I do not live in fear.
I carry where I can.
I avoid places where I would not feel safe without a gun.
Concealed Carry at Public Events? (Moved from Legal)
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I carry where I can.
I avoid places where I would not feel safe without a gun.
The Night Rider
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With all due respect, not going someplace just because you can't carry a gun there kinda is living in fear.
I misread the quoted portion of this post. I thought @jmr40 said "I won't go where I can't carry." instead of "I carry where I can and don't (carry) where I can't"
My apologies.
That said I still believe that not going someplace based solely on whether or not you must disarm to go there is living in fear.
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Let's say the movie theater had metal detectors (they don't) and I refused to go to a movie because they had metal detectors. That is not fear.
The ocean has sharks in it and I won't get in the sharks food bowl because I'm afraid of sharks (specifically the teeth). That is fear.
I would go to Wal-Mart disarmed multiple times rather than get in the ocean one time, despite knowing that Wal-Mart has the higher risk.
I'm not afraid of being disarmed in Wal-Mart, I just prefer to be armed; I am afraid of sharks (specifically the teeth).
It is not correct to say someone is "living in fear" because they prefer not to be disarmed.
If I was "living in fear" I wouldn't ride a motorcycle, which obviously has much higher risk than sharks the ocean.
The Night Rider
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I saw Jaws when I was 9. I still don't go in the ocean.
IDK. I used to live in Clearwater. I remember hearing somewhere that if you have been in the Gulf of Mexico 10 times you have been within 10 feet of a man eating shark.
That said I'd rather swim in the Gulf than ride a motorcycle in State 19 in Pinellas or Pasco County
I agree. Please see my edited post above.
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The Night Rider
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What about places you would not feel safe with a gun.
Creaky_Old_Cop
member
Concealed means CONCEALED. That's a bit of a cliche, but one I believe in. If you are not breaking a LAW, but merely violating a POLICY then I would always take the choice of having an immediate means of effective self defense at my disposal. I have carried into Diamondback games since my retirement, but just get more creative and carry a Glock 43X in an ankle holster. I don't have a badge and active ID to get me the pass anymore, and It's never been spotted or set off a metal detector. I have gone to concerts at Desert Sky (I don't care what they call it now), and the State Fair....and never got made.
AND...if you ARE breaking a law, then I would assert that if the law violates the 2A, and therefore your RIGHTS, then it is a repugnant law and therefore doesn't apply. Yeah, I am "that guy" but it is a choice YOU will have to make for yourself. I can't make it for you. I will say this though, malefactors with evil intent are only going to be stopped by good guys with guns who can employ them EFFECTIVELY and IMMEDIATELY, and the way I see this country going...the choice to always be armed is a simple one. I feel like I did a lot of good over my career, but I am almost ashamed at what the job has become and how the new officers are being trained.
That said...choose to be SAFE.
AND...if you ARE breaking a law, then I would assert that if the law violates the 2A, and therefore your RIGHTS, then it is a repugnant law and therefore doesn't apply. Yeah, I am "that guy" but it is a choice YOU will have to make for yourself. I can't make it for you. I will say this though, malefactors with evil intent are only going to be stopped by good guys with guns who can employ them EFFECTIVELY and IMMEDIATELY, and the way I see this country going...the choice to always be armed is a simple one. I feel like I did a lot of good over my career, but I am almost ashamed at what the job has become and how the new officers are being trained.
That said...choose to be SAFE.
Zerodefect
member
I enjoy the anonymity if being in a crowd. Being around a surplus if moronic meat sacks has its advantages.
Keep an eye out for exits, concrete cover, weirdos, whatever. If you maintain your awareness, odds are in your favor.
But don't stay too late. You're venerable on the way out, back to your car or bus. Go with the flow, groups of people.
No metal detectors, no entry points, then I carry anyways.
As for sharks. I regularly dive with them. Just like in a large group of people, in the city. Don't look like prey. Don't look weak.
Don't act like a surfer or a spear hunter, or steeple or drunk spring break *****. No different than being around people.
Many sharks are friendly. They don't have to watch their 6 when divers are around. Spotted eagle rays always turn towards divers and circle a couple times. If they get too curious, you can just push them away to remind them that you aren't dying yet.
Most sharks are just an end to suffering.
Keep an eye out for exits, concrete cover, weirdos, whatever. If you maintain your awareness, odds are in your favor.
But don't stay too late. You're venerable on the way out, back to your car or bus. Go with the flow, groups of people.
No metal detectors, no entry points, then I carry anyways.
As for sharks. I regularly dive with them. Just like in a large group of people, in the city. Don't look like prey. Don't look weak.
Don't act like a surfer or a spear hunter, or steeple or drunk spring break *****. No different than being around people.
