Posted: 12/13/2009 4:29:09 AM EDT
| I was at the mall Christmas shopping with the wife and the clerk asks to see my I.D.; I opened up my wallet and show the guy my license and I guess he saw my carry permit so he say's "what kind of gun do you carry?" To be honest I didn't know what to say, so I just said "it depends!" Nobody was close enough to hear him but I wanted to tell him it was none of his business and I'd appreciate if he didn't talk about mine, but I didn't! I just walked away quietly with my tail between my legs. After the incident, I kept having the feeling that security was going to ask me if I was armed or something. I guess from now on I'll put my permit where it can't be seen by looking at my I.D. |
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Quoted: I was at the mall Christmas shopping with the wife and the clerk asks to see my I.D.; I opened up my wallet and show the guy my license and I guess he saw my carry permit so he say's "what kind of gun do you carry?" To be honest I didn't know what to say, so I just said "it depends!" Nobody was close enough to hear him but I wanted to tell him it was none of his business and I'd appreciate if he didn't talk about mine, but I didn't! I just walked away quietly with my tail between my legs. After the incident, I kept having the feeling that security was going to ask me if I was armed or something. I guess from now on I'll put my permit where it can't be seen by looking at my I.D. Well he obviously knew what the permit was, because maybe he has one also. So maybe he was just trying to strike up a friendly conversation with a fellow "Gun Owner". Maybe he was looking for a "Range Buddy" for a day of shooting. Since you said there was no one around, he did not violate your "OPSEC". |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I was at the mall Christmas shopping with the wife and the clerk asks to see my I.D.; I opened up my wallet and show the guy my license and I guess he saw my carry permit so he say's "what kind of gun do you carry?" To be honest I didn't know what to say, so I just said "it depends!" Nobody was close enough to hear him but I wanted to tell him it was none of his business and I'd appreciate if he didn't talk about mine, but I didn't! I just walked away quietly with my tail between my legs. After the incident, I kept having the feeling that security was going to ask me if I was armed or something. I guess from now on I'll put my permit where it can't be seen by looking at my I.D. Well he obviously knew what the permit was, because maybe he has one also. So maybe he was just trying to strike up a friendly conversation with a fellow "Gun Owner". Maybe he was looking for a "Range Buddy" for a day of shooting. Since you said there was no one around, he did not violate your "OPSEC". Now if the clerk had asked how (shoulder rig, IWB, etc) the gun was carried, that would be getting too nosey for a stranger to use to strike up a conversation. I'd probably answer either question with "it varies", since I do make seasonal/situational adjustments for concealment purposes. |
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I would have said "it varies , this for this and that for that, do you carry?"
I dont worry about security unless im not supposed to have it in there because of a sign. If security asks whats under my jacket I would say to call the cops. And then call management and ask for a discount for my inconvenience:) |
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Quoted:
I was at the mall Christmas shopping with the wife and the clerk asks to see my I.D.; I opened up my wallet and show the guy my license and I guess he saw my carry permit so he say's "what kind of gun do you carry?" To be honest I didn't know what to say, so I just said "it depends!" Nobody was close enough to hear him but I wanted to tell him it was none of his business and I'd appreciate if he didn't talk about mine, but I didn't! I just walked away quietly with my tail between my legs. After the incident, I kept having the feeling that security was going to ask me if I was armed or something. I guess from now on I'll put my permit where it can't be seen by looking at my I.D. I don't understand why you walked away with your "tail between your legs"...you essentially invited the inquiry by allowing your permit to be seen. Your final comment is the best solution: there's no need to advertise that you may be carrying (which is why I rarely carry openly). Your answer of "it varies" was perfectly appropriate. As others have noted, it sounds like it may have been a friendly question from a fellow gun owner/permit holder. I've been out after working a Tennessee Firearms Association table at a gun show, still wearing my TFA shirt. The logo has gotten some glances, and invited some queries from an interested clerk or two at a checkout. I've always treated it as an opportunity to demonstrate that we (gun owners/HCP holders/TFA members) are "card carrying good guys". So far, it's always been a positive experience for me. So, get your tail back out, move your permit to where it can't be seen, & get the rest of your Christmas shopping done! 
David |
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Yea, just relax man. I ask folks all the time. I just like to know what other folks are carrying to get ideas of what else I could try out.
Even asking where is not that big of a deal because just like I said above, It's interesting to know how they are carrying to find out what may be more comfortable. Now if he started asking if you were currently armed or if you had a round ready to go... That's where I would tell them it's none of their business. |
