Keep it a secret?
- Thread starter dirkk
- Start date
SundownRider
New member
I wish I could have this conversation with a friend, but since I live in Illinois, concealed carry is just a pipe dream for now.
Believe me, I'd move if I could.
Believe me, I'd move if I could.
I have actually worried this particular issue to death. I have some rather iffy cousins and uncles, but they are still my cousins and uncles. My internal debate is whether they need to know I have a CCW and due to that they can not depend on me if they start some sort of stupid altercation, which happens all to frequently. On the one hand it would be nice if they knew that I would retreat because I wouldn't want to get into a gun fight over something stupid, but then that knowledge might actually encourage them to do something stupid thinking I would back them up when the chips were down.
I avoid the whole issue by mostly avoiding that side of the family, but I must admit it's never a dull moment when they are around
I avoid the whole issue by mostly avoiding that side of the family, but I must admit it's never a dull moment when they are around
Tell Them
I have a little difference of "opinion" but it's just that only my opinion. I was in the first wave of people to receive their CC permit when I lived in Ohio. One of the deals we had to accept in order to get ccw passed is all CCW holders name and address would be public record. In addition journalist could publish the list at will.
Those of use who planned to carry discussed this aspect in length and decided that the permit was worth it. What I actually found out was it turned out to be a great opportunity to teach others about firearms. At the time we still had children at home, and some parents had concerns about allowing their children to come over if there were firearms in the house. So we invited them over, and I would show them how firearms could be kept safely in the home with a safe. How our children were educated about firearm safety etc. I normally ended up with parents changing their opinions and about half of them wanting to learn how to shoot.
Today I live in a different state, much more gun friendly. I let peple know that I'm a Certified firearms instructor, and that I have my permit and that I enjoy shooting. I spend the majority of weekends teaching my new friends basic hangun shooting.
So each to their own.
I have a little difference of "opinion" but it's just that only my opinion. I was in the first wave of people to receive their CC permit when I lived in Ohio. One of the deals we had to accept in order to get ccw passed is all CCW holders name and address would be public record. In addition journalist could publish the list at will.
Those of use who planned to carry discussed this aspect in length and decided that the permit was worth it. What I actually found out was it turned out to be a great opportunity to teach others about firearms. At the time we still had children at home, and some parents had concerns about allowing their children to come over if there were firearms in the house. So we invited them over, and I would show them how firearms could be kept safely in the home with a safe. How our children were educated about firearm safety etc. I normally ended up with parents changing their opinions and about half of them wanting to learn how to shoot.
Today I live in a different state, much more gun friendly. I let peple know that I'm a Certified firearms instructor, and that I have my permit and that I enjoy shooting. I spend the majority of weekends teaching my new friends basic hangun shooting.
So each to their own.
Sigma 40 Blaster
New member
I prefer to keep my CHL status confidential, I don't tell anyone but the others with similar interests around can generally tell if/when you're packing. Others with an interest will probably ask you questions about shooting without directly asking if you have a permit or not...either way I'll answer, I just don't advertise.
I'm waiting for my CCW, having filed for it a couple weeks ago. It'll be a while before I find myself competent enough with a pistol to carry, but it won't be an announced occasion that's for sure. To me there's just no telling who will blurt out what at an inopportune moment.
Mannlicher
New member
My wife and family know I have a permit. They also knew when I carried for many years before I had a permit.
Other than that, its none of anyone's biz.
Other than that, its none of anyone's biz.
Ditto on the comments re: your talkative friend. He needs to be told, in a friendly manner, that he should not include you in his comments.
The only people who know I have my CCW and carry all of the time are very close friends and they are shooters too. (Plus all of my friends here at TFL
) I do not tell coworkers or friends outside of my shooting community as you never know when that knowledge could be turned against you, as we've seen in previous posts. That's exactly why I don't say squat! 
My (adult) kids knew I got the CCW but that was years ago and I'm sure they've forgotten and/or don't care. They know I'm safe with firearms and won't have them where the grandkids can access them.
There's really no need to tell anyone you're carrying unless they're the law and they're asking. "Bragging" about it means it's not "concealed" anymore, even if the firearm can't be seen, IMO. You don't want to advertise your gun by the way you wear your clothes (printing) so why tell anyone you have it?
I always pack my pistol when I'm flying to Southern California and have to let the airlines know I have it. I use my Nevada CCW photo ID when I check in as that seems to carry some weight and "calm" the ticket agents at the same time. It's not unusual to be asked if I'm flying "LEO".
The only people who know I have my CCW and carry all of the time are very close friends and they are shooters too. (Plus all of my friends here at TFL
) I do not tell coworkers or friends outside of my shooting community as you never know when that knowledge could be turned against you, as we've seen in previous posts. That's exactly why I don't say squat! My (adult) kids knew I got the CCW but that was years ago and I'm sure they've forgotten and/or don't care. They know I'm safe with firearms and won't have them where the grandkids can access them.
There's really no need to tell anyone you're carrying unless they're the law and they're asking. "Bragging" about it means it's not "concealed" anymore, even if the firearm can't be seen, IMO. You don't want to advertise your gun by the way you wear your clothes (printing) so why tell anyone you have it?
I always pack my pistol when I'm flying to Southern California and have to let the airlines know I have it. I use my Nevada CCW photo ID when I check in as that seems to carry some weight and "calm" the ticket agents at the same time. It's not unusual to be asked if I'm flying "LEO".