TexasCHLforum.com

frankie_the_yankee wrote:
That parallels my experience almost exactly.

My close friends all know that I have a CHL and that I carry whenever it is legal to do so. And yes, I've been in the "bad neighborhood" situation a few times with a group of friends who expressed their reassurance because they knew what I had with me.

With me, if I know someone and respect them, I have no problem telling them.

To the rest, I just tell them it is none of their business if the subject ever comes up (which is practically never).

Howdie Frankie, I'm another New England Yankee, who settled into Texas 19 years ago. As an old Yankee I keep most things pretty close the to chest. I find it best to keep personal thing personal. I don't discuss with my best friends things which I don't concider any of their bussiness. By letting friends know if I'm carrying keeps them blurting out in a bad situation. "Show 'em the gun!" I don't think any good can come of them knowing that I'm packing, but I can think of lots bad things that can happen because they happen to know. I love parables.

Two old Vermont farmers would path cross paths on the road every morning on the way to the field. Every morning they would greet each other. "Good morning Mr. Smith." and "G'morning Mr. Jones" Now this went on every day at exactly 7:15 each morning and 12:10 every afternoon for 15 years without fail.

One day Mr. Smith didn't meet up with Mr. Jones in the morning, They didn't meet up in the afternoon either. Mr. Smith of course was very concerned. The next day they see each other at 7:15 "Good morning Mr Jones", Good morning Mr. Smith"

Mr. Smith blurts out "Mr. Jones, I didn't see you yesterday, Is everything alright?" To which Jones replied, " Mr. Smith I realize that we may be best friends, but that doesn't give you the right to get personal"

Carrying a deadly weapon on my hip is very personal. Thats my perspective. YMMV

Quote:

Two old Vermont farmers would path cross paths on the road every morning on the way to the field. Every morning they would greet each other. "Good morning Mr. Smith." and "G'morning Mr. Jones" Now this went on every day at exactly 7:15 each morning and 12:10 every afternoon for 15 years without fail.

One day Mr. Smith didn't meet up with Mr. Jones in the morning, They didn't meet up in the afternoon either. Mr. Smith of course was very concerned. The next day they see each other at 7:15 "Good morning Mr Jones", Good morning Mr. Smith"

Mr. Smith blurts out "Mr. Jones, I didn't see you yesterday, Is everything alright?" To which Jones replied, " Mr. Smith I realize that we may be best friends, but that doesn't give you the right to get personal"


Sounds like a bunch of Yankees!

JUST KIDDING!!!!!!

[quote="MacKnife"]Please correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it wrong to inform someone you are carring a gun?

For example, if someone asks if you are carrying a gun, I was always told to tell them "I am unable to answer that question blah blah Texas Penal code." Also, where is the info about mandatory concealment of firearms by CHLers.[quote]

A good way to reply to such a question is to give the person a quizzical look and say, "Oh, of course not." No explanation is necessary. Concealed means concealed.

Popshot wrote:

MacKnife wrote:Please correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it wrong to inform someone you are carring a gun?

For example, if someone asks if you are carrying a gun, I was always told to tell them "I am unable to answer that question blah blah Texas Penal code." Also, where is the info about mandatory concealment of firearms by CHLers.

A good way to reply to such a question is to give the person a quizzical look and say, "Oh, of course not." No explanation is necessary. Concealed means concealed.

Why degrade yourself by intentionally lying to them when you have every right in the world to simply blow them off by telling them that it is none of their business?

I mean, some might do this to "avoid hard feelings" or something. They will say that it is easier to simply say "no" and move on.

The problem is that you're not really avoiding hard feelings - except the other guy's. Because you end up feeling put upon and/or degraded yourself because you made yourself lie to cover up something.

If someone asks me, I'll answer them if I want to, and if I don't I will make sure they know that they had no business asking the question. Afterward, if anyone is going to feel unpleasant about the whole thing, it will be them.

I think the situation will define the moment.

This is not a black and white, on/off world that we live in but one that exists in "shades of grey" where each situation is, and should be decided, upon merit.

Answering like this: "Texas law will not allow me to answer." will only provide an affirmative answer to someone while attempting to deny because people who aren't carrying or never would carry will simply answer: "NO!"

If the moment defines concealment then defer to the "Personal Defense Accessory (PDA)" type of answer that provides the necessary denial of the moment but is still not considered a lie.

If the moment defines a reassurance to someone that you indeed posses the ability for self-defense then most likely it would be prudent to at least acknowledge in the affirmative rather than the negative.

kw5kw wrote: Answering like this: "Texas law will not allow me to answer." will only provide an affirmative answer to someone while attempting to deny because people who aren't carrying or never would carry will simply answer: "NO!"

Not only that, but it's also a great big ol' truckload full o' cow pies.

Texas law says no such thing.

I just reply, "Dont ask, dont tell."

For me, it depends on who's asking.

Not everyday, but quite often I will be talking to someone from my perspective as an instructor. The natural question is "are you carrying now?"
These folks are generally already at least acquaintances.

I've fallen into two jovial answers, "No, and if i really wasn't, it would still be no."
or " The proper question isn't whether or not, it's "how many"".

I have thought about this for a while, and I think my response would be "Why, would you like to go and shoot at the range?"

Venus Pax wrote:For me, it depends on who's asking.

Sounds like a reasonable answer to me…

Scenario #1: You’re with a friend who knows you have a CHL and he/she has a CHL. You both notice a very mean looking dog coming your way snarling, and boy is he big . Your friend says “All I have is my little 380…are you carrying?�

Scenario #2: Someone who knows you let slip to a big mouth that you have a CHL. They didn’t say you carry, only that you have a CHL. You run into the big mouth at the mall and he calls out, loud enough for everyone in 20 ft to hear “Hey dude, you’re not carrying a gun are you!�.

Scenario #3: You are in the middle of a robbery. The robber is standing in front of you pointing his 9mm at your chest, and he asked “Are you carrying a gun�?

Scenario #4: You and your wife/husband are heading out for the evening. Your partner, prior to going out the door pulls their weapon and does a press check. After re-holstering, they ask “Honey, are you carrying tonight�

I don’t think “It’s none of your business� is a good idea for #1 or #4, and it’s definitely not a safe answer for #3 .

For #3, I suggest you tell a very big fib…and make it believable

For #2, I think it depends on how you feel at the moment. "None of your business" is certainly an acceptable answer, but I would have no problem with lying and saying "no". It may be the path of least resistance for some folks.

And saying No when the answer is Yes isn't always a bad thing..."Honey, do these pants make me look fat?"

Scenarios 1, 2, and 4:

(Quoting myself from a previous post.) "If someone asks me, I'll answer them if I want to, and if I don't I will make sure they know that they had no business asking the question.

Afterward, if anyone is going to feel unpleasant about the whole thing, it will be them." (Emphasis added)

Scenario 3 is too far-fetched. The guy's pointing a 9 at you, just give him the money. If he wants to kill you anyway, there's probably nothing you can do about it unless you're Jerry Miculek.

I like variations of....

"That's a mighty personal question. Sort of like 'How much money do you have in the bank?' or 'Are you wearing underwear?' "

(works best on the opposite sex, not pc for office use)

KBCraig,

I like your answer the best:
"Or you could embarrass them: "That's a health-care device. It's very personal, and I'd rather not talk about it."

Many times I have wanted to answer people back with something equally rude and later was glad I didn't. I'll go pretty far to make a friend instead of an enemy when I can...

Frankie, be nice or you may just be deported... Back to the North...