# Why do people get offended when pack a pistol in their neighborhood? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 19, 2012, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299 "2012-04-19T18:02:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/61 "2012-04-20T01:32:35Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > The OP doesn’t have a gun problem. She has a fear problem. And everyone within range of her is in danger of having a bullet problem. Years ago I had a roommate who’s friend stopped by. They were chatting, and the conversation somehow got to how this guy wasn’t able to pay back a drug dealer what he owed, so he had to start thinking about protecting himself. And then he whips out this little pistol and shows it off. I was rally kinda shocked speechless and that was a good thing, because it’s maybe not the best idea to start screaming, “Get the FUCK out of my house!” into the face of someone waving a gin around. That this is the first thread of this poster I’ve noticed, and from the numerous comments about her history, I’m gonna have to do some catch up reading. ---
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/62 "2012-04-20T01:50:09Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > maybe not the best idea to start screaming, “Get the FUCK out of my house!” into the face of someone waving a gin around. It’s even worse when it’s tequila. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/63 "2012-04-20T03:24:51Z")
What if you get arrested and jailed for carrying a concealed weapon in Chicago? You’re a small woman, what if it gets wrestled away from you by a bad guy? ---
**Author:** ![Killswitch\_Stunner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c2a13f/32.png) [@Killswitch\_Stunner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Killswitch_Stunner)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/64 "2012-04-20T08:34:32Z")
Reminds me of Paul Schrader. He had to carry a gun around to feel badass, even though people still thought he was a douchebag. But to each his own. ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/65 "2012-04-20T09:58:12Z")
Cool story bro’ time! Grudette worked at this little post office inside a grocery that was frequented by USA expats, it was also robbed fairly frequently. Pepper spray is illegal here along with handguns, so I smuggled her some pepper spray and she started carrying it. One day the grocery was robbed by one guy who snatched the register’s cash drawer while Grudette was helping a customer who was a little old foreign lady from the USA, they wisely decided to stay back in the post office area. The little old lady asked Grudette if she wasn’t afraid working there, and she said well I have something to defend myself my boyfriend smuggled in for me and motioned to her purse. The little old lady goes oh me too, this country is too dangerous you need something and showed Grudette “a very large handgun”(Magnum from her description I’d say) she smuggled in from the USA which surprised the hell out of her… Grandma is packing! ---
**Author:** ![Azeotrope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/0ea827/32.png) [@Azeotrope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Azeotrope)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/66 "2012-04-20T13:54:10Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > You’re a small woman, what if it gets wrestled away from you by a bad guy? Very good point. That goes for any weapon, if you’re not 100% comfortable with it and proficient at using it. One of my coworkers is a retired PA state trooper who did narcotics work in some really nasty Philadelphia neighborhoods and he’s said that most street crime is either drug related or personal (random crimes do happen, but are the exception rather than the rule). Gangbangers don’t just roam neighborhoods looking for random strangers to kill. And the last thing drug dealers want is a lot of police poking around their territory. ETA @ Grude, that IS a cool story, bro ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/67 "2012-04-20T14:25:33Z")
In a turn of events that will shock no one, I have to side with your friends. If you brought a gun into my home, you’d be asked to take it to your car. If you didn’t you’d be asked to leave and would never be invited back. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/68 "2012-04-20T14:26:37Z")
> [@ducati](#): > > No, it is not. > > Your car sitting in your driveway is not a dangerous device, although I think they are amazing. A bottle of Percocet sitting on your kitchen counter is not dangerous. My airplane sitting in its hangar is not dangerous. > > What they have is common is that if they are abused, mishandled, or placed under the control of an untrained, unqualified, or irresponsible individual, then they could cause injury or death. No reasonable person condones or allows this. > > If you fear guns, or don’t understand guns, by all means leave them alone and don’t let them in your home if you insist. I would abide by your wishes. > > It is the height of stupidity, immaturity and ignorance however, to label an inanimate object as dangerous simply because you don’t like them. > > As others have addressed the rest of the OP’s silliness, I won’t. > > In the interest of fighting ignorance, if you truly don’t understand that a chunk of metal is not dangerous in and of itself, let me know and I’ll do what I can. I have to go now. I am a volunteer that tracks[assault weapons](http://www.assaultweaponwatch.com/)so they don’t get up and hurt anyone…:rolleyes: Eh. Since people who mishandle guns (or are likely to) are everywhere, in large numbers, the gun doesn’t have to animate itself. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/69 "2012-04-20T14:41:04Z")
