Target and Guns (Brown, retired, Australia, amendment)

[WhipperSnapper 88]

Originally Posted by MattCW

That was my understanding as well, and I'm as pro-2nd amendment as you can get. So what is the law actually?

The law pertaining to what?

The posteer I was referring to asked about taking a gun in to a post office and asked me if I felt I needed it there.

It is against federal law to carry in a post office. I know that, I am required by law to know that as a concealed carrier. He/She apparently didn't know that.

What law would you like me to explain to you?

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Weichert

Ah, there's a lot of things I don't know. I do know about weapons though. I think that I fired just about every handheld weapon the Army had. I even have a couple of weapons at home.

But I do NOT feel the need nor do I have the desire to carry them whenever I step out of the house. That is not a superior attitude, it is common sense.

No ! That's your choice. When you have some need to denigrate those who don't share in it, that's being superior, elitist and very unpleasant. Your definition of common sense isn't shared universally but that doesn't make everyone else wrong even though you obviously think so. That might even be construed as narcissistic.

[Weichert]

Originally Posted by WhipperSnapper 88

The law pertaining to what?

The posteer I was referring to asked about taking a gun in to a post office and asked me if I felt I needed it there.

It is against federal law to carry in a post office. I know that, I am required by law to know that as a concealed carrier.

What law would you like me to explain to you?

Actually, that was the most common thing that I thought of. I bet a few do carry them in the post office though. Extend it to bars (now that is stupid to do so). Or Walmart. Or the local mall. Or to church. Where ever.

[WhipperSnapper 88]

Originally Posted by Weichert

Ah, there's a lot of things I don't know. I do know about weapons though. I think that I fired just about every handheld weapon the Army had. I even have a couple of weapons at home.

That doesn't make you an expert by any means. I have a family member who bought a 12ga shotgun for hunting and didn't know he had to buy 12ga shells to go in it. He was in the Marines.

But I do NOT feel the need nor do I have the desire to carry them whenever I step out of the house. That is not a superior attitude, it is common sense.

I respect your opinion and your choice, why can't you respect mine?

[Votre_Chef]

Originally Posted by WhipperSnapper 88

All of it is about preparedness. That is how all of those things are similar to carrying a gun.

Perhaps, but I remember watching a documentary about the 50s that showed a couple Christmas shopping in Manhattan wearing fallout gear, so they're not exactly the same thing. There's things that have a fair likelihood of occurring at some point (like getting a flat tire) and things that are highly unlikely ever to occur.

When it comes to the open carry issue specifically, I tend to the agree with the cop guy in this or the other thread that said it was pretty stupid. I'm aware that mass shootings, while more common in the United States than anywhere else on earth, are still pretty rare. But both the anti and pro gun sides have used them to argue their points (thus, the pro gun side doesn't now get to say that you shouldn't be alarmed if a complete stranger suddenly approaches you with a firearm). If I'm standing in a Target looking at dog food, thinking about which dog food I should purchase for my dog and notice a complete stranger just started walking down the aisle in my direction carrying a rifle or shotgun, that's going to be unnerving (and I hardly consider myself easily unnerved, I see people open carrying all the time here in Washington--with holstered pistols--and I never even give it a second glance) and I fail to see how anyone would think it's a good idea.

[Weichert]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

No ! That's your choice. When you have some need to denigrate those who don't share in it, that's being superior, elitist and very unpleasant. Your definition of common sense isn't shared universally but that doesn't make everyone else wrong even though you obviously think so. That might even be construed as narcissistic.

There is nothing superior or elitist about it. But why do you mention those two things? Do you feel down trodden in some way? And carrying a weapon makes you feel superior? Or elitist?

[WhipperSnapper 88]

Originally Posted by Weichert

Preparedness for what?

I guess you live in a world where there is no crime. Good for you. Those of us who choose to accept reality for what it is don't all share your opinion.

[WhipperSnapper 88]

Originally Posted by Weichert

Actually, that was the most common thing that I thought of. I bet a few do carry them in the post office though.

And those people are breaking a law.

Extend it to bars (now that is stupid to do so).

If I am not drinking alcohol, I'll carry in to a bar, as my state allows me to do so. If I am drinking I will not do so, as it is against the law, and just an all around bad idea anyway.

Or Walmart. Or the local mall. Or to church. Where ever.

Yes, because I'm sure no one has ever needed to defend themselves in any of those places, right? Those places are completely immune to crime.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Weichert

There is nothing superior or elitist about it. But why do you mention those two things? Do you feel down trodden in some way? And carrying a weapon makes you feel superior? Or elitist?

I'm sorry. I assumed (my bad) that you had a reasonable ability to read and comprehend. I explained my choices of those terms quite clearly and at this late hour have no real desire to take a firm, two-handed grip on my Crayola and draw a picture for you. G'night!

[WhipperSnapper 88]

Originally Posted by Votre_Chef

Perhaps, but I remember watching a documentary about the 50s that showed a couple Christmas shopping in Manhattan wearing fallout gear, so they're not exactly the same thing. There's things that have a fair likelihood of occurring at some point (like getting a flat tire) and things that are highly unlikely ever to occur.

When it comes to the open carry issue specifically, I tend to the agree with the cop guy in this or the other thread that said it was pretty stupid. I'm aware that mass shootings, while more common in the United States than anywhere else on earth, are still pretty rare. But both the anti and pro gun sides have used them to argue their points (thus, the pro gun side doesn't now get to say that you shouldn't be alarmed if a complete stranger suddenly approaches you with a firearm). If I'm standing in a Target looking at dog food, thinking about which dog food I should purchase for my dog and notice a complete stranger just started walking down the aisle in my direction carrying a rifle or shotgun, that's going to be unnerving (and I hardly consider myself easily unnerved, I see people open carrying all the time here in Washington--with holstered pistols--and I never even give it a second glance) and I fail to see how anyone would think it's a good idea.

I agree with pretty much everything you said here. It all comes down to personal choice.

If you think the odds of ever having to defend yourself with a concealed gun are so low that it doesn't warrant carrying one? That's fine.... that's your choice. My view is, if I can carry something with minimal effort, or at least, an acceptable amount of effort to me, that may one day save my life, why not?