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A couple of weeks ago, the wife and I went to a chain restaurant for lunch. As we were almost finished, the manager stopped at our table to talk about our dining experience, and to try to get me to do a call-in survey. While he was standing at the end of the booth where we were seated, there was suddenly a loud "BANG" from the area near the front door.

That was the first surprise. The second was what happened next. When we heard the bang, I immediately reached down and started to sweep my shirt so that I could draw. As I made this move, I realized that it was not a gunshot, but that a balloon had popped. I relaxed and let my hand move away from the weapon and slowly tugged my shirt back down.

Ever since I started carrying a few months ago, I have been sure that everyone knew, almost like I was wearing a sign. The second surprise was that the manager, standing less than three feet away never noticed a thing. After he left, my wife even said, "You moved for your gun, and he didn't have a clue."

I did not draw. I was just getting where I had easy access, in case I needed to. After thinking about this for a few days, I think I did the right thing. What do my fellow members that have more experience say about my actions?

I'm guessing not since you didn't say anything, but the manager didn't notice you reaching for your gun?

Sorry, thought it was clearer. No, he never noticed a thing. Three feet away, and totally oblivious. And this was verified by my wife.

birdman253 wrote:Sorry, thought it was clearer. No, he never noticed a thing. Three feet away, and totally oblivious. And this was verified by my wife.

I'm sorry. It's late, I'm not feeling well today, I skimmed and missed that part. I need to take my cough medicine and go to bed.

Next time try to pick a table and seating location that allows you to make that kind of move with less visibility. I usually sit with my strong side next to a wall near a door and away from the register. Sounds like the guy is not familiar with guns and he just didn't register the movement or connect the bang sound to it. You were fortunate.

I always try to take the seat that faces the majority of the room so I can see most of what's going on.

Vader wrote:I always try to take the seat that faces the majority of the room so I can see most of what's going on.

Restaurant number tables/zones as well as seats. Every table has a "power seat", designated seat #1, which offers the most advantageous view of the restaurant or restaurant entrance.

True story.

OldCannon wrote:

Vader wrote:I always try to take the seat that faces the majority of the room so I can see most of what's going on.

Restaurant number tables/zones as well as seats. Every table has a "power seat", designated seat #1, which offers the most advantageous view of the restaurant or restaurant entrance.

True story.

Power seat. I like the sound of that! LOL

Vader wrote:I always try to take the seat that faces the majority of the room so I can see most of what's going on.

My wife teases me about this all the time, she will even give up the more comfortable seat if it gives me the tactical advantage (since i'm the only one carrying). She knows just how much it bothers me to have my back to the room. The only time I conceded this seating was when she was very preggers and also breastfeeding. Tactical advantage is useless if I'm walking home or sleeping in the doghouse.

Here's my take on being seated in a restaurant. I carry a glock 17 owb Fobus paddle holster or iwb DeSantis TuckThis or Beretta Nano iwb Blackhawk. I've come to realize that dressing around the gun is only part of the deal. Prior to a month ago my only preference in restaurant seating was to have my back to the wall (because I read about Wild Bill Hickock always doing that except for that one time).

Stools are completely out - They encourage you to lean forward & slouch, causing a pretty noticeable bulge on the side or back. They are also usually at a higher level than regular chairs, putting your beltline at eye-level with those sitting in chairs.
Regular restaurant chairs can be ok - You just have to make sure that the gun butt doesn't hook around the vertical rail that attaches the chair back to the seat. You can minimize the risk by sitting with your carry side away from the main part of the room (preferably toward a wall).
Booths along a wall are best - The high & solid backs and wide tables give you physical cover in all directions except for the side you have to slide in & out from. But you do have to be careful that you don't uncover when you sit down or get up.

Thanks for the replies, and sorry it took me a couple of days to get back to the thread. Life kind of got in the way!

For what it's worth, I was seated in a booth, strong side to the wall, and facing the door. My wife and I prefer booth seating over tables, and will 95% of the time get a booth. Also, I have refused to sit with my back to the room for years, long before I even considered getting a CHL.

I do appreciate the time everyone took to reply to my post, and your advice will be put to good use!

If you ever heard a gunshot indoors with no hearing protection you will never think a balloon pop is a gunshot again.

TexasCajun wrote:Booths along a wall are best - The high & solid backs and wide tables give you physical cover in all directions except for the side you have to slide in & out from.

Unless those are mighty strong booths, most offer concealment, not cover.

But otherwise I agree, with the note that with kids or others, I sit by the aisle, not the wall, of course.

JeepGuy79 wrote:If you ever heard a gunshot indoors with no hearing protection you will never think a balloon pop is a gunshot again.

Amen!! Even unprotected ears at the range (your own fire or nearby) will ring your bell.

JeepGuy79 wrote:If you ever heard a gunshot indoors with no hearing protection you will never think a balloon pop is a gunshot again.

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