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I was asked once in Cabela's while the guy was checking his paperwork and looking at my CHL, but he had seen me there several times, and it was just part of the friendly conversation (not a challenge). Something like "what do you usually carry" and I recall saying it really depended on my wardrobe, and he asked if I was carrying now, I just said "Of course".

Now whenever he sees me he will come over and say hello and ask if he can show me anything. I'm sure that Bass Pro as well as Cabelas both advertise their CHL classes all over the place, and really expect someone who has a CHL to be carrying.

I lean toward the mild joke then a quick change of subject. No confirmation, no denial, no prickly old man talk. Even if I am one. I save that for very special occasions.

One possible reply to "Are you carrying now?":

"Should I be?" (Look around as if scared, then wink) "Say, where do you keep the sling swivels?"

A little more serious, but nonconfrontational response is good to have in reserve in case they continue.

"If I were, I wouldn't tell anyone. If I weren't, I wouldn't tell anyone that, either!" (Smile)

My answer would not include even obviously joking threats, such as "I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you." People, including passersby sometimes only hear pieces of what you say. And they WILL hear the wrong part.