Dating & Concealed Carry

[WhiteKnight]

What do all of you think about the practicality of carrying concealed while dating? In the early stages of a relationship (where every move is critical), if your date brushes up against you and feels a hunk of steel and then asks about it, what do you say? If you're in a primarily liberal town, how do you protect yourself while also avoiding "turning off" women from you?

In the event that things get physical and she doesn't know you're a shooter/CCL, how do your explain an IWB handgun when she starts taking off your shirt? I imagine for most women that'd be a mood killer, regardless of her stance on firearms...simply because she wasn't expecting it. :banghead:

If you have a girl that you're starting to like, how do you approach the subject without seeming like a gun-toting survivalist weirdo?

 

[Bendutro]

Take her shooting as the first date. End of problem.

Trust me, you do NOT want to be romantically involved with an anti.

 

[The Tourist]

Don't lie, and don't pretend to be something you're not. If it's one thing I've learned in five decades, it's that if you "schmooze 'em you lose 'em."

I wouldn't wait until the gun butt knocks over her popcorn in the theatre.

And don't think this is a topic where you talk down to her. Call her, go see her, and get to know exactly how she feels.

My wife was a liberal from a suburban family. Now she owns her own revolver and has a lease on my Colts.

Talk to her like you would talk to us.

 

[LawBot5000]

Pretty much everyone who knows me knows that I am a gun nut. I don't think anyone who dated me would be surprised to find out I was carrying.

I would prefer not to tell and just act like it isn't a big deal if discovered. I think most people are happier not knowing.

 

[BackCountry]

I don't have to worry about dating anymore (having been married for 20 years to a woman who likes guns), but I do have female clients who love to hug me every time we meet. Sometimes they bump my sidearm no matter how I position myself. When asked what is under my shirt, I just shrug it off with "It's my PDA" and leave it at that. My definition of PDA is PERSONAL DEFENSE ACCESSORY. I've never encountered a true anti gun client, and I sure don't have any anti gun friends. When they do realize what they are bumping, most appreciate their projects being protected by a heavily armed crew. I do encourage my crew to get their CCW's or at least keep a rifle in their trucks.

Get her interested in shooting. To me there is nothing sexier than a woman who can handle a gun...

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

I have a nice jacket that has a holster space built into it. I'll carry in there sometimes so when I know I'm taking my jacket off and don't want the weapon to be on my person, it's still with me. It's much better than leaving it at home or in a vehicle.

 

[Titan6]

To be honest when I was dating that was kind of a deal breaker. No use getting involved with an anti as nearly all of them have a similar illogical mind set.

I have been with my wife for more than 14 years now and could not be happier because we were straight up early on in the relationship. Spend a lot of time getting to know the girl before moving on to the serious physical side of the relationship and you will end up a lot happier and not have to worry about most of the questions you are asking. Spend most of the time listening and less time talking and you will learn what you need to know. (this will also prepare you for marriage better as well). The more of a gentleman you are the less strange she will find it (and more logical) when she sees that you are more prepared for life than your peers.

 

[coloradokevin]

hmmm...

Tough one... Obviously you might figure out early on whether or not the gal in question likes guns. At the same time, many in the anti-gun crowd (IMO) are simply folks who haven't ever been exposed to guns while growing up.

Through my involvement in shooting sports over the years I've prided myself on the fact that I've "converted" probably dozens of people.

As a case-in-point, when I started dating my wife she didn't like guns... She now owns a few, regularly goes to gun shows, is in the CCW application process, has taken a few tactical handgunning classes, etc. All it really took was one paitient trip to the range with her, and she was sold! She's almost more of a gun person than I am these days!

Same situation occurred with a girl that I dated years ago. She HATED guns when I met her, and did a complete 180... I still hear from her from time-to-time these days, and she regularly shoots (as does the guy she married).

All of that being said, it might be a tough sell if they have never been exposed to guns, and they take you as a so-called "gun-nut" on the first date.

I have even encountered this problem when hanging out with friends... One of the gals that we often get together with came up and gave me a hug one day, then quickly grabbed my side and said "what's that?"

