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In class today, our nutjob/liberal professor (from Australia) went off on how white men are propagating all the violence and murder in this country with "their incessant need to have too many guns". A guy down in the front row went off on her with a barrage of facts that really knocked the wind out of her sails, so I approached him and chatted him up after class. Anyway, the conversation turned to CHL and he said, "So, uh, you carry?" I said yes and we both laughed at the awkwardness over trying to break that ice. So, my question is, in situations like that, or even if it's an old friend who you just learned about, is there a saying anyone uses to ask the, "Do you have a CHL" question? I just wonder if there's a better way to go about it, especially in a sensitive setting like school today, without outright saying "Do you have a CHL" of "Way to go on having a CHL".

Ugh, this post was worded atrociously. Sorry; hope the subject is clear enough.

Sort of like "are you a friend of Bill?", for folks who are in Alcoholics Anonymous?

I'm not aware of any such phrase in the CCW community. There have only been a few people I've come across in my every day interactions that I found out carried. In those instances, it was a very gradual process. Because of the social stigma that many people attach to carrying a firearm, I am very cautious about revealing the fact that I have a CHL, and it seems most other CHLers are this way as well.

I will generally answer truthfully if someone asks me if I have a CHL (has only come up twice, and because I was involved in conversation regarding self-defense and the laws regarding concealed carry), but whether or not I'm carrying is generally private information that I do not reveal, except with family or very close friends. The exception is during range trips with friends who are new to shooting. They're inevitably going to find out, as I have a limited inventory of pistols, and my main carry gun is going to be something we will be shooting. Reactions at the range by those friends are generally that of brief surprise. I usually take these friends on the rifle range first, so by the time we get to pistols, there's not as much of a "scariness" about the handguns for those who might have had a slight aversion to firearms (once they've started to get a taste for how enjoyable shooting is). Once we've finished shooting, I explain to these friends my desire to not have my carry status discussed with others, and I explain my reasons for keeping my CHL status as private information. Everyone so far has understood my reasoning and honored my wishes.

Sorry if this has gone beyond the scope of your original question. I don't think you'll find any one good way to approach this, as there are so many social dynamics involved. My advice is to proceed with caution and with your best judgment. Many a CHLer (myself included) has been burned by revealing their (in my case, pending at the time) CHL status with someone who seemed gun friendly, but who then reacted with a charged negative emotional response at the notion of someone they knew carrying a concealed handgun.

NcongruNt wrote:Sort of like "are you a friend of Bill?", for folks who are in Alcoholics Anonymous?

I'm not aware of any such phrase in the CCW community. There have only been a few people I've come across in my every day interactions that I found out carried. In those instances, it was a very gradual process. Because of the social stigma that many people attach to carrying a firearm, I am very cautious about revealing the fact that I have a CHL, and it seems most other CHLers are this way as well.

I will generally answer truthfully if someone asks me if I have a CHL ...

I like the "friend of Bill". Maybe we could use: "Are you a friend of Jeff [Cooper]?"

or in Texas "Are you a friend of Jerry and Suzanna [Patterson and Gratia-Hupp]?"

"Are you a friend of George [Bush]?"

"Are you a friend of Jerry, Suzanna and George?"

Of course with most people you can just ask, "What do you think of the CHL?" -- most won't know what it is if they don't have one. If they say, "What?" you can just change the subject, or make it a general question like, "You know, do you think people can carry guns legally?"

Many supporters of the 2nd amendment use MOLON LABE...

The Greek phrase MolÅ?n labe! (Μολὼν λαβέ; approximate Classical Greek pronunciation [moˈloË?n laˈbe], Modern Greek [moˈlon laˈve]), meaning "Effort [το] take [them]!", is a classical expression of defiance reported by Plutarch, roughly corresponding to the modern equivalent English phrase "over my dead body". It is an exemplary use of a laconic phrase.

Snake Doctor wrote:In class today, our nutjob/liberal professor (from Australia) went off on how white men are propagating all the violence and murder in this country with "their incessant need to have too many guns".

There were already three strikes against them from the get go...

Wait a second...Austin???

Ok, that splains it...

But, I do wish you luck in that school you go to...Just remember, go along to get along, make the grade, get the degree, and move on...

BTW, if you really want to put a burr under the saddle-blanket here...Ask them what the source is for the "white men" in this country are propogating ALL the violence and murder in this country...You would like to write a paper on the statistics there, possibly make a power point presentation etc etc...String them along...It could actually be great fun for you if you are up to the challenge...Make sure you record what they say in the future...You never know when gems like this come along...

Good luck with your studies!!!

How about, "Is that a gun in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?"

I agree with "fire128"...

Observe my signature (tagline)...

iratollah wrote:How about, "Is that a gun in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?"

That could take you to some places where you may not want to go.

We need lapel pins, or something like watch fobs that Masons wear.

- Jim

seamusTX wrote:We need lapel pins, or something like watch fobs that Masons wear.

- Jim

A CHL badge!?!?!?!

It needs to be more subtle. I've thought about it, but my imagination is lacking. This is an opportunity for someone who can figure it out.

- Jim

flb_78 wrote:

seamusTX wrote:We need lapel pins, or something like watch fobs that Masons wear.

- Jim

A CHL badge!?!?!?!

I think a secret handshake or a magic decoder ring.

All kidding aside I think this is a good idea.

Kidding is back in.

As long as it isn't fanny packs. Hawiian shirts are bad enough.

Anygunanywhere

NcongruNt wrote:...but whether or not I'm carrying is generally private information that I do not reveal, except with family or very close friends...

I agree. I said "do you have a CHL", not "are you carrying a gun right now".

fire128 wrote:Many supporters of the 2nd amendment use MOLON LABE...

The Greek phrase MolÅ?n labe! (Μολὼν λαβέ; approximate Classical Greek pronunciation [moˈloË?n laˈbe], Modern Greek [moˈlon laˈve]), meaning "Effort [το] take [them]!", is a classical expression of defiance reported by Plutarch, roughly corresponding to the modern equivalent English phrase "over my dead body". It is an exemplary use of a laconic phrase.

This is a great saying, and I'm glad you provided the correct pronunciation. I'm a first generation American from a Greek family and speak the language fluently, so it sounds silly when I hear "mole-on lay-bee".

Snake Doctor wrote:In class today, our nutjob/liberal professor (from Australia) went off on how white men are propagating all the violence and murder in this country with "their incessant need to have too many guns".

I am glad that the White men who wrote our constitution put in the Second Amendment.
It's really quite sad that you actually have to pay [lots of] money to hear that kind of drivel from someone that you are paying for an education.