Will an firearms editorial put me at risk?

[Girlwithagun]

I have finally finished my editorial on concealed carry that I hope to have published in one of Maryland's newspapers, but now I am having a bad feeling about submitting it. In the editorial, I reveal that I do carry in my own home. Since Maryland is a criminals paradise since we don't have shall issue, I was worried that perhaps my revealing that I have guns might put me at a greater risk for a break-in. My imagination might be going crazy but I am thinking it wouldn't be so hard for someone to look me up in the phone book and wait for me to leave the house. Am I being overly cautious? I really want to get my letter published but not if it would put my family at risk. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Atticus]

"I was worried that perhaps my revealing that I have guns might put me at a greater risk for a break-in."

You (and 80 million or so) others own guns. I doubt if many burglars read the editorial page....and if they do, they are probably interested in bigger scores. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[MikeK]

I wouldn't worry about it. I have an NRA sticker on my SUV and on the front door of the house. I have had some interesting gun discussions with delivery people on occasion. I store target frames near the front of the garage, which is often open. I have had a few pro-gun letters published in the local papers.

Of course I do have a safe. Not that it would stop a professional safecracker, but it will certainly prevent some punk from getting them. When I'm home there's always at least one out of the safe.

If they publish your editorial, please post it.

 

[Leatherneck]

Well, You've sorta compromised security by posting it on an internet forum, dontchathink?

FWIW, i wouldn't sweat it. Presuming your writing shows a fairly pro-gun slane, that would imply that you know and have the will to use it, and i would think that would be a deterrent. Charge on!

TC
TFL Survivor

 

[Smurfslayer]

No, you're not paranoid

Everyone IS in fact, out to get you...

I think your caution is warranted, but perhaps not for exactly the reason(s) you cite... Avoid statements of warning or bravado (bravada in your case?) You could be pegged by acquaintances, coworkers, etc. as a "nut job"... It doesn't take much, and here's how I know...

at a "recent" job, a non resident ccw application got escalated from the reviewing agency, to my company's legal dept. It got kicked to HR, and I got threatened with termination for having any kind of weapon...

My company's contact # was my desk number, these jerks were really trying to make life a little interesting for me. Part of the app was a 'justification' letter. The letter was not factually relayed to my company, but rather....embellished a little, shall we say? I was able to diffuse that situation, but the lesson I drew from it was it's none of my employer's business what I do when I leave, period. It's none of their business what I do on the weekend. Fortunately, I had the foresight to exercise my 'right to remain silent' in that meeting, indicating several times that I wouldn't answer questions not pertaining to work. I did so politely, but thought it better to have them not know the answer, than potentially not like it.

Because of recent unarmed sheeple being murdered by disgruntled and sometimes ex- employees, the HR "professionals" have indicated that people "who have weapons, firearms, or display an interest or fascination with them" are potential risks and should be counseled.

If you're not worried about folks knowing your views, then I don't think your home would be a target in any way... Except for maybe a couple of THR members stopping by to say "Hey GWiG, let's go shooting!"...

 

[Bacchus]

Personally, I wouldn't do it. I'd ask the newspaper to withold my name and address. Is that a possiblity?

 

[Jim K]

You can ask the paper to withhold your name and address; they will do so. But in reality, I think that if it is known that you have a gun in your home you will be LESS likely to be visited by burglars. I have never known one of that type (and I have known a few) who wanted to raise his risk level by taking on an armed householder.

As for employers being antsy, I can understand that, but generally it is better to let co-workers know, over time and in a non-threatening way, that you own guns. If, for example, someone says, "Guns should be banned", or "Only nuts own guns", you can say, "Gee, I own guns, and I don't think I am crazy." By taking a humorous approach, you defuse a situation in a way that no reasonable person would consider threatening.

Of course, if one is the type of person who is constantly in a rage, ranting about the way he is treated, or makes a habit of threatening others, then the fact that he has guns will, and should be, cause for alarm among co-workers and acquaintances alike. And I hope he will recognize the need for treatment.

Jim

 

[sendec]

So the Cleveland Plain Dealer actually did a good thing when they published the names and addresses of CWP holders?



(Sorry, I tried to resist, but my weak will and lack of character made me do it. I blame society )


FWIW, seriously, I doubt there would be a problem. Personally I find anonymous items, (like these forums) to have a credibility problem. If you are writing good material, and believe it, sign your name to it with pride.

Of course, in the past on forums I have used my real name and gotten more headaches.......

 

[Dbl0Kevin]

I really laugh at how paranoid some people on this board are about letting others know they are gun owners. How can we ever expect to get others involved in the shooting sports and become fellow gun owners if we all act like the underground railroad. Hell I've had an NRA decal on every car I've ever owned, have no problems with showing my guns to people who come over, and will discuss the subject of gun ownership, self defense, ccw, etc. with anyone who has an interest. When I leave for the range I don't sneak out at 1 in the morning with a refridgerator box of guns so my neighbors don't know I have guns.....get real. I think some people are way too paranoid for thier own good. There are plenty of guns on the black market that criminals don't have to look at newspaper editorials of pro-gun people to look up their address and then try to steal their guns. That's actually pretty laughable if you ask me.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Many criminals can't read. The vast majority don't read.

