LEO's, CHL, Church and Service orgs

[southboundp]

Kind of a broad question. I am a member of a local service organization that meets each week. There are also a couple of LEO's that are members. What do you suggest as far as me disclosing that I have my CHL (whenever I get it and start carrying) to the LEO's?

Also, at Church, there are a couple of LEO's. Do they need to know I carry?

Interested to hear suggestions, recommendations.... If a situation occurs, I want them to know I am on their side (not a BG)

I am pretty close to them all if you think that might make a difference in disclosure. Thanks for the info.

[WildBill]

Also, at Church, there are a couple of LEO's. Do they need to know I carry?

Nobody "needs" to know if you carry. What is your motivation for telling? If you meet with them on a regular basis, then they already know that you aren't a BG. Once you tell, then they will always know. If you later regret this dislosure, then it is too late. Of course, it's up to you to weigh both sides.

[barres]

I would second the opinion to keep it to yourself. THere are a few LEO's that go to my church, and I haven't told any of them that I have a CHL. It's just not something they need to know at this time. Now if any of them pull me over (and one did before I got my CHL), then I'd likely have to let the cat out of the bag.

[powerboatr]

IMO
Concealed is just that, its my business and nobody else if I am carrying. Except if i get pulled over
you have it to protect yourself, not to show or let others know you you are carrying or possess a license
In my church i know of at least three folks licensed plus me, it was by happenstance we all found out.
our deacon is even getting licensed. We are all Sport shooters and that's how we learned of our chl.

like was mentioned, once you let that cat out of the bag, they always know and will always look at you differently.

only you can put a value on your privacy.

[The Annoyed Man]

One LEO I know at church knows about my CHL, but he's also a shooting buddy. Also, one of my pastors, who is aware of my CHL and is interested in getting one himself, and I are exploring the possibility of forming a loose, informal alliance of LEO/CHL holders at church who all know that the others carry. Obviously, unless all participate, we won't know all who are able to carry legally in church, but at least we'll know each other. Because of a ministry in which my church has become recently involved in which there may be some security issues, this is a good thing for tactical reasons. If a situation arises in which someone legitimately has to present his/her weapon at church, he/she is less likely to get shot by an anonymous good guy, if the good guy knows that the person with gun is a good guy too. There's a thread about it here.

[southboundp]

That was my line of thinking, just wanted some of you more experienced folks to give your .02. Really appreciate this board and the knowledgable members on it. Helps us rooks out ALOT!!!

[dac1842]

if they dont ask, dont tell. Simple. The officers where I attend know I carry, but I am part of the safety team. But overall if a person does not ask I do not volunteer. Even if they ask, if they are not LEO, I do not tell.