Catching flak for ccw

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Ever since I got my permit I've been catching alot of flak from friends and some family members...
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I was late to the CCW party. When I came to the realization that I should own, train with, and a carry a firearm wherever I go - I also wanted to share this "epiphany" with others. This included close family members who I quickly discovered where adamantly opposed to the very existence of firearms. I foolishly thought that when I explained it all to them, they would also see the light.

I was wrong.

Ironically, after one of these discussions with two of my (anti) brothers, we were followed by a group of street thugs on the way to his car. We managed to get to the car and lock the doors just as one of them rushed up to the driver's window spitting and screaming at my brother (out of frustration I guess). We drove away safely, and my pocket pistol never came into play. I was sure glad I had it, however.

When I pointed out to my brother just how close that was, and if it had been any closer we may have needed to use deadly force...he blithely stated that at no time did he feel we were in any danger at all!

My wife was against it also. In her defense, we'd been married over thirty years without any firearms in the house - so this sudden change was "strange" to her. A couple of dicey incidents later, she stopped mentioning it other than to occasionally ask, "Do you have your gun?"

My daughter also thought it "strange" and "scary". I blame myself for not raising her around firearms.

I no longer attempt to convert anybody, and in fact, I don't bring up the subject at all anymore.

Once I stopped talking about it - so did everyone else. Now I carry everywhere (in deep pocket concealment) and don't ask anybody what they think about it.



Make your choice.

Don't try to convert anybody or seek their approval.

Get a concealable firearm and keep it concealed at all times.
 
my wife knows....thats about it. my friends know I have it but dont know when I carry.

I like the motivational poster....it talks about the president and him having an army of 250 troops and 500 secret service personal protecting his family at all times. I dont have that luxury.

joe
 
I figured out a good way to explain it. Tell folks that you would feel like a 16yr old girl, without her cellphone. I have left my glasses, or whatever it was I was taking with me, to do whatever it was I was supposed to do, but I never forget my Pistol in the last 40 years. It has become like my shoes, can't possiblly go out without your shoes. If I don't have something poking me someware, I know I am not fully dressed. Only time I was ever asked to "at least let me lock that up for you", I made an about face and the guy asked me, "are you really going to leave"? As soon as I said "absolutely", he said "well if it's that important to you, then go on and bring it in", "Just don't shoot anyone", I said, "I hope I don't have to". But I guess it depends on where you were raised and who you hang out with. That's why the majority of advice is "just don't tell them". They will feel neither way about it that way. And if you have to save their ass, they will say, "Wow, I never would have imagined that "BoB" had a gun", "good thing", "what a guy".
 
Most of my friends/family know I carry, and none of them question/give me flak/etc. Lucky me I guess
 
Ever since I got my permit I've been catching alot of flak from friends and some family members for carrying all the time. I know some situations are just not appropriate and some are illegal, but I feel that when I can and when it makes sense to carry I do.

But is there such thing as ccw too often?
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Nope.

The responses seem to be running to either category A: Face your family head-on or B: just keep things quiet.

Both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages. I offer a third possibility: simply spend much, much less time around those who criticize your life choices. This has advantages and disadvantages as well, but it does avoid open conflict and hiding things.

If folks can't accept me as I am, I won't burden them with my company. YMMV, but it's a good way for me.

KR
 
a gall at work and i got into a discussion on the subject of defense. i mentioned that i regularly carry a .40s&w and keep a .357 mag by the bed. she suddenly looked shocked and asked why i thought i would need a gun in my house. i tried to explain to her why it was a wise decision to plan for the worst case scenario and that personal safety was very important to me.

i figured she would understand my point of view since she has a small son at home and has been married to a state trooper for several years but she just didnt seem to get it. in my final attempt at trying to explain my point of view, i asked her what she would do if someone broke into her house. would she react proactivly and defend the safety of her son? immediatly she became very serious and kind of puffed up her stance and replied "well of course i would!" i went on to ask her what she would do if she caught an intruder in her house. at this she looked very pleased with herself because she had a plan: "oh yeah im ready for 'em! i keep an aluminum t-ball bat under my bed. you just dont get between a momma bear and her cub!"

just so you can picture this, she is around 5'6" and MAYBEE 120lb. at first i could hardly believe she was serious and i asked her "what if its a guy my size (6'1" 220lb)? what if he has a gun? then what?"

"oh well youve never seen what a bat can do when you really want to do some damage!"

i dropped it right there and decided to just call it a lost cause. ive been hit with an aluminum bat before. right in the back of the head. no it wasnt in anger, but it was a full swing. it hurt, but i wouldnt call it a fight stopper. on the other hand i have also seen the effect that a 12ga shotgun can have on a human. trust me, the bat does not stand much of a chance.
 
I have no trouble with Family Members. Guess my family thinks a lot alike. My Wife has a permit and Carries, and my Son does also. My Gunsmith and Engraver knows I carry, and also my Pawnshop friend where I get most of my Guns. That is the extent of those that know I carry, and I have a lot of friends, but no point in telling them that I carry.
 
Ever since I got my permit I've been catching alot of flak from friends and some family members for carrying all the time. I know some situations are just not appropriate and some are illegal, but I feel that when I can and when it makes sense to carry I do.

