Is Concealed and Secret the Same
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Re: Is Concealed and Secret the Same
There's two philosophies here.
First, if the BGs know you are carrying, they are less likely to see you as a target. If you subscribe to that philosophy, then you may want to where vests, fanny packs, etc which scream to anyone in the know that you are carrying. Open carry would be good under this philosophy too. I suggest a Mossberg 500 slung over your shoulder. Secrecy is not a priority with this philosophy
Second, Some believe in the gray man approach. Basically you should dress and act in such a way that you are invisible to the BGs. Obviously secrecy is a priority with this philosophy.
Both have pros and cons and I haven't really heard any arguments or seen any evidence that one is safer than the other. As a consequence, I don't worry alot about secrecy but on the other hand I don't go around telling people either that I have a CHL or that I am carrying.
First, if the BGs know you are carrying, they are less likely to see you as a target. If you subscribe to that philosophy, then you may want to where vests, fanny packs, etc which scream to anyone in the know that you are carrying. Open carry would be good under this philosophy too. I suggest a Mossberg 500 slung over your shoulder. Secrecy is not a priority with this philosophy
Second, Some believe in the gray man approach. Basically you should dress and act in such a way that you are invisible to the BGs. Obviously secrecy is a priority with this philosophy.
Both have pros and cons and I haven't really heard any arguments or seen any evidence that one is safer than the other. As a consequence, I don't worry alot about secrecy but on the other hand I don't go around telling people either that I have a CHL or that I am carrying.
Re: Is Concealed and Secret the Same
I agree with the all of the above. I don’t feel the need to hide it nor do I feel the need to exploit it. My family and neighbors know I carry. As stated above if someone asks I will tell them and if they are hostile to carrying I will try to convince them otherwise. I think it’s all a matter of personal opinion. Some feel better hiding the fact they carry a gun others don’t mind it if others know. There is no right or wrong.

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Re: Is Concealed and Secret the Same
I'm not really a "survivalist"
But ... in the mid 1970s I did carry a double barreled coach gun down Westheimer and police usually just waived..... Later however I went greyer ... not with firearms, but ... many areas,
The Grey Man Survival works in business too.
I know of one who survived MANY major layoffs at several companies when almost everyone else in his area was laid off, numerous times from 1998 through 2007 ... due to being the grey man and keeping a low profile.
Also worked when physically attacked by the second place Tai Kwon Do person in Texas many years ago, not in competition nor playing nor sparring.
There's a lot to be said about that approach/method/routine ... and never show your hole card.
However, sometimes other "grey men" or freinds/relatives know you are a fellow "grey man"
Once, about 15 years ago, my ex-boss asked why I drove an old rusting car and why not paint it and clean the newspapers and trash out of it. First I said" I need a new car, how about a raise?" .... but he was also a freind so later I told him .. "there's $20,000 in cash under that "trash" and If I clean it, they'll break my window and take it. If I get a nice clean new car, it will get stolen or broken into .... no one wants this ... it's camoflauge..... see you Monday, I'm headed to the Casino." His 5 Million dollar house got broken into, several of his luxuray vehicles stolen several times .... no one bothered me nor my plain-jane middle class house and Rustoleum primer spotted car..
But ... in the mid 1970s I did carry a double barreled coach gun down Westheimer and police usually just waived..... Later however I went greyer ... not with firearms, but ... many areas,
The Grey Man Survival works in business too.
I know of one who survived MANY major layoffs at several companies when almost everyone else in his area was laid off, numerous times from 1998 through 2007 ... due to being the grey man and keeping a low profile.
Also worked when physically attacked by the second place Tai Kwon Do person in Texas many years ago, not in competition nor playing nor sparring.
There's a lot to be said about that approach/method/routine ... and never show your hole card.
However, sometimes other "grey men" or freinds/relatives know you are a fellow "grey man"
Once, about 15 years ago, my ex-boss asked why I drove an old rusting car and why not paint it and clean the newspapers and trash out of it. First I said" I need a new car, how about a raise?" .... but he was also a freind so later I told him .. "there's $20,000 in cash under that "trash" and If I clean it, they'll break my window and take it. If I get a nice clean new car, it will get stolen or broken into .... no one wants this ... it's camoflauge..... see you Monday, I'm headed to the Casino." His 5 Million dollar house got broken into, several of his luxuray vehicles stolen several times .... no one bothered me nor my plain-jane middle class house and Rustoleum primer spotted car..
I'm no lawyer
"Never show your hole card" "Always have something in reserve"
"Never show your hole card" "Always have something in reserve"
Re: Is Concealed and Secret the Same
This is probably a little different angle than you want....but no, I don't think they are the same. For instance, the new Taurus 738's have a neat little external carry case that goes on your belt. If you are a gun fancier, you will recognize it when you see someone with one. If someone has a Desantis hipster, you might recognize that. But the average person would be unaware or at least unsure. So they are concealed in plain sight, but the initiated might know
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Re: Is Concealed and Secret the Same
Not secret, but private. Like my bank balance, or my medical report, or my underwear like someone said. If someone goes blabbing my private information, I think the best thing is to return the favor in spades.
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- mikeintexas
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Re: Is Concealed and Secret the Same
I read a post yesterday where an instructor told his class to not keep his DL and CHL together in your wallet. If you have to show your DL, someone might see your CHL. I guess I thought that was a little extreme. My CHL resides right behind my DL.
I think more like OG and Joe, it's not so much a secret as it is my business. Depending on how the person asking the questions is acting, I may or may not reveal if I have a CHL.
My $0.02 worth, again!
I think more like OG and Joe, it's not so much a secret as it is my business. Depending on how the person asking the questions is acting, I may or may not reveal if I have a CHL.
My $0.02 worth, again!

