Concealed weapons. Yes or No ???

[Turtle]

I don't interpret the right to bear arms (which we do have and I cool with being able to fend off an occupying force) as the right to carry a concealed weapon. It's bad enough out here. We can have everybody blasting away at each other. And no I can't do it just because everybody else is doing it.

It boils down to I have to be the world I want to see.

[JustBeingMe]

Blaze, I don't know what city your living in where your afraid to answer your door bell or pump gas after 8 pm. Could it be you live in a bad side of your city?
If you live in Dallas or Houston, or some other large city, yeah, I would bet you might.I grew up in Houston, and I moved from there when I was around 21. When I was 25 one of my friends that Ets'd from the military went home to Houston, and while she was sitting at a red light she was car jacked. Had she had a gun, maybe she might have been able to protect herself, maybe not, it all depends on the circumstances involved.
I grew up here in Texas, lived here almost all my life of 46 years, going on 47, and honestly can't say the folks here in Texas would be gunslingers with a license to carry a concealed firearm. I am all for it. We already have the so called Make My Day law here where you have the right to shoot anyone stealing from you on your property or breaking into your home.
Granted there is a lot of crime sure, and it's not just in Texas, it's all over.
The gangs are taking over, drugs are taking over, bad economy always add to that, etc,....etc...etc.
The Fact is........just this...........you have to have a complete background check done on you before you can have the license to carry.
Yeah, folks will fall through the cracks, but that is a system fault they have with the way it's set up. It needs to be a nationwide search on the individual, not just local for one state.
I am for the right to bear arms, I wouldn't have our Constitution changed one I oda. I am for the right to protect your property and yourself and family or anyone in your home or even your dog in your yard for that matter.
As far as handguns being concealed, they make you take a training class too.
Why not carry concealed ? Hell the criminals do. I would also venture to say that there are just as many if not more firearms that are in the hands of criminals than just regular law abiding citizens.
Do I personally own a gun, No I don't. Have I ever used one, Yes, I have, hunting many moons ago.
Our forefathers wanted us as citizens to have the right to bear arms and I don't think of it any other way, and carrying a concealed weapon for your own protection is just one way in an individuals right to bear arms.
It's how this country was formed.

Just my 2 cents...you can take it with you or leave it in the change drop at the store by the register.


ETA: I also lived in Michigan, just outside of Detroit where the cops won't even bother coming out when your carjacked, cause the crime there is so rampant, they don't even do anything about stolen vehicles. A coworker's son was carjacked at the very same light I used to stop at and turn to get home. Interesting isn't it? He called the cops, they told him it would be worthless to even come out and get a description of the Perps that stole it. That it would be a waste of time. To just come in to your local precinct and file a report and file on his insurance cause the car would be LONG GONE and STRIPPED.And never mind the Perps hand a gun when they did it.

[Glenn]

The police can't protect you every second. It is YOUR duty to protect and defend yourself and your loved ones. Even if your in pro gun Texas, I heard even letting part of your holster show, or even an outline of your gun is called "printing", and may get you in trouble.

[betenoire]

There's a reason that 70% of murders in the USA are done with guns, while only 30% of murders in Canada are done with guns.

That's all I have to say about that.

[BullDog]

Originally Posted by betenoire

There's a reason that 70% of murders in the USA are done with guns, while only 30% of murders in Canada are done with guns.

That's all I have to say about that.

I rest my case.

Will someone please sneak me into Canada. I hear we can get married there too and they have health care.

[firie]

Originally Posted by betenoire

There's a reason that 70% of murders in the USA are done with guns, while only 30% of murders in Canada are done with guns.

That's all I have to say about that.

What is it? Didn't Michael Moore point this out? And Canadians tend to have just as many guns or buy as many or some such?

I was raised very Texan gun toting, and so I have mixed feelings here. I grew up around arsenals really. I learned severity and respect and also how to shoot--and not just 1 but several types of guns. My mom always carried a concealed handgun, and my parents had a few in the house. We learned gun safety, we knew not to mess with them. I don't know if it's in my blood per se (goodness) but I'm really Texan when it comes to guns, and concealed weapon permits, but don't carry. When I lived in Kansas City guns had to be visible, and this felt more threatening for some reason. I don't know. I have a hard time here. There is something in my genetic code, I swear, because as liberal and peaceful as I claim to be, I totally get all NRA about guns.

