OT: Those that carry...

Never came close to having a bad experience, but that's probably because I don't carry a gun on me and I doubt I ever will. I might reconsider if I have a family one day, but it's still very unlikely. It's just not me.

In Virginia, you can carry a gun on your waist. I've seen people in grocery stores carrying them. But it's very unusual to see. It's so unusual that it makes you look twice when you see someone carrying a gun who's just a normal civilian and not a police officer or security guard.

I usually have a pocketknife or a Leatherman Wave on my belt and I've gone places then realized that I might have some trouble because of my forgetfulness. So far, so good.

Ya got to be careful about carrying in a courthouse and did the right thing walking out. There are people there because they did commit crime and aren't worried about grabbing it and making a run for it.

In that case, you are in danger and they are in danger. There are many of us who see death or maiming a bit extreme, even for a criminal who obviously has self-control issues.

Add to it, if the officers see you there with one, given all the criminals looking to get out of there and the police not knowing if you are an accomplice or not... very bad things can happen in an instant.

I can't afford to pack heat. If you pull a gun on someone, even if he's threatening you, more often than not you're involved in a lawsuit. If you fire the gun, even as a warning shot, it's guaranteed you'll be sued. You can get insurance for this; out of pocket is $20k and up if you don't.

Personally I don't want to shoot anyone. I've been robbed at gunpoint and I can honestly say I was VERY glad I wasn't armed or I'd have been beat up at the minimum.

I have a carry permit and I can relate to your concerns clubber. I have been walking in somewhere and fortunately remembered in time so I havent had an issue. Most places you are not allowed to carry around here have security like an airport. You walk thru the metal detector and get wanded etc. That will jog your memory. I have had lots of advantages when pulled over by police. They respect the permit and often let me go with a warning

Most cops in my experience would like everyone to have a permit and carry.

^^^ Makes sense. Who is going to go on a shooting spree in a mall if he is just going to be gunned within a few seconds of trying that shit?

crazy,

Agreed about the police. Twice I been stopped. Time first time the lady asked for my license and registration. I handed her my license and carry permit, and told her I had a handgun in my glove box where the registration was. She told me not to worry with the registration. Went back to her car and then returned handing me my licence and permit. Told me my tag light was out and thanked me for handing her the permit. I've heard varying viewpoints on that.

The second time, both to the officer. He asked if I had a weapon and I said yes. Just asked where (on my hip), and asked me to step out and he was going to remove it. I started to ask why, but I certainly didn't wish a confrontation. He took it and went back to his car. He returned everything and told me to slow it down. We talked a bit and found out that at one time we had worked together raising a HAM radio tower at a friend of mines home. A really good officer in my book.

As an addendum, after the first stop, I saw lights come on about a mile down the road. I was thinking now what? Same lady officer. She said we had a problem and asked if the weapon was still in the glove box. I affirmed that and she asked that I step out and go to the back of my truck. I did. She asked if I had any warrants (figured she had already checked that and knew I didn't), so I told her no. She they had called her back on the radio and that I had a drug warrant on me!I was a bit shocked. Anyway, she takes my ID again and returns to her car. Turns out the idiots at the station had used the wrong middle initial. I was clean. Then I asked what initial they used since my son and I share the other names. Wasn't him either. I knew that, but asked anyway. She was so apologetic. No problem from me. I know they have a difficult and often thankless job.

You're kinda screwed while on your bike, but you can get a gun safe for your vehicle that locks up the gun out of sight and safely.

It's like the meme about fire extinguishers. I don't have one because I'm expecting a fire....I just want it to be there in case I ever really need it.

I always carry illegal fire arms

I carry a saw myself. More scary.

I was going into a city building and noticed a metal detector at the entrance that had never been there before. Just before I walked through it I remembered I had my little Walther PPK in my pocket. I made a quick u-turn and put the gun in my car.

I was told that they were conducting a trial in the building and so they had set up a metal detector.

Over the years, I have made a few errors in personal position while absentmindedly fulfilling my rights and responsibilities under the 2nd Amendment.

I discovered that it is unwise to open carry into a US post office in Oklahoma. The local cops thought the Feds reaction was funny, the FBI - - didn't! No charges ever filed, but I wasted an entire day just by forgetting to put the S&W .357 in my car's gun safe before going in to mail a package. That was a day of "not" hunting when friends collected two beautiful mule deer.

