# Don't Ask Any Questions In Kalamazoo! \[off-duty cop wishes he could carry a gun in Calgary\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 9, 2012, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-ask-any-questions-in-kalamazoo-off-duty-cop-wishes-he-could-carry-a-gun-in-calgary/630996 "2012-08-09T19:57:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Rudiger\_Simpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@Rudiger\_Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rudiger_Simpson)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-ask-any-questions-in-kalamazoo-off-duty-cop-wishes-he-could-carry-a-gun-in-calgary/630996/41 "2012-08-10T18:12:09Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Oh, and I did not mean to cast aspersions on AMERICANS, of course. I am casting aspersions on Kalamazoo, a place most Michigan residents will tell you is a hellhole. Sooooo, you’ve whittled it down to casting aspersions 75,000 people at a time? You’ve had ~5 million people tell you that Kalamazoo is a hellhole? ---
**Author:** ![Simple\_Linctus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-ask-any-questions-in-kalamazoo-off-duty-cop-wishes-he-could-carry-a-gun-in-calgary/630996/42 "2012-08-10T18:15:11Z")
hahahahahahahahahahahahahhaahahahahahahhaah that’s fantastic I could easily imagine that happening over here too. Still I would have thought an American who managed to leave the lower 48 would be a bit more culturally aware than that? ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-ask-any-questions-in-kalamazoo-off-duty-cop-wishes-he-could-carry-a-gun-in-calgary/630996/43 "2012-08-10T18:16:23Z")
[Pssst…](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=661538) ---
**Author:** ![Crab\_Rangoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Crab\_Rangoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crab_Rangoon)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-ask-any-questions-in-kalamazoo-off-duty-cop-wishes-he-could-carry-a-gun-in-calgary/630996/44 "2012-08-10T18:18:56Z")
Next thing you know, people will want to shake his hand when they meet him - I wonder if he’ll have to shoot them to protect himself. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-ask-any-questions-in-kalamazoo-off-duty-cop-wishes-he-could-carry-a-gun-in-calgary/630996/45 "2012-08-10T18:34:30Z")
Hmm, I guess if you’re a moderator, you’re exempt from descriptive thread titles. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-ask-any-questions-in-kalamazoo-off-duty-cop-wishes-he-could-carry-a-gun-in-calgary/630996/46 "2012-08-10T18:35:16Z")
> [@Rudiger\_Simpson](#): > > Sooooo, you’ve whittled it down to casting aspersions 75,000 people at a time? You’ve had ~5 million people tell you that Kalamazoo is a hellhole? Dude, that was a joke. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-ask-any-questions-in-kalamazoo-off-duty-cop-wishes-he-could-carry-a-gun-in-calgary/630996/47 "2012-08-10T18:35:48Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Hmm, I guess if you’re a moderator, you’re exempt from descriptive thread titles. 🙂 I have added info the the title of the merged thread to make it clearer what the topic is. **twickster** , MPSIMS moderator ---
**Author:** ![Marconi\_N.Cheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Marconi\_N.Cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marconi_N.Cheese)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-ask-any-questions-in-kalamazoo-off-duty-cop-wishes-he-could-carry-a-gun-in-calgary/630996/48 "2012-08-10T18:40:59Z")
“The Stampede” is the biggest rodeo in the world and it ain’t got no gun-totin’ allowed? That’s not a rodeo, that’s a Rodeo, as in Drive. No wonder Walt (can’t have fun without mah gun) Walawa was suspicious of those young lads! ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Doom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Dr\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Doom)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-ask-any-questions-in-kalamazoo-off-duty-cop-wishes-he-could-carry-a-gun-in-calgary/630996/49 "2012-08-10T18:46:05Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > A > B > C > D > E > F > G > H > I… got a gal > In Kalamazoo. > I don’t mean to boast, > But I know she’s the toast > Of Kalamazoo. Almost as good as an Iowan Gal? ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-ask-any-questions-in-kalamazoo-off-duty-cop-wishes-he-could-carry-a-gun-in-calgary/630996/50 "2012-08-10T18:47:10Z")
> [@Marconi\_N.Cheese](#): > > “The Stampede” is the biggest rodeo in the world and it ain’t got no gun-totin’ allowed?\ Now, that’s not true - the cops at the rodeo all have guns. And there are A LOT of cops there! ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Doom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Dr\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Doom)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-ask-any-questions-in-kalamazoo-off-duty-cop-wishes-he-could-carry-a-gun-in-calgary/630996/51 "2012-08-10T18:57:47Z")
I wish I could care that some cop from Michigan needs his gun on him at all times. I actually find more telling the fact that he felt compelled to write a letter to the newspaper about it. I hope he’s reading the reader responses, what was he thinking? This is CANADA, dude: relax. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-ask-any-questions-in-kalamazoo-off-duty-cop-wishes-he-could-carry-a-gun-in-calgary/630996/52 "2012-08-10T19:00:51Z")