[Gayla]

Originally Posted by firie

What is it? Didn't Michael Moore point this out? And Canadians tend to have just as many guns or buy as many or some such?

I was raised very Texan gun toting, and so I have mixed feelings here. I grew up around arsenals really. I learned severity and respect and also how to shoot--and not just 1 but several types of guns. My mom always carried a concealed handgun, and my parents had a few in the house. We learned gun safety, we knew not to mess with them. I don't know if it's in my blood per se (goodness) but I'm really Texan when it comes to guns, and concealed weapon permits, but don't carry. When I lived in Kansas City guns had to be visible, and this felt more threatening for some reason. I don't know. I have a hard time here. There is something in my genetic code, I swear, because as liberal and peaceful as I claim to be, I totally get all NRA about guns.

I can pretty much say "ditto" to this because I think everything you said applies to me. Firearms were commonplace when I was growing up and like most things that I grew up around, having them in the house or truck was just "normal". Everyone I knew owned guns. Everyone I knew hunted. My grandfather made gun stocks and taught me how to use, store and clean them. In many ways, they were just tools. No different than fishing tackle or hand tools. Maybe it is just a Texas thing.

While I don't currently own a firearm or have any desire to carry a concealed weapon, I've never felt uncomfortable around someone that was legally armed.

I do have to say that the whole thing about the CCW permit allowing people to bypass the security line in the capital building is about the funniest thing I've heard of in years.

[firie]

Originally Posted by gayla

I can pretty much say "ditto" to this because I think everything you said applies to me. Firearms were commonplace when I was growing up and like most things that I grew up around, having them in the house or truck was just "normal". Everyone I knew owned guns. Everyone I knew hunted. My grandfather made gun stocks and taught me how to use, store and clean them. In many ways, they were just tools. No different than fishing tackle or hand tools. Maybe it is just a Texas thing.

While I don't currently own a firearm or have any desire to carry a concealed weapon, I've never felt uncomfortable around someone that was legally armed.

I do have to say that the whole thing about the CCW permit allowing people to bypass the security line in the capital building is about the funniest thing I've heard of in years.

Yeah, about the security lines, holy shit, really!

Thanks, because I struggle here, seriously. Like my mom named her guns, they were a part of our family,and that may sound absolutely nuts to some, but my mom wasn't stuffing her pants with them, we just lived with them and we knew (my sister and I as kids) to respect them--we knew how they worked, etc. Commonplace, but really respected. My grandmother died with a shotgun underneath her bed. They just existed alongside us. So this is culturally weird for me, and I grapple with it.

ETA: And you have to, in Texas, have something to kill all the damn snakes. My grandma named her favorite shot gun, the "snake charmer," so it's weird how upbringing plays into things, that's all.

[MysticOceansFL]

Originally Posted by betenoire

There's a reason that 70% of murders in the USA are done with guns, while only 30% of murders in Canada are done with guns.

That's all I have to say about that.

Thats very true

[weatherboi]

I don't like guns. I have a scar on my forehead from being hit by one and I will never forget the smell of it in my face after it had been used. I do however believe in a persons' right to get a concealed weapons license if it is deemed necessary to their safety. A dear friend of mine has one because she had a guy stalk her and threaten to kill her over and over again. It goes everywhere with her no matter where she goes, even church on Sundays. Her philososphy is "if he finds me I am dead no matter what, with my gun I have a chance".

[MrSunshine]

Originally Posted by weatherboi

I don't like guns. I have a scar on my forehead from being hit by one and I will never forget the smell of it in my face after it had been used. I do however believe in a persons' right to get a concealed weapons license if it is deemed necessary to their safety. A dear friend of mine has one because she had a guy stalk her and threaten to kill her over and over again. It goes everywhere with her no matter where she goes, even church on Sundays. Her philososphy is "if he finds me I am dead no matter what, with my gun I have a chance".

I'm sorry this happened to you Weatherboi.

In case you or your friend don't know, it is illegal to take a fire arm into a church. CCW or not. That includes hospitals, schools (any type) obviously any type of government building. The list goes on. This information is obtainable with the CCW or just asking at any police department.

