Why do people get offended when pack a pistol in their neighborhood?

[Diamonds02]

So yeah I'm now armed, most of the time. I live in KC and visit StL and Chicago often. I love my friends and family, but some of them live in the redneck boonies or straight in the hood. I'm a small woman, and I can't defend myself with fists. The most logical thing for me to do is carry a concealed weapon. When I arrive at someones house I take it out and place it on a table. That freaks out some people. They tell me it is unnecessary to be armed. Well, I think it is. How do I smooth this issue out?

[Ferret Herder]

You have got to be kidding.

[dngnb8]

No big deal here in AZ. Just as long as when you take it out, you remove the ammunition and round from the chamber.

[friedo]

Don't take firearms into someone's house without permission.

[Mr. Excellent]

You certainly have the right to be armed, if your local laws permit and this is your wish. However: You would absolutely not, under any circumstances, be welcome in my home with a gun. Nor would my dearest friends.

A loaded gun is an amazing dangerous device. You may swear to me up, down and sideways that you have the safety on - but what if you haven't? What if you had too much to drink, and started playing with the damned thing? What if another friend in my home did? What if you forgot the gun when you left? (Remember, I *don't* have a handgun license).

Against these dangers, you might say that you feel you need a gun. Well, fine - but the crime statistics in my neighborhood (SW Washington, DC) strongly indicate you don't. You're free to indulge your fear of crime regardless - but I would consider it amazingly rude if you brought a gun to my home. And if you kept doing it after I told you I felt this way, you'd not be invited back.

Bottom line: Your friends have every right to insist that their homes are firearm-free zones. Either leave the gun at your home, or don't visit them in theirs.

[florez]

Can't you leave it in the car, when visiting?

[Sicks Ate]

Quit taking it out.

[JoelUpchurch]

Since it isn't legal to carry a firearm in Chicago, this is probably trolling.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conceal...tting_policies

[destineal]

If your concealed weapon is so uncomfortable that you have to take it off when you arrive, I'd suggest
A) a different mode of carry
B) a smaller weapon or
C) a small gunsafe bolted somewhere inconspicuous in your car. I have a carry permit, too, but I would never take out my gun in someone's house for no good reason. It seems...in poor taste.

[Scumpup]

If this is a genuine question, which I don't believe to be the case, it has a simple answer. You stated that the weapon is concealed. Keep it concealed.

[runner pat]

"Pardon me while I whip this out."
*screaming ensues*

I wouldn't have a problem with someone with a legal permit to carry. A typical CCW holder is in the upper level of responsible gun handling.

I do wonder why the OP doesn't just leave the gun where it's usually carried.

[Mr. Excellent]

Originally Posted by Scumpup

If this is a genuine question, which I don't believe to be the case, it has a simple answer. You stated that the weapon is concealed. Keep it concealed.

Although - and I think the other posters would agree with me here - if your friends don't want you to bring a gun into their homes at all, you need to respect that. Keeping it concealed isn't a solution if that's the issue - though it *does* solve the problem if they just don't want you whipping it out.

[Joey P]

I'll agree with the others. Keep it concealed (maybe in your purse, they do make purse holsters) or leave it in your car. Taking it out and putting it on the table, especially without permission is all kinds of stupid.
I have guns in my house, I have a concealed carry license. If you did that in my house without my permission, I'd probably ask you to put it away or take it out to your car. Guns scare people, safe or not, they do and you have to respect that or you won't be invited to their house anymore.

[Sicks Ate]

Note to OP re: Missouri CCW law -

You DO need a permit to conceal a firearm on your person.

You do NOT need a permit to conceal a firearm in a vehicle.

Might take that into consideration.

[minlokwat]

You want to pack heat? I don’t have a problem with it. The old line of: “Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it,” has its applications.

But:

Originally Posted by Diamonds02

When I arrive at someones house I take it out and place it on a table.

If your side arm is too cumbersome to bear as some have pointed out, you’re doing it wrong and if your intention is merely to show the blasted thing off, you’re definitely doing it wrong.

[MichaelEmouse]

Originally Posted by JoelUpchurch

Since it isn't legal to carry a firearm in Chicago, this is probably trolling.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conceal...tting_policies

I don't know, but considering some of the threads started by the OP, this question is pretty funny:

Women keep their girlfriends away from me.
Subtle signs that someone is deviant.
Why treat mental illnesses that you don't suffer from?

[destineal]

Originally Posted by Mr. Excellent

Although - and I think the other posters would agree with me here - if your friends don't want you to bring a gun into their homes at all, you need to respect that. Keeping it concealed isn't a solution if that's the issue - though it *does* solve the problem if they just don't want you whipping it out.

