# 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:** 5
**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, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/81 "2012-04-20T18:24:07Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Even if it’s illegal for you to have it in my home without my permission? If you lived in a high-crime neighborhood, and told me I could not bring a gun into your house, it would mean you are not concerned about my safety when walking between your house and my vehicle. In which case I would simply not visit you. ---
**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/82 "2012-04-20T18:37:21Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > If you lived in a high-crime neighborhood, and told me I could not bring a gun into your house, it would mean you are not concerned about my safety when walking between your house and my vehicle. In which case I would simply not visit you. How “high crime” are we talking here? Seems to me that’d have to be a pretty high bar unless you’re walking several blocks. ---
**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:** [April 20, 2012, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/83 "2012-04-20T21:30:43Z")
A gun with the safety on and strapped into my retention holder is in the second most secure place I know of next to my gun safe. Taking it out and leaving it on the table at some house I’m visiting? No 'effing way. The general advice of a pro-carry board I participate in is “carry concealed and STFU”. ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/84 "2012-04-20T22:20:45Z")
If you are realy that scared to walk a few feet, I suggest you carry the gun at the ready with safty off and turn around every few seconds to make sure you are OK everywhere you go. ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/85 "2012-04-20T23:49:37Z")
I’m still trying to figure out why and how the OP feels _safer_ walking around with a gun she’s afraid to handle. If the gun scares ya, might I suggest pepper spray? At least no one will die from mishandling that. ---
**Author:** ![florez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b9e5f3/32.png) [@florez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/florez)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2012, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/86 "2012-04-21T00:19:29Z")
> [@Kaio](#): > > I’m still trying to figure out why and how the OP feels _safer_ walking around with a gun she’s afraid to handle. > If the gun scares ya, might I suggest pepper spray? At least no one will die from mishandling that. I agree. I have a pepper spray that I carry on hikes. Mostly I want to be prepared for if and when I unexpectedly come up on a bear. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2012, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/87 "2012-04-21T01:41:05Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Ah yes, the Battle of Baklava. I remember the poem:\* Pastry to the right of them, pastry to the left…\* Here I am, stuck in the middle with you! ---
**Author:** ![Carmady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f04885/32.png) [@Carmady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carmady)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2012, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/88 "2012-04-21T03:43:56Z")
I agree with the OP. If you don’t want my gun on your kitchen table, move it yourself. I’m not touching the thing, it’s got a hair trigger and I nearly blew off my own foot last year. ---
**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2012, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/89 "2012-04-21T23:43:05Z")
I suppose I should make my position on the actual argument clear: I am a pro-gun guy, pro-concealed carry, etc. If you come into my house, unload your concealed gun from its holster and slap it on my table without asking my permission first, it’s going to LEAVE my house crammed straight up your ass. ---
**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 22, 2012, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/90 "2012-04-22T02:29:22Z")
> [@Zeriel](#): > > I suppose I should make my position on the actual argument clear: I am a pro-gun guy, pro-concealed carry, etc. If you come into my house, unload your concealed gun from its holster and slap it on my table without asking my permission first, it’s going to LEAVE my house crammed straight up your ass. Hasn’t the gun suffered enough? ---
**Author:** ![trupa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aeb1de/32.png) [@trupa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trupa)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/91 "2012-04-22T03:46:06Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Here I am, stuck in the middle with you! If you’re stuck right in the middle of the battle of Baclava, then you’re surrounded… … by nuts! ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/92 "2012-04-22T11:06:28Z")
Where carrying is legal, check your guns at the door. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/93 "2012-04-22T15:34:43Z")
> [@Diamonds02](#): > > I.just don’t feel safe with that thing on me, so I take it out and place it on the table. You don’t feel safe with it on you, so you keep it on you for safety. Ah hmm. > [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > What I don’t get is why people get so upset when I point my loaded .45 at their heads and click the trigger. I mean, c’mon morons, I have the fucking safety on. Chill out. Pussies. ---
