Curiosity overwhelms. What does “printing” mean in this context?
Wear mine in the small of my back....
or I tuck a sock in my pants to draw attention away from the pistol..../s
My mother asked me why I carried, whom was I afraid of, and I answered, "No one".
She understood and never asked again and I've been carrying ever since.
That's much easier than shooting all witnesses.
(I know - we're not suppposed to joke like that.....)
Here’s a question for you, I had to turn down an invitation for a social gathering because I was taking my CC class. The inviter wanted to know what was so important that I refused her invitation. My first mistake, I told her what I was doing. Now every time we are together, if someone new is in the group, she tells them I ‘pack heat’. I’ve asked her not to, but she seems incapable of stopping. I’ve also found out she tells people even if I’m not in the group, but weapons come up. Short of moving, how can I get her to stop telling every one she meets?
Carry openly and the embarrassment is not a problem. It tells the world you are a strict constitutionalist and prepared to defend your rights.
Herein lay the “trump card” of off-the-body carry.
No one ever really knows if you’re packing, or just “ different.”
Any comments about my “man bag” only
remind me “What do I care what you think? I’m the one with the gun.”
So you hide who you are? An American that exercises your Constitutional rights? From your family?
I have kept multiple weapons and carried same for about 35 years. All my family knows I have weapons in the house and that I carry. Only safe way to do it........ If someone is uncomfortable with this that is their issue to deal with not mine.
"Hey, look, you're really scaring me with your aggressive behavior, get away from me right now..."
Step #1: Don’t lose your cool.
Step #1a: Double tap the mofo.
Just tell them:
“I am responsible for my family’s safety. Cops write about crime, they don’t prevent it.”
“If more folks carried, there’d be less crime.”
“I’m licensed and trained, so I’m not worried about being a victim.”
Because I know that you enjoy these threads...PING!
Getting a hug from your mom (who discovers your pistol lump) has zilch in common with being spotted visually by a member of the public.
Just as important; don’t be “shamed” into leaving your gun at home as my brother did, once, 8yrs ago.
One week later he was chased around his vehicle by two men who claimed he had “cut off my ‘homie’ (in traffic).
They had a baseball bat and oops! he didn’t have his ultra-carry .45. The store clerk of the lot they were parked at yelled out that he had “called the cops”, the homies left in their stolen van. The cops were only 2 minutes away.
Needless to say, my brother was ashamed to admit to me he had left his handgun at home. Note to homies, try it again, please.
To clarify above, while being chased around his own vehicle, which was locked but running (they attempted to get into it) he dropped his cell phone which they smashed with the bat. They took a swing at him with it also. He did get their plate number, and found out the vehicle was stolen.
My Mom approves. My Dad would only disapprove if I wasn’t carrying.
If they lapse into hysterics throw cold water on them
You have nothing to explain or defend.
Fortunately, I live in a state that doesn’t differentiate legally between open and concealed carry. I usually conceal, but if I “print” or my shirt comes up and completely exposes the gun, it doesn’t matter from a legal perspective.
As far as what to do if I get a hug or something and someone feels it and asks what it is? “My gun”, in a casual and nonchalant tone. Most of my friends and family already know I carry, and for those who don’t, the idea is that you treat it as perfectly normal to the point of being uninteresting. I’ve never yet had a negative reaction, even from those who are on the opposite side of the political spectrum, whom you’d be inclined to think wouldn’t like it.
I no longer discuss this with friends and family.