Does it bother you when you hear about people who can carry but don't?

[nico]

This is specifically intended for people who, like me, live in areas where CCW isn't an option. Does it bother you when you meet someone who can carry concealed (either has a permit, or can easily get a permit) but doesn't? In a thread on another board, somebody asked about ccw and (of course) some of the responses he got had the typical "you're just a paranoid hick" attitude. One of these guys has a ccw permit, in southern California of all places, but doesn't carry because he doesn't see the need. I can't explain it very well, but for some reason, the idea that the guy can exercize his right to self defense but doesn't bothers me, and I think it has something to do with the fact that my state denies me that right. What do you folks think?


edit: since I know most people responding now aren't going to read through the whole thread, here's my last post:

Bottom line: what they so casually disregard would make me a felon. THAT FACT, I do not like.

I guess that's what bugged me; the fact that the guy has a right that's denied to me, yet has the typical anti's condescending "what would you want to carry a gun for?" attitude.

I'm NOT complaining about people who have a carry permit but don't (at least I didn't mean to be), I'm complaining about people who have a carry permit but seem to think other people shouldn't.

 

[Lonestar.45]

I don't know.....It's a personal decision on everyone's part. I don't fault folks for not carrying when they can. It's their life. Case in point. My dad was a police officer for 30 years. He NEVER carried off duty. Never. Seems like since he carried all day every day at work, he just did not feel like toting the iron around off duty. Simple as that. He saw it as "work", and when he wasn't working, he wanted no part of it. He didn't live and breath his job 24/7 (thank God or he'd have never made it). Had an uncle the same way, 28 yrs as a LEO and never carried off duty. Maybe those that can carry take it for granted sometimes and just don't feel the need, and those that can't carry and want to see it as a waste to be able to and not?

 

[Parallax]

Well... on one hand, it's a shame that he's not exercising the rights which have been denied to so many others.

On the other hand, if he doesn't want to carry, I don't think he should.

 

[Dionysusigma]

Would you be more bugged about those who can't legally carry, but do? I can identify with your plight... I'm not yet 21, and have been deemed "too young to buy or carry a handgun" by people I've never even met. :banghead: :banghead:

 

[nico]

I definitely agree that it's a personal decision and I'd never force someone to carry if they didn't want to, which is why I can't completely explain why this situation bugs me. I guess part of it is that on the board where the thread was, there are several people with carry permits as well as several people who are affraid of guns and go out of their way to mock anyone who mentions owning a gun for self defense or carrying. I guess what bugs me is that the guy has a carry permit but is still part of the latter group.

 

[444]

No, it doesn't bother me at all.
In fact, I am one of the people bothering you.
I live in a state with shall issue CCW
I have a CCW.
I almost never carry.



Let me present you with something else to worry about.
I live in a state and county where NFA weapons are readily available.
Up until a couple years ago, I didn't know anyone that owned one including myself.
There are many people who arn't allowed to own such weapons. These people can and choose not to.

 

[fastbolt]

Look at it this way ...

Just because someone has the ability to lawfully carry a concealed handgun, why would you object to them exercising their right to choose not to carry one?

I've known folks with CCW permits who chose not carry their weapons very often, as well as cops who choose not to carry weapons when on their own time. Their choice, and their right to choose.

 

[cracked butt]

No I don't care.

What bothers me is that criminals in my state will carry weapons regardless, yet the Democrats in my state think I'm going to flood the streets with rivers of childrens' blood if I were licensed to carry.

If CCW is ever allowed in Wisconsin, I would get a CCW permit asap if only to tick off the liberals. I wouldn't even carry unless I was making a trip to Milpukee.

 

[Mr. Mysterious]

Its a right to keep and bear arms, not a requirement. The same goes for CCW's.

 

[jeff-10]

I am one of those guys who can but does not. I got my CCW license purely to bypass the waiting period at gun shows. I doubt I will ever carry I can barely leave my house without forgetting my wallet let alone a handgun.

 

[GaryP]

Nope, it does not bother me at all! Rights are Legal Options, not Requirements and as such everyone gets to choose. According to Your Logic it should bother me that you don't solve this issue by utilizing YOUR RIGHT to move to a state with CCW RIGHTS; but it doesn't because I respect your Right to Move or STAY where you are!