Being a police officer, this was easier for me to excuse then it is for most folks in polite company (from a politically correct standpoint), and I just replied "I'm a ghetto cop and we are in the city right now, what do you think it is?". She laughed it off, and that was all that was said... But, I don't know how she would have reacted if I wasn't an LEO!

 

[MM]

Single, here. I ask her upon first meeting, "Are you afraid of guns"? Then we proceed from there, sometimes we go out, sometimes I move on. Firearms collecting and shooting sports are a big part of my life and my major avocation, no time to waste on those who eschew same.
MM

 

[papajohn]

The last three women I've dated all went shooting with me for our first date. Kinda separates the wheat from the chaff! They were all first-time shooters, and not only had a good time, but shot well enough to want to do it again.

One one of those first dates, we took a break and sat in the shade to eat a picnic lunch, then stretched out and cuddled a bit. She whispered in my ear, and I jumped up and hollered, "You say it's long and hard? Be careful honey, ya found my Colt!"

Papajohn

 

[mbt2001]

hmmm

It wasn't until you asked this question that I actually took stock of how anti girls in general are...

I mean, even a girl that didn't have a problem with guns or was maybe even pro might just balk at a first date or new relationship ccw...

 

[chibajoe]

I tend to be very matter-of-fact about it. I won't ever bring it up, but if the situation comes up (wether through accidental contact or conversation), then I take the attitude of "yes, it's there, and it's no big deal". Some girls think it's cool, some arn't too happy about it, but nobody's ever freaked out or stormed off. Your attitude and disposition will go a long way towards countering any negative reaction she may have to finding out you carry. One caviat, though: springing your CCW on her just as you're about to get naked and sweaty is not going to end well...

 

[moooose102]

i guess one way to handle it would be to reasure her that you are one ofthe "good guys", and as long as she is with you, nothing bad will ever happen to her. if she is an anti-gun nut, she is going to freak anyway, ya might as well get it done and over with!

 

[armedandsafe]

I remember a friend coming to me for advice, many years ago in San Diego. He asked advice about guns and dating a particular girl. It took me awhile before I figured out what his true concern was. He had found out that she had more guns than he and he couldn't "afford to catch up." (His words.)

I suggested he marry her before she got away.

Pops

 

[RP88]

springing your CCW on her just as you're about to get naked and sweaty is not going to end well...

says you

 

[romeo212000]

If she is anti-gun then you dont want to date her anyways. Like stated above. Take er shooting for her first date.

 

[Titan6]

Just occured to me that White Knight might be fairly young. Advice like I gave him won't help any American male under the age of 25.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

For our first date, I took my future wife to a parachute meet. She saw me free-fall from 12,500 feet, blow a dozen panels in my ParaCommander, and come down on the reserve.

Forty-two years later, she still agrees -- it was fair warning what life with me would be like.

Take the lady shooting for a first date.

 

[Blackbeard]

It can be hard to take a date shooting if you live in a state where you need a FOID to even touch a gun. I don't think watching me shoot is her idea of a good time.

 

[JustinL]

I've never carried on a date usually because they involve restaurants that serve alcohol. That said I've never run into an "anti" while dating, but I've never met a woman who had any interest in shooting either.

 

[jnyork]

I cant remember the famous actress, maybe Marilyn Monroe (?) who was famously quoted as asking " My, is that a gun in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?"

 

[Tom Fury]

The acid test is when she gets my shirt off and finds the Colt, does she get MORE excited...

Many women have never been taken shooting; this too can be made into a date; I have done this several times; they seem to like it...

cheers, TF

 

[R127]

Within a couple days of dating I took a girl to the range as a date. She'd never handled a firearm before. She shot well so I married her. Now she owns as many guns as I do and she picks out her own.

It isn't just about guns. If there is anything that's really important to you in your life it's a very good idea for it to be important to the woman you are with too. As others have said it's an understanding thing.

 

[Pigspitter]

In the event that things get physical and she doesn't know you're a shooter/CCL, how do your explain an IWB handgun when she starts taking off your shirt? I imagine for most women that'd be a mood killer, regardless of her stance on firearms...simply because she wasn't expecting it.

Well in that case carry a Taurus Raging Bull, and when she sees it say "You think that's big".

 

[The Tourist]

I cant remember the famous actress, maybe Marilyn Monroe

...Mae West...