Do people really notice?

[Wileyone]

Was at the gas station the other day. While I was waiting in line I noticed a guy fidgeting around with something in his back pocket. He was an older guy, with a kid and clean cut. I notice the thing he is fidgeting with is a partially exposed Walther style pistol. Not sure if anybody else noticed but it was pretty hard to ignore the amount of time he spent moving it, touching it etc. Two questions come to mind, one, if you have an open exposed firearm how many normal everyday people notice it (and you're not touching it like a school boy with his first girl) and two do you ever say anything to somebody that they are drawing attention to the partially exposed gun?

[Tweed Ring]

1. very few.

2. none of my business.

[Werz]

1. very few.

2. none of my business.

Agreed.

[JustaShooter]

Likewise, never had anyone notice - or at least, not comment. Pretty sure I've seen a couple of people pull their heads out of their smartphones long enough to recognize I was openly armed but nothing beyond that.

As to saying anything to someone fiddling with their own gun, unless I felt like they were endangering me or others I don't think its my place to open my mouth. Well, if it was a particularly interesting piece I might say something about the gun but that would be about it.

[soberbiker]

I don't think most people even notice. Or they assume I'm some sort of law enforcement. Haven't had a bad experience yet. Of the few times I've even been asked about it they just wanted to know what I was carrying.

[TSiWRX]

1. very few.

2. none of my business.

Agreed.

Yup.

[MyWifeSaidYes]

If I saw someone playing with a partially exposed gun in their back pocket, depending on the venue and other circumstances, I might strike up a conversation with the guy.

The fact that he wasn't alone would be one of the things that would keep me from doing so.

[charliej47]

1. very few.

2. none of my business.

+1

[Tweed Ring]

Frankly, I pay much more attention to body language, eye contact, possible intrusions into my personal space, vocalization, and peoples' hands.

[Sevens]

I would imagine that the gentleman is new to carrying a firearm. I would think that he'll get in to a groove eventually.

I am curious of your description of a "Walther-style" pistol. Do you mean like classic, iconic Walther, either a P38/P1 or a PPK or variant? Or one of the newer tupperware versions that is a visual train wreck? (IMO of course...)

My question gives insight in to what I'm often thinking in a similar situation. I'm not usually thinking "this guy might start blasting people!" and I'm not usually thinking "this guy will help me if a bad guy comes in and we need to blast that guy!" and I'm usually not thinking "this guy needs to quit fidgeting with his pistol!" (okay, that 3rd one is a blatant lie... )

...but what I'm often thinking is... "I'm a gun guy and I like handguns and I'm interested in specifically what that is and what it might be like to shoot it."

But that's just me.

[jmwildenthal]

If I saw someone playing with a partially exposed gun in their back pocket, depending on the venue and other circumstances, I might strike up a conversation with the guy.

The fact that he wasn't alone would be one of the things that would keep me from doing so.

When I started open carrying I preferred to have my kids with me because I felt others would not be as freaked out if they saw me as a parent in addition to being a MWAG.

[dangerranger6100]

I don't open carry, but my t shirt often comes up and exposes my gun when I bend over. I don't always notice/bother to fix it. I've only had one person seem to notice.

I was loading stuff from the store into my car and my shirt rode up. A gentleman said something to me about my gun from about 50 feet away. I assumed he was letting me know it was showing, but getting half the parking lots attention in the process. Didn't really bother me, I was leaving the area anyways.

[BuckJM53]

1. very few.

2. none of my business.

+1

[fyrfytr310]

I generally dress in slacks and button up shirts. As such, two people have asked if I was a cop. One of those individuals went on to ask me what was legal with OC. I should note that I did not answer that cop question affirmatively.

Outside of those encounters, I have had a few ask me what I was carrying and if anyone has ever given me a hard time about it. Overall I would say very few notice.

[Brian D.]

The more people get wrapped up in looking at their electronic gadgets, the less they notice much of what's going on in the real world around them.