How would you respond?

[Commander]

Saturday, I met my two brothers in Greenville to visit our mother in the Hospital. We had lunch together and then rode in Brother #2's car to the hospital. Being a posted hospital, I had to disarm and store my gun in his car. He knows I have a CHL. As I was stowing my gun, he commented "you know, I've lived for years and haven't needed a gun". Which to me indicated his disapproval of my CHL once again. He has made similar comments over the past 5 years since I obtained my CHL. Not being one with the quick reply, I just ignored his comment. In retrospect, my comment should have been "me neither, and I hope I never do"

THEN, when walking in I discovered the signage displayed by Presbyterian Hospital is non-30.06 compliant. "Possession of a firearm on these premises is prohibited".

Anybody have a similar situation and how did you respond?

[The Marshal]

Funny how family knows best on how to push our buttons. I can't wait to hear the comments when they see my sidearm (if they do)

A soft answer turns aside anger, sometimes no answer is even better.
Rubbing him raw with accurate, but biting comments like "Well, for years I have never needed my: Seat belts, airbags, homeowner's insurance, family lawyer, savings account, etc. is just not right.
Ya just can't pop off a snide remark and improve the situation.

~Bill

[longtooth]

+1 to the above for family. The response you thought of later is the very best that could be offered. I also am one that has the exact right answer "day after tomorrow" every time. If I say something right back it is usually wrong & a bad spirit.
One thing I have learned over the past 3 yrs since Mom got her CHL is:
It is GOOD to practice responses as well as shooting. I started this w/ Mom shortly after she tested. She is by nature very timid & never assertive. She has practiced & learned to, LOUDLY, immediately, & very assertively tell someone NO you are not my husband & if you need help, gas, ride, to talk,...you fill in the blank w/ whatever be a man & ask a man. We practice all the way through the call in to LEO. Remember, especially you LADIES LISTEN UP, It is not against the law, neither is it threatening anyone w/ forse to get your cell phone out. It don't take Perry Mason for even a dumb BG to figure out who you are about to call.
Now I have practiced my responses also. My self & another friend practice shooting, but we also practice NOT SHOOTING. We talk to the BGs. We take the very senerios that are posted on this board & answer them verbally. Then we will change them a little & it may go to a defense situation.
Since we have done that & it worked so good I have now started practicing some nice responses that may be useful for when someone has an unkind word or surprised response when you are discovered. Best thing is not to let it happen if possible.
Practice the good responses also. Nothing like letting practice make perfect the good & kind responses to family.

[Crossfire]

Nothing like letting practice make perfect the good & kind responses to family.

There you go.

[orc4hire]

[Paladin]

he commented "you know, I've lived for years and haven't needed a gun".

My response... good thing you haven't needed a gun... since you don't carry one, you wouldn't be alive today if you HAD needed one.

[seamusTX]

I've had a fair amount of practice dealing with obnoxious questions and comments from relatives. I have concluded that the best first response is to say nothing -- act as if you didn't hear. If they persist, say, "I don't want to discuss it."

I've used this for questions and comments about my choice of spouse, house, car, child-rearing practices, how much money I earn, how much things cost, etc.

- Jim

[sparx]

As I was stowing my gun, he commented "you know, I've lived for years and haven't needed a gun."

Or how about...

"And that's a good thing, but since I can't be by your side all the time you might consider getting one of your own!"

[cyphur]

Bill, I disagree with ya on the seatbelt comment. I think that would be a perfect remark if you worded it correctly.

"Well, I haven't needed my seatbelt in X years either, even though I wear it every time I drive. God forbid I ever do need it....."

I'm going to end up developing quite a few interesting ways to deal with it as both my wife and mother are wary of handguns. I figure if I present my response politely and thoughtfully then its all in their hands. I can't change their mind for them, but I can give them something to think about.

[Skipper5]

+1 to the above for family. The response you thought of later is the very best that could be offered. I also am one that has the exact right answer "day after tomorrow" every time. If I say something right back it is usually wrong & a bad spirit.
One thing I have learned over the past 3 yrs since Mom got her CHL is:
It is GOOD to practice responses as well as shooting. I started this w/ Mom shortly after she tested. She is by nature very timid & never assertive. She has practiced & learned to, LOUDLY, immediately, & very assertively tell someone NO you are not my husband & if you need help, gas, ride, to talk,...you fill in the blank w/ whatever be a man & ask a man. We practice all the way through the call in to LEO. Remember, especially you LADIES LISTEN UP, It is not against the law, neither is it threatening anyone w/ forse to get your cell phone out. It don't take Perry Mason for even a dumb BG to figure out who you are about to call.
Now I have practiced my responses also. My self & another friend practice shooting, but we also practice NOT SHOOTING. We talk to the BGs. We take the very senerios that are posted on this board & answer them verbally. Then we will change them a little & it may go to a defense situation.
Since we have done that & it worked so good I have now started practicing some nice responses that may be useful for when someone has an unkind word or surprised response when you are discovered. Best thing is not to let it happen if possible.
Practice the good responses also. Nothing like letting practice make perfect the good & kind responses to family.

+1 ...sage advise...but wait, everyone in my family has a CHL! ...lol

[JohnKSa]

Interesting--I could swear that the last time I visited Presbyterian Dallas, it was posted properly with a 30.06 compliant sign. Maybe not all the entrances are posted similarly.

I would probably have replied something along the lines of:

"I've never needed one either, but statistics show that around 2.5 million Americans need one every year."

or

"Never had my house catch fire, but I'm still keeping my fire extinguishers and smoke detectors."

or

"So, your plan is to wait until you DO need one and... I'm sorry, how does it go from there?"

[Commander]

This was Presbyterian Hospital of Greenville. I think the sign is what is refereed to as 30.05 "Firearms are prohibited on these Premises"

[Commander]

I would probably have replied something along the lines of:

"Never had my house catch fire, but I'm still keeping my fire extinguishers and smoke detectors."

or

"So, your plan is to wait until you DO need one and... I'm sorry, how does it go from there?"

I like these two.

[TC-TX]

"So, your plan is to wait until you DO need one and... I'm sorry, how does it go from there?"

JohnKSa - that has GOT to be one of the best I have ever heard!!!

Pure genius!

[jbirds1210]

That is a Dr. Phil answer if I have ever heard one......I like it!

"so you were robbed and had to give up your wallet and your wife and for grins the fellow slapped you....how is having no gun working out for you?"