Someone asks: "Do you carry?" What do you say?
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Shadi Khalil
New member
I have friends and family who know I have a CCW but as far as they know I rarely carry. If some random ask me if I carry the answer is no. It's something you want to keep to yourself as much as possible.
thedaddycat
New member
Today my son gave me a De Santis Cozy Partner for my J frame. When I took it out of the pocket holster and unloaded it to try the new holster out my wife just looked at me and said "I had no idea you were carrying...". "That's the point" I told her, "I've been carrying it like this for weeks".
Unless I'm with long time friends who carry and know that I carry the most I'd ever say is "I have my permit..." but around unknowns not even that. Just not answering or asking "Carry what?" and "Why?" are good options.
Unless I'm with long time friends who carry and know that I carry the most I'd ever say is "I have my permit..." but around unknowns not even that. Just not answering or asking "Carry what?" and "Why?" are good options.
I don't often get asked unless it's gun owning friends. If the topic comes up, I often say "I carry" or "I carry wherever I'm legally allowed". I don't shout it out, but don't usually hide the fact if asked. I'm not ashamed of carrying. Some people change their thinking when they find out someone they know carries. If a hostile person asks I may say "sometimes" or "when I feel the need". I've not had a hostile conversation though so I'll play that by ear if & when it comes up.
When I show my drivers license, the top line of my permit often shows a bit from my wallet, so some clerks & cashiers know I have the permit. I actually see that as a good thing. I'm pretty friendly with people I deal with and that helps them understand that not only bad guys have guns.
When I show my drivers license, the top line of my permit often shows a bit from my wallet, so some clerks & cashiers know I have the permit. I actually see that as a good thing. I'm pretty friendly with people I deal with and that helps them understand that not only bad guys have guns.
To a stranger/someone I don't recognize thier motives for the question:
"What are you talking about?"
I've had this question followed with some sort of response about curiosity - I usually respond with something about "Concealed means concealed - if I told you, it wouldn't be that way anymore now would it?"
To a friend/workmate, who is likely asking because they expect me to be able to use it:
"Of course - what's up?"
"What are you talking about?"
I've had this question followed with some sort of response about curiosity - I usually respond with something about "Concealed means concealed - if I told you, it wouldn't be that way anymore now would it?"
To a friend/workmate, who is likely asking because they expect me to be able to use it:
"Of course - what's up?"
If it was one of my very few family or friends that know I carry, and they had asked discreetly. I would answer their question with a nod or shake of my head, assuming that they would have a legitimate reason for asking.
I have been asked in the past by casual acquaintances who know I shoot. My standard response is to mime drawing a six shooter from where my cowboy holsters would be, then look at my empty hand and say "um, apparently not." and then change the subject.
When asked by other acquaintances who are not well known to me, if I think they are anti's I simply reply with "carrying what?" and then I politely disengage with them. If they seem pro-gun I will mention to them what a personal question that is and they might as well be asking me what kind of underwear I wear, or my wife what is in her purse. I will point out that "carry" is usually accompanied by another word - "concealed". And if you go around talking about it you are not being very concealed. If I am not sure about their stance, I assume they are antis and react accordingly.
Now a few years ago I was on an outdoor field trip with a bunch of second grade kids. I was bringing up the back of the group when they all stopped on the trail. I worked my way to the front of the group where the principal and teacher from school were keeping the kids back away from a rattlesnake that was resting on the trail about 20 feet away. The principal, who knows I shoot, looked at the snake, then me, then my waist where she assumed that a concealed gun would most likely be carried. Then she said "Do something about it." So I did.
I scrounged a couple long sticks, pinned the snake to the ground then immobilized its head. Picked up the snake, and allowed the kids to have a look at it from about 6 feet away. Showed them its fangs, dripped a little venom out of them. Then lectured them about types of poisonous and non-poisonous snakes, and not getting near them, etc. Then after they all moved on up the trail, I moved a ways off the trail, killed the snake, buried the head and rushed to catch back up with the group.
When I got back to the group the principal walked up next to me and said "That was good. But it wasn't exactly what I had in mind." I smiled and said "I know."
Six years later she and I were talking one afternoon and she said "I have known you for 12 years. I have been out shooting with you. And I still don't know. Where you carrying that day?" I smiled, nodded and made her pay for lunch.
I have been asked in the past by casual acquaintances who know I shoot. My standard response is to mime drawing a six shooter from where my cowboy holsters would be, then look at my empty hand and say "um, apparently not." and then change the subject.
When asked by other acquaintances who are not well known to me, if I think they are anti's I simply reply with "carrying what?" and then I politely disengage with them. If they seem pro-gun I will mention to them what a personal question that is and they might as well be asking me what kind of underwear I wear, or my wife what is in her purse. I will point out that "carry" is usually accompanied by another word - "concealed". And if you go around talking about it you are not being very concealed. If I am not sure about their stance, I assume they are antis and react accordingly.
Now a few years ago I was on an outdoor field trip with a bunch of second grade kids. I was bringing up the back of the group when they all stopped on the trail. I worked my way to the front of the group where the principal and teacher from school were keeping the kids back away from a rattlesnake that was resting on the trail about 20 feet away. The principal, who knows I shoot, looked at the snake, then me, then my waist where she assumed that a concealed gun would most likely be carried. Then she said "Do something about it." So I did.