**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:** [April 22, 2012, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/94 "2012-04-22T17:24:10Z")
> [@Zeriel](#): > > I suppose I should make my position on the actual argument clear: I am a pro-gun guy, pro-concealed carry, etc. If you come into my house, unload your concealed gun from its holster and slap it on my table without asking my permission first, it’s going to LEAVE my house crammed straight up your ass. “Large bore” joke here. ---
**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/95 "2012-04-22T17:55:28Z")
I know someone who carries a gun. He was politely but firmly instructed not to bring it into my home. Predictable whining and eye-rolling ensued. “But I’m a veteran, and I know how to use firearms!” The thing is, with this particular fellow, I know his personal history pretty well. He was a juvenile delinquent (broke into a post office with friends for kicks), and he is, and was, incredibly irresponsible in life with others’ property (and his own), and had a history for recklessness. Even worse, I knew from someone else that he had an attitude about the gun. He keeps it on the seat next to him while driving, and on at least one occasion brandished it at another motorist who flipped him off. He also carries it into bars into bad neighborhoods – where he went exclusively, right after getting said gun and permit, so he can show minorities (well, he didn’t say minorities, he said something less polite) what happens if they “start trouble”. Point of fact, I didn’t trust him with the gun. Did I bring all this up to him? No, he was a relative of someone living with me temporarily and I didn’t want to cause a big row over it. I just didn’t want the gun in my house. Chances are, the people who are uncomfortable with the gun are uncomfortable with you and your handling of the gun. I will clarify, though, that in my (low-crime) area, the type of people who carry guns all the time are either A) law enforcement or B) people with something to prove. If you’re not the former, I’m assuming you’re the latter. ---
**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:** [April 22, 2012, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/96 "2012-04-22T19:53:18Z")
**fluiddruid** , sorry to hear you’ve had a bad experience with an armed asshole. I beg you not to take him as a typical gun owner. Most responsible gun owners go by the following rules of what a gun is NOT for: [ul] [li]A gun is not a magic wand that automatically makes people fear and respect you, and obey your commands.[/li][li]A gun does not make you eight feet tall and armor plated.[/li][li]A gun is not so you can act like an asshole and then say “Oh yeah? What’re you gonna do about it?”.[/li][li]A gun is not for winning arguments or shutting up some smartmouth.[/li][li]A gun is not for getting back at people who’ve disrespected you, humiliated you, or hurt your feelings.[/li][li]A gun does not make you a cool badass- if you’re a stupid jerkass and you get a gun, then you’ll be a stupid jerkass with a gun.[/li][li]Owning a gun does not make you an expert at self-defense, anymore than owning an axe makes you a lumberjack.[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![sugaree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@sugaree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sugaree)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/97 "2012-04-22T20:02:35Z")
Possibly these people are not offended. Maybe they are just scared of you. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/98 "2012-04-22T23:51:01Z")
> [@sugaree](#): > > Possibly these people are not offended. Maybe they are just scared of you. As a gun owner myself, someone who did that in my home would scare the crap out of me, and would be invited to leave posthaste and not return. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/99 "2012-04-23T04:15:27Z")
Well, as to the OP. Basically if you came into my house armed and said “I don’t feel safe walking from my car to your house”, you are clearly looking at my neighborhood, a place where I feel perfectly safe, and saying that it isn’t. Which sort of implies that I am some sort of idiot for not realizing that my neighborhood threatens my life everyday and I’ve just never noticed it. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299/100 "2012-04-23T10:32:57Z")
> [@Diamonds02](#): > > When I’m on foot that’s when I need it the most. Something can happen from the time I get from my car to someones house. I.just don’t feel safe with that thing on me, so I take it out and place it on the table. The fact that I have a gun isn’t much of an issue, it seems they have an issue that I feel the need to protect myself in their neighborhood. I don’t have an issue with people packing so long as they have the proper permits, warn us in advance, etc. My brother’s father in law was a cop and so were many of his friends; several of my sister in law’s uncles and cousins are cops; several of my other brother’s friends are cops. Their houses are houses where you may run into a cop who’s “just dropping by” after work and who is, therefore, carrying. But if any of them took their gun out and slapped it on the table, the “put that thing away!” would be heard in the next province over. Some of them have, on occasion, asked to take it off - but they have asked, they have been offered a place where it will be safe (a safe where one was available, the top of a wardrobe where it was not), they have not just taken the gun out and slammed it on the table. It isn’t the carrying, it’s the “what the FUCK is a loaded gun doing on MY table!” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-offended-when-pack-a-pistol-in-their-neighborhood/619299.md?page=6)