Re: Is Concealed and Secret the Same
Mine too Mike.mikeintexas wrote:I read a post yesterday where an instructor told his class to not keep his DL and CHL together in your wallet. If you have to show your DL, someone might see your CHL. I guess I thought that was a little extreme. My CHL resides right behind my DL. My $0.02 worth, again!

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Re: Is Concealed and Secret the Same
If you use a wallet with slots for cards instead of one with a window, I don't think anyone could tell what's behind my DL. The top picture is with my DL in place. The bottom picture shows what one could possibly see with my DL removed. Don't most men use similar wallets?
Re: Is Concealed and Secret the Same
Similarly, both DynaBlue and I picked up one each of ID-only wallets last week, just to hold those two items, and they're very practical. CHL sits behind the DL.ninemm wrote:If you use a wallet with slots for cards instead of one with a window, I don't think anyone could tell what's behind my DL. The top picture is with my DL in place. The bottom picture shows what one could possibly see with my DL removed. Don't most men use similar wallets?
The rest of the junk stays in the regular wallets.
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Re: Is Concealed and Secret the Same
I don't make an issue of it and nobody I knows does either. The only time anyone has ever asked me if I have a CHL was when I set up a Utah class for some of my employees. A few of them asked if I had one to see if it was something "normal" people do, I guess. I don't live out in the sticks like OG, we have indoor plumbing and everything that goes along with it, but like OG nobody in my circle could care less about whether or not I have a gun. I can't imagine what kind of conversation would lead up to announcing I am carrying a gun.
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Re: Is Concealed and Secret the Same
How about one that starts with, "Stick 'em up!"? But then the talking is probably over for me until I hear the friendly voice of a 9-1-1 operator and the smoke clears.03Lightningrocks wrote: I can't imagine what kind of conversation would lead up to announcing I am carrying a gun.
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Re: Is Concealed and Secret the Same
LOL...oh yeah...I forgot about that one...Dragonfighter wrote:How about one that starts with, "Stick 'em up!"? But then the talking is probably over for me until I hear the friendly voice of a 9-1-1 operator and the smoke clears.03Lightningrocks wrote: I can't imagine what kind of conversation would lead up to announcing I am carrying a gun.

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- Oldgringo
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Re: Is Concealed and Secret the Same
We've got indoor plumbing....03Lightningrocks wrote:I don't make an issue of it and nobody I knows does either. The only time anyone has ever asked me if I have a CHL was when I set up a Utah class for some of my employees. A few of them asked if I had one to see if it was something "normal" people do, I guess. I don't live out in the sticks like OG, we have indoor plumbing and everything that goes along with it, but like OG nobody in my circle could care less about whether or not I have a gun. I can't imagine what kind of conversation would lead up to announcing I am carrying a gun.

- 03Lightningrocks
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Re: Is Concealed and Secret the Same
A bucket in the closet would be considered an upgrade from an Out House, but I am not sure it would be considered indoor plumbing.Oldgringo wrote:We've got indoor plumbing....03Lightningrocks wrote:I don't make an issue of it and nobody I knows does either. The only time anyone has ever asked me if I have a CHL was when I set up a Utah class for some of my employees. A few of them asked if I had one to see if it was something "normal" people do, I guess. I don't live out in the sticks like OG, we have indoor plumbing and everything that goes along with it, but like OG nobody in my circle could care less about whether or not I have a gun. I can't imagine what kind of conversation would lead up to announcing I am carrying a gun.

OK then... how about electricity?

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Re: Is Concealed and Secret the Same
We've got running water and electricity. However, living in our little hamlet is sometimes much akin to living on the end of a bad extension cord. That's the bad news. The good news is that you do know whom to call when the lights go out.03Lightningrocks wrote:A bucket in the closet would be considered an upgrade from an Out House, but I am not sure it would be considered indoor plumbing.Oldgringo wrote:We've got indoor plumbing....03Lightningrocks wrote:I don't make an issue of it and nobody I knows does either. The only time anyone has ever asked me if I have a CHL was when I set up a Utah class for some of my employees. A few of them asked if I had one to see if it was something "normal" people do, I guess. I don't live out in the sticks like OG, we have indoor plumbing and everything that goes along with it, but like OG nobody in my circle could care less about whether or not I have a gun. I can't imagine what kind of conversation would lead up to announcing I am carrying a gun.![]()
OK then... how about electricity?
The other good news is that we don't have an undue amount of B&E, robberies, murders, rapes, auto thefts, knifings, fisticuffs and all those other things that you big city dudes and dudettes have to be on constant guard against...so there.
I'm trying to think of the last time I heard of anyone retiring to the big city or to the north. Why is that?
