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pointing a gun, waving a gun around wildly .... would cause alarm, and even if if done on your own property, could be disorderly conduct ,,, just remember the safety rules, if it's holstered, and you're doing yard work on your own property, it's less likely anyone would say you displayed it in a manner calculated to cause alarm

I won't say that's a "smart" thing to do, but most everyone in the city knows me. Like I said, really small town I can walk across in a couple minutes

RPB wrote:pointing a gun, waving a gun around wildly .... would cause alarm, and even if if done on your own property, could be disorderly conduct ,,, just remember the safety rules, if it's holstered, and you're doing yard work on your own property, it's less likely anyone would say you displayed it in a manner calculated to cause alarm

I won't say that's a "smart" thing to do, but most everyone in the city knows me. Like I said, really small town I can walk across in a couple minutes

Depending on how lazy I am, sometimes I open carry when watering or during other yard work. Got to hand it to the last bunch of LDS, they didn't act like it bothered them at all (unless really busy I always talk to them). I took a package delivery recently with weapon on hip, and again there was not so much as a stammer. There was a door-to-door meat guy cruising the neighborhood while I was outside working one day, he didn't stop...I don't get it.

I wonder if all those folks even noticed. Sometimes I think people just don't register sometimes. I think they will just assume that a guy is LEO. I think my neighbors have come to just expect to see it

Dragonfighter wrote: Depending on how lazy I am, sometimes I open carry when watering or during other yard work. Got to hand it to the last bunch of LDS, they didn't act like it bothered them at all (unless really busy I always talk to them). I took a package delivery recently with weapon on hip, and again there was not so much as a stammer. There was a door-to-door meat guy cruising the neighborhood while I was outside working one day, he didn't stop...I don't get it.

My UPS guy always talks guns or kayaks when he brings me stuff, and yeah the religion door-to-door salesmen don't seem to mind, but after I pull out a Bible they seem anxious to get away after I talk to them an hour or so
The old mailman was used to it, he retired, the new one just goes really really fast and sticks mail in the boxes whether they are addressed to someone on our side of town or not.

Divided Attention wrote:I wonder if all those folks even noticed. Sometimes I think people just don't register sometimes. I think they will just assume that a guy is LEO. I think my neighbors have come to just expect to see it

Yup, most people assume. Even if a CHL is all shaggy looking, they might assume undercover narcotics agent or something. (My appearance changed a lot over the years from hippy look to biker look to law office look to homeless person look to "just weird"; PeopleofWalmart.com probably thinks I look too odd to publish ( ) I used to be a Private Investigator and looked different frequently. People seeing me armed assume it's ok if you aren't looking nervous, look like you are "supposed" to be armed, and you have proper holster etc, but if it's worn like a gangstah, they'd be nervous.

...or attempted, as the case may be...

Shinesintx wrote:...Can I answer the door with a gun on my hip?...

FWIW - all it would take is some salesperson (or a neighborhod kid, or just anyone actually), to go to the police with a complaint that you threatened/pointed a gun at them. You say 'but it never left my holster' - sure, may absolutely true, and surely the complainant wouldn't go making up some lie like that would they...???

couzin wrote: FWIW - all it would take is some salesperson (or a neighborhod kid, or just anyone actually), to go to the police with a complaint that you threatened/pointed a gun at them. You say 'but it never left my holster' - sure, may absolutely true, and surely the complainant wouldn't go making up some lie like that would they...???

Absolutely true; anyone can allege anything ... it helps to live in an extremely small town where you know all the police, Sheriffs, etc and they know you and you've known each other for years and years. (they are all within 4 blocks of me).

A much greater risk of problems can occur in larger cities which are anti-gun mentality.

When I first got here, I'd get coupons for discounts on holsters, ammo whatever shooting supplies and visit the police/Sheriff departments and give stuff to them, donate a rifle, shotgun, etc, and get to know them etc and get to know them. Now they know me if I'm driving down a street, at HEB or wherever and have formed an opinion that I'm not a wacko. I mean seriously small town, see the pharmacist once and then 4 years later go to the pharmacy to get a prescription filled, and she says, "Oh you're that fellow who moved here to take care of his dad 5 years ago" Go to the hardware store and they ask how your antenna installation you put up 2 years ago is working out and if you've been kayak fishing lately (bought some PVC to build rod holders 3 years ago). Same way at the bank, they know your name before seeing a deposit slip. Everyone knows everything, sorta like a Mayberry RFD here.