In liberal led cities like Tampa, even legal concealed carry is sometimes too much for local cops to tolerate. A patrol officer on dinner break saw the grip of my .45 auto sticking out of the back of my pants when I lifted my shirttail to get my wallet out while standing in line at a burger joint. It is both scary and irritating to have a self important cop, who believes he is the only one around who should be armed, point a gun at you and shout contradictory demands. Turns out, some patrol supervisors do know a little about the law. The manager of the burger joint made me another burger, since the first one was long cold before Quickdraw McCop was ordered to holster and retreat.

I once spent two hours in a Mississippi police station because I ran into a bar to get out of a thunderstorm and a cop (who was doing the same thing) saw my weapon thru the wet shirt. The cop was not rude, he even waited until it quit raining to escort me a block down the street to the police station. But he was adamant about "rules" and concealed weapons are not legal in Mississippi. His boss was more relaxed. Interestingly, no one "disarmed" me - even while accusing me of illegal carry, the cop never asked for my weapon!

On the other hand, when reporting for jury duty, using your concealed carry permit/weapons carry license as your "government issued picture ID" really can save you several wasted days. Apparently, criminal attorneys seem to think armed citizens might not be open to "society's at fault" defenses.

*** -concealed weapons are not legal in Mississippi - * BARS. *

"On the other hand, when reporting for jury duty, using your concealed carry permit/weapons carry license as your "government issued picture ID" really can save you several wasted days. Apparently, criminal attorneys seem to think armed citizens might not be open to "society's at fault" defenses."

This might be the best thing I have read on here...

I let mine lapse years ago and have never bothered to get it back. Why? Because I don't feel I need it anymore. I used to do a lot of travel by car, often to some fairly seedy areas. Spend the nights in hotels/motels that were occasionally not the nicest establishments. I recall a few close calls where I started to walk into banks carrying it, but I'm pretty sure I always caught myself.

Now most of my travel is by plane and generally would preclude carrying, even if I felt I still needed too.

As part of my daily routine I just don't feel like carrying, I figure the chances of being in an incident are low enough to not be outweighed by the potential problems of carrying. Though I certainly don't judge anyone who feels differently.

In regards to police, I have to disagree. The few times they found out I was carrying concealed you'd have thought I'd told them I fantasized about murdering cops.

Dallas you are incorrect. The cast majority of LE know very little of the law and think they have the right to make it up as they go. I was involved in a 'routine' traffic stop. I was not driving. We were pulled over for "illegal lane change" even though the driver had not changed lane since turning from a two lane side street onto the four lane main street. The cop ordered us both out of the car, we got out of the car then closed and locked it as we exited. The cop then asked me if he could search the vehicle. I stated it was not my car he them said he was going to search it whereupon I said the owner is the driver. He then got belligerent and asked the owner who said no he would not grant permission for the search. The cop told him he was going to search anyway and if he did not unlock the car he would break a window. We were very polite and none confrontational which further enraged the cop. My friend had heard this cop had a reputation for planting drugs in cars and he knew the state law that does not allow searches without permission or warrant. There were no weapons or drugs in the car. I had a concealed carry permit but I was out of state where my permit was not recognized so I left my carry at home. The cop's only recourse if he wanted to search was to impound the car and/or obtain a search warrant. Either would make him call in a supervisor and he would be in trouble as he had no cause.
I have only had one deputy I have had dealings with who asked if I had a weapon and permit and when I told him yes to both he said ok and did not ask to see either. If you carry you must know the law or face being falsely accused and arrested. Once the cop goes down that road he must see it through to save face and you could be screwed.
I decided a long time ago I would only pull my weapon in face of mortal peril for myself or immediate family. I would never try to stop a robbery or crime against anyone else. The same with injuries, car wrecks or anything else because unless your state has an airtight "Good Samaritan Law" you will be sued and/or prosecuted. No good deed ever goes unpunished.
I learned the lesson in the 70's in an Oklahoma bar. A friend of mine tried to break up a bar fight before the cops got there and both fighters turned on him: one broke a pool cue on his head and the other kicked him after he went down cracking two ribs. I was in the bathroom when it happens and came out to find him cured up bleeding on the floor.

Never break up a fight if you ain't a bouncer or the fuzz.

TiredTraveller, I do not disagree with your point about many cops, note that in my prior post I said, "some supervisors." But I can also cite several instances where local peace officers were polite, well informed and helpful. They are just people with a terrible job! Too many cops are hyper aggressive, but there are a lot of good guys wearing a badge!

I carry (wherever I can) because I recognize that crime happens away from cops and criminals generally do their dastardly deeds long before police can arrive! The fact that I (and more than 3,000,000 other civilians) carry does not please some, like power hungry cops, liberals and criminals.

