How discreet are handgun enthusiasts?

I never ever reveal that i am a gun owner/competitive shooter/collector unless i know the person well. I never get made carrying because i take extra care to conceal.

Over here if the wrong people know you have guns they will actually try and rob you. Also i do not want to be associated with the kind of gun owner that deliberately exposes his weapon, we call them wanna be Rambo over here. They give all gun owners a bad name but they doing wonders to the bottom line earnings of a certain pistol manufacturer.
 
Your question suggests we have something to hide.
My guns are part of my life, I talk about them no more or less than any other subject. My e-mail address and on-line handle kinda say it all.
 
For me it's generally on a need-to-know basis, and the vast majority of people around me don't need to know. That's because if somebody knows, then sooner or later somebody else will know, and I can't predict how such knowledge may eventually be used against me. It's not paranoia, it's just a reflection of how society currently views guns, with fear and suspicion, and nobody needs to have such a dark cloud hanging over them.

Don't get me wrong, though, as I've introduced a number of people to shooting, and promoted Second Amendment rights whenever the opportunity has presented itself. I just don't go around telling coworkers and everybody in my neighborhood that I'm armed. They all probably think that I am anyway ;), but have no proof or confirmation, and that's how it's going to stay until society changes its attitude toward guns.
 
First, I'm going to point out that the OP is in New Jersey; I'm in Arizona. The two places are worlds apart when it comes to gun ownership, laws and legal aspects of gun ownership, and the public's perception of gun ownership.

In NJ, it's hard to get a firearm, and the laws are very restrictive on obtaining, owning, and carrying a handgun. In Az, I can walk into a gun shop, pay for a gun and holster, strap it on my belt, and walk out the front door and down the street...likely without even a 2nd glance from anyone, including the po-po.

I don't know of anyone (at least not the ones I know well enough to say one way or the other) here in Az that don't own at least one handgun. As a result, it's really not considered a big deal. It seldom comes up in conversations, simply because handgun ownership is mostly a non-issue. If it comes up, it's generally caused by some knotheaded politician trying to start a gun control type bill somewhere.

So, I don't care who knows I own, carry, and shoot handguns. Perhaps if I lived in New Jersey I'd feel differently. A lot depends on where you're from, where you live, and the public's perception of the topic.

Daryl
 
As a relatively new gun owner with many anti-gun friends, I'd suggest treating the topic lightly.

The comparison to money or religion is more than a bit of humor: it's a good guide. You'll know in an instant if someone is
a) interested in your views and open to talking with you
b) not interested in your views and doesn't want to her them
or
c) not interested in your views but wants to share theirs, loudly


Don't waste time on b) or c). You won't gain ground, and it's not as much fun as going to the range.
 
Well you live in my state where there are infinite ways the state tries to convict you of gun related crimes. Best to keep quite around those why don't like it. The last thing you would want is some liberal neighbor calling the cops because you have guns. Check out Evan Nappens Guide to NJ Gun Laws it explains a lot.
 
Most of my friends here in Florida know that I own revolvers, rifles and a shotgun. At my law school I would say that half of my friends view guns favorably, and about half think it is weird that I own firearms and hunt.

My local cigar lounge is full of Cuban migrants, who are almost all conservative pro-gun advocates. They all own rifles, shotguns and pistols, and they go clay shooting and hunting on a regular basis. Needless to say, I share my hobby with them, and we spend the afternoons discussing firearms and hunting while playing dominoes, drinking Cuban coffee and smoking cigars.

My family is very pro-gun too, so I can share my hobby with them just fine.
 
I don't do anything that makes me a target.
People may rob your house if they know you have a gun. It's not like you can't talk about it, but I try to make sure those I don't know don't know as well.
 
I have no problem talking to other enthusiasts. The only time i am discreet is around employers or co workers. I lost my last job because of my hobbies.
 
I like being candid and open. As far as those who find it offensive, it brings them out into the open quicker, so that I know who my allies ARE, and ARE NOT.
 
