Why I carry a gun (Sundance)

[Derringer]

We re-hash it b/c the sheeple are always at work to try and take all aour righs away. Massachusetts and New Jesey are prime examples. You need a licence to purchase long arms and god help you if you have one in your car and it's not hunting season! MA, NJ, CA & NY coming soon to a Wyoming town near you!

[Beulahtrash]

Let me start by saying that I personally know Jackpot and can honestly say that he is certainly not afraid of guns. When we were younger he probably had a greater interest and knowledge of firearms than I did. I must also say that I CC at times, I originally got the CC permit not to carry but incase I was stopped and I had a gun partially concealed and the officer wanted to write up a ticket for a concealed weapon I would be covered. My job prevents me from OC or even CC in some places. I ussually don't CC during the week but often on weekends I do. What we need to realize is that this country has become less familiar with guns for decades now. In the 20's people carried pocket pistols concealed and everyone was very courteous. In the 1800's people openly carried and had quick access to a rifle most of the time. It has taken decades for people to become uncomfortable with the sight of gun openly carried. And it will take a long time for people to become used to it. We need to understand this.

As much as people say I will open carry because I can and that is my right. We must understand that other people will at first be apprehensive to this idea. Given time people will understand that a person who is OC is not a threat because he is letting everyone around him see that he is armed. But until then when people have concerns about OC it is the perfect oportunity to explain that it is legal and that it is not that we have a fear of violence that causes us to OC. Rather it is something we do so that others can bcome accustomed to the idea that people carrying guns are not bad guys but instead people who love their freedoms. I believe it was DTOM who told me the most compelling reason why he OC is so that other people get used to the idea of seeing guns in public without fear. But it is a long road and up until I met some of the FSW people and saw that they were all of good character (as written in the membership form) I would have been in condition yellow at least the first time I saw someone OC. After a current resident sees another OC 2-3 times without incident it is my belief that they will think nothing of it (which I believe is the point Jackpot was trying to get accross). BTW Jackpot I'll take you up on that beer and getting the boys togther again.

Before I met anyone in FSW I knew it was legal to OC but that most people didn't do it, and on private property the owners have the right (same as the right to bear) to ask you to leave. If I saw someone OC, which I never did until recently, it would get my attention. Not necessarily fear but as

[packin_NC_79]

One quick comment here. How many criminals/thugs/gangsters have you ever seen with a gun in a holster on their hip? Me, never. Ok, How many armed robberies, sexual assaults, murders and so on do you hear about? These criminals don't want you to know they have a weapon until they are ready to use it to catch you off guard. Criminals who have been convicted of a felony or certain misdemenors or prohibited from possessing any firearm. Thus, criminals are already breaking the law by having the gun. This should tell you they don't care about yourself or anyone else to begin with. You can be paranoid and stay at home to avoid "strangers" or you can be prepared to protect you family. If you are ill equipt to protect your family and actually rely on someone else to do so(i.e. Law Enforcement) you are a irresponsible father/husband. It has been stated in more than one federal court decision that Law Enforcement does NOT have a duty to protect the individual, but the collective whole. You do have the right, under the 2nd amendment, to arm yourself and be prepared to defend yourself and protect you family. Just remember it isn't what you can see that shoul;d truly worry you, but what you can't see as well as the actions of those people. I personally OC wherever I go. If it is posted no guns, someone else gets the business. Yes violence is a bad thing, but I value my right to life. I hope you do the same.

[bobcat]

Here, here, MG.  Well put.

[packin_NC_79]

And I sure hope no one takes that the wrong way. I'm not trying to bash those who choose to disarm themselves and rely on others to protect them. I know I may seem a little callous, but last weekend two of Charlotte's finest were gunned down by a criminal whom they had been talking to for 10 - 15 minutes. As he walked away, he shot each of them in the back of the head twice with a .22 pistol. If the cops can't protect themselves from the criminals, how can they protect the rest of us. It just seems to me to be an impossible task. If one really wants to shield their children from strangers, keep them at home. Otherwise, take steps to adaquetly protect them.

[bobcat]

NC, what I got when I read your post was conviction of principles.  You'll need that strength in the coming years.

Truly sorry to see you all lose two police officers, particularly like that.  What a cowardly act, shooting someone in the 'back', after befriending them.  Many of those guys are just trying to help.  Hopefully, the murderer was caught and will be prosecuted to the FULL extent of the law.

As tragic as it is, it is a prime example of why we should always be aware of our surroundings and be prepared to defend ourselves...

[packin_NC_79]

In my own opinion here, justice for the two fallen officer and likely many more gunned down across the country will never be served. A needle in the arm is too good for these people and our liberal justice system seems to care more for the criminals than for the victims, their families and even the rest of us. If we brought back hanging, the morning after conviction in front of the courthouse, These people may just think again before killing someone for no reason. I know there are some on death row now who may actually be innocent, but that doesn't make a public execution any less effective. The justice system is responsible for a speedy trial, they are also responsible for an accurate investigation and making sure the one brought to trial is the one who likely committed the crime. 25 years of appeals for a murderer is entirely to many. They should be limited and the punishment carried out asap. Also, criminals should not be allowed to live in a Hilton. They have entirely too many amenities and you would wonder where the punishment actually comes in. It's time to go back to cells with bare walls, bare floors, cots and blankets, no library, no tv, no weight room and no f@#*ing law degree. These folk are in there because the broke the law. If they aren't punished then our laws mean absolutely nothing and this is what it has come down to. People should know that there are consequences to their actions, but this treatment makes them want to get back in after they are released.

[bobcat]

+1, We are in agreement.  I have seen it here (Midwest).