 

[ducktapehero]

I am of the opinion that it would make it you LESS likely for problems. Criminals don't want trouble, they are cowards. They want an easy score. Everyone I work with knows I have guns, of course I live in the Ozarks so I know they have guns too.

 

[Spot77]

I would send it, just as I have many times in the past.

Your name and City or town are usually printed. I have NEVER seen an exact address printed.

Besides, an "anonymous" editorial will carry no merit whatsoever.


Heck, we filled out our names and addresses when we signed up to testify at the legislative hearings, didn't we?

I trust street thugs more than politicians

 

[dairycreek]

Dear Girlwithagun:

I have some rather strong feelings about telling folks that I carry concealed. I just have never done it! IMHO carrying concealed is a very special and very private thing. My advice is don't do it. That you carry concealed is YOUR business. Telling others makes it THEIR business. I cannot, for the life of me, think of any single advantage that accrues to you when you tell people that you carry concealed. On the other hand, I can think of lots of reasons not to tell. My recommendation is to not tell anybody that you carry concealed. FWIW - Good shooting

 

[Norton]

I wouldn't sweat it. I've had several letters published in the Capital and the Sun and I have a unique last name that only has 4-5 entries in the whole Baltimore metro phone book (and two of those are Spot77 and my parents).

It's interesting the comments that I get from both co-workers and my wife's co-workers when they see my name on the letters. I just smile and say thanks for reading

 

[spacemanspiff]

i think there is cause for concern. after all, we have always maintained that when a liberal newspaper prints the names of CCW permit holders, it is a 'roadmap for the thugs', right?

our arguments dont gel when we start saying 'criminals dont read'.

while i havent written any editorials, i have had several letters to the editor printed. my name is compromised, and anyone could figure out where i work or even live.

its a risk i was and am willing to take, so long as i am able to have my well thought out opinions published.

 

[Frohickey]

I don't think you have anything to worry about.

The criminals that are out on the streets and on the prowl can't read, otherwise they would have jobs.

The criminals that can read are in Washington, DC.

 

[Spot77]

dairycreek -


We don't have ccw in Maryland. Her letter would be to emphasize her support for bringing it to Md.


However, I think most of us will agree with you.

After all, concealed means CONCEALED, right?

 

[Vern Humphrey]

You did the right thing.

I'd add one more point -- "The right to bear arms is a civil right. The State of Maryland is denying me that civil right outside my own home, and in the process denying me the means of defending myself. Therefore the State of Maryland has assumed an absolute liability for my protection, and if I am killed or injured by a criminal, my family has been instructed to sue the state."

Now, that might not be the law NOW, but at one time segregation was legal in this country. It became illegal when enough people SAID it was illegal.


Vernon Humphrey
Reublican for Congress
First District of Arkansas

 

[GigaBuist]

If criminals wanted to rob a house that they figured had a gun in it at the time the rural countryside would be rife with home invasions. I grew up in a rural area and just about every household had some kind of firearm in it. Usually shotguns. Steal a shotgun, steal a hacksaw (also something just about everybody had) and you've got yourself a nice sawed off shotgun.

It doesn't happen though, and I think we all know why that is.

Everybody I work with (I'm a contractor) knows I own arms. I've got a webpage with my name on it in which I talk about firearms all the time. Heck I post pictures of what I've got in my collection on there. I'm not overly worried that people know I own arms. Maybe I'm foolish though. I was told a couple of weeks ago that the following exchange occured in an executive level meeting at the comapny I contract for by one of the managers.

Exec: "Soo.. when X breaks who do we call?"
Room: Uh, we get a hold of Justin.
Exec: "What do we do if Y happens?"
Room: Uh, we get ahold of Justin.
Exec: "Which one is he? " .. thinks for a minute.. "Oh, the Amish looking guy! Right?"
Engineering VP (doesn't know me personally that much): "I wouldn't say that to his face! He's got a heck of a lot of guns!"
Room erupts in laughter.

One of the permanent developers (somebody that I've known for a while) is a firearms CCW instructor assistant, and another engineer (much older fellow) has a target hung in his cubicle. The Eng. VP is a Viet Nam Vet.. so it would appear that we're not exactly innundated with anti-gun people.

You might get labeled a "right wing nut job" but you wont' get labled "easy target for criminals."

 

[Nathaniel Firethorn]

Go for it.

And observe elementary safety precautions around the house. Trip 'em up. Give 'em reason to believe that there MIGHT be somebody at home. Be inventive. It'd be a good idea to do this regardless of whether you publish the editorial or not.

- pdmoderator

 

[sumpnz]

You do have a gun safe (or some other way of locking up your guns), right??? Put something to the effect of "I carry all the time while at home, and since I'm denied my basic human right to self defense outside the home, the iron is locked in a safe while away from home" into the article. That way all but the most determined of theives will avoid your home (and if they won't after knowing the guns are either on you while home or securely locked up when you're not home what's to stop them?).

 

[harpethriver]

At some point you have to draw the line and stop being paranoid or afraid of being "outed" as a gun owner. If it's not the stigma of being one it's the paranoia over having one. You worry-they win. As long as your guns are safe and properly secured, legal, and you're in compliance with the law (as far as you know) don't worry.

 

[Treylis]

I wouldn't worry. As others have noted, criminals don't usually check the op-eds before breaking into someplace. ;-)