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mgood wrote:

TxLobo wrote:I was sitting in the waiting room with several other families.. a lady tries to set her purse over on the table, but she's turned wrong..

I asked her if I could help her and she smiled, "Please.. but be careful, my handgun is in there." told her that was not a problem.

Where/when I grew up, people could say "Be careful, there's a gun" [under the car seat / in the purse / in the closet] and no one raised an eyebrow. I don't get all the secrecy that people on this forum feel is necessary. (City folk, I guess. )
God bless a place where someone can say there's a gun in her purse, in a public place, without having someone panic, and people who are comfortable saying such things. To remove the stigma of guns, people have to be exposed to the idea that normal, everyday, people have guns. Their neighbors, people they see in the store, most of them good people, are firearms owners. They're not out there with Bubba and Billy Bob getting drunk and firing their guns into the air while yelling "YEE HAA!" Nor are they out robbing convenience stores or doing drive-by shootings at playgrounds. Regular people. Firearms owners. Some of them CHL holders. Some of them are actually carrying guns. And they're not bothering anyone.

mgood, yes a am a city dweller. In fact a live in a very liberal part of town (close to work, not because I necessarily agree with 'em). Democrat signs outnumber Republican signs about 30 to 1 when I am driving around here. I shake my head sadly every time I pass one of those Bill White yard signs... Being the liberal bastion that the Heights is, I am concerned that "educated" people will overreact if they find out I am carrying.

Well to answer the question, the ER is not posted with anything resembling a 30.06. I had been there before, and checked. For those who know the area, it is in the Houston Heights area, and not in the medical center.

With reguards to my wife, I have probably been looser lipped than I should about CHL. So she may not have thought it was such a big deal. Also as Hoi pointed out, she was probably more worried about me, than about what to do with the gun. Everyone is right about it being a good experience. Even after the Doc's comments, I was headed to a room so I didn't disarm in view of any other staff. Doc said, "just hand it to your wife, it's ok". I pocket carry, so I was able to hand her the whole thing, with the pistol still in my pocket holster.

I don't go around discussing it with everyone, but many people I know are gun friendly, and either have their CHL or are interested in getting one. Many conversations at work get overheard, and the list of people around me who know I carry grows. But this is usually people I already know. Many people at work know I carry, when not at work. Our company hand book does quote the 30.06 law, so CHL at work is a tresspass. However that being said, my bosses have nothing against it, I have no fear of being fired because someone says something to them. I have talked to the owner a few times about it. I am hoping to get the policy changed at work, and have already made a little headway.

There was an armed mugging that happened next to our building, and our camera's caught it. Since then, I have had approval to carry when I need to come to the office and work afterhours. The policy is supposed to keep guns from being readily available at work, so someone does not go "postal". I pointed out that the "rule" would only stop an honest person, and most of them would not think of shooting up their friends and co-workers. However if someone ever does go off the deep end, it will probably be over before the police even show up. It got him thinking, so there is still hope.

I have also had a non-gun (not anti, just doesn't understand yet) co-worker start asking some questions. In talking with him, he was exposed as a kid, but he has some rather liberal leanings. I am always honest, and never ridacule his point of view. I just try to explain why I believe the way I do about my right to protect myself and family. Looks like he may be going to the range with "the guys" next time we go.

So I need to find the balance for myself about when to share, and when not to, and then get my wife on the same page with me. Thanks for all the replies, and advice. Both to my posts and everyone elses. This group has been a wealth of knowledge for a new CHL'er.

A few weeks back, I had to go to the ER. Had come down with Bronchitis, and was having some serious breathing diffacuties. Since it was tighness of chest, doctors were worried about a heart issue. While looking over some of the tests they had run, the doctor wanted my exact weight, and not the estimate I gave them. When getting ready to get on the scale, I asked how important the exact weight was, because I was carring af few pounds of "stuff" on me. At first he said no problem, then he asked me to empty out my pockets. Since we were out in the hall, I began looking for somewhere to step out of sight, and remove everything. My wife, seeing the bewildered look on my face, and proceeds to tell the Doc, "He had his Gun on him, and doesn't know what to do with it."

I am horrified at this moment, and look over at the doc to see his reaction. "Good, everyone should be carrying. Im taking my CHL next month" was his reply. I was glad to hear it, but not in a very talkative mood, what with the trouble breathing and all. I was very glad to hear the Doc's going to get his, but need to discuss the "outing" with my wife.

After I thought about it for awhile, I was concerned about intentional failure to conceal. If a family member discloses that you are carrying in public, would that still be failure to conceal?

Anyway this one turned out ok, and it will hopefully be the last time it happens.