@Jester: Two of my relatives work as cops and one is ex FBI. All 3 are gun nuts (er...'collectors"), and all 3 do not want concealed carry to be legal. They do not think society or law enforcement officers are safer with an armed public.

I carry the weight of the world on my shoulders and a monkey on my back.

you can get much farther with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone.

- Al Capone

A gun is a lot like a condom. I'd rather have one and never need it than end up really needing one and not have it.

With that being said, hell yes, I carry a concealed weapon. If you treat it with the respect that it deserves and behave in an intelligent manner, then you will rarely if ever have any issues with law enforcement.

One time in Phoenix I was pulled over and had 6 AR-15 assault rifles in my trunk in addition to my CCW. Needless to say, the officer's eyeballs got as big as dinner plates when I handed him my paperwork and informed him of the weapons in the trunk. As you can imagine, it made for an interesting traffic stop. It's not every day you stop somebody who is packing more firepower than you are.

Open carry is illegal in the state I live. I'm glad my younger brother wasn't pulled over for speeding many years ago when we helped another relative move. My other relative filled up his back seat all the way to the top of the seat with rifles, guns, and shotguns. Neither one of us gave it much thought at the time.

Of course I never gave it much thought when I got lost and decided to ask someone at a nuclear power plant for directions but no one was home. I was thinking they need to increase security at some nuclear facilities. That was before 911. It was a holiday. Kind of like our national borders are now letting kids and everyone else walk through, no questions asked.

dallas,

I've done the post office thing a few times. Carried on a university campus.

The best was a friend of mine that asked if I would ride my Harley to her elementary school for the kids to see it and I think, to use me as a bad example. :) One of those career day sort of things. Anyway, I had been on the school grands for about 1/2 an hour when it dawned on me I had my weapon. I casually called her over and very quietly informed her. BTW, I met her at a turkey shoot which she won. No stranger to weapons herself. She said not to worry and ended the event quickly. I then hopped on the scooter and scooted out of there!

dallas,

I forgot, you also stated, "*** -concealed weapons are not legal in Mississippi - * BARS.". Can I assume you are saying that you can't open carry in a bar? In Florida, the law is vague when it come to that, at least in "legalese" terms. I've ask officers and even wrote to the State head of the department that issues the permits to clarify the statute for me. No response. I read it that you can't sit at a bar carrying, but if the bar is in a restaurant, then you can. I don't worry about either.

On another front, pretty much everyone that knows me also knows I carry. And a lot of the punks that hang around the same places I do know as well. Suffice it to say, they don't mess with me. Even had one guy getting nuts and I said let's take this outside and not mess up the place. He wouldn't go. Said I'd shoot him in the back. I replied, if I ever had a reason to shoot you, rest assured, you'd see it coming. He was also involved the one time I had my weapon drawn and ready to use. And my son was ready as well.

While I'm all for the right to bear firearms etc., I just don't understand the need. Or the desire, or whatever it is.

I mean, really, how many places in the US does a private citizen really need to carry a firearm? I just don't see the need.

Personally, I suspect it's similar to the need that some people have to own rottweilers and other dogs who will rip your face off while they chew on your nuts. And I think it comes down to fear. Some people are just so freaking afraid of everything that they acquire killer dogs, and carry firearms, etc.

In all my years I've never needed to own or carry a firearm in public. And I think that's generally I'm not a fearful guy.

^^^ do you get anything? Ever?

Clubber, in many states with concealed carry laws it is illegal to carry in bars or nightclubs (open or concealed) - Mississippi was one of them when I was "temporarily detained." I don't know if that has changed. In Georgia the law just changed and the bar owner can decide whether weapons carry is allowed (it was prohibited).

I know about your problem with the FL statute. I asked a FL State trooper (who was hanging around a highway rest stop) about that a few years ago. His opinion was the Legislature doesn't want to address the vague language because it could become an "election issue" regardless which was a state Rep or Senator votes. He also said that, generally, no one attempts to "enforce" the statute - even in bars - unless there is another reason for an arrest - then they just add the illegal carry charge.

I now carry a Ruger SR45 holstered in the small of my back. Even though it is a larger weapon it is not really noticeable and only family and a few friends know I carry. The position and the holster make it so comfortable that I don't think about it any more than I "think about" the shoes I am wearing. That's good - and bad. Like you, most of my "Uh Oh" situations have occurred because I wear a weapon as often as I wear socks.