 

[Wildalaska]

Carryin a gun is a pain in the a**

WildthesmallerthebetterAlaska

 

[artherd]

I don't care what others do as far as themselves. However it does bug me on a personal level simply because I cannot do the same thing!

Watching them cavialirly disregard something that is such a huge deal to me, does rub it in my face.

If I could carry, I'd softly chuclke instead at their foolishness (for not going out armed) remind myself not to do so, and get on with my life.


Bottom line: what they so casually disregard would make me a felon. THAT FACT, I do not like.

 

[GaryP]

Wildalaska

Wildalaska,

Yep they can be! By the way, are you still located on the Old Seward Highway? I lived in Anchorage from 1984 to 1999 and used to drop by your shop every now and then. Wish I was still there and may just get back up there if all goes well!

 

[nico]

Bottom line: what they so casually disregard would make me a felon. THAT FACT, I do not like.

I guess that's what bugged me; the fact that the guy has a right that's denied to me, yet has the typical anti's condescending "what would you want to carry a gun for?" attitude.

 

[Missouri Mule]

Just because I possess a permit to carry doesn't mean I have to carry 24/7.
I does mean I have to option to pick and choose if and when I desire to CCW.
and....I DO! I really couldn't care any less how anyone else chooses to utilize their CCW permit.


Having the right and ability is what's important. But, so is exersizing that right.

I will agree that having a permit to carry and then choosing not to utilize it does seem rather pointless and ridiculous.

What's the point in that?

 

[Zach S]

I voted none of the above, since it was specificly directed at those in restricted states.

However, if someone doesn't want to carry its their choice. I've met a few people that only got their permission slips because their jobs and/or personal lives have them going into rough neighborhoods more often than they'd like. I know of one or two that just got them because they get delayed by NICS more than once, or they buy/trade a lot and a carry permit made it easier.

In NC A CHP gets you out of the NICS call, since 8?/04 no purchase permit is needed to buy a pistol, and in some counties before 8?/04 (Buncombe for example), a CHP got you an instant purchase permit with nothing to fill out, rather than filling out a form and waiting 5 days.

 

[dev_null]

We used to say "It's a free country" about things like personal choice. (And back then we could do it with a straight face, without laughing bitterly.)

 

[Boats]

What bugs me is people who don't vote with their feet.

 

[MaterDei]

I voted no before I noticed that you were wanting responses only from those who live in may issue states. Sorry.

I feel that the right to keep and bear arms is just that, a right and not a mandate.

I'm might feel differently if I live in Cal.

 

[Old Dog]

Doesn't bother me in the slightest (of course, most of the people I associate with do have CPLs and routinely carry). What does bother me are gun-owners who do nothing to advance the cause of RKBA and continue to vote in some of the asses to our Congress and state assemblies and leglislatures ...

 

[cfabe]

Doesn't bother me a bit, as I'm one of the ones you speak of. I have my ccw, but don't carry often anymore. I got it when I was going to school in Flint, MI so I could carry there and also so I could legally posess a pistol in MI without being a resident. Where I'm at now is a pretty safe area, and I'm not allowed to carry at work or have a gun in my car at work, so i'd only be able to carry if i went out in the evening or weekends anyway. I only carry now when going to the range or going to a less safe part of town, which I try not to do.

 

[kfranz]

You know what bothers me? People who get bothered by the actions(or inactions) of others, when those (in)actions have zero effect on anyone else....

 

[nico]

I think a lot of you guys misunderstand what I was trying to say (which is my fault, because I couldn't and still can't really think of a good way to explain it). None of the people on this board fit into the description I was trying to make. I agree that carrying concealed is a personal decision. The attitude I'm talking about is kinda like when some cops get that condescending "what would you need a gun for?" attitude. Someone on another board asked about getting a ccw permit, and one of the "why are you so paranoid that you'd want to carry a gun" responses came from someone who claims to have a ccw permit in LA county (of all places). I guess what bugged me about the guy's attitude is that I'd expect someone who went through the trouble to get a carry permit to understand why someone would want a carry permit. I guess I'm talking about the "I should be able to carry a gun whenever I want, but what do you need one for" attitude.

I hope that clears things up and the folks who seemed to take offense don't anymore.

 

[R.H. Lee]

Yes. It's like people who don't vote IMO.