What's your response to getting "busted" carrying?

age_ranger · Post by **age_ranger** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 1:17 pm

Not too long ago I got my CHL and have carried religiously since receiving it. I've researched my purchases well and tried several methods of carry until I got my carry rig fine tuned to fit ME.

Ok, so here's the biggest issue I have now:

I'm a very friendly person and get many hugs as greetings from people. (most often women and family members) Anyway, this makes me open to being "busted" quite easy since I carry iwb on my hip. For some reason, they always seem to hit my grip. Obviously, changing to a different carry method would help some, but I prefer not to change now. So, what would you guys/gals say when you get busted? Chances are they'll be OK with it, but what's the magical phrase that would put someone at ease with me carrying? I'm not about to NOT carry bacause someone else has issues with it, but wish others weren't so uneasy with it.

txinvestigator · Post by **txinvestigator** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 1:24 pm

Change how you hug. I always put my arms low on the other person, forcing them to put their arms high.

On the chance I get caught off guard and they bump part of the gun, if they ask I tell them it is my PDA.

Post by **Crossfire** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 1:27 pm

txinvestigator wrote: On the chance I get caught off guard and they bump part of the gun, if they ask I tell them it is my PDA.

PDA = Personal Defense Accessory?

txinvestigator · Post by **txinvestigator** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 1:35 pm

llwatson wrote:
txinvestigator wrote: On the chance I get caught off guard and they bump part of the gun, if they ask I tell them it is my PDA.
PDA = Personal Defense Accessory?

Thats good!

propellerhead · Post by **propellerhead** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 4:03 pm

I may have been busted once but the lady didn't say anything. She might have assumed it was a PDA or something. I was ready to tell her "It keeps me heart beating."

longtooth · Post by **longtooth** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 4:55 pm

Ranger, I carry right where you do. Being the pastor of a small country church & being here in this community for 21 yrs now, I also get a lot of hugs. Church, in town, where ever some folks see me.
I carry a Commander size 1911. I have found that my first move is to elbow the butt of my gun. Then try to be the low guy. W/ my right elbow at the butt, if they get low first they will hit my elbow & never bump it.

Living in Tiny Town, Texas there is really not near as much secrecy in conceal carry as there is in Big City, USA. You cant go to class or renewal w/o it looking like the local coffee shop. We hunt together, shoot together, go to church singings & revivals together, & some are members at the gun range. In my county I know 4 preachers that carry & cannot tell you how many church members do. 3 in our church are 24-7. I know because I trained them. I am training 2 more men right now. Assistant pastor & our piano player.

When I teach someone to shoot, I usually attend the class w/ them. It helps give them confidence, & is a refresher for me. The instructor is a friend & puts me to work setting up targets, getting the range ready, & i pick up the brass to reload.
In this invironment I have found that when someone does pat it, they just move their hand & it is no deal.
I dont know if you are in Big City, Tiny Town, or in between.
There is much less reaction here than I thought there would be when I first started carrying. Hope you find it to be the same where you are.
LT

GrannyGlock · Post by **GrannyGlock** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 4:57 pm

txinvestigator wrote:Change how you hug. I always put my arms low on the other person, forcing them to put their arms high.

On the chance I get caught off guard and they bump part of the gun, if they ask I tell them it is my PDA.

Being a lady and hugging lots of ladies, I have learned to hug by holding my left arm high and right arm low. This is not the natural way to do it and you have to practice! If someone looks confused, because I am expecting them to return the hug in a slightly unnatural pose, I tell them the hug is "heart to heart." Usually this will get a smile, while protecting my "PDA" on the right hip.

If ever asked "what is that?" I paraphrase the old kilt response (revised for the gender) "A lady would know and a gentleman would never ask."

nitrogen · Post by **nitrogen** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 6:08 pm

I'll usually shrug it off or ignore the question. I wear my cellphone on my weakside hip, so I can't use that excuse.

I once said to a very nosy person, "It's my colostmy bag!"

and all inqueries stopped there.

stevie_d_64 · Post by **stevie_d_64** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 9:21 pm

txinvestigator wrote:Change how you hug. I always put my arms low on the other person, forcing them to put their arms high.

On the chance I get caught off guard and they bump part of the gun, if they ask I tell them it is my PDA.

I actually don't have too much of a worry about that...Not that I am not a huggable fuzzball of a person...

I had this salesgirl at the mall try to force one of those microwavable heating packs around my waist Saturday...

She is a recent immigrant from Russia trying to make some money working seasonal retail...

Before I knew it she had the wrap up and around my waist just under my jacket that conceals the "package"...and bingo...she felt it...

I told her it was ok, because apparently she figured out what it was...But she didn't freak out too much, and I told her lots of responsible people in this country and in Texas carry for self-defense...

I ended up buying a device from her, and went on my way...

I circled back by a little later and told her if she'd like to contact our friends that run the ladies class at PSC, and that I believe if shes interested (I got that from her) to attend...

I guess I have this gift...

Venus Pax · Post by **Venus Pax** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 9:49 pm

I usually just say "feminine protection." And they don't ask anymore questions.

Stupid · Post by **Stupid** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 10:25 pm

Just say it's a PDA. Many people carry both cellphone and PDA, sometimes even a 3rd device such as walky-talkie or some sort - I, for one, do, but I don't carry a PDA because that is called "the end of personal life". Instead, I carry my G19.

TC-TX · Post by **TC-TX** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 2:42 am

I prefer

Personal Defense Assistant

G.C.Montgomery · Post by **G.C.Montgomery** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 4:30 am

I stole my answer from a friend and mentor. If busted, I'll usually indicate the bulge is a medical device and say I don't feel comfortable discussing it. It's not a lie...It's a device used to induce hypotension and deflate lungs in other people as needed to save my life

age_ranger · Post by **age_ranger** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 5:42 pm

I'm going to have to try a few of these. Maybe on the wife first to see how someone will respond and get a technique down. It's not a HUGE issue, but one that could catch me off guard with someone who's not so gun friendly. Thanks for the inputs.

Braden · Post by **Braden** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 11:53 pm

If hugging a woman, go low with both arms and make her go high around your neck. It makes for a better hug and prevents them from hitting your grip. With a man that would be a bit awkward...so good luck.

Before moving the Involvement Minister at our former church and I would greet one another with a brotherly hug. It was one of those "one high, one low" kind of hugs where we each ended up with an arm over the top of the shoulder and an arm around the ribs.

One day he bumped the grip of my Glock 22 with his low arm. I guess curiosity got the best of him because he reached down and GRABBED the grip and kind of shook it a little bit. I immediately and firmly grabbed his wrist and removed his hand. He said, "WHAT is THAT?" I lied and told him it was my cell phone. He said, "Man, that's a BIG cell phone. I thought you had a revolver or something!" He had no idea how close that was to the truth.

I shouldn't have lied, but he should haven't have grabbed my gun either. After that I avoided hugging him if I was carrying.