carry a pistol?

[spyder3]

"The only ones I want doing such things would be the police... not citizen vigilantes....."

Remember when seconds count, the police are only minutes away!

This might need an explanation for it to make any sense to Fly.:gaah:

 

[steve635]

Yeah-- and bigfoot landed in a UFO last week in my back yard.... I think he wanted a photo of your aunt.....

Really? Was it reported in the LA Times, cause that's where I got my "conspiracy theory"?

 

[kentuckyguy]

Mine is like the American Express Card... I never leave home without it........

 

[WingmanRT]

Carry

You have a better chance of being run over by a purple school bus than ever having to deal with a situation like that...

Uh... actually... I live in a very nice neighborhood. Not bragging, but it is an upscale golf course community. It's the 2nd highest per capita income zone in Charlotte NC. I mention all that only because just a few weeks ago, some "individuals" walked into the Harris Teeter grocery store, just a couple miles or so away, and after they got all the money, opened fire. (Thankfully they did not hit anyone.) This was the THIRD upscale neighborhood grocery store in our area they had robbed at gun point in less than a month. A mere 4-5 years ago, a woman walking her dog in the neighborhood next to ours was dragged into the bushes. The guy was never caught and the story does not end well. In the parking lot of a restaurant, a mile from my house, a pregnant woman was killed in the parking lot just a few months ago. About 5700 feet from my front door!

I trained and got my CWP once we got the Spyder last year and started touring in remote areas where oft times you feel like you can hear banjos and Ned Beatty squealing. My wife was not excited about the permit or weapon, but now, after all the local crime, she wants one. It IS occasionally a hassle to take off the weapon and store away when going to a restaurant that serves alcohol, but I feel safer carrying when traveling, riding or when I feel the area I am going to may not be the best. Evidently that now includes my local grocery store.

My point is: whether you choose to carry or not, that is YOUR choice, but violent crime is no longer "choosing" to stay in the "'hood" or remote areas. I appreciate the pacifist sentiment. In 1950, I would have been right there with it (if I would have been alive) but it's 2012 and it's not June Cleaver and Dick Van Dyke anymore. Sociopaths come to nice neighborhoods because that's where the money is and secure-feeling "rich" people are less likely to blow their fool heads off during a home invasion. (Bust into a home in East L.A. in the middle of the night and see what happens.) One of the best sentiments I saw here was something like "if the bad guys don't know who's carrying, maybe they will think twice." Even sociopaths don't want to look into the barrel of a 9mm.

I respect anyone's choice not to carry. I recently talked a group of about a half dozen ladies in our neighborhood AWAY from getting concealed permits because in their specific cases, I didn't think it was safe for them or anyone else. I offered to go shotgun, taser and pepper spray shopping with them instead. I also offered to take them to the range. Loaded weapons are not for everyone. Just as motorcycles are not. Training, mindset, discipline.

• Would I give up my wallet & Spyder without a fight? Probably, if I thought it was safe for us to do so. Does that encourage bad behavior? Yes, but unfortunately at that moment, my focus is on surviving the robbery, not curing the world's social problems.
• Would I do everything I can to get a away from a bad situation? Very likely. I want to get away from trouble, safely. I'd rather be thought of as a coward than risk my family's life or well being. Unfortunately, I am getting too old and fat to run away successfully, ergo the CWP.
• Would I punch someone's ticket, if my wife, life (or someone else's) were in mortal or physical danger? In a heartbeat. And sleep like a baby that night. Does this mean Firefly will think I am a bad person? I can live with that.
• Should someone break into my house? There is nothing there worth dying for. Trust me.

It was mentioned (to the effect of) "nobody, not even the most violent scumbags, deserve to be shot". I disagree with that. There are people in this world that rape, molest, abuse, violate and commit heinous acts of brutality and murder for the sheer sake of enjoying it or because they can. Anyone who says that "no one" deserves "being stopped", has never been around TRUE bad guys. Good for you.

I said all that and yet, I still haven't seen a purple school bus in my neighborhood....

