Have to pick and choose your "battles"
Having been in a similar situation, I personally find that most of the anti cc-ing people where I live have just never been exposed to handguns.
That has been my experience exactly. Thier not really anti's, they just have zero exposure and just have an anti's 'reaction' to the 'new' knowledge of your carrying. With a positive, knowledgable, and 'sheltering' response they may come down "from the fence" on this side of the issue.
I've taken a different stance from most for a long time. I openly discuss with people (that I know, not strangers) about owning and carrying a gun. I can't carry in my workplace (by policy, not by law), so no one there gets to see it or asks to see it.
My situation is that, as an Active Duty Military member, my co-workers (and thier family and friends) are very pro-carry.....or at the very worst neutral twords the issue as a whole. Although not 'openly' discussed, it's not hidden by any means. I grew up in a rural enviroment....guns were a part of everyday life. However, carrying a handgun for protection wasn't ever considered, although there was always at least two loaded 12 gauges in my house growing up. My parents know I carry but always questioned my reasoning in keeping a sidearm. My mother does not like it. Hurricane Katrina 'altered' thier thinking on self-protection, and carrying, a little bit.
I will discuss guns, carrying, shooting, whatever with
almost anyone who shows intrest in talking with me about it. Certainly not with any stranger, but those that I have had some expousre to and have some insight into thier mindset. I'm not gonna "spew forth" pro-2A quotes, negitive-outcome news stories, or rant on like some "gun nuts" like to do (we all have seen at least one of those critters) .... I'll just answer any questions or partake in any discussion in a plesent, friendly, and informative (if not being just shy of professional)
manner.
Anubis said, " If one is dedicated to concealment, for whatever reasons, there is by definition no way for him or her to champion the concealed-carry cause with others. We are open with each other and with any outsiders here in cyberspace or at IDPA or IPSC venues, but we are a secret society everywhere else, therefore very few outside our in-crowd are ever going to be aware of us."
That is a very true statement. The "anti's"
hate guns and those of us who carry because.........they
fear what 'they' don't know and/or can't control. That fear is based in emotion and no rational thinking will override this stance 'they' have chosen to take. And if 'they' can't control what 'they' fear, then 'they'll' fight it and all who champion it.
In retrospect, we fear 'thier' reaction and the subsuquent 'lashing' we'd recieve, be it verbal, legal, or whatever........
When I
choose to 'open' myself by admitting to carrying, it's only after some careful deliberation on my part. I'm lucky my enviroment is open, if not outright friendly, about guns in general. I can't change anyone's mind once made up, but I'll "show 'n tell" in a compassionate, caring, attentive manner if for no other reason than to show them calm knowledge is better than the arguement of fear and abonishment.
When I carry concealed it's my business and nobody else's, except those in my (our) circles. To get more people in these 'circles', or at the very least accepting of 'our' choices, 'we' have be careful not only who we talk to, but
how we talk.
Lets be safe and careful out there ya'll.:bier: