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If you're carrying in a tool bag, I would seriously look into some way to either give the gun a completely separate pocket (i.e. one that you won't be opening to get out your tools) or make sure that if someone does get a glimpse of it, it looks like the gun is contained in some way meant for the purpose. Maybe a holster sewn or velcroed into the bag. I'm not sure exactly how to express what I'm trying to say, but basically, if I happened to glance into an open tool bag and see a gun lying in there with the wrenches and whatever, or just sort of shoved in somewhere, my level of concern is going to go up. I'd feel safer if it looks like it belongs there. "Oh, yeah, I carry that because sometimes I run into wildlife underneath buildings." Huh, makes sense, looks legit... no biggie. I generally picture a criminally carried gun as being shoved into a waistband or backpack or something, so I'd avoid that look.

MolonLabe wrote:As a woman, i find it very uncomfortable to have an unknown repairman in my home, but as a CHL holder I can't imagine entering an unknown person's home without it. But I would think a repairman would do everything in his power to be 110% concealed to avoid any issues though? I know many women who would freak out if the "strange" guy in the kitchen had his weapon showing.

I'm in the same boat. I'm a stay-at-home mom and I really dislike having strange men in the house when it's just the kids and me. (Heck, that's one of the reasons I own a gun!) On the other hand, if I were working in a strange house I would certainly feel better armed -- so don't take that to mean that I think you shouldn't carry on the job.

I would say that if I had a strange (previously unknown to me) repair man in the house and I noticed he was carrying, I would feel more at ease if the gun appeared to be carried in some sort of legitimate setup. Whether that's a good belt and holster, or a shoulder holster, or some of the other suggestions... something that looks like you regularly and responsibly carry a gun. Red flags would be going up if it looked like you'd just added it as an afterthought (say, it's sticking out of your pocket or lying around in your tool bag). I guess it's the difference between, "oh, looks like he carries a gun" and "hm, looks like he picked up a gun somewhere and brought it with him for some reason...". I'm not sure if that's logical; just gut feeling.

Now, because I don't like having strangers in the house, we have a couple of handyman type guys we work with on a regular basis when we need work done. I know those guys well and I'm completely comfortable with them around. If I saw a gun on either of those guys, I wouldn't bat an eye. And if they can't do something for me they recommend someone else, and I'd be relatively comfortable with someone they'd recommended to me. I don't know how much of your business is with people you have a working relationship with, but that may be a factor.