Many sharks are friendly. They don't have to watch their 6 when divers are around. Spotted eagle rays always turn towards divers and circle a couple times. If they get too curious, you can just push them away to remind them that you aren't dying yet.
Most sharks are just an end to suffering.
Creaky_Old_Cop
member
I think the common sense answer is "don't feel safe anywhere". What I mean by that is..."feeling safe" is akin to not allowing for the possibility, if not the probability, that some kind of shenanigans could jump off anywhere at any time. Look at the increased tempo of riots, mob attacks by urban youths, those ANTIFA wankers, et cetera (though they have been relatively quiet between election cycles, but it's about time for them to start getting paid to misbehave again). I prefer the attitude of "feeling prepared", and truly prepared with actual training and a level of competence with your defensive sidearm that very few gun owners actually achieve. Feeling safe is subjective like Linus' security blanket. Being prepared is an objective reality. Other than my home, I don't "feel safe" anywhere, however I am prepared everywhere.
Shawn Dodson
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As much as I'm loathe to patronize venues that ban weapons, I do enjoy going to a ball game or a concert here and there.
Years ago, I went to the 1st Triggrcon at the Tacoma Convention Center. They had metal detectors. Triggrcon is hosted by Rainier Arms out of Auburn, WA. Had to leave my pistol in the car.
Gunshows usually ban loaded guns or sometimes CCW altogether. I rarely do gunshows.
I usually carry a non-metallic edged weapon, like a CIA Letter opener.
I just ordered BCM's new non-metallic knife but I had to have shipped to a friend's house in Nevada because BCM won't ship anything to Washington after the assault weapon ban was enacted last year.
bravocompanyusa.com
Years ago, I went to the 1st Triggrcon at the Tacoma Convention Center. They had metal detectors. Triggrcon is hosted by Rainier Arms out of Auburn, WA. Had to leave my pistol in the car.
Gunshows usually ban loaded guns or sometimes CCW altogether. I rarely do gunshows.
I usually carry a non-metallic edged weapon, like a CIA Letter opener.
I just ordered BCM's new non-metallic knife but I had to have shipped to a friend's house in Nevada because BCM won't ship anything to Washington after the assault weapon ban was enacted last year.
Regiment Blades Low Viz G10 Non-Metallic
The Low Viz G10 design allows for a straight wrist for a more powerful strike unlike traditional blades that run perpendicular to the forearm.
If I am not safe, in a particular place, without a gun, then, really, I am not safe there while armed with a gun. No matter how well-prepared I may be, fortune may favor an opponent/attacker, at any given moment in time. A firearm is an option, that I can have, and, if I am alert, and fortunate, the firearm can become a factor in the outcome of an event.
I normally go about armed, when and where is it legal to do so. Sometimes, though rarely, I do not carry a firearm, when/where being armed is permitted. Sometimes, I go without a firearm, because it is not permitted to be armed. “Public events” have, largely, just not been my cup of tea, since the days before I could legally carry firearms, but some few such events do still interest me, so, I evaluate carefully, and deal with each situation accordingly. As Zerodefect indicated, attacks generally occur while leaving a venue, while returning to our modes of transportation. Folks leaving an event may well have their minds elsewhere, and alcohol consumption may well have added a level of vulnerability. Plus, it may have become darker, in the case of events held in the evening.
I normally go about armed, when and where is it legal to do so. Sometimes, though rarely, I do not carry a firearm, when/where being armed is permitted. Sometimes, I go without a firearm, because it is not permitted to be armed. “Public events” have, largely, just not been my cup of tea, since the days before I could legally carry firearms, but some few such events do still interest me, so, I evaluate carefully, and deal with each situation accordingly. As Zerodefect indicated, attacks generally occur while leaving a venue, while returning to our modes of transportation. Folks leaving an event may well have their minds elsewhere, and alcohol consumption may well have added a level of vulnerability. Plus, it may have become darker, in the case of events held in the evening.
IWAC
Member
It seems to me the greatest danger at a public event would be injury from other panicked attendees. Attempting to sneak prohibited articles into an event venue is not the best idea. Trampling can be as fatal as a sniper round, and event "security" are generally not that well trained. They would probably be leading the charge out of the venue. In fact, I like to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, but I'm not sure this is not some sort of troll. If I'm wrong? O well! Won't be the first time.
Creaky_Old_Cop
member
You do bring up a good point. Panicked sheeple is a danger in and of itself. People, as a group, are freakin' idiots. There's no arguing that. The larger a crowd gets, the lower the average IQ drops and stupid becomes the lowest common denominator.
The ability to make a critical decision in the midst of a bare, crowd fed panic is gone. Even people who you would consider intelligent and possessed of common sense when things are normal will default to blubbering gobs of goo and run around pulling their hair out and stepping on babies, and pregnant women. It happens.
