Interesting question. Guns are such a non-issue here that I have never even considered this question before. I think I would leave the party; I suppose we should also call the police, since as Northern Piper mentioned, concealed carry is illegal here. Honestly, it’s just Not Done here, like stealing someone else’s shoes at a winter house party.
Really? You mean even the RCMP and the local Constabulary don’t carry their guns concealed when off duty?
Please stick to the OP.
Thank you.
I don’t even know what the gun laws are in the state where I live now. I guess I might want to look that up and see how alarmed I should be at seeing somebody with a concealed weapon at a party.
What? You seriously feel safer knowing some random person you’ve never met before is carrying a gun? Safer from what? The evil random person you’ve never met who also has a gun?
In Texas? I wouldn’t find it uncommon at all. I’d only be concerned if the person was obviously intoxicated.
To clarify (this may be a bit late), I used the word “party” in the OP where I should have said “any social gathering where you’re likely to meet new people.” ‘Party’ seemed a little more concise, but I didn’t necessarily mean a place where alcohol is involved.
Many people seemed upset at the thought that someone would have to carry a weapon to a quiet neighborhood party. “Does he feel so insecure around his friends and little kids that he has to carry that thing? What kind of freak is he??” Think about it: if you only lock your car when you expect it to be stolen, you are going to lose your car. Likewise, if you only carry when you are actively expecting a threat, you are going to be far from your weapon when you need it most, I guaran-damn-tee it. So if you see someone with a license carrying in a place where *you *feel secure, don’t judge. Apparently the large majority of dopers would not even pause to consider whether this was a law-abiding citizen with a proper license; instead it’s, “RUN OUTSIDE AND CALL 911 THERE’S A GUN IN THE HOUSE! A GUN!”
**ATTN ALL: **I called my local Police Department and asked what would happen if someone called to complain about someone else carrying a gun. The police officer stated they would immediately send a unit to question the suspect (he said “suspect” I swear). I bring this up for two reasons:
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If you are ever in this situation, PLEASE stop to ask first, “hey buddy, you got a license for that?” Or just ask someone else who already knows the so-called “suspect.” You could save everyone a whole lot of trouble and embarassment (including yourself).
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If you happen to carry, it would probably be a really good idea to let the host know about it in situations such as the ones discussed above.
I’m not troubled by the gun per se, particularly if I know the person to be trustworthy or in a role that might permit concealed carry.
With someone I knew, I’d ask about it. If we were on campus or the hospital, I’d remind the person that that’s not permitted.
Someone I didn’t know? I’d probably end the exchange when feasible and point the person out to a security officer. I’m not going to ask a stranger if she’s got a permit for a weapon.
Someone acting bizarrely or in distress? If I were at work I’d say, “You know, it’s hard for me to concentrate on how I can be helpful while you’re armed. Would you consider putting your gun in your bag/backpack/over there while we talk?” Thus far, this has been successful.
At a party? Depends what kind. If a quiet dinner, probably nothing. If drinking etc. were involved, probably let the host know and call the police if things seemed out of hand.
I’m not following. Gun + lots of people in a small space = fun? I live in Texas too. I can understand having a gun in your house, in your car, maybe even on the street, but under what circumstances are you going to need a gun at someone else’s? The local NRA meeting, sure, but a regular party where 90% of people are going to get wasted?
And what the hell do you say to the host? “Steve’s bringing a case of Dr. Pepper, should I bring my new Glock?” What do they say?
This kind of thing is why I never host parties.
Well, see, that was my point. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a party where guns are present, per se. But if everyone’s drinking and getting a buzz going on, it’s probably not a good idea to bring firearms into the mix-you dig?
ETA: think of it this way-remember the thread you had about your concealed carry course? With all the dumbasses fooling around? Imagine a big gathering of these kinds of folks.
I don’t know what the regulations are, but having partied and participated in a variety of activities with a lot of cops over a lot of years, I have never noticed any of them carrying off the job.
If I came across a person at a party with a handgun here in Canada, I’d leave and call the cops.
The only time I have knowingly come across a person with a handgun in the USA other than a cop (who knows how many I have not noticed due to concealment), a group of us were enjoying a hotspring far from a phone in the mountains of Idaho, so we didn’t make a fuss while the parents of a todder removed the handgun from the toddler who was playing with it and gave it back to the handgun’s owner. Different cultures, different rules.
Here in Kanukistani, we just use bottle openers.
The sad part of this discussion is that many stupid people attend parties where genitalia are being carried concealed, without a permit, and the presence and consumption of alcohol leads to the breeding of more idiots. Are you going to call the PD because you see two feeble-minded cretins in danger of hooking up?
I am a firearm owner, and have had a CCW permit for ~ 15 years. My reasons for same are my own. The law of the Commonwealth doesn’t state that I must justify my desire to a jury of my peers, but instead to the Sheriff of my County of residence, which I’ve done. To those folks who want a weapon left in a vehicle, I ask this question: If a weapon is stolen from my vehicle by a thief, now the simple theft is compounded with a firearm registered to me being in the hands of a party who has already shown a disposition for lawbreaking. OTOH, I’m a law-abiding guy (hint-which is why I have a CCW) so wouldn’t you rather me have the firearm on my person, such that I’m aware and controlling its custody?
If a person displays their weapon at a party and is acting unruly, that’s a different scenario than Joe or Jane Citizen exercising their constitutional right, as governed by their municipality of residence, in which case I’d either mind my business or chat them up about what they carry, where they shoot, and so forth.
Absolutely.
I firmly believe that *someone * should be armed in any social setting. If I am not armed for some reason, I pray someone else is.
Am I glad I don’t live in your world!
It depends.
If someone is drinking a beer, and wishes to handle a firearm, I don’t have a problem with it as long as all of the following are met:
- I have personally verified the gun is unloaded.
- The ammo is nowhere in sight.
- The person strictly follows Col. Cooper’s Four Safety Rules.
- I already know the person is a responsible and mature adult.
If all of these conditions are met, there is a 0% chance an accident will occur.
Likewise.
Well, there you go. But, sadly, there are people out there who don’t meet any of your criteria, and who go around with guns. Like I’ve said before-I’m not anti-gun so much as I’m anti-idiots-with-guns.
I will confess that I myself am not a big fan of guns, but as long as people are trustworthy, that’s fine with me. I guess I just have a very dim view of humanity’s intelligence.
I let my carry permit expire several years back. The primary reason I had one was because I used to go plinking, in the boonies, a couple times a year.
The procedure may have changed, but when I first applied I paid a fee, at the county sheriff’s office, filled out a fairly simple form and they mailed my permit a couple of weeks later. After that I had to pay a renewal fee every four years.
I would not consider it normal to see someone armed at most social events, other than a LEO. There are many dangers in life, some life threatening, but the average person (dare I say normal) does not spend their life anticipating the worst and going to exceptional lengths to protect themselves.If you’re seriously that afraid, then barricade yourself in your home and have the necessities delivered. I don’t want a bunch of armed, paranoid, people rubbing elbows w/ me everytime I go out in public. I don’t want, nor need, your protection. I’ll take my chances on dealing w/ the homocidal loonies if I ever meet up w/ one.
Yep. And there’s nothing we should do about it (else we run the risk of infringing upon inalienable rights).
If you wish to live in a free country, you must be willing to accept a certain amount of risk. I don’t care about the crime rate… I would much rather have the crime rate stay right where it is than give up my guns. Freedom is not free.