I absolutely agree. If I know that someone is anti-gun I won't carry in their house. I haven't had that conversation with many of my friends, though, and no one besides my SO knows that I carry.

[Bob Ducca]

Originally Posted by runner pat

I wouldn't have a problem with someone with a legal permit to carry. A typical CCW holder is in the upper level of responsible gun handling.

Given Diamonds02's posting history on this board, I don't expect her to see her anywhere near that upper level.

[Joey P]

Originally Posted by Sicks Ate

Note to OP re: Missouri CCW law -

You DO need a permit to conceal a firearm on your person.

You do NOT need a permit to conceal a firearm in a vehicle.

Might take that into consideration.

Interesting. In WI, you need a CCW license to even to open carry in a car. Just having a (loaded, within reach) gun in a car makes in concealed.

You don't need a license to open carry in WI, but you have to unholster/unload and put the gun in a case before you get in the car.

[florez]

Originally Posted by minlokwat

and if your intention is merely to show the blasted thing off, you’re definitely doing it wrong.

Where I live in Alaska, some people seem to have a love affair with firearms; many of my SO's friends
are hunters, and have genuine gun pride.
Yet, even though most of these guys carry guns, never once have I seen a visitor/friend pull out a weapon in the manner the OP describes.
If such a thing would have occurred in my home, I would have been very upset.
It seems disrespectful, and maybe the OP is simply seeking attention.....again.

[Ellen Cherry]

Originally Posted by JoelUpchurch

Since it isn't legal to carry a firearm in Chicago, this is probably trolling.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conceal...tting_policies

This is just a reminder, Joel, that accusations of trolling are against the rules. And yes — so is trolling.

[Joey P]

Also, it should be noted, since I just saw the thread title, it's not the 'packing in their neighborhood' that bothers them, it's the unpacking on the kitchen table.

As I said before, I have a CCW and from time to time people will (jokingly) ask me if I'm 'packing' to which I usually reply 'No, but if I was I wouldn't tell you.'

[tdn]

Originally Posted by Joey P

Also, it should be noted, since I just saw the thread title, it's not the 'packing in their neighborhood' that bothers them, it's the unpacking on the kitchen table.

The kitchen table is bad enough, but I was picturing the coffee table. Yikes!

[Diamonds02]

When I'm on foot that's when I need it the most. Something can happen from the time I get from my car to someones house. I.just don't feel safe with that thing on me, so I take it out and place it on the table. The fact that I have a gun isn't much of an issue, it seems they have an issue that I feel the need to protect myself in their neighborhood.

[Zeriel]

As firearms are routinely compared by some people to penis substitutes, I'd like to point out the very few ways in which a firearm IS like a penis:

1) if it's concealed, don't whip it out unless everyone you're with wants to see it
2) don't put it where it's not wanted
3) having one doesn't make you special
4) knowing how to use it appropriately and safely is much more important than its specific attributes

[Zeriel]

Originally Posted by Diamonds02

I.just don't feel safe with that thing on me

Then I don't feel safe with you carrying it.

[MichaelEmouse]

Originally Posted by Diamonds02

. I.just don't feel safe with that thing on me, .

What makes you feel unsafe about having it on you?


Why does putting it on a table make you feel safer?

[Diamonds02]

It's the kitchen table.

[Jaymosch]

Originally Posted by Diamonds02

The fact that I have a gun isn't much of an issue, it seems they have an issue that I feel the need to protect myself in their neighborhood.

No, the fact that while you are in their homes you take your gun out and put it on the table is what they have an issue with. Why is that so hard for you to understand?

[tdn]

Originally Posted by Zeriel

As firearms are routinely compared by some people to penis substitutes, I'd like to point out the very few ways in which a firearm IS like a penis:

1) if it's concealed, don't whip it out unless everyone you're with wants to see it
2) don't put it where it's not wanted
3) having one doesn't make you special
4) knowing how to use it appropriately and safely is much more important than its specific attributes

5) It's at its most useful when stuff comes shooting out of the end.

[Sicks Ate]

Originally Posted by Zeriel

As firearms are routinely compared by some people to penis substitutes, I'd like to point out the very few ways in which a firearm IS like a penis:

1) if it's concealed, don't whip it out unless everyone you're with wants to see it
2) don't put it where it's not wanted
3) having one doesn't make you special
4) knowing how to use it appropriately and safely is much more important than its specific attributes

Originally Posted by tdn

5) It's at its most useful when stuff comes shooting out of the end.

Anybody else gonna make a strap-on joke?

No?

Ok, me neither.

[Joey P]

Originally Posted by Diamonds02

When I'm on foot that's when I need it the most. Something can happen from the time I get from my car to someones house. I.just don't feel safe with that thing on me, so I take it out and place it on the table. The fact that I have a gun isn't much of an issue, it seems they have an issue that I feel the need to protect myself in their neighborhood.

