What would you have done?

[AaronHorrocks]

What would you have done? Lied? Told the truth? And in general, how do people feel about situations like these where you have to make a choice between lying to make things go smoother, or just answering the question straight?

EDITED TO ADD:
I responded to his "is there something we should know about?" question with, "yes, actually..." then complained about the construction workers doing work improperly on the property.

I'm a smart ***. I never lie, but I do tell the truth, often to a degree that irritates stupid people. I would have said; "Yeah, it's not working correctly so I'm taking it to a gunsmith."

I was once in a hotel in Utah (before I got my CCW) and a family got in the elevator with me. I was wearing combat boots and they looked scared. "We just saw a movie where a guy with guns killed a bunch of people You don't have any guns on you, do you?"

" 'on me'? No. hahahaha"

[BlackDrop50]

When he asked you, "Is there something WE should know about?", you shoulda told him, "Are you still referring to yourself in the quasi plural third person?" Then you shoulda rolled your eyes and scooted over like HE was the crazy one.

Edit: Or you shoulda just looked at him like he was a weirdo and scooted over. LOL

[RTE]

The truth is fine

rifle
something we should know?
Ok Pellet rifle

[Electricboy]

yes there is something you should know about. A bullet travels xxx ft per second. how fast do you run? lol

i would have told him and then invited him shooting.

[KnowtheCrow]

How about, "I thought everyone got the memo" Then take a side-step away from him and stare at the door until you get to your floor, exit quietly.

[Voo]

"... is there something we should know about?"

what a a hole! I never liked the folks in Home Owner Associations, they think they are the law.

Of all the responses, that was also my first reaction..

"I hope that's not a rifle is it?"

My gut response, <wth> "You MAY be the HOA President, but mind your freakin' business. I have a right to own this. Your pathetic HOA by-laws have no say regarding that. Go be a Nazi somewhere else"

Realistically though, I would've diverted attention away from the topic. I've zero qualms about ignoring, lying, or not responding, but the reality is, the guy is the HOA Prez. In all likelihood, you'll be seeing him again and (may god help you) you actually might need him for something.

It's like anything in life, you pick your fights. From the way you've described it, I would've tried to deflect the question- maybe even joked. The HOA Prez wasn't very pro-gun and with you in an elevator, holding your rifle case, it doesnt seem like the time or place to try and win him over.

Since he's an anti, you might find some angle to try and RATIONALLY explain all of it. Good luck dealing with the HOA Nazi's... :X

[tankerman]

Tell him you'd like a freight elevator installed so it will be easier to get the pallets of ammo into your place.

I would invite him over, tell him you've got a surprise for him. Stand real close to him and touch him softly too.

[gewgaw]

Awesome responses, guys (and gals)... thanks for making me laugh (and think). So here is what I think I will be doing:

1) Next time, I will say that it's some sort of musical instrument that goes bang. Then I'll ask if they want me to play a symphony for them as they squeal like pigs.
2) Show up at the next HOA meeting with bandoliers around my chest and demand a freight elevator to be installed in time for my incoming palette of 20mm HE rounds.
3) Run for HOA president next year and turn this condo complex into the first pro-gun haven in LA, complete with wild boar cookouts, ammo swap nights and sponsored range shoots.

[Deadred7o7]

Just lose the case that way he doesnt have to ask what is inside.

[KRS Juan]

It's a telescope!!!!

My condo's HOA is very unfriendly to firearms, every time I get asked by someone in the building I always answer telescope. They are a bunch of nit-picking douches but they have the power to take my home away (or at least make life much more difficult). It's not exactly untrue, and no one asks more questions cause telescopes are boring =) So far no one has asked why it says "Daniel Defense" on the side either.

[rtlltj]

Tell him its a dead hooker inside.

[xrMike]

Actually, I think this is the best option.

I practice this in real life. I have no NRA stickers on my truck. I don't wear anything gun related or any logos of any kind. Not license plate frames, hats or key rings even.

Eh, well, what works for you is fine for you.

But some of us don't really GAFF what others think about our legal, constitutionally-protected hobbies. And we refuse to bow down or live in fear of cowards who might damage our truck while we're not around, just because we have a particular kind of sticker on it... That's what works for us.

Try it sometime! Walk with your chest out, instead of feeling like you have to slink around all the time...

(I've been sporting an NRA sticker for 10+ years now, and never once experienced the imagined malicious "key-ings" and "dents" I keep reading about on this forum)

[MasterYong]

Eh, well, what works for you is fine for you.

But some of us don't really GAFF what others think about our legal, constitutionally-protected hobbies. And we refuse to bow down or live in fear of cowards who might damage our truck while we're not around, just because we have a particular kind of sticker on it... That's what works for us.

Try it sometime! Walk with your chest out, instead of feeling like you have to slink around all the time...

(I've been sporting an NRA sticker for 10+ years now, and never once experienced the imagined malicious "key-ings" and "dents" I keep reading about on this forum)

Yeah I'm not sure many folks vandalize vehicles over stickers!

My car got keyed recently, and I have no stickers of any kind! In fact, every car in the lot was keyed that same night (was parked at a rec youth bball game of a fam member). Random act...

[hkusp9c]

I wouldn't want others to pass around information that so-and-so has firearms and ammos. That info might fall into wrong people.

[mosinnagantm9130]

Tell him its a dead hooker inside.

LOL!

I would have said: "Yeah, I was at the range yesterday bump firing at watermelons when the thing decided to break on me. You wouldn't happen to know a good gunsmith, would you?