CC Etiquette

[XDAlaskan]

Scenario, you are out shopping with your wife, bored standing at the cart you look around and see a guy walking your way wearing a NRA hat. As he walks by you look at his waist and he is printing wearing a short waist snug down jacket. Do you approach him and tell him or even just strike up a conversation. Another time at work, a guy unzips his jacket, adjusts his sweater and displays a magazine, and then I notice his bulge at 3 o’clock wearing a leather belt holster. I was the only one of the four working that noticed, I assume since no one mentioned it as I am sure they would of, I quickly escorted him to the back so I could start working with him but I just let it go. And another time at work, a guy walked in wearing a concealed fanny pack, the same one I have but again I let it go. Now that I carry I am always looking at everyone’s hands, chests and waists for weapons. Of course they could be cops or again just normal average Joes like me protecting themselves and family in our dangerous city. I am not sure but think I would like someone to let me know if my shirt tail or something was printing but after a full year of CC, not once has anyone made a comment about my CC even at work when in the mirrors I can see it. Is there any CC etiquette?

[scalce]

Someone posting something similar awhile back.

I think the consensus was that really only other CCW people notice stuff like that.

In the case that someone is printing they would casually strike up a conversation with that person and start discussing their carry weapons.

I guess this would indirectly tell the person that they were printing.

If it's one thing I have learned, it is that people who shoot guns love to talk about guns.

[ElJimmyStrappo]

The only thing I would treat delicately would be to tell someone they are printing or the gun is showing. If I see it, I would let them know as quietly as possible while trying not to draw attention to us. If you've seen in the movies when one dude is reading a magazine and the other dude walks, grabs one and acts like he is reading it. In reality they are doing business but looking as discreet as possible. I would do that because so many people are unsuspecting.

[Heathen-Yak]

I had to take a safety class today, and noticed one of the dudes in the class was wearing a belly band I'd give them a quick whisper to let them know but I wouldn't make a scene or anything.

[Landor]

And what if the guy is a bad guy?

[Jesse H]

I don't bother unless a shirt or jacket has accidentally ridden up. I discreetly informed a guy at the store once when his shirt was riding up and his holster was in plain view. He thanked me and that was that.

Bad guys don't usually use holsters.

[Trace]

The only ones that REALLY notice it, are fellow CCW. The sheeple that walk around aimlessly don't have a clue, nor do they care.

[LUVMYSIGP225]

I have a somewhat odd story that happened to me recently about this subject. First of all, let me say that I do not need a scolding. I am the type of person that believes that CCW is called "concealed" for a reason. NO ONE should know that you are packing. If you are printing, then do something different to correct it. Flashing the piece is not cool. And, when people brag that they accidentally flashed or exposed their weapon, I am always quick to judge that they did it on purpose for effect. HOWEVER....

I admit guilt in exposing the piece the other day. BADLY. And, I got made by a Wal-Mart cashier. The other night, my 5 year old son wakes up at 12:30 a.m. twisting his ear and screaming about ear pain. He had a bad fever. Obviously, he had an ear infection. Of course, doctor isn't open at that time of night, and I was debating necessity of an E.R. visit. I determined that we would give him a fever reducer\pain killer, and get him to the doctor in the morning. So, wife informs me that we are out of baby Motrin. I get to put on clothes and pile into the car for the trip to the only place open that late, Super Wal Mart. I grab my Hume rig and my Beretta 92 Brigadier. I am not heading to Super Wal Mart at 12:20 a.m. without something. Anyhow, this is one of my "winter rigs" for carry. This is an older Don Hume OWB, FBI Cant, Thumb break, at 3 o'clock, half length. The barrel protrudes almost two inches past the end of the holster. Grab a coat and roll. Drive to Wally World, walk in, grab a bottle of Children's Tylenol and bolt for the register. While standing at the regiester, all alone with hardly anyone in the store at that time, the cashier asks me very nicely "Are you a police officer?" I was taken aback by her comment. I looked at her puzzled, and she pointed down at my right hand hip. Low and behold, there is the nice shiny muzzle end of a Inox Stainless 92 sticking down. Total plain sight. Believe it or not, I did not panic too bad. The lady was somewhat "country looking", and wasn't even remotely stressed in her tone. I just replied "sorry. I AM LEGAL". That was the best I could come up with. I paid and left. She was very nice, and said nothing more. I was just waiting to get pulled over in the parking lot or on the way home. No such bad luck. My mistakes:

Tired and half asleep.
In a rush.
Had on a t-shirt versus my normal XLT work button-up shirt.
Grabbed my Dickies work jacket instead of the normal Columbia full length jacket that I normally wear with that rig.
Grabbed the Beretta(long). Also, the Stainless sticks out like a sore thumb versus the black.

