention it. etc.

Having said all that, a few days ago, the assistant fire chief of my volunteer fire department (of which I am a member) called me and said, "As one longtime NRA member to another, what kind of gun do you carry?" After briefly thinking: How did he know I am an NRA member? How does he know I carry? I decided what-to-heck, and told him Browning Hi Power. He raved about what classic handgun the BHP is, then said the reason he called was that he had found a Glock magazine at the fire station and was trying to track down the owner.

I was always pretty sure that at least a few of my fellow VFD'ers carry at least part of the time, and I suspected the asst chief was one of them. Guess it works both ways.

elb

[seamusTX]

Perhaps more accurately...

Here is a complete list of the people who know my carry status:

• my wife
• everyone on this forum

Actually, I have never said whether, what, when, where, or how I might or might not carry anything.

I have made my "any gun anywhere" position clear on numerous occasions, including letters to the editor in the local newspaper; but maybe it's just rhetoric. Who knows for sure?

- Jim

[ELB]

Actually, I have never said whether, what, when, where, or how I might or might not carry anything.

I have made my "any gun anywhere" position clear on numerous occasions, including letters to the editor in the local newspaper; but maybe it's just rhetoric. Who knows for sure?

- Jim

All technically true -- but, realistically, irrelevent.

elb

[Piney]

Greetings--

I agree with HV-- I dont go out of my way to tell anyone that I carry. The topic will come up at the range or a match now and then as expected-- the "what do you carry...." discussion.

Friends (other than shooting buddies) dont know.

No one at work knows that I have a CHL. I cant carry there anyway.

The kids all know because they see me take it out to put it up when I have to while we're out. I had a good discussion with them-- about why I carry and how serious it is. They're old enough to understand that.

My Aunt found out through a good ole hug. When I told her why I carry, she thought it was a good idea. I had a somewhat crazy renter then on property way back in the woods that I had to evect. It wasnt a pretty scene. He's gone now.

My point is- concealed means concealed. IMO- folks dont need to know.

[StrykerDM]

yeah, I've always been hesitant to put my tsra bumper sticker on my car or any nra stuff...I don't want people breaking into it looking for firearms in the glove box or something...

[Target1911]

I would not go out of my way to tell them. Why would they need to know?
my thoughts also. My close friends/family know but I dont blab it to everyone
Besides, it might be amusing to see how long it takes one of them to notice.

and even better than that is the look on their face when they find out and you tell them you have had it for X-amount of weeks/months without them knowing

[nitrogen]

Don't tell.

There's a good thread in "Never Again!" that gives all sorts of good reasons.

[aardwolf]

It's up to you how much you share about your self defense plans, your medical history, your finances, etc.

If you're dating someone, it's better to tell them before they find it on their own.

[anygunanywhere]

yeah, I've always been hesitant to put my tsra bumper sticker on my car or any nra stuff...I don't want people breaking into it looking for firearms in the glove box or something...

I removed all of mine recently. Saw someone stopped reading the back of my truck. Guy was wearing Birkenstocks and had his sweater draped over his shoulders and a fanny pack but his pack didn't scream "gun". Looked like he was from Austin or Berkely. Can't tell when one of them anti's are going to go all postal on you.

Anygun

[frankie_the_yankee]

When I lived in the Northeast I spent a lot of time proseltyzing for gun rights, carry rights, etc. So rather than make any kind of secret about it (to friends), I did a lot of "consciousness raising". Sometimes I would even attempt to raise the consciousness of people who I regarded as fools. (Not hard to find in the Northeast.) We all have our little ways of amusing ourselves, don't we?

I can see the arguments for both sides, but as for myself, I've never paid it no mind. If I feel like telling someone I tell them. If I don't I don't. If they know they know. I don't much worry about it.

I don't hang out with any dirtbags where I might have to be concerned with getting ambushed by an acquaintance or anything.

I'm careful about concealment and I follow the rules. If someone doesn't like what I do, they don't have to.