If you don't feel safe with it on you, I can't imagine you could possibly draw it on someone attacking you. I would very strongly suggest you get some serious range time in and take a personal protection class.

Also, if you don't feel safe with it on you, then I really don't want you in my house with it. Not only that, I don't want you unholstering it in my house. You need to practice at home with it unloaded or with some snapcaps and/or with a trainer that can work with you until you feel safe. As I said before, I have my CCW and I have a gun, but like you I don't feel quite safe with it either and for that exact reason I don't walk around with it (yet). It's sitting at home and the only time it's been out is when I've had it at a range.

Again, if you don't feel safe with it on your hip in a proper holster that covers the trigger and concealed under your clothes, I don't want to be around when you're pulling it out and putting it on the table. I can't imagine you're ready to have it out in the company of others.

I would suggest, as I said above, you keep it in your purse, preferably with a purse holster, but at least this way it's off your body. Or skip the gun altogether for now and be aware of your surroundings. See who's out and about before you walk from the door to your car.

[Ferret Herder]

OK, let's break down the messages you are sending, intentionally or not:
- "You live in such a shithole ghetto / hillbilly-infested boonies that I don't feel safe traveling through there or to even walk from my car to your door": outright stated by you in your OP, essentially, so it's intentional.
- "I am going to pull out my gun and lay it on your table to hammer home the above message." Apparently this is not why you do put the gun on the table, but it makes the message obvious to the host.
- "I look like I am going to commit a crime and potentially attract attention to your house if someone sees that I'm carrying." The host may worry that you will appear to neighbors and/or police that you are (illegally) carrying or that you intend to commit a crime and are armed.
- "I have little to no experience in how to deal with a firearm, as I am too afraid to even have the gun concealed somewhere on me when seated." This alone would get you thrown out of my house. I would not appreciate someone telling me that I live in such a dangerous hellhole that they can't travel to my house without a gun, but showing such problems with gun handling and safety would show that you are probably the most dangerous person around at that point.

[Sailboat]

Originally Posted by Mr. Excellent

A loaded gun is an amazing dangerous device. You may swear to me up, down and sideways that you have the safety on - but what if you haven't? What if you had too much to drink, and started playing with the damned thing? What if another friend in my home did? What if you forgot the gun when you left? (Remember, I *don't* have a handgun license).

Also, while some people have good judgment and safe weapon-handling habits, most gun owners are going to handle their weapons with no more skill, conscientiousness and judgment than they bring to any other daily activity. Which, judging from what I see around me every day, is terrifying.

One time, someone giving a firearms-safety demonstration accidentally pointed the gun directly at me while talking, and didn't notice until I pointed it out. Fortunately, it wasn't loaded at the time -- or so this person said, while demonstrating by opening the chamber and discovering a chambered round. The person was too embarrassed to continue the demo.

[MichaelEmouse]

Originally Posted by Joey P

I would suggest, as I said above, you keep it in your purse, preferably with a purse holster, but at least this way it's off your body. Or skip the gun altogether for now and be aware of your surroundings. See who's out and about before you walk from the door to your car.

As you say, if you're so uncomfortablr with guns that you can't stand to have it on you, don't carry a gun. It could easily turn an assault into a murder.

I'll admit that I don't know much about the practical aspects of concealed carry or purses, but isn't carrying it in one's purse a pretty bad place? Purses get stealthily stolen/snatched.

It also seems like reaching into your purse takes longer than reaching into your clothing.

[Joey P]

Originally Posted by MichaelEmouse

As you say, if you're so uncomfortablr with guns that you can't stand to have it on you, don't carry a gun. It could easily turn an assault into a murder.

I'll admit that I don't know much about the practical aspects of concealed carry or purses, but isn't carrying it in one's purse a pretty bad place? Purses get stealthily stolen/snatched.

It also seems like reaching into your purse takes longer than reaching into your clothing.

If she's so uncomfortable with a gun on her hip that she has to take it off because she doesn't feel safe then I'd wager that she's hasn't had enough handling experience with it to reliably grab it from the concealed holster, turn off the safety, (possibly chamber a round) and shoot with any kind of speed or accuracy. Until she's ready to do that, rather then scaring the piss out of people by taking it off her hip and putting on the table, she's probably better off putting in her purse, even if she keeps a hand on it when walking in 'bad neighborhoods'* and then zipping up her purse when she gets to the house and not even mentioning it.

Unless your friends/family are gun people or your talking about guns, they really shouldn't even know that you have it (IMO).

[An Arky]

I firmly support the right to carry legally, but also I firmly believe that people who carry should know what they're doing. Before actually carrying anywhere that you could hurt someone, preferably.

