To carry or not...

[ID_shooting]

OK, this is not starting an illegal immigration debate, I am merely using it as the real-world example of the dilema I am in.

That out of the way, here we go.

Last weekend there were massive demonstrations put on by the pro-illegal immigration side. I tend to be on the Anti side and wanted to join a counter protest. I called my buddy and asked him if he wanted to go, he tends to avoid confrontations at all costs (normally a good thing) and said he would drive by to see but had no intrest in getting involved. He did bring up a good point worth discussing...

If you attend a protest, pro or con, do you carry? At first I say yes, you would be dumb not to in case things turn violent, but then as I thought about it, if I did have to drop somone who got violent with me and did somthing dumb like pull a knife or had a gun, how far of a leap would it be for a DA or civil lawyer to say that you were there to hurt somone or to be confrontational and end up in deep doo doo.

What do you think?

 

[Frandy]

Not in NC, you don't (see specifics). Unless you want to flout the law:

4. EVENTS OCCURRING IN PUBLIC PLACES
North Carolina law further makes it unlawful for any person participating in, affiliated with, or present as a spectator at any parade, funeral procession, picket line, or demonstration upon any public place owned or under the control of the State or any of its political subdivisions to willfully or intentionally possess or have immediate access to any dangerous weapon. Persons exempted by the provisions of G.S. 14-269(b) are not bound
by this prohibition. These persons are set forth in Paragraph III. A. of this publication. A concealed handgun permit does not allow a permittee to carry a weapon in these areas.

 

[2lucky]

If you have good judgement and you know how to use it, you should carry. I would certainly avoid any heated exchanges at the protest. If someone flashed a knife at me at a protest, I would retreat, if possible, and point them out to the nearest cop.

Regardless of the circumstances, I would put the odds at greater than 50/50 you would draw a civil lawsuit if you shot someone at the protest that didn't have a gun AND you have a reasonable net worth or an insurance policy a personal injury lawyer could "get a bead on".

Your question is too general to speculate as to what position the cops and DA's office might take.

Given the above post it would be prudent to first check your state law.

 

[Thefabulousfink]

I would bring it (assuming it was legal to), but I would be even less likely to use it than I normally would. These protests are very crowded, and any shot fired is going to hit somebody and chances are it wont be the BG. As 2lucky said, I would retreat from any aggressor. If someone pulls a knife or a gun in a crowd like that two things are going to happen, everyone is going to run, or people are going to tackle and restrain him.

I'll have the gun for protection to and from the protest, but at the protest I would not use it. If a DA tries to say I brought the gun because "I was looking for trouble" I would say "I have a CCW, I carry a gun every day, why is that day any different?"

 

[Double Naught Spy]

So you are going to a protest/counter protest where both sides feel strongly about the issues and there is a very real chance for violence. Do you carry? If carry is legal for the situation, then I would think the answer would be a no brainer. If you are knowing going into a situation where conflict might erupt (which is sort of counter-intuitive to self preservation), why would you not bring along tools to help keep you safe?

 

[MrTuffPaws]

This is a situation that could easily end badly. You are basically stating that you have made the decision to go into a situation that can escalate out of your control. If you pulled a gun, even in self defense, you are going to start a riot, and I would hate to be your lawyer.

If you carry, not only are you taking the responsibility to carry a weapon and use it to defend yourself, but you are also taking on the responsibility to actively avoid situations where things could easily escalate.

Leave the gun at home and take a sign. If you don’t want to be unarmed, then stay home and write a letter to your congress critter.

 

[Jeff White]

One hard and fast rule about staying out of trouble is to avoid places where trouble is likely. Sometimes you can't do that. But in your case, you are making a concsious choice to go into a very emotionally charged situation.

I would recommend against carrying a weapon of any kind. Any time there are demonstrations and counter demonstrations there will be a heavy police presence and they will be watching both sides to maintain the peace. If an officer makes you, you are likely to be detained and if there are local ordnances or state law about CCW during a demonstration, you will most likely be arrested. Even if you aren't arrested you're liable to give the side you're counter demonstrating against plenty of propaganda material to use against your side.

If the demonstrations and counter demonstration turns violent, you are stuck in a crowd with a live weapon and I don't know of any level III CCW rigs to carry it in. Makes for an interesting weapons retention problem. You're probably going to walk through the crowd with your strong side elbow locked down over the butt of your weapon. If someone in the crowd makes makes you, you could be the cause of the riot.

I say if you feel that strongly about the issue that you must counter demonstrate, leave your weapon at home.

Jeff

 

[ezypikns]

AS THE LICENSED CARRIER OF A CONCEALED WEAPON....

you have a RESPONSIBILITY to AVOID trouble. That's IT.

 

[ball3006]

Ditto....

what Ezypikns said.........chris3

 

[Biker]

I disagree with the 'not carry' camp.
a) It's your *right* to both demonstrate and protect yourself.
b) You would be a fool not to.

These demonstraters will turn violent in time.
Do we cower and keep our teeth together because we fear the demonstraters and LE?
I say no.
Project your message and protect your person.
This is still America...
Biker