I don't hide who I am or what I believe in.
STUFF can happen NO matter how careful you are and that may include 'something stolen'. I have never had a gun stolen.
Back east, my late husband and our VERY close friends were military people, Nam, other war Vets and so forth. Some were in the sheriff's department - all ranks including very HIGH ranks. I had ALL kinds of friends - they knew who I was and what I stood for. Some of them were gun nuts and some were not. I did know a FEW EX military and even some police who did NOT believe that ALL people should own some TYPES of guns. NO kidding. Some of their VIEWS have now been changed there too! Grin. I had some influence. Ha ha.
We lived in the country. I was always open about my self defense gun of my late husband's and very open when I started to buy my own in 1998 and on. More into the shooting sports and especially in SELF defense issues.
I have lived way UP in the mountains out here. Camped butt up to wilderness. I lived in a small log cabin during the winter - same place. Almost everyone knew that I was INTO guns from the gitgo... ones that I met casually or knew well. I open carry, I talk guns, I talk politics, I talk my 'faith' if someone wants to discuss God or ANY religion or lack thereof, etc. If anyone wants to 'shoot the breeze' with me about ANY subject matter including guns and the RKBA - I am game and NOT shy! I used to give talks, speeches and hand out literature at gun shows, on street corners, at homes, etc. back east. I do some of THAT out here too. I used to write a lot on some former public and private boards too. Same with 'chats'.
My neighbors here ALL know that I shoot and own guns. They see me and now that I am married - his stuff too. He used to COMPETE when he was on another schedule at our range. He does HUNT. He is big into the RKBA issue. He will testify on Montana hunting when the MSSA (Montana Shooting Sports Association.) gets a court date here in town too. The court dates were changed and he was called as a witness on being a third generation hunter here in Montana. He will say it is not just a sport as SOME people 'think' but for FOOD to many people. He has pulled in with deer and elk in his truck here. Grouse too! A nice retired USN VET and a Marine helped him with a cover last winter when it was freezing out - a BIG ELK in the back of his truck! They see our hunted meat and some have even eaten our hunted MEAT at dinners or for gifts. He gives his elderly mother and some people some meat too. We give OTHER food and STUFF to the poor out here. They see me open carry. He conceals and open carries. They see us go to the range or travel and load up the car with some of our firearms. I have some EX military here around me too. They are as we are... INTO guns. Some are not EX military but they SHOOT, HUNT, some others compete or plink and they do believe in the RKBA issue.
I have met some anti gunners and some liberals here too. If they want to talk guns and/or any GUN issue - I talk. I don't shove it down their throats and I don't want their anti gun talk shoved down my throat either. I talk about the RKBA at gun stores too. Casual conversations and about my gun organization or some other gun/political issue.
I have been respected by most people. I have had disagreements in the past with anti gunners too.
Frankly... I don't care if anyone knows that I like or own guns.
I do understand that some gun nuts do not agree with me or live THEIR LIFE as I do, as my late husband or my husband live our lives. That is OK.
Live and let live. Agree to disagree if you want to live your gun life your own way.
Sincerely,
Catherine