 

[hrbeta]

I had my guns, my bullet proof vest and my armored car when I lived in Venezuela. I did NOT like it, that's why I moved to this civilized, wonderful country. I'll never carry a gun for protection again, been there, done that, it's not for me!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[zrc]

All I know is this, I am glad I can wear a gun like the old west while not wearing a helmet, filling up with 89 octane and putting used diesel motor oil into my spyder before a trip into a school zone to have a beer just on the other side of that road block.

 

[Firefly]

Uh... actually... I live in a very nice neighborhood. Not bragging, but it is an upscale golf course community. It's the 2nd highest per capita income zone in Charlotte NC. I mention all that only because just a few weeks ago, some "individuals" walked into the Harris Teeter grocery store, just a couple miles or so away, and after they got all the money, opened fire. (Thankfully they did not hit anyone.) This was the THIRD upscale neighborhood grocery store in our area they had robbed at gun point in less than a month. A mere 4-5 years ago, a woman walking her dog in the neighborhood next to ours was dragged into the bushes. The guy was never caught and the story does not end well. In the parking lot of a restaurant, a mile from my house, a pregnant woman was killed in the parking lot just a few months ago. About 5700 feet from my front door!

I trained and got my CWP once we got the Spyder last year and started touring in remote areas where oft times you feel like you can hear banjos and Ned Beatty squealing. My wife was not excited about the permit or weapon, but now, after all the local crime, she wants one. It IS occasionally a hassle to take off the weapon and store away when going to a restaurant that serves alcohol, but I feel safer carrying when traveling, riding or when I feel the area I am going to may not be the best. Evidently that now includes my local grocery store.

My point is: whether you choose to carry or not, that is YOUR choice, but violent crime is no long "choosing" to stay in the "'hood" or remote areas. I appreciate the pacifist sentiment. In 1950, I would have been right there with it (if I would have been alive) but it's 2012 and it's not June Cleaver and Dick Van Dyke anymore. Sociopaths come to nice neighborhoods because that's where the money is and secure-feeling "rich" people are less likely to blow their fool heads off during a home invasion. (Bust into a home in East L.A. in the middle of the night and see what happens.) One of the best sentiments I saw here was something like "if the bad guys don't know who's carrying, maybe they will think twice." Even sociopaths don't want to look into the barrel of a 9mm.

I respect anyone's choice not to carry. I recently talked a group of about a half dozen ladies in our neighborhood AWAY from getting concealed permits because in their specific cases, I didn't think it was safe for them or anyone else. I offered to go shotgun, taser and pepper spray shopping with them instead. I also offered to take them to the range. Loaded weapons are not for everyone. Just as motorcycles are not. Training, mindset, discipline.

• Would I give up my wallet & Spyder without a fight? Probably, if I thought it was safe for us to do so. Does that encourage bad behavior? Yes, but unfortunately at that moment, my focus is on surviving the robbery, not curing the world's social problems.
• Would I do everything I can to get a away from a bad situation? Very likely. I want to get away from trouble, safely. I'd rather be thought of as a coward than risk my family's life or well being. Unfortunately, I am getting too old and fat to run away successfully, ergo the CWP.
• Would I punch someone's ticket, if my wife, life (or someone else's) were in mortal or physical danger? In a heartbeat. And sleep like a baby that night. Does this mean Firefly will think I am a bad person? I can live with that.
• Should someone break into my house? There is nothing there worth dying for. Trust me.

It was mentioned (to the effect of) "nobody, not even the most violent scumbags, deserve to be shot". I disagree with that. There are people in this world that rape, molest, abuse, violate and commit heinous acts of brutality and murder for the sheer sake of enjoying it or because they can. Anyone who says that "no one" deserves "being stopped", has never been around TRUE bad guys. Good for you.

I said all that and yet, I still haven't seen a purple school bus in my neighborhood....

And yet none of these things happened to YOU... which is my entire point. The things you mentioned above didn't happen to you.. no matter if they happened next door to you-- it still was not you.... so you still don't get counted on that side of the statistics..... and that's what I'm saying. With violent crime continuing to drop over the last 60 years... we have far less to worry about.

