What to do if someone spots yer...

[Aggie_engr]

Has anyone been in a situation where someone spotted your weapon (which accidentally appeared) and yelled "gun" or freaked out in some fashion? What would be the right thing to do? Besides not letting it show in the first place, should you try and talk to them and explain that you have a license to carry or just skidaddle? I've just been thinking about it recently and would like to try to prepare myself for most types of situations that comes with carrying...
Thanks,
Dwayne

[frankie_the_yankee]

I would just calmly go on about my business and ignore the whole thing.

[Aggie_engr]

Hmm... Would someone possibly report you in that situation?

[seamusTX]

If possible, I would get out of there immediately. Other than that, keep a poker face and don't react.

I don't think this scenario is something to be concerned about in Texas. I've been in several situations were people were armed and not obviously police officers, and nobody got excited. In one case the guy was in front of me in line in a gas station, and he just paid for his gas with no one giving him a second look.

(I don't know what most these people were. One was an off duty copy who stopped for a car wreck in front of my house.)

- Jim

[Aggie_engr]

Sounds like some good ideas, thanks guys.

[Wildscar]

Its when you freak out with them that makes it worse. Just go on about you businaess and all whould be good. Specially if you have it in a holder people will assume you are LEO or likewise. If you just stick it in your pants then that might be a diffrent story.

[Kalrog]

I have NEVER had anyone freak out when that happens. It really isn't that big of a deal.

If they did freak out, there might be some future explaining to do, but I wouldn't change what I do at all.

[jnkirk1974]

While you obviously should never impersonate a LEO, you should take a page out of their book.
Don't go cheap with your equipment and carry your handgun in a careless manner. I also have my
Galco belt on with a very nice Galco holster. With the way I carry my gun, I could possibly pass
as an undercover officer. Also, try to dress respectable. If you are discovered carrying your gun,
a good image goes a long way! People are less likely to mistake you for a criminal if you don't
look like one.

If I see a respectable looking guy with a gun, I don't think anything of it. If I see a gang-banger
in the mall with a gun at his side, it's a whole 'nother issue.

People love to stereotype "gun people". Fight the stereotype! It will work in your favor.

[Briankey]

I think all situations are different, peoples reactions are different, Tell you how I handled a nosey older women who looked me up and down as if trying to figure out what I was.
I always wear oversized shirts, I was in a grocery store one nite awhile back, trying to decide on Chicken nuggets, or Frito Pie for supper, this wome walked up to me, asked if I had a gun, it kinda took me by suprise, but then it came to me, I said, "No Ma'am, this is my Glocophy Bag, Here, you wanna see"? She threw up her hands and stepped back saying, "Huh, Uhhhhhh, No sir, that's Ok". She left the area quickly.
For me, you can't see much of a bulge from my Glock 19 in a holster.

True Story
Brian

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Has anyone been in a situation where someone spotted your weapon (which accidentally appeared) and yelled "gun" or freaked out in some fashion? What would be the right thing to do? Besides not letting it show in the first place, should you try and talk to them and explain that you have a license to carry or just skidaddle? I've just been thinking about it recently and would like to try to prepare myself for most types of situations that comes with carrying...
Thanks,
Dwayne

[bdickens]

[Kerbouchard]

If I was in a store and somebody 'freaked out', I would first, cover up my XD. I would then find a manager and let him handle it. I would tell the manager I was legally armed and my shirt rode up, or whatever. The only reason I would take it that far is if the police were called, I would rather the manager be able to vouch for my story. But, I try not to print, and I honestly believe nobody is paying attention anyway.

Also, as said above, most people associate holster=good guy or off duty LEO. I've never had anybody give me a second look. I have noticed other people, and if I mention it at all, I casually, and in a quiet manner, mention that they need to pull their shirt down a little.

[NcongruNt]

I've accidentally exposed my carry gun once. It was uneventful. I posted it to this thread:

http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... =26&t=8309

I got a flat tire the other day and went into the shop to get the flat fixed. I wear a Hi-Power OWB, with an unbuttoned shirt for cover. I'm usually very good about making sure my weapon is covered up when I get out of my van. Well, my seatbelt or seat must have caught my shirt as I was getting out. I adjusted my belt as soon as I was out as usual, just as the tire fellow was walking up to me. His eyes got a little big as he looked at my waist area. I look down, and sure enough my shirt had tucked itself behind the grip, and my gun was there for the world (just the one guy, really) to see. I fix my shirt and continue my business. The rest is uneventful - found that the problem was a gash on the edge of the tread, so had to buy a new tire.

Echoing what others have said on this forum - I believe the main thing here is that if you do happen to accidentally expose your weapon, cover up and continue as normal. When your actions indicate that what just happened isn't a big deal, people are less likely to freak out. Having confidence about yourself will convey that your possession of a concealed firearm is normal.

[Thane]

"No Ma'am, this is my Glocophy Bag, Here, you wanna see"?

[HankB]

I wouldn't engage in any conversation with the person freaking out, I wouldn't run or do anything to draw attention to myself . . . if other people were around, I'd give him a "What the heck is WRONG with this person?" look, shake my head, and just continue about my business.

Since I don't dress like a gangsta, onlookers would probably figure there was something wrong with the loudmouth.

[Lodge2004]

I wouldn't engage in any conversation with the person freaking out, I wouldn't run or do anything to draw attention to myself . . . if other people were around, I'd give him a "What the heck is WRONG with this person?" look, shake my head, and just continue about my business.

Since I don't dress like a gangsta, onlookers would probably figure there was something wrong with the loudmouth.

I reacted this way several years ago when a woman "freaked out" as I was walking into a Randalls grocery. She was leaving the store and began pointing at me and screaming...YOU HAVE A GUN...WHY DO YOU HAVE A GUN...HE HAS A GUN!!!

At the time, I was NOT carrying a sidearm. I was in "business casual" with a blackberry and cell phone on my belt.

Have no clue what her problem was. I just gave her a puzzled look, shrugged my shoulders and continued walking into the store. Although others looked over as she was screaming, everything returned to normal as soon as she ran away into the parking lot. It was definitely a WIERD grocery run.