[divkat9]

Here's the scenario-
Wife and son (9yr old) helping another mom close up concession stand at school's ballfield. Games are over and everyone else is gone. The other mom expresses concern over leaving the ballfield late at night with money. My wife tells her she is sure everthing will be fine and if not they do have a couple of my son's baseball bats. My son then says " I think I feel safer leaving here at night when dad is with me." To which the other mom replies "I'm sure you do since your dad carries a gun".

Now how do you like that? Apparently there are a handful of people that know I carry. None of them have been told by either my wife or my son. The people that do know are involved with alot of the same activities, baseball, church, scouts, etc. I never carry at the ballfield since it is at a school and I don't typically carry in church or at scout meetings (though when I do I am extremely vigilant about concealment).
We live in a rural area and my family (parents included) is well known. We are known to be service veterans and firearms enthusiasts, so maybe these folks are making assumptions?
My intention on this forum was to keep quiet and listen, so I'll listen to what everyone has to say about this.

 

[CopperKnight]

Well, like you said, there are a lot of people that make assumptions. That would be my assumption (there I go...) unless one person was told/found out and just spread the word around. That's a fairly popular method in small towns and tight groups.

 

[XD40]

Nothing travels faster than word of mouth. Perhaps one person surmised you carry and then..just like a wildfire.

 

[Redneck Repairs]

Man you know small towns , Everyone knows who is fornicating with whom many times before the poor subjects even meet lol

 

[mzmtg]

I never carry at the ballfield since it is at a school and I don't typically carry in church or at scout meetings (though when I do I am extremely vigilant about concealment).

IMO you are doing yourself and others a disservice by not carrying.

 

[TonyW]

IMO you are doing yourself and others a disservice by not carrying.

It's probably illegal to carry on school grounds and it's against Cub Scout policy to carry when doing a CS event. Trust me, I'd carry when we go camping, etc if I was allowed.

 

[divkat9]

Unfortunately even though I believe I should carry at school, it is illegal here to the tune of a felony. And you're not supposed to carry at scouting events, although I may have been carrying when I took my son to a meeting once or twice. Even though this goes off the subject a bit, I am having a difficult time deciding what to put first in some instances.

I did ask one of the parents tonight if they understood that I did not carry at baseball practice/ games and she said "I'd feel better if you would", in fact her husband casually ask me about shooting, carrying, etc.. So apparrently there's not been any alarm, just a little bit of good ol' gossip among the :sheep: out here in the country.

 

[elkhunter]

I'd call it "gossip" too.

Now about the school, in my state, it is against the law to carry IN the school building, but it can be in your car out of sight (in a compartment) in the parking lot. The statute actually says you can't be in the car at the same time, I wonder how the car gets there if I'm not in it. Oh well. That is a "stickey one". But if the town knows you carry, I guess I'd have to be careful about the school if they suspect and you're there at one time or another.

 

[Rugerman]

I would guess that your Kid told one of his friends or your wife mentioned it to another. It has happened to me.

 

[dr_cmg]

I did ask one of the parents tonight if they understood that I did not carry at baseball practice/ games and she said "I'd feel better if you would", in fact her husband casually ask me about shooting, carrying, etc.. So apparrently there's not been any alarm, just a little bit of good ol' gossip among the :sheep: out here in the country.

From the response you got from the wife and the questions from the husband these are not sheep. These are untrained sheep dogs. I would see this as a great opportunity to inform some people about exercising their 2nd Amendment rights and about being responsible for themselves. It sounds like you have at least a couple of open doors to enlighten some people about concealed carry and home defense. I think you should walk on in. I would love to be reading in the new member introductions over the next few weeks and see someone say, "I'm here because divkat9 introduced me to concealed carry and I just got my permit."

Keep up the good work.

 

[David III]

Once in a while, someone who casually knows me will ask questions about CCW and particular guns -- and they seem genuinely interested in how to protect themselves, etc.
I tell absolutely no one that I carry.... but everybody seems to know it, probably because I work in the firearms industry. I have had several people comment on being glad I was around in some situations (nothing that I thought was a problem, but they must have, or they just felt vulnerable).
Provided that the person or people who make the comments are those that I like and choose to be around, it really doesn't bother me at all.
dr cmg - I like the "untrained sheep dogs" comment. I'll give that some serious thought next time I'm asked about CCW.

 

[divkat9]

From the response you got from the wife and the questions from the husband these are not sheep. These are untrained sheep dogs. I would see this as a great opportunity to inform some people about exercising their 2nd Amendment rights and about being responsible for themselves. It sounds like you have at least a couple of open doors to enlighten some people about concealed carry and home defense. I think you should walk on in. I would love to be reading in the new member introductions over the next few weeks and see someone say, "I'm here because divkat9 introduced me to concealed carry and I just got my permit."

Keep up the good work.

You're absolutley right, it seems like these folks realize life isn't all skipping through the meadow. Maybe I can bring them on over.

 

[divkat9]

I'd call it "gossip" too.

Now about the school, in my state, it is against the law to carry IN the school building, but it can be in your car out of sight (in a compartment) in the parking lot. The statute actually says you can't be in the car at the same time, I wonder how the car gets there if I'm not in it. Oh well. That is a "stickey one". But if the town knows you carry, I guess I'd have to be careful about the school if they suspect and you're there at one time or another.

Its my understanding that you can have the weapon in your car as long as you don't exit the vehicle with it. In other words, it's okay to drop off the kids at school as long as you don't get out and walk around. I'm not sure if I can leave it secured in the vehicle when I'm not in it. Anybody know the answer for that one?

 

[retrieverman]

Divkat9
My philosophy on carrying is to keep it concealed, follow the law to the letter, and to heck with who knows or thinks they know. You are within your rights.

 

[Dan M.]

Its my understanding that you can have the weapon in your car as long as you don't exit the vehicle with it. In other words, it's okay to drop off the kids at school as long as you don't get out and walk around. I'm not sure if I can leave it secured in the vehicle when I'm not in it. Anybody know the answer for that one?

This was defined by a CCW instructor just a few days ago (keep in mind, this is on CA). Strictly interpreted, you may drive THROUGH a school zone with a concealed gun, as long as the gun stays in place--in the same condition, not being touched, manipulated, handled or otherwise molested. It goes into the school zone and proceeds via the most direct route out of the school zone. You may NOT (in CA) pull through the school parking lot or stop at the curb to drop off/pick up the kids. Does it happen? Probably. If stopped by a LEO, could you lose your permit permanently over it? Very likely. That's in CA though. YMMV.

 

[cougartxn]

I had a similar situation last night. I was out camping with some friends last night in the canyons. Some animals passing by stirred the brush and scared some of the ladies with us. One of them later commented to me that she was glad I was there because I could protect them. She hinted at me carrying, but I've never once mentioned it her or others I work with and it was very well concealed. They do know that I hunt and suppose she took her assumptions from that.

 

[HunterCO]

In Co it is perfectly legal to enter school property with a firearm in your vehicle. The law simply says if you exit your vehicle you must secure your firearm in the vehicle and lock it.

 

[porschefan]

wow, yet another reason I'm glad I live in New Hampshire. Here in NH the only place we can't carry is in a courthouse. Other than that you're good to go.

P.S. You can carry into the entrance to the courthouse, they will then store your gun in a locked compartment that is watched by a LEO at all times. When you leave they will retrieve your weapon for you.