The Annoyed Man wrote:If your dad is a gun guy, he'll understand that a 1911 is perfectly safe when it is cocked and locked, that it is perfectly useless with the hammer down on an empty chamber, and that if it is a 1911A1, it isn't necessarily safe to carry it hammer down on a loaded chamber.
I have never had to face your issue, but since my one remaining parent is back in California (and is rabidly anti-gun), I can't carry around her anyway so it's a moot point. My two younger brothers (also back in California) both know about my CHL and that I carry, but for the sake of family harmony, they have never shared that information with my mother.
I wish that I could give you some specific advice about how to convince your parents that it's OK for you to carry, but I do believe that you should start from the position of being respectful, even if you disagree with them. Deuteronomy 5:16 is the "5th Commandment," and it says: "Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you." This is a two part statement. There is a "what to do" part, and a "why you should do it" part. This doesn't just refer to the context of your interpersonal dealings with them, but also to the context of whether or not your actions in the world bring honor upon your parents.
Secondly, be honest. As a father myself, I can tell you that I appreciate honesty from my son almost more than anything else, because it speaks to the essential strength of his character. But when doing so, remember to "speak the truth in love."
Thirdly, if you don't prevail in this discussion, remember that maintaining your relationship with them must come first. They are only going to be on this earth for a while; and then one day, they will be gone and you will be willing to give anything to have them back.
I think that if you keep those three things in mind, and if your parents are thoughtful people, you'll do fine and they will eventually get used to the idea of your CHL. And heaven forbid, there may even come a day when they will be grateful for it.
I would add - get a tuckable holster (e.g. Blade Tech UCH).) It helps preserve family harmony because you don't have to explain what people can't see.