I scrounged a couple long sticks, pinned the snake to the ground then immobilized its head. Picked up the snake, and allowed the kids to have a look at it from about 6 feet away. Showed them its fangs, dripped a little venom out of them. Then lectured them about types of poisonous and non-poisonous snakes, and not getting near them, etc. Then after they all moved on up the trail, I moved a ways off the trail, killed the snake, buried the head and rushed to catch back up with the group.
When I got back to the group the principal walked up next to me and said "That was good. But it wasn't exactly what I had in mind." I smiled and said "I know."
Six years later she and I were talking one afternoon and she said "I have known you for 12 years. I have been out shooting with you. And I still don't know. Where you carrying that day?" I smiled, nodded and made her pay for lunch.
Cheapshooter
New member
Never been asked. But if I am, by a male, probably just a blank stare to say "what a dumb question, non of your business!". If by a female, probably reply "You ain't finding out what's in my pants without at least buying me a drink" That's either gonna get a laugh, or I won't be bothered by her again!
I can relate
First I believe that most people don't mean to offend and in some cases are just struggling to make small talk.
I'm an alcoholic with 27 years sobriety. I don't go to any length to protect my anonymity now but as with many people getting started, it was a source of a lot of stress and discomfort.
Since I don't drink, there have been occasions when people have commented or asked. Most new recovering people are counseled to have several answers ready for use. One of them is "not today
" Most people don't press the issue but "why do you ask?" is a good line. If they do come up with a reasonable answer rather than beat a retreat, my response would be "this is something I don't discuss socially but if you want to follow up, maybe we could meet sometime. This protects the other person who just might have an alcohol problem himself but just doesn't know how to approach it. I will always make myself available to such a person at the "right" time.
There is no need to be rude or even mildly confrontational. Give an answer that you are comfortable with and smile; the smile is important and disarming
First I believe that most people don't mean to offend and in some cases are just struggling to make small talk.
I'm an alcoholic with 27 years sobriety. I don't go to any length to protect my anonymity now but as with many people getting started, it was a source of a lot of stress and discomfort.
Since I don't drink, there have been occasions when people have commented or asked. Most new recovering people are counseled to have several answers ready for use. One of them is "not today
" Most people don't press the issue but "why do you ask?" is a good line. If they do come up with a reasonable answer rather than beat a retreat, my response would be "this is something I don't discuss socially but if you want to follow up, maybe we could meet sometime. This protects the other person who just might have an alcohol problem himself but just doesn't know how to approach it. I will always make myself available to such a person at the "right" time.There is no need to be rude or even mildly confrontational. Give an answer that you are comfortable with and smile; the smile is important and disarming
QUESTION: Do you carry?
ANSWER 1: If I did, I wouldn't tell anybody.
ANSWER 2: That's a personal question, why do you ask?
ANSWER 3: I wouldn't want people to know I was armed and the same applies to letting people know I'm not.
ANSWER 4: If I were expecting trouble and the police weren't around.
(it's true and they don't need to know I carry all the time anyway)
I suspect answer #1 should handle most situations.
ANSWER 1: If I did, I wouldn't tell anybody.
ANSWER 2: That's a personal question, why do you ask?
ANSWER 3: I wouldn't want people to know I was armed and the same applies to letting people know I'm not.
ANSWER 4: If I were expecting trouble and the police weren't around.
(it's true and they don't need to know I carry all the time anyway)
I suspect answer #1 should handle most situations.
I don't think anyone has ever asked. A few friends know I carry. Usually the question is "are you carrying now?" Usually this is my wife, and usually in a situation in which she thinks we may need it. Answer is "guns are bad." Coworkers have asked and the answer is, "that would be against company policy."
Yankee Traveler
New member
Do I Carry?
Yes...
But I always check the weight before lifting. I lift with my legs, not with my back. I never twist with a heavy or akward load. I check that the path is clear before lifting my load. And I will get help, either mechaical or a partner, for oversized or heavy loads.
What do you carry?
Yes...
But I always check the weight before lifting. I lift with my legs, not with my back. I never twist with a heavy or akward load. I check that the path is clear before lifting my load. And I will get help, either mechaical or a partner, for oversized or heavy loads.
What do you carry?
Swampghost
New member
YEP!
Nobodys ever asked. I'm guessing that it would be a stupid question to ask someone who is commonly dressed in some camo or firearm related wear. Most of the places that I go don't think anything about open carry even though it's frowned on by badges. In the swamp even the badges don't care.
Nobodys ever asked. I'm guessing that it would be a stupid question to ask someone who is commonly dressed in some camo or firearm related wear. Most of the places that I go don't think anything about open carry even though it's frowned on by badges. In the swamp even the badges don't care.
I'd say,"That's a private matter to me."
And say little else about it.
Where the person asking you will likely assume that you are indeed carrying right in front of them.
It's NONE OF THEIR BUSINESS-unless a police officer has identified himself and is asking you that question-and don't lie about yourself carrying to private citizens-just don't answer them.
And say little else about it.
Where the person asking you will likely assume that you are indeed carrying right in front of them.
It's NONE OF THEIR BUSINESS-unless a police officer has identified himself and is asking you that question-and don't lie about yourself carrying to private citizens-just don't answer them.