In-laws visiting

[jethrodull]

So, the in-laws are in town visiting. We are getting ready to go out to dinner and I'm in my bedroom, chilling out on the bed. I have my EDC on my right hip in a Crossbread super tuck, without my cover shirt on. He comes in to ask me to help him with his computer and sees my Stoeger Cougar 9mm and says "Why do you have your revolver on?" I said, "because I can and it's my right." He says, "you're not going to wear that to dinner are you?" "Yes, I am." Then, he says "Only in Texas." I said, "Actually, they have concealed carry laws in SC(wear he lives), too". "Well, I don't know anyone that carries and never see anyone carrying in SC." I said, "That's why it's called CONCEALED." He gets all flustered and says he doesn't feel good about that, and walks out of the room.

We go to dinner with me carrying and him not saying anything to me the rest of the night! LOL.

J

 

[SR40c]

Ask him sometime if he would like to go to the range... you never know it could change his perspective.

Now what you should have asked him after he said he didn't feel good about it is this; "Besides the fact that my revolver isn't going to jump out of the holster and shoot you by it self, you still feel better now than you would if some criminal takes his gun shoots you because you are unarmed."

 

[Deserteagle]

Sounds like a typical liberal.

The more time you can expose him to guns, the more comfortable he will feel with him. Try to get him on the range with you

 

[Firefighterchen]

That sucks man. I couldn't treat my father in law that way nor could I let him treat me that way. Hopefully you guys can communicate better next time.

I'm glad my father in law loves firearms. While he doesn't carry one himself, he always asks me how my open carrying life is doing. He also lets me shoot his sw500 whenever I go visit. He also rides a motorcycle. Most importantly though, he gave me his blessings to marry his daughter.

 

[mspt_99]

My father in law is cool with guns but my mother in law is a classic stepford wives media regurgitating propaganda following can't think for herself type lady. I hang out with them and my wife all day carrying with a pocket holster. in the evening guns somehow come up, probably because "she" brought up the topic that "she" knows nothing about. Like a fool, I can't hold it in any longer and nicely tell her, well I carried a gun all day and you didn't even know. She wanted to know what I was afraid of and basically I educated on her about why MANY americans carry and the Constitution that allows us to do so. To her credit she didn't say anymore since she knows I love and I protect her daughter and two grandchildren. While she doesn't like it. It will probably take her a couple years to change her views. For example, she was an Obama lover in 2008 and by 2011 she thought he was bad for American. Here is the final piece of info: "She" is Canadian.

So to the OP, they are family, you just have to stick with them and educate them like crazy. Keeping a focus on protecting the ones I love seemed to work for me. Good luck to you.
mspt

 

[el maestro]

So, the in-laws are in town visiting. We are getting ready to go out to dinner and I'm in my bedroom, chilling out on the bed. I have my EDC on my right hip in a Crossbread super tuck, without my cover shirt on. He comes in to ask me to help him with his computer and sees my Stoeger Cougar 9mm and says "Why do you have your revolver on?" I said, "because I can and it's my right." He says, "you're not going to wear that to dinner are you?" "Yes, I am." Then, he says "Only in Texas." I said, "Actually, they have concealed carry laws in SC(wear he lives), too". "Well, I don't know anyone that carries and never see anyone carrying in SC." I said, "That's why it's called CONCEALED." He gets all flustered and says he doesn't feel good about that, and walks out of the room.

We go to dinner with me carrying and him not saying anything to me the rest of the night! LOL.

J

I take it you don't like him too much by the way you responded. You missed an opportunity to turn an anti-gunner into a pro-gunner especially since he IS family right now. You should of responded with more respect if not for him then for yourself, with dignity. You could of turned it around and asked him, what if when we are at the restaurant someone comes in such as in colorado and starts shooting at people would he protest if you happen to take out your piece and stopped him from killing anyone. jmho

 

[thoricuncle]

So having your in-laws know that you carry makes them not talk to you?

That settles it, I'm telling my in-laws that I carry. :wink:

 

[foamx]

Sounds like a typical liberal.

