# Americans: so, you walk into a store and spot that everyone is armed **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 5, 2014, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-so-you-walk-into-a-store-and-spot-that-everyone-is-armed/694856 "2014-08-05T11:26:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2014, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-so-you-walk-into-a-store-and-spot-that-everyone-is-armed/694856/201 "2014-08-06T16:45:13Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Do you understand the difference between, ‘Required by Law’ and ‘Permitted by Law’? > > You have airbags and insurance because you are _Required by Law_ to have those things. They are considered to be good things by society. > > You are _Permitted by Law_ to carry a weapon in public. That doesn’t mean that it’s a good idea and, as it turns out more often than not, it’s actually considered to be a bad one. Airbags, at least to the extent my Volvo has, are not required. And I have way more insurance than is required by law. Again, does that make me irrational that I have safety measures above and beyond what is required by law? ---
**Author:** ![eenerms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cdc98d/32.png) [@eenerms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eenerms)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2014, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-so-you-walk-into-a-store-and-spot-that-everyone-is-armed/694856/202 "2014-08-06T16:49:14Z")
Happens here all the time. I wouldn’t have many places to go if I eliminated gun carrying places.( it’s the west what can I say?) ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2014, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-so-you-walk-into-a-store-and-spot-that-everyone-is-armed/694856/203 "2014-08-06T17:08:58Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Airbags, at least to the extent my Volvo has, are not required. And I have way more insurance than is required by law. > > Again, does that make me irrational that I have safety measures above and beyond what is required by law? Maybe. However, more airbags than is mandated by law and carrying more insurance than required contribute nothing towards increasing the risk of an unfortunate accident happening to you or those around you. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2014, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-so-you-walk-into-a-store-and-spot-that-everyone-is-armed/694856/204 "2014-08-06T17:17:42Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > What are we supposed to take from this story? I’ll confess to having added details that weren’t relevant to the OP - sorry about that. But the whole situation started because (like in the OP) someone visited a restaurant where business was proceeding as normal and then noticed that, yes indeed, a number of people were packing heat - and they decided to call the cops about it. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2014, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-so-you-walk-into-a-store-and-spot-that-everyone-is-armed/694856/205 "2014-08-06T18:34:28Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Maybe. However, more airbags than is mandated by law and carrying more insurance than required contribute nothing towards increasing the risk of an unfortunate accident happening to you or those around you. Huh? That makes no sense. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2014, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-so-you-walk-into-a-store-and-spot-that-everyone-is-armed/694856/206 "2014-08-06T18:34:32Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Maybe. However, more airbags than is mandated by law and carrying more insurance than required contribute nothing towards increasing the risk of an unfortunate accident happening to you or those around you. [Moral hazard.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_hazard#Insurance_industry) ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2014, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-so-you-walk-into-a-store-and-spot-that-everyone-is-armed/694856/207 "2014-08-06T18:50:13Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > Huh? That makes no sense. I believe Dr.Deth was suggesting that a gun is a reasonable and rational safety device in daily life. Much like the advantages offered by extra air bags in his volvo. I respectfully disagree. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2014, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-so-you-walk-into-a-store-and-spot-that-everyone-is-armed/694856/208 "2014-08-06T18:57:47Z")
> [@DrumBum](#): > > Just out of curiosity, do they allow loaded weapons at gun shows ? I’ve never been to a show but I would think a vendor selling his wares would not want to risk someone getting injured. No, all the BIG ones I have been to, if you bring in a weapon, they want / will check to make sure it is not loaded. The second table from the entrance is the ammo table with lots of ammo. Assuming all weapons in the room are unloaded is kind of silly IMO but I do notice that there is quick reaction and correction for any incorrect weapon pointing. I would think that most people in a gun show room are fairly gun orientated are aware of what is going on around them. Of course I think all weapons are loaded all the time so my attitude & personal awareness never needs to change. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2014, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-so-you-walk-into-a-store-and-spot-that-everyone-is-armed/694856/209 "2014-08-06T19:29:24Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > I believe Dr.Deth was suggesting that a gun is a reasonable and rational safety device in daily life. Much like the advantages offered by extra air bags in his volvo. > > I respectfully disagree. No. read back a bit, Brother. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2014, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-so-you-walk-into-a-store-and-spot-that-everyone-is-armed/694856/210 "2014-08-06T19:35:14Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > I’d discreetly walk out and never come back. > You have the right to carry and I have the right to go elsewhere, problem solved. This was my first thought. I’m not anti-gun, but I don’t like them and I don’t like being around them. There’s too much stupid out there, and armed stupid terrifies me. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2014, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-so-you-walk-into-a-store-and-spot-that-everyone-is-armed/694856/211 "2014-08-06T19:44:41Z")