[ZipperJJ]

There are entire countries that don't allow guns in their borders. Why is it so weird to you that someone might not want a gun within their home?

[Joey P]

Originally Posted by Ferret Herder

OK, let's break down the messages you are sending, intentionally or not:
- "You live in such a shithole ghetto / hillbilly-infested boonies that I don't feel safe traveling through there or to even walk from my car to your door": outright stated by you in your OP, essentially, so it's intentional.

For a while before I got my CCW I was reading some gun message boards. Those people seem absolutely convinced that the first time they walk into a store without their gun the store will be held up AND they'll be shot. They write letters and boycott stores that don't allow weapons. They were a good place to get factual information from, but I stopped reading them because I got tired of watching everyone froth at the mouth about having their rights and safety stripped away every time some private business would post a 'no guns' sign.

FFS people, you're not gonna get shot because you don't have your gun, but your sure acting like it. (FTR, this isn't directed at anyone here, I just always wanted to say it)

[purplehorseshoe]

Diamonds, if there are children in the house, then the homeowner definitely has the right to get pissed off.

[Duckster]

571.111. 1. An applicant for a concealed carry endorsement shall demonstrate knowledge of firearms safety training. This requirement shall be fully satisfied if the applicant for a concealed carry endorsement:

-- snip --

3. A qualified firearms safety instructor shall not give a grade of passing to an applicant for a concealed carry endorsement who:

-- snip --

(2) Handles a firearm in a manner that, in the judgment of the qualified firearm safety instructor, poses a danger to the applicant or to others; or

http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/c500-599/5710000111.htm

Why do I get the feeling the OP didn't pay much attention to their required training?

[Alessan]

The OP doesn't have a gun problem. She has a fear problem.

[destineal]

As others have said, if you don't feel safe with your own gun, PLEASE, for the sake of everyone around you, don't carry it until you get some training. If you're that inexperienced, you're much more likely to shoot someone accidentally or have it taken away from you than to protect yourself with it successfully.

[JoelUpchurch]

Originally Posted by Ellen Cherry

This is just a reminder, Joel, that accusations of trolling are against the rules. And yes — so is trolling.

I apologize for suggesting that Diamonds02 is a troll. Since she has admitted to committing a serious crime on this message board, the SDMB needs to report her to the police in Chicago. I'm not sure what kind of civil liability you or the message board might have if you don't report it. That is more of a Bricker question.

Is there any forum rule about confessing to crimes?

[Giraffe]

Originally Posted by JoelUpchurch

Is there any forum rule about confessing to crimes?

Well for one, you should try to avoid using the word "cuntlapper".

[Bob Ducca]

Originally Posted by JoelUpchurch

Is there any forum rule about confessing to crimes?

It's ok as long as you preface it with IANAC*.


* I Am Not A Criminal, natch.

[Kolga]

Originally Posted by Alessan

The OP doesn't have a gun problem. She has a fear problem.

That is not the problem I would have picked her having.

The OP has a history of posting questions about normal human behavior and reactions that are baffling to her. This is merely the latest example of her (claimed) inability to comprehend a completely natural and normal response.

[Skammer]

You've found the perfect way to stay safe, because if you took out a gun and put it on my kitchen table, you'd never have to worry about coming back to my house again.

[billfish678]

Originally Posted by tdn

5) It's at its most useful when stuff comes shooting out of the end.

6 After 5 occurs its quite common for the legal/judicial system to get involved (though often with delays of approximately 9 months).

[River Hippie]

"I wouldn't have a problem with someone with a legal permit to carry. A typical CCW holder is in the upper level of responsible gun handling."


Come to Indiana. They give them to anyone that applies unless the applicant is a felon or certified as having a mental illness. No training or demonstration of skills needed. They are also good for life. No bloodbath though. Most writeups of shootings in the local paper note that the shooter did not have a CCW or was a felon and thereby ineligible for a CCW.

I rarely carry anymore but if I do, I would not just plop it down on the table at someone else's house. I wouldn't even ask unless the person I was visiting was known by me to be a "gun person". I would either secure it in my vehicle or keep it concealed.

I kind of understand how someone could be a little offended that you think the neighborhood they live in, that thier kids play in, is such a violent ghetto that you can't walk from the car to the house without being strapped (unless it truly is, I guess). I live in the city and have worked at places where many of my co-workers lived in little country towns. Many times to hear them talk you'd think crossing the city limits meant entering into a ongoing free fire zone!
I have one friend that comes over, usually on a Saturday afternoon. He locks his vehicle up like Fort Knox and looks out the window to check that nobody is messing with his car. My neighborhood is low budget but hardly merits that type of concern. It irks me a tiny little bit.