OP, if your story is true you’re a danger to yourself and others. How do I know? B/c you think it’s better idea to go into places you’re afraid while prepared to defend yourself rather than keep yourself safe by not going there in the first place. It’s like preferring to have sex w/ someone riddled w/ STD’s saying you’ll use a condom than not have sex at all. If you MUST visit these places b/c the people won’t come to you (and your livelihood doesn’t depend on it) these people do not value you enough for you to reciprocate. Semi-related anecdote; I asked my niece what her mom told her about alcohol and drugs. “Mom says I shouldn’t put my drink down at parties.” I explained that a better idea would be to avoid a party where she feared putting her drink down. ---
**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:** [April 20, 2012, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/70 "2012-04-20T14:43:01Z")
If I’m going to a friend’s house I usually won’t take my handgun inside. I’ll leave it in my vehicle. I would make an exception if the house was located in a high-crime neighborhood, in which case I would have the gun on me at all times. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/71 "2012-04-20T14:53:50Z")
To those of you who wouldn’t take a gun in with you, what’s your recourse when there’s one piece of baklava left? Hmmm? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/72 "2012-04-20T15:36:15Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > To those of you who wouldn’t take a gun in with you, what’s your recourse when there’s one piece of baklava left? > > Hmmm? :dubious: There’s nothing like a good pastry stabbing to end the night right. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/73 "2012-04-20T16:13:47Z")
If I’m going to a friend’s house I usually won’t take my gun inside either. I’ll leave it in my vehicle. It’s too hard to pry the turret off anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/74 "2012-04-20T17:15:16Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > To those of you who wouldn’t take a gun in with you, what’s your recourse when there’s one piece of baklava left? > > Hmmm? :dubious: Hurl a steaming demitasse of espresso into your opponents eyes, then sieze him by the testicles. Demand in a firm clear voice “Whose baklava is it, bitch? Say it! Whose baklava is it?” After the opponent signifies that it is, indeed, your baklava you can sit back and enjoy the pastry in peace. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/75 "2012-04-20T17:20:10Z")
Leave the gun, take the baklava. Wait, that’s not how that line goes… ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/76 "2012-04-20T17:38:27Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > There’s nothing like a good pastry stabbing to end the night right. Never bring a knife to a pastry fight. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/77 "2012-04-20T17:45:39Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > If I’m going to a friend’s house I usually won’t take my handgun inside. I’ll leave it in my vehicle. I would make an exception if the house was located in a high-crime neighborhood, in which case I would have the gun on me at all times. Even if it’s illegal for you to have it in my home without my permission? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/78 "2012-04-20T18:09:01Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Hurl a steaming demitasse of espresso into your opponents eyes, then sieze him by the testicles. Demand in a firm clear voice “Whose baklava is it, bitch? Say it! Whose baklava is it?” After the opponent signifies that it is, indeed, your baklava you can sit back and enjoy the pastry in peace. Ah yes, the Battle of Baklava. I remember the poem:\* Pastry to the right of them, pastry to the left…\* ---
**Author:** ![Gedd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gedd/32/4938_2.png) [@Gedd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gedd)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/79 "2012-04-20T18:16:34Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Never bring a knife to a pastry fight. . . . but bringing a pastry to a knife fight could be a good way slip away unseen as everyone else is distracted by the single piece of baklava. Dang, now I’m hungry. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/80 "2012-04-20T18:20:28Z")
Yeah, I could totally scarf down some baklava right now. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299.md?page=5)