That you allow for the probability and prepare for it, and make the decision to act BEFORE the area turns into a coffee grinder of stupidity tells me that you're about ten steps ahead of the game.
Here's the rub though...will you try to be the hero and be the savior of the flock, or will you choose your personal safety over the mass that failed to prepare their minds for the possibility of something happening?
There's really no right or wrong answer. It's subjective and is a decision guided by your own moral code. I have been a long time advocate of "save who you can save". You take charge of your immediate area and get people moving to break contact and create separation from the threat, and those who follow you...WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER. Those who don't follow you...well...they made their own bad choice and are eating a week old chicken sandwich from the cooler at 7-11 if they live that long.
I never advocate self sacrifice for people who are too dumb to follow good advice when it comes their way. Now that I no longer get paid to run TO the sound of gun fire, and since I am older, slower, and moving on two replaced knees, and am in ALEVE NOW mode after an IDPA or USPSA event....the truth is, a "run" for me is a jog for a younger person. I'm not "tacticool" anymore, and I am not under the illusion that I am going to be some sort of hero making a 200 yard shot with whatever high dollar wonder blaster they bought, but never trained with, to save the day.
I'm just a man who has some some very good training, still practices, trains, and competes, can still put lead on target, but have no self delusions about being some sort of commando operator. I know I can effectively defend myself, my family, and whoever is willing to listen. I am not going to assist anyone in killing me or my family, and I am not going to win the Bad Guy Marksmanship Award by catching rounds for the sheeple. I am going to prioritize my family, myself, and anyone else who is smart enough to listen to the gray haired old dude who is actually making decisions.
Save who you can save and live long enough to be outside smoking a cigarette saying "Well, that was interesting".
.308 Norma
Member
I agree. That statement kind of gave me a little chuckle though.
Yesterday, my wife and I attended the "Spring Fair" at the "minidome" on Idaho State University campus. And even though concealed carry is permitted (with an Idaho "Enhanced" CCW License) in most places on ISU campus, there are great big "No Weapons" signs (pictures of guns and knives in a circle with a line through them) on the entry doors of the minidome, so right or wrong, my wife and I locked our guns in the truck before we went inside.
What made me chuckle though (and my wife chuckled a bit too) was the fact that we saw at least three different vendors selling kitchen utensils, and each of them had great big ol' butcher knives on display. Furthermore, I didn't see any of the half-dozen or so "security people" (campus cops) wandering around that were paying a bit of attention to those vendors selling great big "weapons" (knives) inside the ISU minidome.
BTW, I bought a new rototiller (I'll pick it up tomorrow or the next day), and I've got someone coming out to give us an estimate for re-roofing one of our storage sheds. My wife bought an agate and some beef jerky. All of the agates, Ginza knives, beef jerky and junk jewelry for sale almost made me feel like I was at a gun show - except I wasn't wearing a gun.
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WisBorn
Contributing Member
I'm a little surprised that there are members that would knowingly break the law. And then feel that they can plead the 2nd as a form of defense.
A few weeks ago I went to Chicago with my wife for a couple of nights. Yes I was a little uncomfortable not having a carry with me. We stayed in the loop in an above average hotel. We parked our car in a parking garage and walked everywhere we wanted to go. We went to a few museums that required walking through metal detectors, and went to a Broadway show that we had to also go through a metal detector. We had a great time. Yes I would have preferred having a handgun with me, but entering any of the buildings that we did would have been breaking the law as they all had the no weapons sign posted.
A few weeks ago I went to Chicago with my wife for a couple of nights. Yes I was a little uncomfortable not having a carry with me. We stayed in the loop in an above average hotel. We parked our car in a parking garage and walked everywhere we wanted to go. We went to a few museums that required walking through metal detectors, and went to a Broadway show that we had to also go through a metal detector. We had a great time. Yes I would have preferred having a handgun with me, but entering any of the buildings that we did would have been breaking the law as they all had the no weapons sign posted.
In Missouri it's not illegal to ignore "no guns allowed" signs, if you have a CCW License.
When you visited Chicago did you bring a handgun with you for the drive down? Or were you completely unarmed?
WisBorn
Contributing Member
I did not have a handgun with me. I didn't want to have to try to secure it in our parked car or the hotel room while we were out of the room.
I am heading back to Chicago in May. This trip is attached to a different destination (the Smoky Mountains). I will have at minimum a J frame with me.
I pass through Illinois about once a year. I have console vault in my vehicle for securing handguns.
If I spend the night in Illinois it comes into the hotel with me.
Creaky_Old_Cop
member
I'm not sure it's drifting as much as it is evolving. There are a lot of parts and nuances to the OPs original question that are coming out. It's still friendly and interesting.