On a private forum I belong to, someone had the stupid idea of starting a thread about concealed carry. (This is not a gun forum, it's a fraternal group forum. But somehow every fraternal forum I've ever participated in ends up with a gun thread. Go figure.) And naturally, some people started spouting stupid shit. A member from Texas wrote:
[I]t has been my impression that most persons seeking a concealed carry license are Billy the Kid "wanna bes" rather than people with an actual need.
This guy should go to work for the Brady Campaign as a spokesman, or writing press releases.
A member from Louisiana wrote:
My concern is the feeling of invincibility that can come from carrying a gun. "I have a gun in my pocket and I'll blow away anyone who comes near me."
While "the people I know" is hardly a representative sample, still, the people I know who have CCW permits (including myself) don't feel this way at all.
If these people were to actually talk to people in the "gun culture", they would come to understand that we are people just like them. We care about other people, we are incredibly careful with our weapons (google "four rules" sometime), we are conditioned NOT to pull the gun out "just because", and we get madder than hell at news reports about toters who make us look bad by violating the principles of common sense. Since the news media would rather run stories about unlicensed drug lords shooting up poor neighborhoods with illegally-obtained firearms than about the vast majority of responsible gun owners, though, we all seem to get tarred with the irresponsibility brush from time to time. Certainly there are bad apples in the CCW community. But the media tar brushing is largely unwarranted and a sad commentary on how low the media have fallen.
Bottom line: I don't know any gun owner who owns and carries guns because s/he wants to shoot someone. And I'll bet these people don't, either. (If they do, I wish to hell they'd report them to the police before they do something stupid.)
"[I]t has been my impression that most persons seeking a concealed carry license are Billy the Kid "wanna bes" rather than people with an actual need."
The guy has a valid point. Since the CCL has been inacted, I've seen one or two folks get it out of need, the rest simply want to carry a gun, which is their right under the laws of Texas.
I personally haven't carried a gun in a loooong-ass time. Just never felt the urge. Plus, I had to tote one around professionally for so long when I was a kid, maybe I'm just tired of them. I'm definitely nut a gun nut, but I do own more than my share.
With that said, I believe anyone who hasn't committed a felony has the right to carry if they know what they're doing.
But does "simply want to carry a gun because it's my right to do so" translate into "Billy the Kid wannabe"?
I don't think so, and I find that particular characterization exactly the kind of dismissive sniff that the Bradys would toss off.
Okay then. If your average 40 year old person, who's never so much as seen a fistfight, and never been accosted in any way, wants to carry a gun, what other reason could it be for?
Believe me, I'm not saying all of the CCL owners are wannabe's, but it's funny how they love to show me their licenses.
Once again, I don't have an issue with the law, but let's please call a pig a pig.
And technically, in Texas one really doesn't need a permit once they figure out our laws.
Well, I'll agree it's silly to be showing off one's license.
The main reason I have a CC permit is so I can take my gun to the range without having to unload it and place the ammo and the weapon in two separate areas of my car. While there is a lifetime Indiana hunting and target permit, it doesn't make sense to stop there if you qualify for the lifetime CC permit. The process is identical and the only real difference is that the CC permit costs more money.
I can think of only one time I've shown my permit to someone, and that was to my wife when I got it. I can't think of anyone I know who's ever shown me their permit, either. It sounds like something an unserious adolescent would do, kind of like showing off their driver's license when they get it.
But I do have to draw the line at being called a "Billy the Kid wannabe" just because I strap on a gat when I'm going downtown to pick up a couple thousand in deposits from a building in a less-than-desirable neighborhood during Black Expo. That's called reasonable pre-emptive self-defense, in my opinion.
Truth is, most of the time I don't carry. But having the permit at least gives me the option.
Oh, and yeah, you don't really need a permit here, either, as long as you never take your gun anywhere...including to the range.
You'll still probably (not positive) have to unload your pistol at most ranges here. They got tough rules and are fairly strict about em.
Though I don't go often enough to pay any attention to remembering them all.
"I strap on a gat when I'm going downtown to pick up a couple thousand in deposits from a building in a less-than-desirable neighborhood during Black Expo. That's called reasonable pre-emptive self-defense, in my opinion."
No issues there. In fact, I think it would be prudent.
"And technically, in Texas one really doesn't need a permit once they figure out our laws."
Fascinating.
Open carry of a handgun is illegal in Texas with or without a permit, so I'm curious how you figure this.
Who said anything about open carry, Tam? Not me.
Go read up on all of the new Texas gun laws, and then get back to me.
Oh, and Tam. The reasoning behind my earlier statement was simply what I hear from my local cop buddies.
I'm not one of of those religious, know it all, gun zealots and have never pretended to be. I leave that task to others.
I'm familiar with Texas gun laws.
"I'm not one of of those religious, know it all, gun zealots and have never pretended to be. I leave that task to others."
Snippy much?
Fix my sammich yet>
Weak.
Lmao!
What? You wanna argue with me? Pick a fight? Act like you got nuts hanging between your legs?
Give me a fucking break.
Hell, come to my page if ya wanna play that game.
Typical fuckin' broad...
Oh, Dick.
You really don't want to go there.
You have a "page"?
Huh.