The more time you can expose him to guns, the more comfortable he will feel with him. Try to get him on the range with you

I know plenty of conservative Republicans who loath guns. Some in my own family. It's not just liberals. It seems that anytime someone expresses an anti gun opinion people here are so quick to label them liberals or Democrats. It's this kind of thinking that is pushing this country farther apart everyday. Anti's come in all flavors. What we need to focus on is education and helping anti's of all types open their minds and be willing to listen to a differing opinion.

 

[Mikey Idaho]

Definitely agree with keeping a positive attitude towards democrat family members. I have I introduced both of my super liberal brother in laws to firearms and both have now purchased handguns of their own. Neither were anti-gun, but definitely didn't approve of me purchasing 5 guns last year and getting my CC permit or carrying around their families.

Sent from my Verizon Galaxy S III using Tapatalk 2

 

[NavyLCDR]

I said, "because I can and it's my right."

So that's the only reason you carry? I've never understood giving only that answer. I don't carry "because I can and it's my right." I carry to have the means available to protect myself and my family should a criminal choose to commit a violent criminal act. Would you not have made a more convincing argument by saying, "to possibly save your daughter's life with in the event a nut job or criminal chooses to attack us?"

 

[SCTom]

I think I would have responded differently, but I think the f-i-l would change his tune quickly if you ever had to use your evil revolver to protect his daughter. BTW...in SC, unfortunately you wouldn't legally have been allowed to take that gun into a restaurant unless it was one that does not serve alcohol. Hopefully that will be changed in the very near future if Miss Nikki would sign the bill on her desk.

 

[Firefighterchen]

I said, "because I can and it's my right."

So that's the only reason you carry? I've never understood giving only that answer. I don't carry "because I can and it's my right." I carry to have the means available to protect myself and my family should a criminal choose to commit a violent criminal act. Would you not have made a more convincing argument by saying, "to possibly save your daughter's life with in the event a nut job or criminal chooses to attack us?"

I feel that is a perfectly acceptable answer, not always the best answer, but acceptable none the less. (Especially if the question comes from an LEO.) If he truly carries just because he can or wants to because it's his right, he shouldn't have to explain himself further. Though I do believe communication broke down in this instance, and further explanation would of been helpful especially since it was not an LE encounter.

 

[NavyLCDR]

I feel that is a perfectly acceptable answer, not always the best answer, but acceptable none the less. (Especially if the question comes from an LEO.) If he truly carries just because he can or wants to because it's his right, he shouldn't have to explain himself further. Though I do believe communication broke down in this instance, and further explanation would of been helpful especially since it was not an LE encounter.

Most of the time, when a person is asking me why I am doing something, I can tell if they are asking the question from emotions driven by a pre-existing prejudice against what I am doing, of if they asking out of general curisioty - body language and tone of voice. If I am being asked by a person who appears to be driven by an emotional response to a pre-existing prejudice, I have discovered that it completely disarms them if I reply with a well thought out and logical answer presented in a calm and even tone of voice. Just in my humble opinion, to me, the answer "because I can and it is my right!" is an answer loaded with an unspoken challenge, "and I dare you to do/say something about it!" so that's why I try to avoid giving only that answer.

I prefer to attempt to cause the person to make an honest evaluation by replying something like, "If I was a nutjob who was planning on shooting up this place right now, WHICH I AM NOT!, look around and tell me what there would be to stop me? Now, if I was a nutjob who started shooting up this place right now....and you and maybe others were carrying your own guns....how much do you think that would increase your chances of being able to stop me and survive the situation?" or if it is a police officer simply say, "I legally carry my gun for the same reason that you do, to deter a criminal from committing a violent act against me and to protect myself in the event a criminal should choose to attempt to commit a violent act against me."

 

[mappow]

Most of the time, when a person is asking me why I am doing something, I can tell if they are asking the question from emotions driven by a pre-existing prejudice against what I am doing, of if they asking out of general curisioty - body language and tone of voice. If I am being asked by a person who appears to be driven by an emotional response to a pre-existing prejudice, I have discovered that it completely disarms them if I reply with a well thought out and logical answer presented in a calm and even tone of voice.

