braindonor

Great example, Jframe. Any accusation of brandishing, he said she said, is going to hard to disprove.

ccw9mm

Because many folks have a knee-jerk opinion and lash out because of it. Irrational as that may seem, it's real and it can bite.

Witness the Disney reticence in Florida. Or Pizza Hut's wonderful treatment of employees who carry. Or any number of folks whose friends or family shun them forever after once they find out. It's sad, but in many places it's utterly true.

Until opinions change, we're left with that. Can't change it overnight. Can't wish it away. In the meantime, we've got to deal with the fallout. To the extent that fallout can create havoc (financial or otherwise) in your life, far be it from me to color you childish or unthinking for taking that tack.

For myself, I know several people who wouldn't take it well at all. So, at least for the time being, until time can help them change their attitudes, my carry status isn't their concern. Works for me, and that's what counts.

BTW, until you've had coworkers threaten your livelihood or had relatives threaten their relationship with you, don't knock it . It's real, for many.

__________________
Your best weapon is your brain. Don't leave home without it.
Reports: CZ P01 pt1, pt2.
Thoughts: Justifiable self defense.
“Freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it.” -- Pericles

brianko

Except with family, I take the "conceal the concealed carry" approach. I've often wondered how awkward it would be for me to talk to a good friend about a CHL, only to have him (or her!) admit to not being able to qualify. I don't know if I'd want to put a friend in that position...

Herknav

I was raised that you didn't broadcast family business. This seems to fall into that category.

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Slabsides45

I have told someone outside of my immediate family about my CCW (once), but don't share it as a general rule. Did so that one time with discretion as a new carrier, probably out of exuberance, if I'm honest about it. No negatives occurred, but I'm over it now, and don't tell. Also got to thinking about it, and as life goes on, I hear from time to time about 'so-and-so' that we all thought was an upstanding guy, who turned out to be associated with seedier elements. You never really know who you're telling your 'secrets' to...

tinkerinWstuff

Great feedback. Thanks to all who've offered their opinion. Trust me, I'm not running around broadcasting to everyone I meet. But as I said, many don't even let their families know as said above and that's what I was after. I'm not even the kind of person who puts up political signs in my yard because of the friction it seems to cause.

I really appreciated the example shared about the disgruntled neighbor. That was probably the most realistic and conceivable trouble I think anyone shared (at least for my family, work, and living situation).

BlackPR

People talk. The information you want to get relayed may not get relayed by a third party talking about you. I learned this the hard way. I got my CCW, and the family was aware. We went over to a friends house and my 11 year old who had just received a lecture not to tell anyone blurted out "My dad has a gun hidden under his shirt!"... What he was really trying to tell them was that I got my CCW. Fortunately it was very friendly company, but it resulted in a very stern lecture.

I question even telling kids in the family. Specifically to avoid the, "My dad carries a gun all the time!" playground bragging. The kind of thing a teacher overhears and then later freaks out at parent-teacher conferences all worried that you have a gun.

If you don't tell, you control that information completely.

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DaveH

Another good point!

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KevinDooley

I liken it to another aspect of my life...

I work in a church, but I love some things that not every one at church approves of. I brew and drink beer, I drink single malt scotch, I smoke cigars... etc. Now there is no explicit rule against any of these at the church I work at (furthermore there is no Biblical precept prohibiting any of them), however some people just do not approve and cannot even contemplate these things. So what do I do? I simply don't tell people that I'm going home to brew tonight - or that I'm going to a cigar lounge for a tasting... I just tell them I'm busy tonight. Why? Certainly not because I'm ashamed of my actions or because they're wrong. I don't tell them what I'm up to because it saves me a hassle then and later when they decide to blab about it.

Carrying is the same way... It's not illegal (provided you're licensed and following all applicable laws), it's not wrong and it's not something you should have to hide... but it sure as hell will make your life easier if you do keep it hush-hush. You will always know people who believe differently than you (about anything, not just self defense), and there are times when it's easier to not even bring certain topics up.

Just my two cents.

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The gunshot holds no fear...the bullet always tells the truth.

Whippoorwill

Besides all the other great reasons mentioned, you lose any "tactical surprise" you may have.

To me it's the same as flashing a big wad of money in public. It may draw some attention you certainly don't want.