I just don't live my life in fear... never have... never will. I don't ride in fear of death... and I don't travel like it either. If I die tomorrow-- so be it--- I've had a great life so far. Not that I want to die tomorrow-- but it's just really not something I fear.

And I never said "nobody, not even the most violent scumbags, deserve to be shot". What I said that no amount of my material possessions are worth killing someone over.

 

[shelbydave]

I choose to live my life unafraid.
Carrying to me is an act that would say I am afraid.
Afraid of the unknown, people and my surroundings.

It's a choice.
It never ceases to amaze me whenever these threads pop up, and they do quite often how evangelical people get about their firearms.

Actually, I don't carry nor own, but support the 2nd ammendment. I see it a different way.. I find the "non carriers" to be quick to judge the carriers....

"Your perception is your reality"

 

[Firefly]

Mine is like the American Express Card... I never leave home without it........

:roflblack:

And if they try and steal that they won't be able to use it many places---- :roflblack:

 

[Firefly]

...But according to the article, it DID hold up in court.

Bottom line is that strength is always a deterrent. In school, you never see the bully picking on the athelete, it's always the weak. In real life, if a thug thought or knew you had a weapon, and would NOT hesitate to use it, he would leave you alone - unless he was a madman anyhow...
I was looking for the article, but I recall earlier this year that a small town in South Carolina had the largest per capita ratio of women carrying, and getting proper training. They mentioned the crime rate stats, and they were considerably lower than the surrounding areas.

As far as what you say that the chances are so slim that it would happen to you, just the fact that violent crimes are still in the news indicates that there ARE chances... The people on here who DO carry, simply choose to reduce those chances even further...

No-- it didn't hold up.... The city added a clause exempting conscientious objectors, criminals, the mentally disabled and people who could not afford a gun.

So the law requiring EVERYONE to have a gun is NOT in effect... there are exemptions. They knew darn well if they didn't add exemptions--- the whole law would be struck down....

 

[shelbydave]

And I never said "nobody, not even the most violent scumbags, deserve to be shot". What I said that no amount of my material possessions are worth killing someone over.

I take it that includes your life, or the life of your loved ones? Not trying to judge here, but the people I know who DO carry, it's for protection for themselves, and families. Not their "stuff". Anybody carrying just to protect their belongings is doing it for the wrong reasons.

 

[spyderrock]

I agree with the above statement...As a Canadian we do not carry anything well most of us. I am a short stocky guy, a little over weight covered in Tattoos and maybe this is why I just rode 8500km and know one gave me any trouble. I can take care of myself quite well was a power lifter for years and have (self defense) training but I wont divulge that here lol. Why cant we all just get along and have a waffle and a bit of Maple syrup in Canada thats what we do eat, hey you want to rob me lets sit down and have a waffle. Im a good listener and very aware of my surroundings. I also have worked quite a lot down in Texas for a large oilfield company and man those guys down there love their guns. One guy because he really hated snakes lol the kind that can bite and kill you in seconds. I read all the posts on this thread and wow some varied opinions for sure. Again come to Canada lets sit down and have a waffle dont worry there is a lot of Maple syrup to go around.

 

[Dudley]

If I may sum up some of this discussion. In the end, you make your own choice about whether or not to carry. The laws are so screwed up now about carry/don't carry, you are more likely to end up in jail with a felony charge than get hurt because you didn't have a gun to protect you. So, if you do get jailed and charged if you are stopped and one of the hidden laws says you are committing a felon, you have no one but yourself to blame. End of my summary.

 

[Firefly]

I take it that includes your life, or the life of your loved ones? Not trying to judge here, but the people I know who DO carry, it's for protection for themselves, and families. Not their "stuff". Anybody carrying just to protect their belongings is doing it for the wrong reasons.

As I've clearly stated-- if someone wants my Spyder or my money--- take it.. best defense tool you can carry with you is your BRAIN. Give them what they want and that's gonna take care of things 99% of the time. Most situations that we are talking about come to the bad guy wanting MONEY or your car or bike. The smart move is to give it to them.

If you're asking will I just lie down and be killed or allow my family to be killed - the answer would be no. I would do whatever I could to avoid such an unfortunate end. Would I kill if I had no other choice---- probably--- but I'm not going to carry a gun as the likelihood of such an event is just far too minimal to worry about. I just don't live in such fear.