[Blaze]

Wow, now this is very interesting indeed. Yesterday at lunch with a bunch of Doctors and Nurses. We got into this conversation/argument. It all started because when one of our Nurses went to Starbucks to get coffee, she walked into the cafe and looked around and said that pretty much everyone in the cafe had their holsters openly showing and pistols just a shinning. She said she felt safe, knowing she could walk out without worrying about getting mugged with all the hardware she seen.
Oh and what really hit the nail in the coffin to say... Is Harris County just made a new law, to which everyone is jumping aboard and trying to get a CC Lic. The law is; If you have a Concealed document, you don't have to stand in the long court lines like everyone else, You present your document and you are let in on the side entrance, So you get your stuff done faster and no more standing in an hour or so line.
To which started off the conversation/argument. I for one have a CC lic. But I haven't felt the need (Yet) to carry on my persons as Blade stated. And yes, I agree with Mr.Sunshine. You should be trained and educated and everyone should take the course. It's true, higher crimes are carried out by those who are not trained, and have illegal weapons. I have learned more from this group than with our one hour argument/convo at work. It got kind of testy lol, glad none of our faculty can't carry a weapon into the hospital. I want to thank everyone for their points of views, knowledge and in depth feelings, and I look forward to hearing more.

[MsDemeanor]

Sure, go ahead, give everyone a carry permit. Let them stuff as many concealed guns down their jeans as it takes to make their dicks look nice and big.

Ban bullets instead.

[Blaze]

And... I guess the matters got worse when the new law was thrown into the conversation. Harris County law; If you show up at court with a Concealed weapons document. You will be let in from a side line. To which you will not have to stand in an hour line anymore, you will be let in quickly. To which there is a mad house of people signed up for the courses now, and there is a waiting list.

[Cowboi]

I do believe in conceal carry. I have a permit to carry a concealed weapon. I am a avid shooter. Both shotgun and pistols. The sheriffs
dept. here has a fantastic facility here to use.
My dad taught me to shoot when I was very young. I was taught gun safety, and have always been a responsible gun owner.

[MrSunshine]

Yes, if properly trained.

By the way, most crimes commited in the US, where guns are involved, have more to do with illegal weapons. It's not the people running around with CCW's killing people and commiting crimes.

You have to take a very informative class to obtain a CCW. One of the many things that stuck out in that class was the fact that most people trying to protect themselves are killed with their own gun.
Even more important to consider is that if you are in bed and say have your hand gun in your night stand and someone comes in to your room, you have less than 3 seconds to react. Not good odds to bring a gun into the mix.
I think everyone should take that course, not get the CCW but educate themselves on the topic.

[Blade]

yes I believe in carry conceal. Chances are the people following the law and obtaining a CC are not the ones committing violent crimes. Most states have classes on CC that you take before you are granted a CC, this includes shooting the gun at different ranges accurately.

I carry a pistol in my truck. I don't carry a pistol on my person, here it is considered going in terror of the public or something like that, but I have seen people carry them openly those people are few and far between, way few and far between. I do carry my pistol in plain view on the seat of my truck when I'm in it.

Would I use it? Certainly. Thus the phrase "don't fuck with me I fuck back"

[NJFemmie]

Originally Posted by Turtle

I don't interpret the right to bear arms (which we do have and I cool with being able to fend off an occupying force) as the right to carry a concealed weapon. It's bad enough out here. We can have everybody blasting away at each other. And no I can't do it just because everybody else is doing it.

It boils down to I have to be the world I want to see.

I mirror this statement. I think the right to bear arms doesn't necessarily mean carry one with you at all times. Defending your home is one thing, but to carry one with you at all times? No. (Most) people cannot be trusted with a gun.

[Sachita]

I have mixed feelings about it. In a perfect world, my world, there wouldnt be a need for guns at all. I have shot guns but I also like to shoot skeet and target. I agree with Turtle that its my spiritual responsibility to create a consciousness that doesnt manifest any violence. At the same time I know that we live in an insane world where change is happening rapidly. I prepare myself for disaster and this includes guns and ammo to protect myself and property. I may get a handgun but at this time I dont feel a need to carry it around "concealed" but I certainly want the right to do so. Anyone can obtain a gun and conceal it. It all boils down to intention.

[Bard]

well I do have a permit to carry concealed and had to go through a bit to get it. Because of what I do it is a need. I don't carry all the time but with recent events I am glad I have it . A local police officer was at his home working on his car when a person he had perviously arrested asulted him no he did not have to discarge the firearm but it think of what could have happened. yes if you are going to have a firearm you need to know how to use it properly and it is a lot of responsabliy. you never point a firearm at anything you are not willing to kill.. one of the range rules