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got asked to conceal at my own home...

13K views 182 replies 66 participants last post by  JD 
#1 ·
Today my daughters head start teacher came for a home visit, and right before leaving, she asked me to cover up my handgun when the bus dropped off my kid. I hadn't even thought of it, I put on my clothes the same way each day. I'm conflicted as to what to do. On one hand, I'm in private property, on the other, they could refuse bus service which I need. What do you guys think?


I have my CCL, and on private property it isn't required to conceal. OC is constitutional here as well.
 
#133 ·
Does the bus pull onto your property to stop? Or is it on the "right of way"? My property does not extend to the street but stops about 10 feet from the edge of the pavement. In that case you would not be on your property if you escorted your child to the bus.

Regardless, you're not going to get a common consensus here, only a battle between practicality and "rights." You need to pick your battles--and this may not be the one you want to choose when such an easy solution is available, to cover up.
 
#134 ·
OP later stated that the bus pulls down the 200 feet of his driver, practically right up to his doorstep. If this wasn't the case, my opinion on the whole issue would be different. If the bus stop was like my bus stop when I was in high school (down the street at the corner), I'd feel differently about it.
 
#135 ·
I refrained from posting on the speculation as much as i could. For all i know, this anti is browsing the forums looking to see if she made a stink. Acknowleging what they percieve as an advantage on their part could be reinforcing to them their perceived "power.". I only asked what you guys thought, didnt say i was going to actually do anything that was recommended...ive already chosen my action. Which is a letter to the director requesting a meeting and a threat to pull my children out of their head start. The other preschools in the area have swimming lessons, field trips and some curriculum; ours has almost nothing but low attendance. They sent oh so many letters encouraging us to help sign up relatives so they dont lose federal funding. Thats my angle. Not sure it will work, id hate to redo all the paperwork.

And yes, for the sake of being productive in the debate, i declined to point out the doomsdayers calling out 'paranoia.'. I did notice that though...that and questions which were already answered being asked repeatedly. I would not carry open to a corner bus stop. Too many little hands...
 
#136 ·
Actually, I can see good points raised by both sides of this issue. The "pick your battles" phrase comes up a lot with these things and I hope that our side picks them at least some of the time, even if they don't make headlines. There is no harm in holding a friendly conversation with them regarding the legality of your actions and to remind them that they are stepping well out of the bounds of school ground authority and it does not have to be done with an in-your-face approach. That being said, I would like to add that sometimes we also need to be careful about which battles we do not pick. I don't think there's anything wrong with giving them a friendly reality check, letting them know that part of their community has no problems exercising their Constitutional rights.
 
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#137 ·
I understand the conflict. On one hand, it's no big deal to conceal. On the other, I'll be damned if I like the idea of some low level government flunkie telling or even asking me to restrict my exercise of my rights on my own property. I would probably conceal and file a complaint with the person's supervisor.
 
#138 ·
I have to echo what quite a few others have already said. I say cover it up. There is potential for this to turn into a BIG headache for you. This fight just doesn't seem worth it to me. Just because something is legal doesn't always mean it is a good idea.
 
#141 ·
Bow to your government master and do as you are told.
Even if you are in your own home and property.
You will do as you are told.
You broken no law but they make up some reason to force you to do their bidding. Wake up.
 
#142 ·
Exercise your rights (which there's no dispute you have that right), just be prepared to have to take your kid to school everyday and pick her up again in the afternoon.

Now, if having to take your kid back and forth to school everyday is a major inconvenience to you because of your job, and other obligations, then cover up the damn gun.

It's simply a matter of picking which battles you wish to participate.

But, know this... If you press your rights and they suspend her bus service, you may be able to win in the long run and have a successful court appearance. But you're still going to be taking her back and forth to school everyday in the mean time while you exercise your rights in court.

There's a big difference between what is right, what is wrong, and what is reality. It's your choice to make.
 
#143 ·
If you can afford to take her to school yourself (time/work hours and money) than refuse the 'request' and see what happens and fight the battle if there ends up being one to fight.

If not, just cover it up.. :rolleyes:

Sent from my palm device
 
#145 ·
I want to clarify my last post. I do understand it is a private issue and not one of government interference. My point was instead of just covering up and sucking it up I would make an appoitnment with the principal and talk to him about the conversation with the worker that visited and find out what his thoughts were.

Maybe there was a compliant or maybe not. But to not ask in a professional manner seems irresponsible. The man is not divulging any big secret. They already knows he OC's.
 
#148 ·
First, this may be immature of me, but my first instinct when someone tells me not to do something is to do it. Especially if they have no right/authority to control me and I am within my rights and authority to do whatever said action is. Bringing my daughter into the equation would definitly make me think twice before I acted however.

But I don't see why everyone seems to be so divided on this. I think the most prudent response would be to inquire further. We need more information before we should be getting fired up. If it is just the teacher, with no official standing or backing, this is entirely a non-issue. No consequences to your child or costs other than the teacher she will have for one year may not like her. Stuff like that happens. But if it is an official policy, and there will be actual repercussions, then you can get it in writting, comply at the time to protect your daughter, prove to be a reasonable parent, while fighting the sittuation from the legal side.

Information is key. The details here are very important, and I would not take actions based on a veiled threat from one teacher.
 
#150 ·
Yeah, they are observant, why deny them the opportunity to observe a responsible adult with a gun who has no intent to harm them to counteract the indoctrination they are receiving at school.
I would imagine that the kids have nothing to do with it.
 