I remember one occasion where I turned on the television and a strange man asked me “Are you ready for some football?” in a very belligerent fashion. I thank the Lord Jesus Christ that I happened to have a board with a nail in it nearby, or else I don’t know what would have happened. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-ask-any-questions-in-kalamazoo-off-duty-cop-wishes-he-could-carry-a-gun-in-calgary/630996/53 "2012-08-10T19:01:04Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Now, that’s not true - the cops at the rodeo all have guns. And there are A LOT of cops there! I _hope_ so. All those Canadian Cowboys. _Shudder._ 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-ask-any-questions-in-kalamazoo-off-duty-cop-wishes-he-could-carry-a-gun-in-calgary/630996/54 "2012-08-10T19:09:51Z")
> [@Dr\_Doom](#): > > I wish I could care that some cop from Michigan needs his gun on him at all times. > > I actually find more telling the fact that he felt compelled to write a letter to the newspaper about it. I hope he’s reading the reader responses, what was he thinking? > > This is CANADA, dude: relax. That’s right - we don’t _ask_ you before we start beheading and cannibalizing you. Sheesh. > [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I _hope_ so. All those Canadian Cowboys. _Shudder._ > > 🙂 I think you mean, “MMmmmmm.” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-ask-any-questions-in-kalamazoo-off-duty-cop-wishes-he-could-carry-a-gun-in-calgary/630996/55 "2012-08-10T19:32:22Z")
I’m with the cop in the article. I do not like to go \*anywhere \*unarmed. I feel naked without my 9 mm on me. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-ask-any-questions-in-kalamazoo-off-duty-cop-wishes-he-could-carry-a-gun-in-calgary/630996/56 "2012-08-10T19:37:18Z")
I hereby propose a law forcing him to change his name to Moe Ron. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-ask-any-questions-in-kalamazoo-off-duty-cop-wishes-he-could-carry-a-gun-in-calgary/630996/57 "2012-08-10T19:37:28Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > I’m with the cop in the article. I do not like to go \*anywhere \*unarmed. I feel naked without my 9 mm on me. Maybe you should try wearing clothes. Not only will they help with that nagging “naked” feeling, they’ll make concealing your 9mm much more comfortable. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![the\_Lady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bb73d2/32.png) [@the\_Lady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_Lady)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-ask-any-questions-in-kalamazoo-off-duty-cop-wishes-he-could-carry-a-gun-in-calgary/630996/58 "2012-08-10T19:40:19Z")
> [@Raygun99](#): > > Self-satisfied hand-wringing is kind of Naomi Lakritz’s bit. Kind of? I don’t read her editorials anymore - they were making me stabby. ---
**Author:** ![Chicagojeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@Chicagojeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicagojeff)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-ask-any-questions-in-kalamazoo-off-duty-cop-wishes-he-could-carry-a-gun-in-calgary/630996/59 "2012-08-10T19:41:19Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Some cities require off duty cops to carry a firearm. I suppose it becomes a habit. Where is this? I never carry on vacation.. and I’ve never heard of this.. I remember their was some controversy about carrying off duty in New York.. they were threatening to arrest New Jersey officers.. The cop.. well that’s why you can’t take my co-workers anywhere.. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-ask-any-questions-in-kalamazoo-off-duty-cop-wishes-he-could-carry-a-gun-in-calgary/630996/60 "2012-08-10T20:02:02Z")
Pity that people have to arm themselves when they go to the movies in the USA, like[this fellow](http://www.woio.com/story/19213517/man-arrested-with-backpack-full-of-weapons-at-movie-theater)who armed himself to protect himself from other fellows like him, who in turn armed themselves to protect themselves from others . . . . It’s a pathetic vicious cycle that I do not want to see started here in Canada. > [@](#): > > An off-duty officer and movie theater manager confronted Smith because he was acting suspicious. Smith opened his backpack without a fight, and revealed a Glock 9mm handgun and three knives. Smith does not have a concealed carry permit. > > Police say Smith was seated in the last row of the theater with his back against the wall. That’s what police call a tactical position. > . . . . > > Medina attorney Matthew Bruce, who represents Smith, said his client, who peacefully surrendered to police, had no plans of harming anyone. He said Smith’s weapons were for his protection only. > > A search warrant was executed at Smith’s home late Monday. Officers found more weapons, a gas mask, tactical vest and more ammunition. Or it could be he was not armed simply to protect himself, but instead was yet another nutter who had easy access to a handgun in a country awash with handguns. Either way, I want no part of it bleeding over into Canada. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-ask-any-questions-in-kalamazoo-off-duty-cop-wishes-he-could-carry-a-gun-in-calgary/630996.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-ask-any-questions-in-kalamazoo-off-duty-cop-wishes-he-could-carry-a-gun-in-calgary/630996.md?page=4)