How Many Just Don't Know...

[gggman]

Most of the people that I've had conversations with about concealed carry seem to know it's available, but just don't bother going to the trouble of getting one.
They seem to be under the impression that you only need to carry a gun if you carry large amounts of cash, or live in a dangerous area, or whatever.

 

[Sam Adams]

All of which begs the question - how many folks just plain aren't aware that they can get a permit to carry if they want to in most states?

Most. Which is fine by me - that way if I print the sheople think it is a cellphone. It is also interesting to see the reaction of these folks when they've known you for a long time and trust you, and then find out that you own guns and have a carry permit - it makes them reconsider their stereotypical and prejudiced anti-gun position.

I just want the criminals to be aware of it - the more that are, the less crime that there will be.

 

[fjolnirsson]

Gunnies may have a hard time understanding this, but most people do not live and breathe guns and gun issues.

WHAT?!

Inconceivable!!

 

[ShaiVong]

I've had my CCW for approaching two years now, and my wife STILL flpps out when she sees me use my IWB. Just last night I put it on to go meet my sister at the movies and conversation goes like this (which is how it usually goes):
Shai Vongs Old Lady: "YOU CANT BRING THAT!!"
SV: "Yeah I can."
SVOL: They don't want you to bring guns into a theatre!
SV: Well they dont make that decision for me.
SVOL: Well if they call me and say your husband has been caught with a gun i'm not going to help you.
SV: Are you CRAZY?! There is NOTHING ethically, morally, or legaly wrong with what im doing! Theres nothing to catch!!

She sounds worse than she is, mostly because i never listen to her and she doesnt really expect me too. She's a hardcore conformist, and doesnt like to make any waves or do anything that would make people feel less of her. Its a weakness and she acknowedges that. I think she feeds off of my belligernt attitude. She openly admires it anyway, even if it makes her exasperated.

Maybe she'll come around in a few years, in any case she knows I'll never come around to her POV.

 

[444]

I am sure there are many, many people who don't know that the average person can carry a concealed weapon.
There are even more that think it is illegal to own a machine gun, illegal to own a suppressor, and illegal to own a short barreled shotgun or shortbarrel rifle.
None of this is a surprise or a bad reflection of the person. If you arn't into this type of thing and are never involved in conversations about these things, how would you know ? The problem is compounded by misinformation given out at every turn by people who are just as ignorant of the laws.

That being said, I have never run in to anyone in the Las Vegas Nevada area that didn't know about CCW. In fact, I am often surprised at people who mention that they have a CCW or people who mention they are taking the class for CCW. I guess it is my own ignorance but I tend to associate CCW with people who are hardcore gun hobbiests, when in fact many people have a CCW and their one CCW gun; they never think or discuss guns other than that.

 

[jon]

I've known about it here in Utah ever since I was a teenager and the concealed carry law passed the legislature. Needless to say I was very happy and had something to look forward to when I turned 21.

 

[Jayman]

I think most of us hang around shooters, so it doesn't occur to us that people out there don't know.

I recently acquired a shooting student, and on our first or second outing she said something about interstate transport and having to get all of the correct paperwork/permits, etc. (In reference to a relative traveling with hunting rifles, I think.) I told her that there was no need for such paperwork, that as long as you were going from point A to point B and said firearm was legal in both jurisdictions and being transported safely/securely, there was no issue.

I further told her that if she wanted to purchase a gun we could go do so after we had concluded that day's lesson, and she could walk out with it (cash/carry).

When I told her this, she was VERY quiet, simply considering the possibilities, I guess.

More recently she's taken to shooting like crazy. Girl can do some rifle work, let me tell you. Her mom and sister are pretty concerned, they've both told her that they can't fully support her new hobby unless "she attends counseling." (Whatever that means.) I thought it pretty funny. I have to resist going off on a 2a/freedom rant and a "this is not RUSSIA" tyrade when such things come up. I find it much more constructive to simply state the laws as they exist and avoid my own editorial spin. Reality and the fun of actually shooting seems to do the rest.

Come to think of it, one evening several of us had gone out to dinner. I was wearing my official "I'm not armed/don't hurt me shirt" and somebody remarked about it jokingly. New student informed the other person, "but he is armed!" (Like they didn't know, everyone at the table aside from new student was armed. Once again, very amusing.)

 

[Ala Dan]

In keeping with the topic, you'd be surprised as
too how many people have no earthly idea that
there is such a thing as a CCW; especially here
in the southeast!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Carlos]

While visiting family down in Southern California, I did a ride-a-long with my sister's husband, RoboCop.

I told him I had a CHL in Oregon, and the dude was flabergasted that civilians could do such a thing.

I probably shoot better that him, too.

 

[Sunray]

"...how many folks just plain aren't aware..." Most people both here and Stateside have no exposure to firearms of any kind except on TV and in movies. That's why shooters are being persecuted.

 

[lee n. field]

Personally I was dumbfounded that this lady had no idea she could be licensed to carry

we are enthusiasts, interested enough to learn. All they know about guns is what they're told on TeeVee.

My own father (who should know better) when he saw my Makarov for the first time asked "Is that legal?"

 

[9 m&m]

on the "alot of ammo" subject...

I went to wal-mart to buy some 9's

Lady behind counter- Huh...oh I didnt see you there. Waddaya want?

