How discreet are handgun enthusiasts?

N

nodule

New member
Hi,

As I can more deep involved in this crazy sport/hobby of handguns. I plan
on shooting soon and will take some NRA classes and hopefully be a proud
NJ handgun/handguns owner in about 2-3 months. All my paperwork has been turned
back into my local PD.

I am wondering how discreet handgun enthusiasts are as far as lets others
know about their hobby? Is it sometime you really dont bring up in causal conversation with family and friends?

In other words, when you list your hobbies on Facebook, do you really
list "handguns" or "shooting"?

It just seems to me this is the kind of hobby/sport that you would be somewhat discreet about? Or am I wrong?

Thanks
 
I would say it is up to the individual. I don't fool with facebook of any of those type sites but if I did I would say I am proud to be a 40 year card carrying NRA member and an avid handgun shooter.
 
For the most part, I am very private and protective when it come to my gun ownership as well as yours. Folks know that I hunt and shoot M/L's and on the rest, I keep a low profile. Just not worth the potential hassle ... ;)


Be Safe !!!
 
This sport is in the heart of political debates and people take it personal. It's not like hiking, or fishing or bike riding. I personally don't see anything wrong with this sport so I feel why should I ever have to hide it. In fact I too take it personal. This to me isn't just a sport it's a way of life. I absolutely love shooting but even more important, I love the freedom to protect myself. Most of my "friends" know I shoot and they usually shoot too. I do have a couple of friends that don't shoot and they don't even agree with my political stance but they also know I shoot and have weapons. They know where I stand. When it comes too "aquaintances" I don't typically advertise that I have weapons or love to shoot. If I don't know them well enough I don't like them knowing that I have weapons in my house or that I may be carrying concealed. So for "aquaintances" I don't advertise it but I wouldn't say I hide it either. I love talking about shooting and if someone else brings it up and shows interest well I can't help but talk about it because I enjoy the sport so much.

Edit: I will say this too I don't do face book but my wife does. She has pictures up on her page of us shooting. I guess I never really thought about that because I don't ever use facebook. It's probably harmless though.
 
I live the heart of moonbat territory. I have to be very discrete with my hobby, but at the same time, I don't go out of my way either to hide it.
 
I live in the south, when it comes to just going shooting at the range - most people don't care because it is so common. Some older folks may have the mentality that you should only be able to own long guns, and you will get people that are anti-carry - but for the most part, general ownership and hobby shooting people really don't care (around here at least).

Some of my co-workers know I shoot, and have shot with a few of them at the range. All of my family has some sort of range experience and knows their way around simple firearms at the least SA revolvers and bolt action rifles. I am not the type that walks around with an NRA t-shirt on, but I have no problem saying I am a gun owner/hobby shooter. I will not tell random people I cam a conceal carry permit holder though, I want the least amount of people to know this as possible.
 
I don't hesitate to share my love of guns and shooting with trusted friends, but personally I would not rush to post my interest on Facebook in any way that could possibly be accessible to the general public. There's very little upside to doing that and a lot of downside if you become the target (no pun intended) of theft, vandalism, identity theft, etc. Same as you won't post where and when you are going on your next vacation, and how long you will be gone.
 
Hard to be discreet:

I've active in my shooting club, teach classes, participate in competitions. Word gets around.

I shoot in my back yard, how discreet is that? Give you an example I called an appliance repair man one time, in getting directions to my house he ask:

"Where do you live in relation to that guy who sets on his back porch and shoots all day?" He knew right away where I lived.

Having said that, I carry all the time. Few people know. Another example my step daughter came by to talk to me about a new pistol her BF gave her. Wanting to set up training. In discussing dry firing I was telling her about the benefits of the CT Laser sight in dry firing. I pulled my 642 out of my pocket and she had a shock look on her face. "When did you start carrying that?"

My granddaughter looks on in discuss, "Oh Mom, he always carries that".

Discreet? I hardly tell anyone I carry, some know (my granddaughter) some don't (my step daughter). I don't go around telling people, but those who really know me assume.
 
oK

Krai,

Thanks, but I was speaking more of VERY liberal anti gun friendly states like my state of NJ, NY, MASS, CT, etc.......

In Wyoming, its a TOTALLY different culture and mindset!

Are you anywhere near Lusk, WY??
 
I have learned that it does not pay to advertise. I don't tell anyone about my hobby and I try very hard to not accidentally "flash" the hardware in public. As for shooting in my own yard: It's legal where I live, but I will never do it. I have a buddy that shoots regularly in his yard...or at least, he used to. He was shooting his AR in his back yard one day, and a pair of punks nearby heard the commotion. They tracked the gunfire to it's source, and later that day after he was gone, they broke into his house and took every gun he had. I chose to learn from his painful experience.
 
It's common knowledge with my friends, coworkers and family that I'm a firearms/personal defense enthusiast. I also have a facebook page with several pix/vids of myself and friends that were taken at various training sessions for anyone with access to see.

Firearms/pd is such a big part of my life that it's just something I share the same way somebody else might tell you about the ballgame they went to, or the casino, or the cruise they took...

With that said, what I DO keep to myself, on general principle, are the types and amounts of weapons and ammo that I keep, and the fact that I carry on a daily basis.

Just use some common sense, treat it like a 'public secret'.
 
I am wondering how discreet handgun enthusiasts are as far as lets others
know about their hobby? Is it sometime you really dont bring up in causal conversation with family and friends?

In other words, when you list your hobbies on Facebook, do you really
list "handguns" or "shooting"?

It just seems to me this is the kind of hobby/sport that you would be somewhat discreet about? Or am I wrong?
Click to expand...

I don't try to hide my involvement with firearms, but I don't put up any pictures of guns, hunting, or shooting on Facebook.

I don't bring up shooting with co-workers, bar buddies, etc. If they ask about it, that's another story.

It's not a big deal, if you are more than a casual acquaintance, you probably know that I'm into guns.
 
I used to be rather discrete about it, but now that its one of my main hobbies, not so much. Most people I know well know that I am into shooting as a sport/hobby, and we will talk about it quite a bit. I've had plenty of people jokingly (or not) tell me that they are running to my house if ever the SHTF.
Usually I only bring it up to those who I actually shoot with, but I happily talk about guns and the hobby to anyone interested.


As for carrying, I don't usually admit to it unless I know them very well, but even then it usually isn't so blunt. Most people who talk to me on the matter know that I am a supporter and I'll defend the position, but never really say "I carry".
I was at the range a few days ago and left a holster on my belt (being lazy I didn't take it off right away and then forgot about it) and went by my friends' place later that evening. At one point his wife noticed the holster and asked "are you carrying your gun?!?!?" I mentioned the range trip earlier that day, which I had told them I'd stop by afterwards when I made plans previously, and she accepted it. I don't think she'd be upset had I actually had a gun on me at the time, but rather was just surprised.
 
Some of us are very much "out of the gun closet".
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Out of the Gunsafe?
fnSafe.gif


~LT
 
In other words, when you list your hobbies on Facebook, do you really
list "handguns" or "shooting"?
Click to expand...

Why would you even WANT to do that? Something like that NEVER goes away - in today's society, I would prefer to keep that among friends I know and trust - you never know who is reading Facebook
 
As I can more deep involved in this crazy sport/hobby of handguns.
Click to expand...
I have never viewed hunting as a sport and more recently, guns are no longer a hobby.
I view both as a way of life and personal enough to warrant me being private and protective. ..... ;)


Be Safe !!!
 
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