No

Rifleman,

I have NOTHING to hide! My record and background is SPOTLESS! No criminal
record, no abuse, no mental health issues. NEVER even got a moving violation
ticket in my life!

I am just asking a simple question, plus im in NJ!
 
I don't do anything that makes me a target.
People may rob your house if they know you have a gun. It's not like you can't talk about it, but I try to make sure those I don't know don't know as well.
Click to expand...

Solution: get a big, heavy, solid safe. Bolt it to the floor and wall in a private place inside your home. Also wear a gun in case someone is stupid enough to try it.

Daryl
 
only immediate family and one of my friends know i have guns..not counting the 2 FFLs that I use and the guys at the local range..no one at work or school.
 
I took at least a dozen co-workers shooting during 2009-2010--each for his or her first time (okay, several had prior military experience, so were not strangers to shooting, but had not shot for five to twenty-plus years).

My new goal is one per month. This year so far I have taken three, and I took a fourth today. Unfortunately, the (indoor) range was closed for maintenance, so we will try again next week.

I have had several people come up to me at work and ask me about shooting, and I always invite them to go. I bring spare hearing and eye protection. We start with a safety briefing/firearms familiarization. We always start by shooting a .22 (I bring both an S&W M18 and a Ruger MkII and encourage them to try both). We only move on when the shooter is comfortable. Some will try a .38 or a 9mm, some may try a .357 or a .45. I always bring several centerfire revolvers/pistols. I bring the ammo, and generally pay the range fees.

I only have two rules (above and beyond the Four Rules). First, we will be safe. Second, we will have fun. We achieve both. How do I know?

At least five have already bought one or more handguns, and two more are in the "shopping" phase. One has become an NRA Life Member. Several are talking about getting their CHL.

Back to the original question. I guess my discretion is somewhat lacking.
But I am okay with that. Barack Obama may be the #1 Firearms Salesman of the Year, but I'm working hard to be #2. :)

ETA: I am more interested in creating more new responsible firearms owers (and perhaps CHL holders/NRA members) than I am about being discreet. All of life entails some measure of risk.

Oh, and I don't do social networking.
 
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As others have said, it depends on where you are. I'm in Az. & meant to leave my gun in my truck today when I went into a restaurant to eat. I was seated when I realized that I had my gun on my belt exposed, totally legal. No one even batted an eye.

Everyone that knows me knows I shoot a lot.
 
I used to talk to people about it; people that I knew, but then I felt that I talked about it too much so I slowed down and only talked to those who had my level of interest so that I could refrain from boring or starting arguments with the ignorant. After that I realized that it comes out in other ways if I don't intend to talk to others about it casually. For example: if I get a call about a gun and I'm around coworkers, I still take the call and discuss the gun as briefly as I can whether I'm buying it, selling it, trading it or offering my opinion on it for someone else. I don't tell people specifically what I have but I also can no longer hide being a gun owner and enthusiast without great difficulty.

Also, the biggest reason I don't discuss with many people specifics about my collection is a fear I have of being robbed. I don't collect gang banger guns or have really any semi auto rifles, but a friend of mine was robbed of many of his guns about a year ago and it really hit home for me, enough for me to buy a safe for everything and get a home security system. However, there is nothing better than a 357 magnum to make you feel safe (or any appropriate SD gun).

I also just embrace the stereotypes because what can you do once you immerse yourself? Be safe, use common sense, learn what you can, and enjoy the hobby. I've never been one to care what others think but I also hate to be the topic of conversation, about anything.
 
It actually comes up quite often. I live in the North Ga Mtns...a VERY Conservative, Highly blood red part of an already really red state. Guns aren't a sore topic here. I am a Democrat who supports the 2nd amendment and loves his guns. Not trying to get into a political debate here because I've never seen any political debate change anyone's views...so what's the point? I just think it's important for folks to know that there are a LOT of us "tree hugging libtards" that support the second amendment and enjoy our guns every bit as much as the next fella.
 
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