#152 ·
Ok, I have no idea how old the OP's daughter is, but if it were me, I would just tell the bus driver that my daughter could be let out at curbside and walk the 200 ft of drive if old enough. But my issue is-no one should tell you what to do on your property, and threatening you with cessation of service is (imho) illegal. They may can stop delivering your child to your front door, but they (AFAIK) cannot "kick" her out of the program or even off the bus (if they provide the bus service to one, they have to provide to all), you just may have to meet your child at the end of your drive-if so I would make sure I stayed on MY property at all times.
 
#157 ·


There's a saying I heard recently that I have since fallen in love with.

You can choose your actions, but you cannot choose the consequences of those actions.

Yes, everything is speculation at this point. But it's very clear that there certainly could be some consequences to your actions. If you do as you say you are going to do (i.e. write a letter and have a sit down talk and threaten them with removing your daughters because of their request) then you are upping the stakes yourself.

(But, honestly, if the program is as bad as you say, and your daughter's mean as much to you as you say and you seem to have no concerns about moving them why did you enroll them in an under-rated program to begin with?)

The lady made a simple request. You can read into her demeanor anyway you want but the fact is that this was still just a simple request that you can choose to ignore.

I think that in society there does have to be some hardlines drawn as to what you will and will not accept but I also think there needs to be some give and take on the grey-matter issues. Only you can decide that for yourself. But as stated, this has potential to go ways that are very problematic for you...

In my opinion, however, you are thinking of this pretty selfishly. It's all about you and what you can and/or can't do.

But if everything goes south your girls have to move to a different school, lose some friends, maybe a policy gets written that forbids carry on buses limiting other people's rights.. all because you couldn't put a shirt on.

As I said, you can choose your actions, but not the consequences and, no, I do not think this is a hill worth dying on. But that's me.

Now I will pause so that people can tell me how anti-gun I am.

:kos::kos:
 
#158 ·
Well said, Lima. I now love this too: "You can choose your actions, but you cannot choose the consequences of those actions." :yup:

:kos: As an aside, I noticed that the smoke clouds appear to be "Flying Elephants" I am very familiar with "Flying Pigs", having promised my children many exotic gifts and the like, "When Pigs Fly".............I need to change to "When Elephants Fly".
 
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#160 ·
Well said, Lima. I now love this too: "You can choose your actions, but you cannot choose the consequences of those actions." :yup:

:kos: As an aside, I noticed that the smoke clouds appear to be "Flying Elephants" I am very familiar with "Flying Pigs", having promised my children many exotic gifts and the like, "When Pigs Fly".............I need to change to "When Elephants Fly".
Dumbo flew, but I don't know of any flying pigs.
 
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#159 ·
No, Lima, I think you nailed it. Sometime the means don't justify the end; sometimes the end doesn't justify the means.
 
#163 ·
Lima: Good post. But I still fail to see why folks do not recommend that this gentleman talk to the principal and see what he feels. That is not making a big issue out of anything. If a teacher asked my or my child to change a behaviour I would think that anyone would like to know what the principals stance is. Then you do what you feel is best for yourself and child.
 
#173 ·
Who said this woman was anti? She asked him to cover up. For all we know she was carrying concealed as well - would make sense since she goes to strangers houses. Maybe it was just a bit of sage advice because she has seen this situation before and doesn't want it to turn ugly.
 
#174 ·
There might be some wisdom to this... maybe the bus driver is the jumpy Anti type, and the teacher knows it. He/she hasn't spotted your carry yet, and the teacher is trying to save you some trouble...
 
#175 ·
I welcome both sides of the debate. Even though I am going to take one action, i welcome the input. Somebody may have thought of something i didnt or have a clearer way of explaining something that i am trying to express to the anti teacher. I asked because i may be in need of help, though i know better than to take legal advice online.
 
#178 ·
I believe the only recommendation that would help you would be that of a lawyer.

Personally, if somebody asked me to give up my rights (whether temporarily or not) while I am on my property (or off for that matter) I would turn it into a conversation and ask them their reasoning behind it so I'm not stuck wondering about it for days.
 
#179 ·
With all of the hostility and hostile recommendations being bandied about in this thread, I am wondering if you have even considered a non-confrontational means to addressing the problem. By this I mean, when you say you are going to talk to the principle / director, the initial statement included that you were going to "threaten". This has been followed with lots of other talk about refusing service, discrimination, lawyers, and so forth.

One thing is clear, this issue is not about being asked to cover your gun.
 
#180 ·
In actuality, it is about being asked to cover my gun on private property. I have not entered this head starts bus on any occasion and have been carrying openly whilst meeting this bus for over a year. The school has no right to ask me to do or not do anything that doesnt pertain to my child's education. My handgun, while properly holstered is no more inflammatory to an anti than my DEFEND FREEDOM DEFEAT OBAMA campaign sign on the fence that the bus passes while driving up my driveway. The same slogan is on the back of my truck along with other various NRA affiliated stickers, which will bother antis. Nothing that i do on my property can be of their concern. Regardless of their objection to my personal values and the negative impact it might have on their mood, it does not effect the classroom nor does it coorelate to danger in any way.
 
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#182 ·
In actuality, it is about being asked to cover my gun on private property. I have not entered this head starts bus on any occasion and have been carrying openly whilst meeting this bus for over a year. The school has no right to ask me to do or not do anything that doesnt pertain to my child's education. My handgun, while properly holstered is no more inflammatory to an anti than my DEFEND FREEDOM DEFEAT OBAMA campaign sign on the fence that the bus passes while driving up my driveway. It does not effect the classroom in any way.
I think you've answered your original question. Stick to your morals.
 
#181 ·
Tricolordad, it's clear that you've made up your mind to confront this issue regardless of opinion. Best wishes in that endeavor. Like a similar saying previously, I say "Make decision; live with the consequences." Hopefully your child won't suffer them.
 
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