What Would You Say

[TailDragger]

Many states allow concealed carry but do not allow open carry. In these states the concealed carry permittee must not allow their concealed weapon to be seen. If they do, there may be severe penalties.

Fortunately, I live in a state where open carry is allowed. Thus, if when carrying concealed your weapon is inadvertently exposed to the view of others, no big foul. But if someone were to notice your weapon, they might approach you with questions. Perhaps the most likely question would whether you were a police officer.

Have you ever considered how you might respond if you were asked that question? I had an experience many years ago that gave me the answer to what I would say.

At the time, I was manning the customer counter of a small business establishment. Two men came in in business suits and asked for the owner by name. I told them he was out for a while, but would be back shortly. They opted to wait for him to return. I had seen them drive up and get out of a vehicle that I correctly surmised was an unmarked police vehicle (antenna on the roof, wheels without hubcaps). As they were the only ones there, and wanting to make conversation, I asked them if they were police officers.

The immediate, serious response from one of them was, “Do you have something to confess?” That pretty much ended the conversation!

So, I have decided if anyone should inadvertently notice that I am carrying concealed and came up and asked if I was a cop, my response will be, “Do you have something to confess?” I will not have said that I was a cop, but they are likely to be taken aback enough to just go on their way and I won’t have to get into a conversation about why I carry concealed.

For what it’s worth. What would you say??

 

[Firefighterchen]

I say, "no I'm not," when someone asks if I'm a cop when I open carry.

Sent from my SM-N920T using USA Carry mobile app

 

[Bikenut]

I say, "no I'm not," when someone asks if I'm a cop when I open carry.

Sent from my SM-N920T using USA Carry mobile app

I have been asked if I'm a cop several times and my reply is always the truth when I say "No. I am not. I'm just an ordinary guy just like you."

I will not be accused of impersonating a cop by giving an answer that might lead anyone to believe I am plus that "I'm just an ordinary guy just like you." gets them to realize if I can open carry they can too.

 

[TrapperBob]

I've never had anyone ask, but I would simply say No, but I have a permit to carry a weapon issued by the sheriff. I know I don't have to say any of that, but 1) it is true, and 2) it is likely to ease whatever fears they have. Of course I'm not required to be concerned about their fears, but I think it's good public relations. And I think that public relations with people who don't know about guns is a very important thing, because they vote, and sometimes they vote based on perceptions and emotions rather than facts. Just my opinion, you may differ.

 

[gfrlaser]

Could be deemed impersonation by wrong person if any answer other than no.

 

[Bikenut]

I carry openly everywhere every time I leave the house and when (not if because it has happened several times) I am asked if I am a police officer I say:

"No. I am not a cop. I am just another law abiding guy just like you."

That does several things. It is the truth and there is no misunderstanding about my being a cop AND it emphasizes that carrying a gun is legal PLUS it plants the seed that they can carry a gun too.

 

[Eidolon]

So, I have decided if anyone should inadvertently notice that I am carrying concealed and came up and asked if I was a cop, my response will be, “Do you have something to confess?” I will not have said that I was a cop, but they are likely to be taken aback enough to just go on their way and I won’t have to get into a conversation about why I carry concealed.

For what it’s worth. What would you say??

I would say "No".

What I'm hearing you say is that you're looking for a way to make people think you're a cop while leaving your hands legally clean.

Sooner or later that will come back and bite you square in the ass.

 

[NavyLCDR]

I say, "no I'm not," when someone asks if I'm a cop when I open carry.

I would say "No".

Me too. Pretty simple, honest answer. Now, one time I did have a theater manager ask me "Are you an officer?" To that I simply replied, yes, because that too was the simple, honest answer. I am an officer, not a police officer.

 

[yooperbug]

I live in Florida where it is not legal to open carry. When I took my conceal and carry class I was informed that a police officer will have their badge at their hip next to their gun. Whether or not that is standard in all states I don't know. Had Florida been an open carry state and I decide to open carry my answer would be a simple no sir or no ma'am and leave it at that given I see no reason to get into a giant discussion about it with a total stranger. However, that's just me.

 

[hogwylde]

"Why do you wear your seat belt?"

 

[hogwylde]

Had Florida been an open carry state and I decide to open carry my answer would be a simple no sir or no ma'am and leave it at that given I see no reason to get into a giant discussion about it with a total stranger.

Or you can simply say, "Why do you ask?"

 

[hogwylde]

"I'm not at liberty to disclose that information"

 

[NavyLCDR]

"Are you?"

 

[Wild Dog]

In my experience, there are too kinds of people. You have one type that's nothing but talk, they'll just waste precious oxygen with their useless blather while they refuse to put up. Then you have the other type, people like me, people that believe that actions speak louder than words. In the situation being described here, I would let my actions do the talking. I would shove my gun in their face and dare them to say something.

 

[ArmyCW4]

Me too. Pretty simple, honest answer. Now, one time I did have a theater manager ask me "Are you an officer?" To that I simply replied, yes, because that too was the simple, honest answer. I am an officer, not a police officer.

Very unlikely answer from you skipper -- context, its all about context, the question obviously was about "an officer of the law as of LEO" which you are not.

 

[Firefighterchen]

In my experience, there are too kinds of people. You have one type that's nothing but talk, they'll just waste precious oxygen with their useless blather while they refuse to put up. Then you have the other type, people like me, people that believe that actions speak louder than words. In the situation being described here, I would let my actions do the talking. I would shove my gun in their face and dare them to say something.

If they ask again, "are you a cop?" what would you do then?

Sent from my SM-N920T using USA Carry mobile app

 

[NavyLCDR]

Very unlikely answer from you skipper -- context, its all about context, the question obviously was about "an officer of the law as of LEO" which you are not.

I feel no obligation to correct other people's ignorance based upon making an assumption of what information I think they may or may not be seeking. I answered truthfully the question that he asked. I've had one skipper fired for having drunken poker parties at their homes and then covering up for one or more officers getting DUIs on the way home from them. I don't always consider what my skippers do to be the correct thing to do or answer to give.

 

[Wild Dog]

If they ask again, "are you a cop?" what would you do then?

Sent from my SM-N920T using USA Carry mobile app

I would say "you tell me." And what they do next will determine if I pull the trigger or not.

 

[Firefighterchen]

I would say "you tell me." And what they do next will determine if I pull the trigger or not.

If they say, "no I don't think you are," Then what happens?

Sent from my SM-N920T using USA Carry mobile app

 

[Oldgrunt]

Could be deemed impersonation by wrong person if any answer other than no.

Given the way things happen today, any answer other than no could get you into deep kimchee. Sort of like the fabled Concealed Carry Badge that G50AE always tried to hawk.