Outed. Interesting.

[mr.72]

So-

We have good friends, a family who are missionaries normally living overseas. When they are back in TX often times their daughter, who is my daughter's best friend, will stay with us for weeks at a time. These are family friends who we have known for the better part of a decade. They were returning to TX (home) as they do every other summer and before they left they invited us over for dinner and to hang out one last time before they returned to the field.

We had been sitting around the table discussing various things and everyone started comparing driver's license photos. My wife mentioned something about the "other one" knowing that my CHL photo looks like a mug shot and I showed it.

Well, of course this started a discussion :)

"So you have a concealed handgun license? Wow. I would have never thought. You are not the type who would have a gun."

He admitted that he is terrified of guns and would be afraid to even touch one if he saw one. Said he was glad I was carrying and that other CHL holders carry because in TX that means that he doesn't have to... criminals are deterred by the suspicion or chance that anyone could be carrying (which is maybe a little bit true). Then my wife began to tell the story of how I wound up turning into an unlikely gun owner and I finished telling the story and they were all intrigued and kind of floored that someone like me would even own a gun, never mind carry one.

After a few more minutes of conversation, the guy asked me, "so do you have a gun on you now?" I tried to deflect but eventually my wife answered for me (with pride, and a little bit of a roll of the eyes), that I carry all the time.

Half hour later, while we were all standing around in the kitchen (myself, my wife, my two daughters, and the other couple and their two teen daughters), the guy said "so, where exactly are you carrying this gun?" I said on my right hip, and he said "can I see?" Now I know it's technically illegal... but hey this was in a private home. Eventually they wanted to see the gun so I unloaded and opened the slide on my LCP and the guy who had just been petrified of guns was handling it and intrigued to say the least. They all wanted to look at it, handle it, etc.

Next time they're in TX he wants to go to the firing range and learn to handle, load, shoot, etc.

I am guessing this will be the next unlikely gun owner, you know, not the type.

It was interesting how quickly this family transformed from "afraid of guns" to "intrigued and interested" in just a few minutes when they were aware that someone they have known and trusted for years turned out to be a gun owner, and even carried one. Amazingly, I was not dangerous or scary at all :) None of my guns ever jumped up and shot their daughter while she was staying at my house. The stereotype sort of fell apart right before their eyes. I kind of felt like they suddenly realized, you know good people with guns can be a comforting thought.

[mrvmax]

The people I know that are not current gun owners have one thing in common - they were not exposed to guns when they were young. I offer to help people buy/choose the right gun as well as train them how to shoot, clean, maintain and properly store them. I have gun related conversations daily at work. Unfortunately there are so many gun myths out there that I spend time trying to show them how they are wrong (i.e. if you shoot someone outside your hoseu drag them inside so it will be a "legal" shooting).

[mred]

MIke Judge would have a good time with the story on KING OF THE HILL. It would be funny with Dale around.

[mr.72]

MIke Judge would have a good time with the story on KING OF THE HILL. It would be funny with Dale around.

Well, that would be with characters that conform to the stereotype.

In this case, we don't.

[mikeintexas]

I am continually surprised when I find out the people that are (and aren't!) licensed to carry, especially among the church members that I know. I am amazed at the ones that do. Even more amazed at the people that should or fit the type that don't carry. Doctors and nurses that work all different shifts and are in bad areas of town that don't carry. Meek accountant types that carry 2 guns.

But then again, most people are surprised when/if they find out I carry.

[RHenriksen]

Sounds like you did a great job being a good ambassador!

I think if I were in that situation, I'd explain before the gun ever broke cover that I was going to pull it out, then unload it before anyone touched it. Heck, maybe even field strip it. The individual parts are probably even less likely to jump off the table & kill someone.

Not trying to be snarky about that last part. It might further demystify the FIREARM to see what the basic pieces look like, how to reassemble it, etc.

[DoubleJ]

Ah, the other stereotype: the "not the type" gun owner.
I saw this book at the Bullet Trap that was a pictorial of folks that "didn't fit the mold."
dudes covered in tats, with gats. chicks in the "betty paige" look carrying heaters. stuff like that. a few "regular dudes" thrown in to add flavor, and one or two "the types" just to be, well, different

you guys should get your own t-shirts, that are all uniquely different, just like everyone else's completely different t-shirts!


I'm just funning with you, but seriously, good job on the diplomacy of sharing shewtin' with someone else.
next thing you know, you'll both be comparing calibers and holsters and stuff!
my buddy (the VHT amp guy) has recently gotten into competitive shooting. If I can just get the old crabby guys to let him learn how to do it, there'll be two of us musicians at the matches!

[WildBill]

None of my guns ever jumped up and shot their daughter while she was staying at my house.

You must have very well-trained guns. Mine are always jumping up and shooting my house guests.

[mred]

I was funnin too, I couldn't figure out why the wife would be telling on you. I Thought it should be your place if desired and in time. Sorry if I offended.

[stevie_d_64]

MIke Judge would have a good time with the story on KING OF THE HILL. It would be funny with Dale around.

Well, that would be with characters that conform to the stereotype.

In this case, we don't.

Well wait a sec...I thought you did sell propane and propane products???

[ghostrider]

>Now I know it's technically illegal... but hey this was in a private home.

I'm not sure that it is. My understanding is on your property (or property you control), there is no requirement for concealing, ie. you can open carry in your home.

[Wisewr]

She has never said it, but I think my wife was a little suprised when I got my license. A bunch of guys from work were getting together to get it and I decided on the spur of a moment that I would join, didn't even own a gun at the time. After I got my card it was about 5 months before I finally bought a gun, which I don't think she thought I was ever really going to do either. I've tried to talk to her about getting one too, but she cried when I tried to "pressure" her into shooting at the gun range, so it might not happen.

Just a quick question in relation to the first post, hope this isn't considered highjacking. If you were in a private home, is this really illegal to display your gun under those such circumstances that you listed? Reason I ask is this, is it also illegal to take your holster and weapon off/on when getting in/out of your vehicle in a public parking lot? Your not waving the thing around, but if someone were looking hard enough, they could see it. The way I took it was that when you leave your home, the weapon must remain concealed at all times until you get back home. Let me know if I'm wrong.

[boomerang]

MIke Judge would have a good time with the story on KING OF THE HILL. It would be funny with Dale around.

It would be funnier on his other show.

[.45mac.40]

mr.72

Good reading and a learning tool !

Thanks fer' sharing with us. I especially liked how you wrote it out, and it's ending !

Mac .45 >>>> %%%%
..... .40 >>>> ::::::

[3dfxMM]

I'm not sure that it is. My understanding is on your property (or property you control), there is no requirement for concealing, ie. you can open carry in your home.

It wasn't his home.