# A Bunch of nervous Nellies who don't feel safe eating in a Sonic where they can't carry guns. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 28, 2014, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bunch-of-nervous-nellies-who-dont-feel-safe-eating-in-a-sonic-where-they-cant-carry-guns/689423 "2014-05-28T01:27:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 26
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bunch-of-nervous-nellies-who-dont-feel-safe-eating-in-a-sonic-where-they-cant-carry-guns/689423/501 "2014-07-08T01:20:52Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > You haven’t had much luck trying to pushing back expanding gun laws, but maybe that will change someday. Until that day arrives, I am curious to know what you intend to do when you are forced to look at people lawfully carrying guns in public. I would call the police. It’s not my job to determine whether they are carrying legally; that is up to law enforcement. I’m just being a good citizen; see something, say something, knowwutahmeen? I figure if every citizen called the cops every time they see a gun in public, and every gun owner has to prove he is legal every time he goes out in public, it will subside, one way or the other. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bunch-of-nervous-nellies-who-dont-feel-safe-eating-in-a-sonic-where-they-cant-carry-guns/689423/502 "2014-07-08T03:00:41Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > I would call the police. It’s not my job to determine whether they are carrying legally; that is up to law enforcement. I’m just being a good citizen; see something, say something, knowwutahmeen? I figure if every citizen called the cops every time they see a gun in public, and every gun owner has to prove he is legal every time he goes out in public, it will subside, one way or the other. How many people would _illegally_ open-carry? After enough “man with a gun” calls that turned out to be permit holders, 911 and the police would dismiss reports of holstered firearms as not worth investigating unless there were other circumstances. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bunch-of-nervous-nellies-who-dont-feel-safe-eating-in-a-sonic-where-they-cant-carry-guns/689423/503 "2014-07-08T03:10:47Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > How many people would _illegally_ open-carry? If open carry becomes the norm, why wouldn’t they? > [@](#): > > After enough “man with a gun” calls that turned out to be permit holders, 911 and the police would dismiss reports of holstered firearms as not worth investigating unless there were other circumstances. That is up to them. But I doubt they would dismiss them so easily; kind of a shitstorm that one time they are wrong. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bunch-of-nervous-nellies-who-dont-feel-safe-eating-in-a-sonic-where-they-cant-carry-guns/689423/504 "2014-07-08T03:31:13Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > I would call the police. It’s not my job to determine whether they are carrying legally; that is up to law enforcement. I’m just being a good citizen; see something, say something, knowwutahmeen? I figure if every citizen called the cops every time they see a gun in public, and every gun owner has to prove he is legal every time he goes out in public, it will subside, one way or the other. If it is LEGAL, the police won’t / can’t do anything except get on you for wasting their time and making false complaints. Also, did you forget that thing about Presumed Innocent? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bunch-of-nervous-nellies-who-dont-feel-safe-eating-in-a-sonic-where-they-cant-carry-guns/689423/505 "2014-07-08T04:04:48Z")
Permit holders have nothing to fear. All they have to do is show their papers whenever requested, and they can go about their business. And I’m not worried; if report a man with gun, it is just me doing my civic duty. Nothing false about reporting a man with a gun. See something, say something. ---
**Author:** ![WWhiskey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f9ae1b/32.png) [@WWhiskey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WWhiskey)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bunch-of-nervous-nellies-who-dont-feel-safe-eating-in-a-sonic-where-they-cant-carry-guns/689423/506 "2014-07-08T04:13:47Z")
Kinda like crying wolf! And the bear says, your not here for the hunting are you? ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bunch-of-nervous-nellies-who-dont-feel-safe-eating-in-a-sonic-where-they-cant-carry-guns/689423/507 "2014-07-08T04:18:14Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Permit holders have nothing to fear. All they have to do is show their papers whenever requested, and they can go about their business. And I’m not worried; if report a man with gun. it is just me doing my civic duty. Nothing false about reporting a man with a gun. See something, say something. Quite a few states allow open carry without any kind of permit or license. Just what papers would they show - the constitution? You’d have more basis reporting an expired parking meter, jaywalking,or loitering. Serious question - do you think it’s okay for police to harass or detain a person if there is no suspicion of unlawful activity? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bunch-of-nervous-nellies-who-dont-feel-safe-eating-in-a-sonic-where-they-cant-carry-guns/689423/508 "2014-07-08T04:29:05Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > Serious question - do you think it’s okay for police to harass or detain a person if there is no suspicion of unlawful activity? Of course not; but it is not my responsibility to make that determination before reporting a man with a gun. It is up to the police to determine if probable cause exists for a Terry stop. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bunch-of-nervous-nellies-who-dont-feel-safe-eating-in-a-sonic-where-they-cant-carry-guns/689423/509 "2014-07-08T16:11:46Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Of course not; but it is not my responsibility to make that determination before reporting a man with a gun. It is up to the police to determine if probable cause exists for a Terry stop. I wonder if you live in one of the 20 states that allow open carry with no permit? And while as long as you remain honest in your reporting, [unlike this guy](http://dailycaller.com/2014/06/20/lib-radio-host-mike-malloy-wants-open-carry-advocates-shot-in-the-forehead/), you should be fine, though abuse of 911 is a crime in some jurisdictions. Good luck with those windmills. