Okay, I'm Officially a Gun Carry Wimp!

[OldLincoln]

Confession is good for the soul, so "they" say. Ever wonder if "they" are the people that will make fun of you when they hear it? Oh well....

We spent the last 3 days visiting one of the nicest women you could ever know. She is very intelligent and travels the world several times a year. She doesn't profess to be a liberal but it comes through now and then.

We watched a Blue Bloods which she loves (Tom Selleck!!) and there was a scene where someone was asked where their guns were and the reply was "in the house". She literally gasped and said in a startled manner... "In the HOUSE? Oh my god!!!!"

I didn't have the temerity to tell her I had my PM9 on my belt as I have every time we have visited since I got my permit over 2 years ago. Instead at bed time I took it off and left it in the bottom of my suitcase.

I can and would defend carry to a lot of people, but she is one who doesn't and will never get it. Once we watched a TV show where a woman was being chased in her house by a bad man. She was looking for a knife to defend herself and our friend says "call 911" as if that will fix everything. That time I replied "That way they would know where to find the body." and she clammed up.

Okay that's her period. She has been my wife's close friend since their childhood, was in our wedding 45 years ago, and my friend from then on. She was there when my wife first got sick and has been good counsel since being both understanding, sympathetic, with a good head and sound input.

All this to say I believe there are times when it's okay to not carry. That is if the consequences to relationships are more severe than the risk of something bad happening.

I open this up because the older I get the fewer hard and fast "rules" there are. Two years ago a forum I frequented was flat out adamant that if you were pumping gas and possible BG approached you should yell at them to stop where they are at least 10' away, and if they don't to draw and shoot them.

I told them they were nuts and got shouted down but they didn't have an answer to the people behind you in a line at the checkout. I still say that just because someone is close enough that you are uncomfortable is not grounds to kill them. But maybe that's just me.

Okay, I feel better now. Maybe that confession stuff is real.

[Scoundrel]

I've seen a lot of hard-liners on gun forums who probably don't practice what they preach. I believe they do not, because with some of the hard line stuff they preach, I am surprised that they are not dead, in prison, or prohibited from owning firearms by now.

Most of them are probably teenagers with gun fixations that are not allowed to carry, but are spouting their mouths off about what is right/wrong and black/white anyway.

My hat is off to you for showing moderation and situational flexibility.

[TriggerMan]

Confession is good for the soul, so "they" say. Ever wonder if "they" are the people that will make fun of you when they hear it? Oh well....

We spent the last 3 days visiting one of the nicest women you could ever know. She is very intelligent and travels the world several times a year. She doesn't profess to be a liberal but it comes through now and then.

We watched a Blue Bloods which she loves (Tom Selleck!!) and there was a scene where someone was asked where their guns were and the reply was "in the house". She literally gasped and said in a startled manner... "In the HOUSE? Oh my god!!!!"

I didn't have the temerity to tell her I had my PM9 on my belt as I have every time we have visited since I got my permit over 2 years ago. Instead at bed time I took it off and left it in the bottom of my suitcase.

I can and would defend carry to a lot of people, but she is one who doesn't and will never get it. Once we watched a TV show where a woman was being chased in her house by a bad man. She was looking for a knife to defend herself and our friend says "call 911" as if that will fix everything. That time I replied "That way they would know where to find the body." and she clammed up.

Okay that's her period. She has been my wife's close friend since their childhood, was in our wedding 45 years ago, and my friend from then on. She was there when my wife first got sick and has been good counsel since being both understanding, sympathetic, with a good head and sound input.

All this to say I believe there are times when it's okay to not carry. That is if the consequences to relationships are more severe than the risk of something bad happening.

I open this up because the older I get the fewer hard and fast "rules" there are. Two years ago a forum I frequented was flat out adamant that if you were pumping gas and possible BG approached you should yell at them to stop where they are at least 10' away, and if they don't to draw and shoot them.

I told them they were nuts and got shouted down but they didn't have an answer to the people behind you in a line at the checkout. I still say that just because someone is close enough that you are uncomfortable is not grounds to kill them. But maybe that's just me.

Okay, I feel better now. Maybe that confession stuff is real.

I'm a Tom Selleck fan. Love his Jesse Stone movies available on YouTube.

There's a scene in one where his Deputy asks how he got to shoot so good. Tom, as the new Police Chief, simply says, "Practice. Remember, focus on the front sight".

There was also a good movie where random people were getting killed by a .22 at close range.

[Bawanna]

I'm a Tom Selleck fan. Love his Jesse Stone movies available on YouTube.

There's a scene in one where his Deputy asks how he got to shoot so good. Tom, as the new Police Chief, simply says, "Practice. Remember, focus on the front sight".

There was also a good movie where random people were getting killed by a .22 at close range.