Funny thing is, I grew up in Houston, I'm not used to remembering stuff about people like that, so I have no idea who any of these people are, but they all know me (Guess I'll stay here, might be handy if I get Altzeimers and forget where I live .... they all know ...

couzin wrote:

Shinesintx wrote:...Can I answer the door with a gun on my hip?...

FWIW - all it would take is some salesperson (or a neighborhod kid, or just anyone actually), to go to the police with a complaint that you threatened/pointed a gun at them.

They can do that even if you don't own a gun.

couzin wrote:and surely the complainant wouldn't go making up some lie like that would they...???

If they're going to make stuff up, they can falsely accuse you of raping or molesting them.

couzin wrote:

Shinesintx wrote:...Can I answer the door with a gun on my hip?...

FWIW - all it would take is some salesperson (or a neighborhod kid, or just anyone actually), to go to the police with a complaint that you threatened/pointed a gun at them. You say 'but it never left my holster' - sure, may absolutely true, and surely the complainant wouldn't go making up some lie like that would they...???

...anyone could do that anyways...to anyone...CHL holder or not...whether or not they even OWN a gun...and have...that's life...and there's enough out there to be 'fraid of without worryin' 'bout something else...

We come up with a lot of answers like that here. If we run afraid of every little thing that might befall us, if we constantly worry about every lie that a clever person could come up with about us...then we need to sell our guns. Personally, I would not answer the door with a gun in clear view. I would want it to be my little surprise should the need arise. However, you can open carry in your own house, so people should do what feels right.

RJ

I regularly carry openly in my front yard or driveway. I get home from work, and since it's 100 degrees outside, I don't put on my jacket to walk out front to pick up the paper, get the mail, turn on the lawn sprinkler, etc. If the neighbor is out front I might stand there and talk to him for awhile in the front yard while carrying openly. I don't leave my property while doing it, but if there are any unsavory characters watching, it might help for them to know that I'm armed and my home is not a safe target.

...I don't openly flaunt my gun...but when I have to go to the truck or garage, I'll casually cover my IWB pistol butt with my hand...or with what I'm carrying...the neighbor on one side knows I carry...we're friends...the neighbor on the side closest to my driveway doesn't...we're not...it's easy to conceal without having to put a shirt on...I really like having the element of surprise in my favor if I ever walk out and find trouble...the fewer who know the better...

speedsix wrote:...I don't openly flaunt my gun...but when I have to go to the truck or garage, I'll casually cover my IWB pistol butt with my hand...or with what I'm carrying...the neighbor on one side knows I carry...we're friends...the neighbor on the side closest to my driveway doesn't...we're not...it's easy to conceal without having to put a shirt on...I really like having the element of surprise in my favor if I ever walk out and find trouble...the fewer who know the better...

But since everyone knows me and the small town etc ... it's really funny as my across the street neighbor hollars "come here a minute" and I hollar back, "I either gotta hide my gun in the mailbox, under a garbage can, or go get a shirt before crossing the street, hold on a minute"

I live in (well...just outside of) small town too. I open carry on my vast 1/2+ acre estate all the time. If I have to walk next door (son on one side and good neighbor on the other) I normally at least have on a tee shirt I can untuck and cover with. What's up RPB, surely you don't go out bear chested do you

ooopppsss... I meant bare, not bear...well whatever...either one

Answering the door, gun in hand, and visible could cause problems. If you don't know the person, or aren't reasonably sure they're legit (ex: wearing a public works uniform and driving a city truck), just don't answer.

If someone does want to be a jerk, and calls 911 and accuses you of threatening or whatever, the cops are going to figure the person who calls is the good guy. When they show up, and you're armed, you've given them more indication that their assumption is correct. Then you can expect at least some unwanted attention. Maybe a LOT of it.