I've met many people here.  Not all that anonymous...

But I am grateful my work environment and friends allow me the freedom to express my feelings without fear.

I missed this post.  Yeah, a work environment and friends you trust can put one more at ease, especially if you have those friends who have your concerns at heart and just won't go blabbering all over the place.

One conversation at my work place involved myself and another gun enthusiast talking about a shooting. Another coworker walked in and started to exclaim that everyone who owns guns, they go around shooting everyone. I looked at him and said I own guns and my coworker owns guns, do you see us going around shooting everyone? He had to step back and rethink his statement. Alot of non-gun owners with this attitude. Be particular of whom you share your hobby interests with.

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Many of my coworkers know that I am a firearms enthusiast.  I am technically still the "Small Arms Range SME" for work.  I share that position with another guy who is also a fellow firearms enthusiast.  We were offered the position since it was generally known that we are firearms owners.  That said, it's not generally something I tell folks about.  Sure, I'll tell the coworkers that I'm close with. 

I've had coworkers seek me out to talk about taking them shooting, or even getting their affidavit.  None have followed through, but all those who asked me I would be comfortable taking them to the range for sure. 

Outside of work, most of my family know I am a "gun nut".  Firearm ownership in my dad's side of the family is more common than my mother's side.  All of my close friends know me as a "gun nut" as well.  I am open about being a firearms enthusiast and am willing to teach folks about firearms, especially the safety aspect of things.

That's not what you said before.

Online =/= offline.  I won't put info online but if we meet offline we can talk. I don't know you well enough to share info without meeting you first.   Offline building trust, hoping that you won't break it. 

For me, a big part of the reason I feel and act the way I do is because of my family.  Unfortunately they don't share the enthusiasm I have for firearms.  And they don't care to learn or handle firearms even if it were to defend themselves.  And I won't force them.  I worry for their safety and lives in the event I am not home to protect them.  This is why I don't want people I don't know or trust to gain information about me and firearms.

I think others along with people like you who are openly enthusiastic about talking and sharing information about gun ownership probably have family members who also are on board as far as firearm ownership.  They all know how to handle them and to use them if they need to defend themselves.  They understand the safety aspects also so they all are confident being around firearms.

But for me, even though I was fortunate to have this scenario, I still would be selective about talking about it to just anybody.

I also feel if I was single and living alone I wouldn't be so careful as I am now.  It would just be me to worry about and if the fuckers want to try breaking in and steal my shit while I'm home I'm game, lol!!

I'm sure there are other things that you and others like you who are more cavalier about talking about firearms enable you to be openly enthusiastic.  There are tons of fellow gun owners on the internet that also don't seem to be too concerned about anonymity.

Share your thoughts if you would.

I understand that sentiment.  Many of my family hate firearms.  But I'm an adult now,   they can't stop me,  nor can they change their blood relations.  Over the years won many over to tolerate them.  Showing the positives of gun ownership.  I've taught many on safety including my girlfriend who dislikes guns.  Told them I won't always be around to protect them.   They might need to use it and I want them to be able to do so safely.  Even took many to the range too.  They all complained of the noise etc lol. 

One of the positives of condo living they would have to make max effort to rob an secure condo building.   

As long as you do so positively I think gun conversations are a net positive. Even with anti gunners at work.  Every day I prove them wrong by existing. I do my job well, it's a side hobby.   If they want to dislike me,  don't have to get along like friends with everyone in the world.   

I don't really bring it up but if the topic arrises then I will talk about guns with anyone

That’s a good observation. Coworkers and I talk about all kinds of hobbies but nothing about target shooting or hunting or reloading.  I don’t talk firearms or 2A related at work.  It seems a sensitive topic and one of those better-not-to-talk-about. Maybe it’s the time and place we live in. 

I’m careful to remind my kids not to talk to anyone (friends, strangers, neighbors, classmates, teachers, their grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, yes including them, ... anyone) about what we do or have including firearms related. 

My daughter texted me last night that she got a part time job in Waikiki.
Since Waikiki is such a safe place, our police department says she doesn't need to arm herself with a gun.
I could let her borrow my dog but he's not a BIG dog as per HPD advice.

Dad told her to keep that pepper spray in her pocket.

I think for Hawaii to be a "true" aloha state it needs CCW.

It makes me sad to say this.  At one time aloha came from one's heart and to an extent it still exists like that today.  But the criminal element took advantage and cowardly exploited the spirit of aloha.

So therefore, to make sure we all have this aloha spirit, CCW will enable us to all be civil to each other.

If the criminal element doesn't want to cooperate, there is another type of aloha:

pew pew. BOOM.  pak pak.  Aloha...........

That’s a good observation. Coworkers and I talk about all kinds of hobbies but nothing about target shooting or hunting or reloading.  I don’t talk firearms or 2A related at work.  It seems a sensitive topic and one of those better-not-to-talk-about. Maybe it’s the time and place we live in. 

I’m careful to remind my kids not to talk to anyone (friends, strangers, neighbors, classmates, teachers, their grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, yes including them, ... anyone) about what we do or have including firearms related.