Yeah the eye doctor with the ugly wife that used two revolvers. I got 4 of those movies, seen a 5th I don't have a copy of and I think there's one that I haven't seen yet. I like em alot. He's perfect for that role.

[TheTman]

I have friends that I don't carry into their house. I know the wife would have a hissy fit for sure, so I respect her wishes and leave my gun in the car. My friend is very liberal too, but he probably wouldnt care so much, but the wife would have a melt down. I had an old mauser hanging on my mantle and she asked why I had that ugly thing up there, I said to show I support the 2nd admendment, and thankfully she let it drop. I guess since it was my house she respected my beliefs, so I repect theirs in their home, even if they are whacko.

[Husky44]

All this to say I believe there are times when it's okay to not carry. That is if the consequences to relationships are more severe than the risk of something bad happening.

This sounds like a really good "hard and fast rule" to me. Good on you.

[muggsy]

Linc, you missed a golden opportunity. When my younger son first married his wife wouldn't allow a gun in the house. I now have her carrying a J-frame. I'd like to think that it was all me, but her neighbor being the victim of a home invasion may have helped. You should have let her know that you carry and why.

[3one5]

Here is my confession I bought my first gun at x-mass without SHMBO promission ok behind here back. She has been rapped by a cercel rapest at gun point before I was with here. She has said that there will never be a gun in are house. We just moved to Atlanta Ga and it is a lot different then where I have spent the last 30 years of my life witch was upstate ny where it is very hard to get a handgun permit. Also I felt safe there. But being here people have got robbed outside my work I'm talking atlest 6 in the 6 mouths I've been here. Anyway she finely figured it out last weekend. She is very mad at me still and this happend about a week ago. This has opened up here mind though becouse she is now talking about where is a good places to keep the gun in the house. As of now it's in the garage. She is mad but we went from we will not have a gun in are house to where is a good place to keep it. I thank this forum for being so informative becouse every time she asked a question I gave here a good answer all which I have learned here. Sory for the rambull.

[Barth]

The whole issue of carrying in someone else's house is a sticky one for sure.
If you are very careful and not open about carry nobody will know.
But folks that know me well, know very well I'm always armed.
People talk and I've been invited to parties where the only condition is - leave you're gun in the car, it makes some folks uncomfortable.
I respect that and don't go at all.

As much as we love guns, much like martial arts,
some things are best kept private.

[JFootin]

Even with discreet carry, such as a tucked IWB, all it would take is a hug for the gun hater to discover that you are carrying. A good solution is the SmartCarry, which keeps your gun in a place where no affectionate hug is going to discover it. They hide better with dress or casual slacks than with tight jeans. But it is a good option for those who don't want to leave it in the car where it might get stolen. Ankle carry is another option, as long as your pants are hemmed long enough not to ride up when you sit down, exposing the gun.

[tv_racin_fan]

3one5 may I suggest you introduce your wife to Ms Jackson's website.

http://corneredcat.com/

[Bawanna]

It's all pretty simple to me. I prefer home court advantage and would rather have friends come to my house than go to theirs. This usually works well since my wife is a terrific host and I don't do stairs etc.

My guns are a lot like my children. I remember many times getting invites for this or that when they were young and our first question would be are kids ok to bring along. If the answer was no then there was no thought needed we didn't go.
I don't think our kids had baby sitters half a dozen times in their whole life. Not one day of day care.

Same with my guns. I don't advertise and I'm very discreet and I wish nobody knew but anyone who has been to my house knows.
If my guns aren't welcome then I ain't coming even if I don't have a gun with me, although that's highly unlikely.

[Ol'coot]

[QUOTE
Same with my guns. I don't advertise and I'm very discreet and I wish nobody knew but anyone who has been to my house knows.
If my guns aren't welcome then I ain't coming even if I don't have a gun with me, although that's highly unlikely.[/QUOTE]

I agree with Bawanna 100%

No gun no go!

[Tinman507]

Even with discreet carry, such as a tucked IWB, all it would take is a hug for the gun hater to discover that you are carrying. A good solution is the SmartCarry, which keeps your gun in a place where no affectionate hug is going to discover it. They hide better with dress or casual slacks than with tight jeans. But it is a good option for those who don't want to leave it in the car where it might get stolen. Ankle carry is another option, as long as your pants are hemmed long enough not to ride up when you sit down, exposing the gun.

Yes that's a gun in my pocket and yes I am happy to see you.

[Ubaldo99]

Good for you, OldLincoln. All things in moderation. I belong to several gun forums and generally dont post very often. But when I read comments about carrying while taking out the trash, mowing the lawn, taking a shower, etc., I finally have to roll my eyes and say, "C'mon..." I suspect most members are somewhere in the middle class range and unless you live in a combat zone, lets be realistic about the necessity of carrying 24/7. Thank you. Now, feel free to tear into me.