Wait, why are all the guns at a gun show required to be unloaded? What if someone tries to rob the place? If it’s rational to not want loaded weapons at a gun show, why isn’t it rational to not want them at a Wal-Mart? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2014, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-so-you-walk-into-a-store-and-spot-that-everyone-is-armed/694856/212 "2014-08-06T19:46:07Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > No. read back a bit, Brother. No. I’ve really lost the will to care about this subject. Nothing new is ever said. Same intractable positions on both sides. So if you’ve said something worth repeating, then repeat it for me. Otherwise I’m outie 5000. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2014, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-so-you-walk-into-a-store-and-spot-that-everyone-is-armed/694856/213 "2014-08-06T19:47:53Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Wait, why are all the guns at a gun show required to be unloaded? What if someone tries to rob the place? If it’s rational to not want loaded weapons at a gun show, why isn’t it rational to not want them at a Wal-Mart? So people won’t fire them. Nobody wants to buy a used gun. Or at least, one that hasn’t been cleaned. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2014, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-so-you-walk-into-a-store-and-spot-that-everyone-is-armed/694856/214 "2014-08-06T19:55:41Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Wait, why are all the guns at a gun show required to be unloaded? What if someone tries to rob the place? If it’s rational to not want loaded weapons at a gun show, why isn’t it rational to not want them at a Wal-Mart? Dealers themselves often may carry a loaded firearm, but all guns coming in or being displayed for sale must be unloaded unless carried by police/security. ---
**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:** [August 6, 2014, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-so-you-walk-into-a-store-and-spot-that-everyone-is-armed/694856/215 "2014-08-06T20:24:28Z")
> [@GusNSpot](#): > > I would think that most people in a gun show room are fairly gun orientated are aware of what is going on around them. That is kind of a scary thought, in light of this: [For The Sixth Time In One Week, Man Shot At Gun Show](http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/01/26/1500431/for-the-sixth-time-in-one-week-man-shot-at-gun-show/): > [@](#): > > Gun activists designated last Saturday “Gun Appreciation Day” in an attempt to highlight their opposition to gun safety laws. The PR stunt proved to be more of an embarrassment, however, when 5 people were shot at 3 different gun shows on Gun Appreciation Day. On Friday afternoon, an Iowa gun dealer closed out the week by becoming the sixth person shot at a gun show. If they are the gun aware people, imagine the risk we take among armed shoppers outside of gun shows? ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2014, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-so-you-walk-into-a-store-and-spot-that-everyone-is-armed/694856/216 "2014-08-06T20:52:17Z")
> [@](#): > > Quote: > Originally Posted by zoid > I’d discreetly walk out and never come back. > You have the right to carry and I have the right to go elsewhere, problem solved. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > This was my first thought. I’m not anti-gun, but I don’t like them and I don’t like being around them. There’s too much stupid out there, and armed stupid terrifies me. I’m walking out with you two, for the same reasons. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2014, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-so-you-walk-into-a-store-and-spot-that-everyone-is-armed/694856/217 "2014-08-06T21:31:40Z")
> [@Orwell](#): > > **That’s how I feel when I see one of those signs at a door indicating that guns are not allowed. Thank you for telling me I am not welcome. I’ll take my business elsewhere, thank you very much.** > > As for the OP, it kind of depends on the store. If it’s a gun store, I’m used to seeing staff with pistols on their hip. Not so much at other stores, but I can’t say it would bother me, though it would be a curiosity. (bolding mine) Are you a gun? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2014, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-so-you-walk-into-a-store-and-spot-that-everyone-is-armed/694856/218 "2014-08-06T21:49:56Z")
I would leave the store immediately. I would go to another store and buy a string of firecrackers. I would then return to the store, find a discreet hidey-hole and light the firecrackers, then get out of the store as fast as I could and head for someplace where I could drink a cup of good coffee and enjoy some news reports about the carnage. ---
**Author:** ![Grestarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grestarian/32/3227_2.png) [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-so-you-walk-into-a-store-and-spot-that-everyone-is-armed/694856/219 "2014-08-08T00:53:30Z")
> [@Evil\_Captor](#): > > I would leave the store immediately. I would go to another store and buy a string of firecrackers. I would then return to the store, find a discreet hidey-hole and light the firecrackers, then get out of the store as fast as I could and head for someplace where I could drink a cup of good coffee and enjoy some news reports about the carnage. :eek: Wait…where does the “Captor” part come in? —G? ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-so-you-walk-into-a-store-and-spot-that-everyone-is-armed/694856/220 "2014-08-08T01:12:20Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > The cops that shop at my store say gas stations tend to get robbed 3 or 4 times a year. Either they’re exaggerating or you live in a very dangerous area. FBI Statistics say there are 400,000 robberies a year and 2.5% (10,000) of them occur at gas stations. There are 121,446 gas stations in the U.S. so the average gas station has 0.08 robberies per year or one robbery every 12 years. Your gas stations are being robbed at a rate 40-50 times the average. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-so-you-walk-into-a-store-and-spot-that-everyone-is-armed/694856.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-so-you-walk-into-a-store-and-spot-that-everyone-is-armed/694856.md?page=12)