Me- Give me 8 100 rd. packs of 9mm.

Lady- (looking at me strange) You really need all this?!?

Me- Lady, I shoot this in one evening.

 

[k8ysv]

Her mom and sister are pretty concerned, they've both told her that they can't fully support her new hobby unless "she attends counseling." (Whatever that means.)

Her mom and sister are the ones in need of counseling. They seem to have issues which they are projecting onto your student.

I often wonder what a "counsellor" thinks when this kind of thing comes up. I'd like to think that they have a good enough handle on the state of man that they would look at it as we do, but I'm not naive enough to think it likely.

Oddly, a lot of folks I've talked to here in Ohio think that we always could get a carry permit. They don't understand the hubbub surrounding the new CCW law here. Then I always get the classic "Why do you need to carry a gun?". I usually answer that question by telling them that I hope they never have to find out for themselves.

 

[Tamara]

My own father (who should know better) when he saw my Makarov for the first time asked "Is that legal?"

I'd have to bite my lip to keep from replying: "No, but then again, what really is legal, anymore?"

 

[raz-0]

most people have no clue what the laws regarding firearms are period, much less with regard to CCW.

For once I'd like to see on of those polls asking about people wanting more gun control asking control questions to guage if the person has any idea what the current laws are.

 

[SteelyDan]

Here in the land of 10,000 lakes, we just got "shall issue" one year ago. I'm quite certain that anyone who reads the print media is fully aware of that fact. Said media has generated an astonishing number of articles over the past year to highlight, with an "appropriate" amount of horror, the fact that someone at the local Target store may be in possession of a firearm.

 

[Valkman]

Same thing here in Vegas, and not only about CCW. Around here you can have any loaded gun you want in your vehicle, but I'll bet 90% of the people don't know it.

But, one day I used my debit card at a book store, and the kid asked me for ID. Then I realized I had left my driver's license at home so I gave him my CCW. He was kind of in awe about it and I told him he could get one too. He said 'You mean a civilian can get one?" I said "Man, I AM a civilian, just like you!" He assumed I was a cop or something because I had it.

 

[tcsd1236]

True, but I'm reasonably certain that knitting, decoupage, and breeding Pekingeses are nowhere mentioned in the Constitution, while bearing arms is.

Yeah, but that still doesn't mean that most people will care about it. It doesn't give your hobby any greater significance or meaning to them.

 

[Tamara]

Yeah, but that still doesn't mean that most people will care about it.

Obviously. Most folks don't care about other trivial things, like elections, either.


I personally don't think Suzy Homemaker needs to be able to field-strip an M9 and distinguish a Glock 19 from a SIG P-228 at 25 paces, but for them to register shock at the fact that "civilians can carry handguns" is kind of droll.

After all, she doesn't subscribe to Car & Driver and can't tell a catalytic converter from a cylinder head, but I'll bet she's aware that private citizens can get licenses to operate motor vehicles.

 

[AZLibertarian]

...but I'll bet she's aware that private citizens can get licenses to operate motor vehicles.

Tam, I think you and I would agree on just about any topic, but I am always careful when putting out an analogy regarding gun licenses/permits and driving licenses. These analogies too often confuse the sheeple into equating the two activities, which in my mind, are quite seperate and distinct.

I went through a real thought exercise when I got my CCW. Do I submit to the state to get a permit for something that I read somewhere "shall not be infringed"? Or do I just carry anyway, and perhaps eventually have to defend myself from an unlawful carry charge by quoting the 2A? Now, obviously, I carry legally, but I don't believe I should have to get a permit to do so. Driving, of course, is not covered in the Constitution, and states have a right to regulate this activity.

FWIW and kinda off my point, I also went through the same thought exercise about a year ago. I've got a neighbor who had fallen on some hard times. I do not know how he acquired it, but I understand he has/had an unlicensed Class III weapon that he might want cash for. While I would like to have one, I decided that knowingly violating the law--as much as I may disagree with it--would send the wrong message to my kids in the long run. So my neighbor may still have it, or he may have sold it elsewhere...I do not know.

 

[tcsd1236]

but I'll bet she's aware that private citizens can get licenses to operate motor vehicles.

Thats ( the driving/ drivers licenses ) an activity that the majority of the population engages in.Most people would know about drivers licenses, even the small per centage that doesn't drive.

 

[PigPen]

Tamara Said:

"You'd be surprised how many residents of the Free State of Tennessee are shocked to find out that not only do they not have to register their guns, but that they can't register their guns even if they want to... "
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appalling, isn't it?

PigPen

 

[Tamara]

tcsd1236,

Most people would know about drivers licenses, even the small per centage that doesn't drive.

Yet driver's licenses, much like decoupage and Pekingeses, aren't even mentioned in the Constitution, whereas our silly little "hobby" is (as pointed out by AZLibertarian...)

Just what are those Civics 101 teachers telling kids these days? I demand an accounting of how my dang tax dollars are being spent!

 

[Treylis]

They seem to be under the impression that you only need to carry a gun if you carry large amounts of cash, or live in a dangerous area, or whatever.

Dangerous area? Yeah, I live in one. It's called Planet Earth.

 

[ctdonath]

private citizens can get licenses to operate motor vehicles

I'm sure the "right to drive" is not in the Constitution ONLY because the Founding Fathers could not conceive of such licensing!