I've heard lots of good reasons for not telling ANYONE that you carry (other than a police officer at the appropriate time). Stories of idiots in a bank robbery asking their CCW friend if they had their gun in front of the robbers, of people making jokes in stores about "look out, they might have a gun". People are stupid about it so it's best just to keep your mouth shut about it.

Jerikson....you've been lucky to never need one...that's great...plenty of dead people, rape victims, and robbery victims out there that had vastly different experiences though.

Man with concealed gun asked to leave Salina movie theater
The Associated Press
Published Wednesday, July 16, 2014, at 6:28 a.m.
Updated Wednesday, July 16, 2014, at 6:49 a.m.

SALINA, Kan. — A man with a legal concealed weapon was asked to leave a Salina movie theater after other customers complained.

Salina police Capt. Mike Sweeney says officers went to the Central Mall movie theater Tuesday when the man became upset when he was asked to leave. The theater reports other customers asked for their money back before the man was asked to leave.

Sweeney says the man had a concealed carry permit and was upset the theater had no signs banning guns. The man cooperated when officers explained that businesses are allowed to refuse service to anyone.

The Salina Journal reports (http://bit.ly/1qGvua9- ) an officer saw the outline of a small handgun in a holster under the man's shirt.

Sweeney says the man didn't threaten anyone and no charges are being pursued.

Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/2014/07/16/3555078…

I have a simple response to retail businesses that do not allow weapons carry - I don't go there. Any retail business (in states that allow carry) has the absolute right to allow or disallow weapons. I respect their rights. I also believe that everyone is safer shopping in a business that allows weapons carry, so I will no disarm myself to go someplace less safe!

How do you know who has a legal permit to carry from the crazy that wants to shoot up the place?

"Man with concealed gun asked to leave Salina movie theater"

"The theater reports other customers asked for their money back before the man was asked to leave."

Even in America, money trumps second amendment rights :-P

Nothing about what happened in that theater was a 2nd Amendment issue. The theater owner's property rights trump the gun owner's right to enter private property not his own.

Shadowcat, the business owner doesn't know. The crazy that wants to shoot up the place doesn't care whether the owner allows weapons carry or not - the crazy will come in with a gun, regardless what a sign or law says. But an owner who allows concealed carry may also have a legitimate, gun toting citizen, in his place who could stop the crazy.

Plus, recent crime stats indicate most crazies tend to avoid places where armed citizens or police may be able to stop them. Note that ALL the multiple shootings on national news in the past decade happened in "gun free" zones like schools and colleges. Note also that "gun free" cities like Chicago see the most gun murders.

"Jerikson....you've been lucky to never need one...that's great...plenty of dead people, rape victims, and robbery victims out there that had vastly different experiences though"

Really? That's sounds like a reasonable statement, but how often do you see a news report of someone who is carrying a firearm and successfully uses it to prevent or end a dangerous situation? Yeah, occasionally you see a surveillance cam footage of some guy in a 7-Eleven shooing away a potential robber with a shotgun. But really, how often does 99% of the population need it? Seriously.

I don't know. It seems to me to be a bit of the same mentality as the guys who constantly prepare for armageddon by building safe bunkers in the back yard with 6 months supply of Spam. Relax guys. Life isn't really as dangerous as you might think. I've been around for over 50 years, been all around the world, even in some very "dangerous" cities in SE Asia that make US cities look tame, but never have I had a problem. I frequent South Central LA strip clubs fairly often, and aside from the rhetoric it's really not that dangerous if you use your head.

Or maybe it's the "use your head" part that is the problem...

dallas702: Chicago has so many murders because we have so many guns. There are more guns in Chicago than people! This is because a couple miles away in IN you can by a sack full of 'Saturday Night Specials' with no background check at gun shows, and this is what the gun runners do.

dallas,

"Like you, most of my "Uh Oh" situations have occurred because I wear a weapon as often as I wear socks."

The socks reference made me laugh. I only wear socks with my boots when on the bike. My other shoes are deck shoes and they are, of course, sockless. :)

I guess the belt bag for weapon and socks go hand in hand for my bike.

Dallas - My point is how do I know? Suppose I am in a grocery store and I accidently see a person carrying a gun. I have no way of knowing if he has a legal permit to carry or if he is a crazy and that makes me nervous.

Interesting note follows...

A business can allow or not allow weapons. That's just fine.

A business wants to allow smoking. NOT a f$%#ing chance!

A business wants to ban certain people. NOT a f$%#ing chance!