Dam CMDR your Libs up in N.West must be different form the rest of the country. While I agree with your concept, most I've run into KEEP their minds CLOSED by can't help but OPEN their mouths to spew some rehashed propaganda. Although at times I have impressed a few with a final thought in our conversation. (Again usually one sided) "Don't let the last thought that runs through your mind be, gee I should have listened to him and bought a gun"

 

[golocx4]

You mean if I let my in-laws know I'm packing they will stop speaking to me?
You are da man, man.
Or, maybe he was thinking, oh oh I had better watch what I say or he will go postal on me.
(Man i really need that plate of butter next to him, but but , no. I will just do without for tonite. Crappy roll, sure would taste better with butter.)

 

[NavyLCDR]

Dam CMDR your Libs up in N.West must be different form the rest of the country. While I agree with your concept, most I've run into KEEP their minds CLOSED by can't help but OPEN their mouths to spew some rehashed propaganda. Although at times I have impressed a few with a final thought in our conversation. (Again usually one sided) "Don't let the last thought that runs through your mind be, gee I should have listened to him and bought a gun"

Normally here they have already spewed their rehearsed propaganda and when faced with the emotionless reply their mouths open and close like a fish out of water with nothing left to come out and they shake their heads and that's the end of it. Most of them only know how to communicate at the emotional level and are very deficient in participating in factual discussions.

A friend of mine, a fellow open carry advocate, participated in a discussion with the local Chief of Police, Sherrif, and group of democrats regarding gun laws and gun control. They had a hard time grasphing that the Chief of Police and Sherrif admitted to them that they knew very little about firearms laws and that the gentlemen carrying the guns openly in the meeting quoting the applicable statutes were probably better prepared to answer their questions. It was a very fun evening.

 

[kerb]

So, the in-laws are in town visiting. We are getting ready to go out to dinner and I'm in my bedroom, chilling out on the bed. I have my EDC on my right hip in a Crossbread super tuck, without my cover shirt on. He comes in to ask me to help him with his computer and sees my Stoeger Cougar 9mm and says "Why do you have your revolver on?" I said, "because I can and it's my right." He says, "you're not going to wear that to dinner are you?" "Yes, I am." Then, he says "Only in Texas." I said, "Actually, they have concealed carry laws in SC(wear he lives), too". "Well, I don't know anyone that carries and never see anyone carrying in SC." I said, "That's why it's called CONCEALED." He gets all flustered and says he doesn't feel good about that, and walks out of the room.

We go to dinner with me carrying and him not saying anything to me the rest of the night! LOL.

J

You're gonna want something bigger than a 9mm for an in-law. Right tool for the job and all. =P

 

[Boston Boy]

My mother-in-law, who lives with us, once asked me if I was capable of shooting someone. My reply was, "sure Mom, if they were attacking you."

 

[K7lvo]

My wife enjoys shooting, but I'm not sure if she could shoot someone to defend herself. But, her kids or grandkids? "Doll rags" doesn't even come close to describing what would be left of the sob!

Before he died, My F I L gave me the pistol he carried a lot of the time. He was from the old school - never bothered with a permit...

My S I L isn't an enthusiast by any stretch, but he respects my decisions and abilities, with motorcycles as well as guns.

 

[Deserteagle]

I know plenty of conservative Republicans who loath guns. Some in my own family. It's not just liberals. It seems that anytime someone expresses an anti gun opinion people here are so quick to label them liberals or Democrats. It's this kind of thinking that is pushing this country farther apart everyday. Anti's come in all flavors. What we need to focus on is education and helping anti's of all types open their minds and be willing to listen to a differing opinion.

Yes anyone can hate guns. However, the large majority of people who vote in favor of gun control are people who are socially liberal, and democrats. Rarely are republicans pushing gun control, and even more rarely, conservatives.

I wouldnt say this is pushing the country further apart by calling something what it is. People who are anti-gun are more often than not, also calling themselves liberals. So if your in-law is anti-gun, it is more likely than not that I am correct in identifying him as a liberal.