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Guys,

I'm new to CHL and have been thinking about this question, and I bet I can get some good responses on here. Let's say you're at a party, somehow someone notice a bulge on your hip or accidentally touches your gun and they ask you what is that. You don't want them to know it is a gun, so what do you say in a polite manner without creating suspicion?

Thanks.

One possible answer is, "It's personal and I'd rather not talk about it." Then immediately start talking about last night's game or anything completely unrelated.

Anyone with a shred of politeness will think it's a colostomy bag or a deformity. (Of course, anyone with a shred of politeness would not be asking that kind of question in the first place.)

One thing to keep in mind is that you are always thinking about whether you're "printing," but nobody else is thinking about whether someone at the party is carrying a weapon.

Most people, if they are inveterate "touchers," are going to think it's a wallet.

You can protect your weapon from accidental touching by keeping a hand poised in the appropriate location (wherever that happens to be). It quicky becomes a habit.

Assuming for the sake of discussion that you are a right-handed man and carry at 4 o'clock:

• Put your right hand in your right side pants pocket. This action rumples your clothing so bulges don't stand out.
• If you're wearing a jacket, put your hand in the right side pocket of the jacket.
• Put you right hand on your hip at 3 o'clock with your elbow pointing rearward.
• Fold your hands behind your back.
• At a party, hold a drink in your right hand at your waist level, again with your elbow pointing rearward.
• If your wife is cool with your carrying, use her as a human shield. Stand to her left and put your arm around her waist, or let her put her left arm around your waist.

- Jim
Edited to correct typos.

My favorite reply was one I learned from G.C. Montgomery: "Oh, that's just a medical device."

If the questioner is someone who knows you well, that might lead to many unwanted follow-on questions. But if it's a casual acquaintance or someone you've just met, it's pretty sure to stop cold that thread of inquiry. And you aren't lying: in the event of a dire necessity, it is a device designed to interrupt the biological functions of an attacker.

Not wanting to lie, I would proffer something like,<looking sad>"I'd...uh, rather not talk about it." Completely truthful and places the person in an embarrasing situation if they pursue it.

I kinda like That's my PDA....


Personal Defense Accessory.

Jeremae wrote:I kinda like That's my PDA....


Personal Defense Accessory.

Exactly what I was thinking for that instance...

JLaw

It is my "insulin pump!"

Thanks for all the good responses. I think I'll go with "it's a medical device"

I've decided on calling it a "multi-tool" if the need ever arises.

Skiprr wrote:My favorite reply was one I learned from G.C. Montgomery: "Oh, that's just a medical device."

And the funniest follow-up to this that I've read is that it's a "thoracic perforater" -- a device for lowering blood pressure.

rl168 wrote:Guys,

I'm new to CHL and have been thinking about this question, and I bet I can get some good responses on here. Let's say you're at a party, somehow someone notice a bulge on your hip or accidentally touches your gun and they ask you what is that. You don't want them to know it is a gun, so what do you say in a polite manner without creating suspicion?

Thanks.

Don't be overly concerned. Think of all the things it "might be" if you were not carrying, because those things will come to someone else's mind before your blaster would.
I am prepared to say "on call this week", just a blow off line, and act like they understand. fwiw, been carrying awhile and it's never happened.