That is something I consider as well.  Being targeted as "known to have firearms".  I am cautious about what I have out when say delivery or service people come over.  It's not often, but I do put away gun stuff when they do come over.  A while back, when I used to train self-defense type stuff, I had my sparring gloves and shin guards airing out on a rack in my second bathroom.  The appliance guy asked "hey, you train ______?"  I was like, huh, where did that come from.  Anyways, he noticed the gear hanging up in my second bathroom that was on the way to where the appliance was.  Reminder that people notice those types of things when they are in your home and can tell a lot about you. 

That is something I consider as well.  Being targeted as "known to have firearms".  I am cautious about what I have out when say delivery or service people come over.  It's not often, but I do put away gun stuff when they do come over.  A while back, when I used to train self-defense type stuff, I had my sparring gloves and shin guards airing out on a rack in my second bathroom.  The appliance guy asked "hey, you train ______?"  I was like, huh, where did that come from.  Anyways, he noticed the gear hanging up in my second bathroom that was on the way to where the appliance was.  Reminder that people notice those types of things when they are in your home and can tell a lot about you.

Yep.  When I maintain or clean my firearms I always try to do it when I'm alone at home, or plan it as best as possible where there are no surprise visits where everything is out in plain sight for eyes not meant to view them.  I could maintain them in my room with door closed but wifey complains and can smell the solvent, oil, etc.

But yeah, as far as service people, delivery, etc. it's always a good thing to keep things you want igcognito from curious eyes.  I also do not want to hire yard service for the same reason.  Prying eyes.

Kinda off subject but I had my house re-roofed and painted recently.  The workers looked into my open garage and noticed my construction hardhat and tools.  They asked me if I am an electrician.  I told them retired then got inundated with thousands of questions as to how they can fix or alter or update their electrical systems.

Easy, I told them.  Hire an electrician.  When asked if I do side work I said no.......

Happens all the time.  Everyone wants free advice not realizing just like patients, no two are the same and it applies to houses, buildings, etc.  All wired different.

But I digress but subscribe to staying under the radar.......

Yep.  When I maintain or clean my firearms I always try to do it when I'm alone at home, or plan it as best as possible where there are no surprise visits where everything is out in plain sight for eyes not meant to view them.  I could maintain them in my room with door closed but wifey complains and can smell the solvent, oil, etc.

============
look out for the solvent fumes
you'll get high.....then pass out

That is something I consider as well.  Being targeted as "known to have firearms".  I am cautious about what I have out when say delivery or service people come over.  It's not often, but I do put away gun stuff when they do come over.  A while back, when I used to train self-defense type stuff, I had my sparring gloves and shin guards airing out on a rack in my second bathroom.  The appliance guy asked "hey, you train ______?"  I was like, huh, where did that come from.  Anyways, he noticed the gear hanging up in my second bathroom that was on the way to where the appliance was.  Reminder that people notice those types of things when they are in your home and can tell a lot about you.

When anyone who comes over and doesn't know that we are owners, I cover everything with a towel.  And am CCWing. Recently had Spectrum come over to replace my modem. My safe is in front of the panel where the modem is located.  So I moved my safe and covered it and put other stuff in front and around it so it's not a giant looking rectangle under a towel.  Also hide paper magazines, gear, and any gun related stuff as well.

When anyone who comes over and doesn't know that we are owners, I cover everything with a towel.  And am CCWing. Recently had Spectrum come over to replace my modem. My safe is in front of the panel where the modem is located.  So I moved my safe and covered it and put other stuff in front and around it so it's not a giant looking rectangle under a towel.  Also hide paper magazines, gear, and any gun related stuff as well.

....
The only way to hide all the gun stuff at my house would be to put a fumigation tent on it.

Yep.  When I maintain or clean my firearms I always try to do it when I'm alone at home, or plan it as best as possible where there are no surprise visits where everything is out in plain sight for eyes not meant to view them.  I could maintain them in my room with door closed but wifey complains and can smell the solvent, oil, etc.

But yeah, as far as service people, delivery, etc. it's always a good thing to keep things you want igcognito from curious eyes.  I also do not want to hire yard service for the same reason.  Prying eyes.

Kinda off subject but I had my house re-roofed and painted recently.  The workers looked into my open garage and noticed my construction hardhat and tools.  They asked me if I am an electrician.  I told them retired then got inundated with thousands of questions as to how they can fix or alter or update their electrical systems.

Easy, I told them.  Hire an electrician.  When asked if I do side work I said no.......

Happens all the time.  Everyone wants free advice not realizing just like patients, no two are the same and it applies to houses, buildings, etc.  All wired different.

But I digress but subscribe to staying under the radar.......

When I have guns out to clean/work on, I always have a loaded handgun holstered either on my waist or within reach.  I also do this when I have people I don't know dropping by to buy guns, ammo, or whatever.  If you do similar, ensure the gun is in a holster to avoid a "brain fart related" accident.

Many crimes are committed as targets of opportunity.  It's impossible to predict what might happen.  It's the same reason people carry:  it's not for the things you can anticipate, but for the things you can't.  If someone notices you have unloaded guns out and nobody else is in the vicinity, that may be all it takes.  Could be a neighbor, a person in the neighbor's yard, a guy pretending to be the power meter reader, or whatever else.  With today's mask-happy state, it's so much easier for someone to approach your home and seem normal with their faces covered.  Guns in plain sight will be more tempting than a locked safe.