No need to flame me. I know it is bad for our cause. It was total midnight rush for a sick kid. Gotta make the admission while this thread is on the subject.

[FrankRizzoXD40]

Originally Posted by LUVMYSIGP225

I have a somewhat odd story that happened to me recently about this subject. First of all, let me say that I do not need a scolding. I am the type of person that believes that CCW is called "concealed" for a reason. NO ONE should know that you are packing. If you are printing, then do something different to correct it. Flashing the piece is not cool. And, when people brag that they accidentally flashed or exposed their weapon, I am always quick to judge that they did it on purpose for effect. HOWEVER....

I admit guilt in exposing the piece the other day. BADLY. And, I got made by a Wal-Mart cashier. The other night, my 5 year old son wakes up at 12:30 a.m. twisting his ear and screaming about ear pain. He had a bad fever. Obviously, he had an ear infection. Of course, doctor isn't open at that time of night, and I was debating necessity of an E.R. visit. I determined that we would give him a fever reducer\pain killer, and get him to the doctor in the morning. So, wife informs me that we are out of baby Motrin. I get to put on clothes and pile into the car for the trip to the only place open that late, Super Wal Mart. I grab my Hume rig and my Beretta 92 Brigadier. I am not heading to Super Wal Mart at 12:20 a.m. without something. Anyhow, this is one of my "winter rigs" for carry. This is an older Don Hume OWB, FBI Cant, Thumb break, at 3 o'clock, half length. The barrel protrudes almost two inches past the end of the holster. Grab a coat and roll. Drive to Wally World, walk in, grab a bottle of Children's Tylenol and bolt for the register. While standing at the regiester, all alone with hardly anyone in the store at that time, the cashier asks me very nicely "Are you a police officer?" I was taken aback by her comment. I looked at her puzzled, and she pointed down at my right hand hip. Low and behold, there is the nice shiny muzzle end of a Inox Stainless 92 sticking down. Total plain sight. Believe it or not, I did not panic too bad. The lady was somewhat "country looking", and wasn't even remotely stressed in her tone. I just replied "sorry. I AM LEGAL". That was the best I could come up with. I paid and left. She was very nice, and said nothing more. I was just waiting to get pulled over in the parking lot or on the way home. No such bad luck. My mistakes:

Tired and half asleep.
In a rush.
Had on a t-shirt versus my normal XLT work button-up shirt.
Grabbed my Dickies work jacket instead of the normal Columbia full length jacket that I normally wear with that rig.
Grabbed the Beretta(long). Also, the Stainless sticks out like a sore thumb versus the black.

No need to flame me. I know it is bad for our cause. It was total midnight rush for a sick kid. Gotta make the admission while this thread is on the subject.

I don't think that's bad for our cause. You were legal, so who gives a crap? (unless what you did is considered open carry and open carry is prohibited in your state).

You were worried about your son, tired and you had just woken up. You weren't wreckless nor did anything with your firearm that was wrong.

I'm glad that cashier wasn't a wacko. Some people just about puke at the sign of someone carrying a gun and they automatically assume that person is BG.

Frank

[LUVMYSIGP225]

Originally Posted by FrankRizzoXD40

I don't think that's bad for our cause. You were legal, so who gives a crap? (unless what you did is considered open carry and open carry is prohibited in your state).

You were worried about your son, tired and you had just woken up. You weren't wreckless nor did anything with your firearm that was wrong.

I'm glad that cashier wasn't a wacko. Some people just about puke at the sign of someone carrying a gun and they automatically assume that person is BG.

Frank

Thanks Big Rizz. I know you got my back.

Well, I DID do something wrong. Even though accidental, I believe it was consdiered "brandishing" by Ohio law. Honestly, Ohio DOES still have Open Carry by law, but no one recognizes it.

Anyhow, I emphasized that she was "country" looking, because I think it made a difference in her reaction. Country = conservative = growing up around guns. I am country, and guns don't scare me unless they are pointed at me with the intent to do harm. I just don't think the tired guy with baby motrin and earrache drops looked too suspicious. ALso, in hindsight, I think that by reaching for my wallet to pay, it exposed it more. Those Dickies coats are short.