 

[Bob Denman]

No-- it didn't hold up.... The city added a clause exempting conscientious objectors, criminals, the mentally disabled and people who could not afford a gun.

So the law requiring EVERYONE to have a gun is NOT in effect... there are exemptions. They knew darn well if they didn't add exemptions--- the whole law would be struck down....

They didn't add it; it was already in there...
Putting it another way; Keenesaw , Georgia wanted to make a statement about Morton Grove's handgun law... and they did!
But they did it in a way that didn't infringe upon anybody's rights! :thumbup:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

IMHO A GREAT MOVIE SCENE

This movie was panned by most critics but it one of my favorites " A BRONX TALE " 1993...It stars De niro and Chazz Palmenteri.....The best scene is about 1/3 in and starts with Chazz ( local Mob Boss ) watching a buch of "Hell's angel's biker's " type ride by his bar.....Which they then enter.....he's a gentlemen, their not....then the fun begins.....it's priceless......This would never have happened if they were riding Spyders./.:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack: Mike

 

[steve635]

Let's ponder this one.....

"What I said that no amount of my material possessions are worth killing someone over."


So if someone could take literally everything you own, money, home, clothing, food, for no reason other than to enrich himself, and leave you a hungry, beggar (in this economy), you'd rather submit than shoot? I realize the situation is a ridiculous scenario, but you did give an absolute (despite seeing in grey) no amount of my material possessions was worth killing over.
This reminds me of the story where the guy asks a beautiful woman if she'll have sex for a million dollars, she says "sure" so he says "OK, how about for a dollar?", she responds "What kind of girl do you think I am?" and he replies "We've already established that, just haggling over price!".

 

[MikeinGA]

And yet none of these things happened to YOU... which is my entire point. The things you mentioned above didn't happen to you.. no matter if they happened next door to you-- it still was not you.... so you still don't get counted on that side of the statistics..... and that's what I'm saying. With violent crime continuing to drop over the last 60 years... we have far less to worry about.

I just don't live my life in fear... never have... never will. I don't ride in fear of death... and I don't travel like it either. If I die tomorrow-- so be it--- I've had a great life so far. Not that I want to die tomorrow-- but it's just really not something I fear.

And I never said "nobody, not even the most violent scumbags, deserve to be shot". What I said that no amount of my material possessions are worth killing someone over.

When a real bad guy comes to your door to take everything, he will take your life. Because the dead never talk. That's IMHO.

Mike

 

[Bob Denman]

"What I said that no amount of my material possessions are worth killing someone over."


So if someone could take literally everything you own, money, home, clothing, food, for no reason other than to enrich himself, and leave you a hungry, beggar (in this economy), you'd rather submit than shoot? I realize the situation is a ridiculous scenario, but you did give an absolute (despite seeing in grey) no amount of my material possessions was worth killing over.
This reminds me of the story where the guy asks a beautiful woman if she'll have sex for a million dollars, she says "sure" so he says "OK, how about for a dollar?", she responds "What kind of girl do you think I am?" and he replies "We've already established that, just haggling over price!".[/QUOTE]

Steve, I'm starting to like you more and more... :thumbup:

 

[shelbydave]

As I've clearly stated-- if someone wants my Spyder or my money--- take it.. best defense tool you can carry with you is your BRAIN. Give them what they want and that's gonna take care of things 99% of the time. Most situations that we are talking about come to the bad guy wanting MONEY or your car or bike. The smart move is to give it to them.

If you're asking will I just lie down and be killed or allow my family to be killed - the answer would be no. I would do whatever I could to avoid such an unfortunate end. Would I kill if I had no other choice---- probably--- but I'm not going to carry a gun as the likelihood of such an event is just far too minimal to worry about. I just don't live in such fear.

I totally understand... I wouldn't carry either if I owned one - unless I was hungwy for wabbit...

For those who DO carry... Don't put it down by your right foot!!! If the heat can melt glue on your boots, who knows what it would do to your ammo.. :joke: