Independence Arms
Instructor
Are you sure it wasn't your avatar causing you to loose friends?
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Are you sure it wasn't your avatar causing you to loose friends?
I am having a conflict over guns with someone close to me. It is sad.
Once you make the decision to add CCW to your lifestyle it can expose the true colors of those around you. I cite two examples:
1. My wife - total support in my decision and has now applied for her own LTC and will carry on a daily basis. I was totally blown away by her initial support of my decision to carry and then stunned when she stated she wanted to join me and agreed that our son should get his FID next year when he turns 15 and be included in all aspects of our carrying and training. She was the one who though I should pick up a shotgun at the Plymouth gun show last weekend as it was "a good place to pick up a used one for a decent price"
2. A close friend of over 30 years - We have had a holiday tradition for as long as I can remember of having a "guys night" of Christmas shopping. This year when I ask him when we are going he states "I will only go if you are not carrying." I look at him and cannot believe what I just heard. I ask him why and he states that he does not want to be involved in any "incident" with security if someone notices I am armed and "turns me in." Now this was not said in a nice way, but more confrontational. I told him he is on his own and his attitude was insulting and unnecessary.
Needless to say I am surprised by the attitude of both of them, in entirely different ways.
Once you make the decision to add CCW to your lifestyle it can expose the true colors of those around you. I cite two examples:
1. My wife - total support in my decision and has now applied for her own LTC and will carry on a daily basis. I was totally blown away by her initial support of my decision to carry and then stunned when she stated she wanted to join me and agreed that our son should get his FID next year when he turns 15 and be included in all aspects of our carrying and training. She was the one who though I should pick up a shotgun at the Plymouth gun show last weekend as it was "a good place to pick up a used one for a decent price"
2. A close friend of over 30 years - We have had a holiday tradition for as long as I can remember of having a "guys night" of Christmas shopping. This year when I ask him when we are going he states "I will only go if you are not carrying." I look at him and cannot believe what I just heard. I ask him why and he states that he does not want to be involved in any "incident" with security if someone notices I am armed and "turns me in." Now this was not said in a nice way, but more confrontational. I told him he is on his own and his attitude was insulting and unnecessary.
Needless to say I am surprised by the attitude of both of them, in entirely different ways.
Then after we hung out in Boston a couple of times he said "you know, I've always felt safe hanging out in the town with you, but knowing that you're carrying makes me feel even safer... oh, and when are we going shooting?!"
Are you sure it wasn't your avatar causing you to loose friends?
Oh yeah, definite bro-crush... but we're men enough to grumble, look at the ground, and grudgingly nod our heads that it's true.awww, he has a crush on you <3
One of my peeves is when someone who knows I carry mentions it in around a group of people who don't.
My own wife has outed me in public!
My own wife has outed me in public!
Maybe its not my place but if he's been a friend for 30 yrs I'd say give him a second chance.
You were right to not comprise your decision to carry. Beyond the simple principle of the matter, thats easily evidenced in the string of news stories and other general nuttiness during the holidays.
Your report of the conversation makes it sound like your friends reaction was emotional not logical. Maybe if you were to take him shooting, talk about some of the funny stories about others first carry experience or 'fear of printing' etc. and add in your own experience that nobody really notices/isn't observant and never creates a problem it would help him see the light (or at least become more comfortable) .
If you've already done all that then-I guess it is "to each his own" and just enjoy the season
Are you sure it wasn't your avatar causing you to loose friends?
How about some more background on the friend, I'm fascinated by people like that (true sheep).
Damn I hope so!
, and am an all around responsible person. He is 46 years old, still lives with his parents, has bad credit, lives paycheck to paycheck and thinks that the 30k in his 401k is all he needs to retire some day.