randytulsa2

Wow, what a good question.

Back when I was single it wasn't a problem because there weren't any guns.

My girlfriends never objected to me carrying around my war club, though.....

__________________
"...bad decisions that turn out well often make heroes."


Gary D. Mitchell, A Sniper's Journey: The Truth About the Man and the Rifle, P. 103, NAL Caliber books, 2006, 1st Ed.

jaydmhonda

Well worded!

To the OP, I just went through a similiar situation. I went on a date with a young lady on Wednesday night. (Here in FL we can carry concealed in a restaurant that serves alcohol as long as were not in the "bar area".) Im only 24 but I always carry where legal. That being said I understand how hard it is to go on a first date with someone unaware of your weapon. Long story short... We went out for coffee after diner and I wound up asking for her views on guns/self defense. She told me she was horrified of guns but dosent always feel safe out alone. I proceeded to tell her my views and that I legaly carry. Wow, her eyes got HUGE! After a second of taking it all in, she asked if I was carrying at the moment. I smiled and told her I felt it was my duty to protect my date. Luckily in my case we are still seeing each other.

My advice is to carry. You obvisously beleive in it and practice in it. Why go without it? The one time you dont have it...could be the the time you need it.

If your date cannot accept your views and williness to protect the ones you care about then... she might not be worth dating.

I hope this helps and I would love to hear anymore first date stories or advice!!!

FearSheeple

Great story! I'm 24 as well, and only hope my first dates go that well :)

Thanks for all of the advice everyone, more input is always appriciated...i can't be the only guy on here in the dating game.

Jackle1886

I'm lucky, my gf loves to go shooting with me. Her first was a .22 bolt action rifle. Took that along when I sighted in my deer rifle. Then I took her clay bird shooting, that went will until she broke my 20gauge. I talked her into shooting the 12, cept she pulled the stock away from her shoulder...that was a bad experience yet a good lesson. Then the Glock 30 was a no prob for her ;) Doesn't like my J-frame much, but she wants a SIG. Leave it to a woman to want something super expensive hehe. I guess it's the price I pay to have a girl into guns :).

Just had a thought, take HER to the range for the first date!!!

__________________
"I don't like repeat offenders, I like DEAD offenders." -Nugent

KevinDooley

I know I haven't dated in a while... but I generally knew the person I was dating ahead of time... I didn't usually date complete strangers. If anyone knows me for any length of time, they at least know where I stand on the 2A and personal defense. So if (God forbid) I ended up having to date again, I'm pretty sure whoever I dated would know ahead of time that there's at least an exceptionally good chance that if I'm not carrying a weapon, there's one close by...

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

StrangersWife

Most people do not pay attention to what another person has on them, but some do.

From a woman's perspective, I would strongly recommend holding off on carrying the gun if you are planning to go to a restaurant serving alcohol unless you and your date have discussed guns prior to. As a person who was very anti gun when I met my husband...I cried the first time I went to the gun range with him (I had never seen a gun before and it was a little overwhelming to me), you don't want to push the issue if she is against guns. I would take the first date as a chance to get to know her and her you. That is what first dates are supposed to be about. If your date is anti gun and you are pro gun, it will finish the relationship before it starts. On the other hand she could be a chp holder or maybe have an interest in learning about them but hasn't had the chance for whatever reason. I hope this helps :)

retsupt99

Been married for 37 years...took the wife 32 years to eventually get her CCW permit, although she never questioned me having guns around the house. In my younger days in Northern MI, I would rabbit hunt almost every day (in season of course). Guns were always around.

She did find it odd when I decided to start CCW 7 years ago...she never complained, just didn't understand the need...now she understands completely.
If I ever had to start again (I don't, and wouldn't), I would take the advice in a previous post and find that girl at a range or a gun club.
(and make sure to get pictures of her gun collection)

Seriously, I would not want to spend a lot of time trying to explain why I needed to CCW to any date...if she didn't get it quickly..."Next..."

Stay armed...her too!...stay safe!

__________________
"That I cannot do."

"Give this to, uh, Clemenza. I want reliable people, people who aren't going to be carried away. After all we're not murderers in spite of what this undertaker thinks."


***********************************

NRA Life Member

ASSA9

I did carry when I started dating my last GF
but I did not tell her until I got to know her better and this
was good because she never liked guns

Even after I talked to her about them and why I carried, she still didn't
get it, even though she excepted it as me being me

If I were you I would carry in a fanny pack when you first start to date.
most girls carry a purse and don't think a thing about it if you
have a pack on . but you can only do this if the dress code allows it.

A big plus to this is if this is if things go very well and you find yourself
in a hot embrace,she will never feel the gun on you
and if you are very,very lucky you can take it off, and she will not see it.

AS for the alcohol . don't mix alcohol ,guns, driving,or first dates, EVER!!
It may be a good to leave the gun that home if it is a distraction for
you on the first date.

good luck, have fun

__________________
"Jack Burton" " Its all in the reflexes"
Carry guns (Glock G33)(Glock G36)
(Bersa .380CC)(Taurus 85-.38 ported)

grady

As I see it, these are your options:
1. Be up front.
2. Don't carry.
3. Carry some place that doesn't serve alcohol and don't reveal your status at first.


1. This will save you time, money, and perhaps many arguments. Do you really want to get involved with someone who may never agree to you having guns in the house? True, some can give examples of where their wife turned around. I can give examples of where wives never did and it is still a continual source of arguments. Do you want to have an argument or a wall of silence every time you strap on your gun, which, if you are committed, will be every day?

2. Do you still pick and choose which days you think you might need a gun? The example you gave is a perfect example of "anywhere, any time." Of all the stories in the Personal Defense forum where people are shot, robbed, and/or assaulted, I'll bet very few or none of them expected it that day. It's almost always unexpected, seemingly out of the blue. If it happens to you or me, that'll probably be how it is also: unexpected.

3. As was suggested, perhaps you could find a place that doesn't serve alcohol. I don't think I'd want to drink on a first date anyway, if I was potentially searching for a mate. I'd want to know what her true personality and character were, not how she acted with alcohol in her system. And if I was in a state where I couldn't carry where alcohol was served, I would never go to such places.


Your choice, but I would choose one of these two:
Be upfront.
Go where I could legally carry and only reveal my status if I remained interested in her after getting to know her.

I would never consider disarming because a date might not like it. Not in a thousand years. I'm committed to doing what I can to protect myself and those I'm with. Seriously, there are plenty of women in the world. If you're serious about self defense, that's going to be a large part of your life. It's better to find someone who's okay with it from the start.

Under no circumstances would I ever disarm for a date. If she objects or can't handle me carrying, that's my cue to move on. I'd keep looking until I found a women who wouldn't object to me doing my job of protecting my (potential) family and myself. Why even get involved with someone who's going to argue or whine about it? Life's too short for that. That's a deal-breaker for me.

I wish you well.

toddorts

I haven't been carrying for long, but now that I've gotten used to it, I don't really feel comfortable without it anymore. When I go to work and can't carry, it really bugs me. I can't imagine not carrying on a date when I'm going to possibly be in downtown Atlanta driving through some unsavory neighborhoods on the way to a restaurant or other establishment.

Thankfully, it's now legal to carry concealed in GA in restaurants where alcohol is served, so it's not a problem for me. I know I wouldn't stop carrying just because my date didn't feel comfortable with guns, though. If she's that uncomfortable with them, then she's obviously not going to be very comfortable when things, ahem, move along to the next step ;) , and she sees the HK .45 sitting on my night stand every night.