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bunch-of-nervous-nellies-who-dont-feel-safe-eating-in-a-sonic-where-they-cant-carry-guns/689423/510 "2014-07-08T16:31:34Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > I wonder if you live in one of the 20 states that allow open carry with no permit? Open carry is permitted, but a license is required to carry in a vehicle. Carrying in a vehicle is a misdemeanor on the first offense, and a felony on the second offense. But that still does not make it a crime for me to call 911 and report a man with a gun. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bunch-of-nervous-nellies-who-dont-feel-safe-eating-in-a-sonic-where-they-cant-carry-guns/689423/511 "2014-07-09T02:05:27Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Open carry is permitted, but a license is required to carry in a vehicle. Carrying in a vehicle is a misdemeanor on the first offense, and a felony on the second offense. > > But that still does not make it a crime for me to call 911 and report a man with a gun. Does 911 maintain lists of crank callers? ---
**Author:** ![WWhiskey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f9ae1b/32.png) [@WWhiskey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WWhiskey)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bunch-of-nervous-nellies-who-dont-feel-safe-eating-in-a-sonic-where-they-cant-carry-guns/689423/512 "2014-07-09T10:20:25Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Open carry is permitted, but a license is required to carry in a vehicle. Carrying in a vehicle is a misdemeanor on the first offense, and a felony on the second offense. > > But that still does not make it a crime for me to call 911 and report a man with a gun. That sounds like one of the stupidest laws I’ve heard of today, it would be funny watching you call 911 where I’m from, two guns in that trucks back window,oh two guns in that trucks back window, wait there’s another one, help I’m surrounded by trucks with guns in the back window! ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bunch-of-nervous-nellies-who-dont-feel-safe-eating-in-a-sonic-where-they-cant-carry-guns/689423/513 "2014-07-09T10:45:52Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Permit holders have nothing to fear. All they have to do is show their papers whenever requested, and they can go about their business. And I’m not worried; if report a man with gun, it is just me doing my civic duty. Nothing false about reporting a man with a gun. See something, say something. Your civic duty would be to not waste police resources when you don’t see any evidence of a crime. You’re talking about doing your liberal duty. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bunch-of-nervous-nellies-who-dont-feel-safe-eating-in-a-sonic-where-they-cant-carry-guns/689423/514 "2014-07-09T11:03:19Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Your civic duty would be to not waste police resources when you don’t see any evidence of a crime. The police can decide whether my honest report warrants a response. If they respond, it means my report was justified. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bunch-of-nervous-nellies-who-dont-feel-safe-eating-in-a-sonic-where-they-cant-carry-guns/689423/515 "2014-07-09T11:04:55Z")
> [@WWhiskey](#): > > That sounds like one of the stupidest laws I’ve heard of today, it would be funny watching you call 911 where I’m from, two guns in that trucks back window,oh two guns in that trucks back window, wait there’s another one, help I’m surrounded by trucks with guns in the back window! The law I referred to was regarding handguns. ---
**Author:** ![WWhiskey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f9ae1b/32.png) [@WWhiskey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WWhiskey)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bunch-of-nervous-nellies-who-dont-feel-safe-eating-in-a-sonic-where-they-cant-carry-guns/689423/516 "2014-07-09T11:46:10Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > The law I referred to was regarding handguns. Well it is true that very few people hang their pistols up in the back window even around here, but we still haul them from A to B in our cars/ trucks, not sure how else you’d move them, city bus I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bunch-of-nervous-nellies-who-dont-feel-safe-eating-in-a-sonic-where-they-cant-carry-guns/689423/517 "2014-07-09T12:33:45Z")
> [@WWhiskey](#): > > Well it is true that very few people hang their pistols up in the back window even around here, but we still haul them from A to B in our cars/ trucks, not sure how else you’d move them, city bus I guess. The law here says you can transport handguns in a vehicle if they are unloaded. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bunch-of-nervous-nellies-who-dont-feel-safe-eating-in-a-sonic-where-they-cant-carry-guns/689423/518 "2014-07-09T12:46:01Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > The police can decide whether my honest report warrants a response. If they respond, it means my report was justified. I imagine George Zimmerman felt the same. ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Jocko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uncle_jocko/32/2932_2.png) [@Uncle\_Jocko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Jocko)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bunch-of-nervous-nellies-who-dont-feel-safe-eating-in-a-sonic-where-they-cant-carry-guns/689423/519 "2014-07-09T13:05:42Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I imagine George Zimmerman felt the same. What the hell? There are a lot of pertinent responses one could make to that comment … this ain’t one of them. If Zimmerman had done _what the police told him to do when he called them_ instead of playing Mr. Action Hero and trying to follow/stop/apprehend Martin on his own, Trayvon would still be alive, Zimmerman would be leading a quiet, unremarkable life, and people wouldn’t make smarmy comments with his name in them. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bunch-of-nervous-nellies-who-dont-feel-safe-eating-in-a-sonic-where-they-cant-carry-guns/689423/520 "2014-07-09T13:56:37Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I imagine George Zimmerman felt the same. Then you are obviously unfamiliar with the Zimmerman case. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bunch-of-nervous-nellies-who-dont-feel-safe-eating-in-a-sonic-where-they-cant-carry-guns/689423.md?page=25) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bunch-of-nervous-nellies-who-dont-feel-safe-eating-in-a-sonic-where-they-cant-carry-guns/689423.md?page=27)