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I was sitting in a Firestone waiting for my oil to get changed. Wanted some water, stood up, retrieved it, then sat back down...when this cute little red head sitting to my right then asks me if I am from Texas. I responded in the affirmative and asked her why. She said "I am from Canada...and our weapon laws are a bit different there." I kinda started to freak out a bit in my head as I have not been carrying more than 6 months. Maybe I was getting too confident and careless? I wanted to leave, but was unable to as my vehicle was in a bay. I am stuck, what do I do? Should I leave and come back later to get my truck in the hope that she is gone? I have read more than a few threads here on how to handle the situation...then realized that I should pull out my permit and show it to her. Before I can pull my wallet out, she says: "Texans will pretty much wear a knife knife with anything...even nice slacks and a dress shirt." She noticed my Benchmade Kulgera, not my Sig P238, which made me giggle.

What if she had noticed my Sig? What should I have done?

...in the event of my shirt riding up and exposing my handgun, and someone noticing it, I'd simply pull my shirt back down over it and smile...and continue conversation if there had been one going on...no need to act guilty because you're not...and no need to go hide it, because you haven't done anything wrong...at least the law says you haven't...

I would have down played it and told her the benefits of carrying for personal protection. You could have recruited a new 2a supporter. If she got weird about it thats her problem. You weren't doing anything wrong. If she wants to waste the police department's time thats her problem again. Don't be so worried about the anti's, judgemental people will always be around. It's up to you and your own moral compass to live with your decessions.

Tell her it's a "life preservation device", unless your shirt rode up and clearly exposed the Sig. I think someone saw my M&P once but I just pulled my shirt back down and carried on like nothing was wrong and they didn't say anything.

Are you the same Shinesintx that posts on RP?

speedsix wrote:...in the event of my shirt riding up and exposing my handgun, and someone noticing it, I'd simply pull my shirt back down over it and smile...and continue conversation if there had been one going on...no need to act guilty because you're not...and no need to go hide it, because you haven't done anything wrong...at least the law says you haven't...

Exactly this.. Being self-conscious is not unusual, but try to avoid feeling "guilty", you're not.

If I saw a prolonged negative reaction (worry) from someone spotting my weapon, I'd first consider offering a pleasant "sorry about that, I have a license for it, no need to worry"... and then carry on as if nothing unusual had happened.

A "witness" is like a dog... They get more excited when you run.

Shinesintx wrote:I...when this cute little red head sitting to my right then asks me if I am from Texas.
What if she had noticed my Sig? What should I have done?

Sounds like you should've asked her out?

Since he was made for a knife, not a gun, the comments seem a bit off topic....

But in any case, I would probably tell her that anyone without a knife, a flashlight, and the means and knowledge to defend him or herself is not really a civilized adult... and smile.

rmr1923 wrote:Tell her it's a "life preservation device", unless your shirt rode up and clearly exposed the Sig. I think someone saw my M&P once but I just pulled my shirt back down and carried on like nothing was wrong and they didn't say anything.

Are you the same Shinesintx that posts on RP?

Well, I can assure you that I am not Barbossa, atb, or El Bueno... (the 3 libs in the Lounge) and yes, its me.

ELB wrote:Since he was made for a knife, not a gun, the comments seem a bit off topic....

But in any case, I would probably tell her that anyone without a knife, a flashlight, and the means and knowledge to defend him or herself is not really a civilized adult... and smile.

I asked what if she had spotted the Sig instead of the knife, as I had originally thought.

While we like to be discrete and are required to be, an accidental exposure is not illegal. I wouldn't do a thing but continue as if nothing happened. If someone asks I'll answer but I don't feel the need to show my CHL. No one is standing in parking lots asking to see my drivers license, it is assumed I have one. I expect the same for my CHL, especially in Texas....

Shinesintx wrote:
I asked what if she had spotted the Sig instead of the knife, as I had originally thought.

Whoops, I misread it, but I'd still say the same thing.

olafpfj wrote:While we like to be discrete and are required to be, an accidental exposure is not illegal. I wouldn't do a thing but continue as if nothing happened. If someone asks I'll answer but I don't feel the need to show my CHL. No one is standing in parking lots asking to see my drivers license, it is assumed I have one. I expect the same for my CHL, especially in Texas....

Good points.

PUCKER wrote:

Shinesintx wrote:I...when this cute little red head sitting to my right then asks me if I am from Texas.
What if she had noticed my Sig? What should I have done?

Sounds like you should've asked her out?

Take her to the shooting range for your first date.