A business (in NY) wants salt on their table and to offer 32 oz. sodas. NOT a f$%#ing chance!

I'm sure someone could come up with a multitude of similar instances.

Clubber,you are John Wayne,Clint Eastwood and Rock Hudson all wrapped up in one.Enjoy your fifteen minutes.

sc,

You don't know and no one ever has. I'll tell you one thing, if I were somewhere and that crazy pulls out a gun and starts shooting, I hope EVERYONE with me is armed!

I recall someone saying many years ago, to stop airline hijackings, have everyone armed. I know it was tongue in cheek, but there is some truth there.

Of course, carrying a weapon is not for everyone.

Rock Hudson?? Hmmm....

I agree with Clubber. A business can't discriminate against people, but they can enforce a dress code. Not packing heat is part of the dress code. I know I'm less safe with a gun than without one, so I would never consider carrying a gun, even in a bad neighborhood.

rock,

"I'm less safe with a gun than without one...".

Please explain your logic to us that do carry on this one.

Uncle Sam used to pay me to kill people and I was glad to have a weapon to do it with. As a civilian I stay out of danger mainly by positioning and if I carried I would have killed way too many rude jerks already. Man, do I have a temper! I am ,and you are, safer with me not carrying than carrying.

bvino,

As I stated above, "Of course, carrying a weapon is not for everyone." Any rational person would understand that.

Shadowcat, Clubber nailed it! You don't know! You might be less nervous if you take the circumstances into account. Is the armed individual shopping, relaxed, reasonably dressed - or is the gun carrier wearing a hoodie, tense, constantly looking around. Situational awareness is always important and whenever you notice something isn't just right, close observation of the situation is important.

If the guy in the grocery store is carrying that gun in his hand - I suggest that it is time for you to find an exit far from the gun. If you saw the gun in a belt holster, only because the wearer of that holstered gun bent over to get something off the bottom shelf, then odds are you are looking at a licensed concealed carry or an off duty cop.

rockstar666, you hit a nerve with your "bought at a gun show" comment. I an so tired of that blatant lie! Every retail sale of a firearm in the United States MUST be between a licensed gun dealer and an individual US citizen who is buying for himself and has passed a background check. EVERY retail sale INCLUDES sales at gun shows! The story that someone can easily or legally buy guns from vendors at gun shows without a background check is a LIE.

The gun shows will not rent space to vendors who can't show a current FFL (Federal Firearms License). FFL holders spent a lot of time and money getting the FFL and usually they don't want to go to jail, so they obey the law. All gun sales, by every vendor at every gun show in the US are completed only after the buyer presents valid - current state issues picture ID, fills out the required federal form and passes the required background check.

Some individuals (not vendors or in any way connected to the gun shows) do offer weapons for private sale outside gun shows, but I doubt your supposed Chicago shooter will want to pay $8,500 for a Colt .45 built in 1887 or $9,500 for a Springfield Armory 0.66 caliber flintlock or even the paltry $950 a seller may ask for a Springfield model 1903 bolt action WWI military rifle. Private sales, of any personal property, is legal when between any two individuals who are not otherwise prohibited from buying or selling the specific property,

The Chicago gang-bangers are buying and selling stolen guns - not buying at gun shows. Some of the guns recovered from criminals in Chicago include; weapons that Holder's DOJ sent across the Mexican border in Fast and Furious, weapons stolen from an Illinois police lockup, and handguns stolen from an Iowa National Guard Armory.

Sorry for the long rant, but DAMN, enough is enough with the Bloomberg lies!!!!!!!!!!!!

dallas,

Well stated!

Alright guys, what's up with the "belt bag?" Y'all mother fuckers are really sporting the fanny packs aren't you?

gsb,

Better than having it fall to the ground when I am on the bike. Hits the ground, it might shoot me, and being shot ain't fun!

gsb,

I ain't wearing no gawldarn stinking fanny pack. It's a holster, darnit! It's just disguised to look like a fanny pack. Dang son, don't you know nuttin? An yes, them are black cotton socks I'm wearing with my sandals, but only 'cause I'm trying to blend in with the youngsters.

Seriously, I have seen "activity" or "jogging holsters" that do look suspiciously like the '80's fanny pack resurrected. I'm not sure they are any less nerdy than the "Sneaky Pete" holsters that look like belt holders for a tablet or large smartphone. But OTOH, if concealed is the intent, how many nerds will be suspected of carrying?

I know I bought mine the same place I bought the carry pistol. Didn't see anything there that wasn't gun related.