I also found that being seen cleaning a firearm when the young man arrives for the first date can be a marvelous conversation starter. (a) It clears the air regarding my intent to defend my family in all possible contingencies, and (b) it lets both my daughter and me know if this young man is worth the trouble of a second date (i.e., a litmus test on political leanings).
You and I have similar thoughts. The first time I met my daughter's first boyfriend, I showed him some of my groupings. Later she told me I'd scared him. I told her I wasn't seeing any down side to that.