But is there such thing as ccw too often?
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The best bet is to not let anyone know you carry a gun but it sounds like it's too late for that.

Now that the cat is out of the bag if the subject comes up say as little as possible and people will soon stop thinking about the fact that you carry. Like the man said, "Always carry, never tell".
 
The only people in my life that I share the fact that I'm carrying with are other gun enthusiasts (not gun owners). Others don't need to know.

On another note, you will probably never need your firearm for defensive purposes. But, if you ever do, you'll need it REALLY BAD, and RIGHT NOW!!! So, I suggest you continue carrying within the boundaries of state law where you live, if you are comfortable doing so, and don't worry about what people think.
 
Conceal and they wont know. Respect their rights when it comes to carrying on their property. If you are going to work on converting them, I would stay away from the "you are sheep" argument. IMO it does 2 things, it insults them as you are calling them "weak, mindless, etc" or some other connotation that can be taken from it. To an anti they then see you as the wolf, or some other aggressor. That just digs them in deeper to their argument and you are not going to win them over that way.

If however, you are sick of taking undeserved abuse while not abusing back, byt all means "sheep" away...lol
 
mwcharger said:
Ever since I got my permit I've been catching alot of flak from friends and some family members for carrying all the time...
But is there such thing as ccw too often?
Click to expand...

The Mrs still gives me the 'eye' :scrutiny: from time to time when we go out with friends so in order to promote domestic tranquility I swap out my Glock for my Ruger LCP without saying anything to her. I pocket carry the Ruger and don't say anything to her. Sometimes spousal harmony trumps power-factor (.40 vs .380)

Cheers
Chris
 
Find the right holster and right sized gun for the type of clothes you are wearing. I have a pocket holster and an ankle holster for a J frame hammerless snub. I can carry that smith and wesson anywhere I want and no one knows. I carry my gun while I work away from my home office (got that in my drawer), errands, client meetings, to church, family stuff, trips, out to eat, well you get the picture everywhere. I don't get into discussions with folks about when or if I am carrying my gun. It is none of anyone's business, friends or family. Only a few select people know I have a TN handgun carry permit and a couple of those I wish didn't know, but that's ok they don't care.

Look at a Smith and Wesson 642. I love my 1911 but I can't hide it like the 642. Get a trigger job done by Smith and Wesson and put some good Hogue rubber grips on it if you don't get a new one. The new ones come with good Hogue grips. You'll be set for discreet carry.
 
As others on these forums have pointed out, having a gun does not mean you are looking for a fight and can be likened to the same principles behind owning insurance, fire extinguisher, or wearing a seat belt. It appears a lot of people have been conditioned to believe gun ownership implies compensation for some sort of deficit in life. :rolleyes:

I would have to agree with other posters that it seems like your best bet at this point is to drop it for now. Maybe in the future, an opportunity for discussion with the family members disrespecting your decision will present itself.

Is there such a thing as CCW too often? For you now, that's probably a personal preference based on your perception of the world. I think as you get more comfortable with carrying and consider why you do so, you will decide the answer to that question is "no."
 
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you don't tell no one. you don't discuss about it even forced. and you always carry it consistently. Try to conceal well without any bulging. Mind your wardrobe.
 
CCW is a way of life. When you CCW ask yourself are you being an asset to the society or a liabilty. Have sense of humor when family / friends give you flak for carrying. Eventually they will get used to it.
 
I discuss my ccw with my parents as i live with them, Both would get theirs also if they physically could go threw the 12 hour course here in Ohio.
The only other people who know is my aunt and her 2 sons who both have their licenses and hunt.
My Daughter who is 13 knows and hates guns and don't even want to see mine exposed if i take my cover shirt off.

I tell no one, I discuss it with no one.
Except the gun pimps, They wont leave me alone. Maybe they would if i quit going once a week to every gun shop i know.

The way i see it, Its my business and my business only.
Its a concealed weapon, Not a discussion weapon. :)
 
I carry a full sized 1911 under a t-shirt IWB and my cell phone sticks out 3x more.
You should experiment with different holsters and different spots on your body to help conceal it.
The issue comes from peoples different body shapes and sizes, so what works for me may not work for you. But a different holster in a different spot would.
 
Ummm, not when you carry a 1911 tucked under a T-shirt inside the waistband...
It has a tendency to kinda stick out in a rather firearm shaped bulge.
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I carry a 5" kimber with absolutely no printing.

I am also 6'3", but still.
 
First, if you are carrying CONCEALED, how to they even know your are carrying? Secondly, I would tell them that it is the responsibility of good men and women to stand up for themselves and for others against those people that would harm them. Most people don't feel the need to answer that call. You do, so rather than ignore it, you take up your weapon and carry it in case the need is ever there. If not, then no harm is done.
 
If they know then YOU failed.
If they ask you not to bring it in their home then leave it in the Car.
.
 
Well said Conwict and TexasBill. My immediate family and a close friend know about my CCW. Friends suspect but after awhile the novelty of asking and knowing if I am carrying wore off.
Concealed carry means exactly that - no need to advertise.

MH
 
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