Robbins290
Member
That hunting rabbits made me laugh all day
How to respond to "Why do you have a gun" while OC
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anothernewb
Member
"why do you not?"
I have been asked this question, and that was my answer. person never said another word
Ive also responded by asking that person if they were ever served food but had no silverware. That usually gets me one of those "huh?" looks. To which I simply say
ever just sit down and eat without it? Didn't think so, Never think about having them until you need them, do you.
I have been asked this question, and that was my answer. person never said another word
Ive also responded by asking that person if they were ever served food but had no silverware. That usually gets me one of those "huh?" looks. To which I simply say
ever just sit down and eat without it? Didn't think so, Never think about having them until you need them, do you.
Have used the same once, but ala "In case somethin needs shootin" in a heavy deep south accent with a mean face, mostly to subtly antagonize said anti who probably goes by stereotypes.
When there people ask, it's not the type of people that care to hear you casually and gently inform them of the legalities. They ask in a snotty and condescending tone.
I also notice a lot of people say "Because it's my 2nd amendment rights" which is what I do as it is now, but I emphasize it's "our" rights instead of just my rights.
SouthernBoy
Member
Posted by: Ranger Roberts
This may be true in eastern Pennsylvania but please don't assume it is the case for a good part of the rest of the nation. In my area of Virginia, I virtually never get a negative response from people who ask questions of me when they see my sidearm. Almost to a person, they are positive and supportive. Guess there is a heck of a lot of difference between PA and VA.
This may be true in eastern Pennsylvania but please don't assume it is the case for a good part of the rest of the nation. In my area of Virginia, I virtually never get a negative response from people who ask questions of me when they see my sidearm. Almost to a person, they are positive and supportive. Guess there is a heck of a lot of difference between PA and VA.
Queen_of_Thunder
member
Asking why do you carry a gun is a rhetorical question at best because the person asking it already understands why but basically its a stupid question deserving of an equally stupid answer.
BullfrogKen
Moderator Emeritus
SouthernBoy said:
No, but remember Southeastern PA = Philadelphia.
Philadelphia has much more in common with New Jersey and New York City than it does with the rest of the state. The people in Philly are big city statist jerks to us, and we're all uneducated country bumpkins to them. Think of it as the difference between Alexandria and the rest of your state.
9MMare said:
I'm in total agreement here.
If you can't think quick on your feet - I'm talking about your wits here - perhaps you ought to not openly carry until you can.
I know this isn't everyone, but most of the people I see practicing open carry here are young people doing it to make a statement.
I don't believe one ought to carry a gun for the purposes of making political statements. But I know people do, so OK.
And if you're young, or you look young, one of these days you're going to get grief over it. Sorry, life is not fair, but that's just the way life works. So think ahead of time about how you're going to de-escalate someone you just made nervous as heck over it. If you don't have the social skills to do that, or can't think quickly on your feet, I'd encourage you to wait until you can and do.
You can certainly do whatever you want in life as long as you're willing to pay the consequences.
Remember that for many people seeing someone not in a uniform walking down the street openly displaying a gun is not a normal sight. They may not react as you think they should.
If you want to do it to make a statement and exercise your civil rights, OK. Just remember that 50 years ago there was another group of people who did things that weren't socially acceptable also. And they knew the price they might have to pay when they did those things, so no whining.
9MMare
Member
9MMare
Member
You know sometimes I feel like this too but for some reason, your post reminded me that there are thousands of 'gun neutral' people out there. And they can be curious too.
I was one until I was 38. Didnt care either way, had shot a few .22 rifles, a few handguns. Totally neutral till I bought some rural property and it 'seemed like a good idea to get a gun' and I investigated further.
Recently, we had a fund-raising event for someone who was injured by the malicious acts of others. I went to my local gun store and they donated lots of pepper sprays and then some Guns and Coffee T-shirts and mugs.
When I brought in the donated items, I asked the event organizer, privately, if she wanted to put the Guns & Coffee stuff out. She was like, sure! And they were popular and no one complained or said anything.
Very sadly...she was cc'ing when the acts occurred...but she said by the time it had escalated to where lethal force was legally justified, it was too late....as they had become separated. I didnt know that until I asked about the donations.
BullfrogKen
Moderator Emeritus
Certainly there are more fence-sitters than anti-gunners among the population. At least, among most populations anyway. That I do believe. There are many more who really haven't made up their minds because there are more important, pressing things for a parent to think about that they are presented with every day than gun ownership and a citizen's right to carry one.
That's life. If one just looks at voting results, less then half the people care enough to vote in a Presidential election, let alone have a strong political belief about an issue.
Acting like a smart-alec towards a fence sitter undermines the cause "open-carriers" profess.
I firmly believe that, the vast majority of the time, within the first 60 seconds of a conversation over guns someone with decent social skills can tell the difference between a fence-sitter and a rabid anti-gunner and respond accordingly.
If you can't, don't make yourself a target for such conversation.
That's life. If one just looks at voting results, less then half the people care enough to vote in a Presidential election, let alone have a strong political belief about an issue.
Acting like a smart-alec towards a fence sitter undermines the cause "open-carriers" profess.
I firmly believe that, the vast majority of the time, within the first 60 seconds of a conversation over guns someone with decent social skills can tell the difference between a fence-sitter and a rabid anti-gunner and respond accordingly.
If you can't, don't make yourself a target for such conversation.
Maybe she was there to see her doctor about her Hoplophobia
Liberty1776
Member
reminds me of the time I went into UPS to ship a rifle I had sold. The counter gal asked what I was shipping. I said "a rifle" and this older middle-aged woman standing next to the box screamed... both the counter lady and I just looked at her until she calmed down...
DeadMoneyDrew
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Generally I don't condone being a smart aleck over such a potentially sensitive topic, but I'd have paid twenty bucks to have seen that in person.
I whole heartedly agree. Someone that asks why you have a gun is not the same person that yells "gun!" If we want to change anyone's opinion we need to take any good opportunity to show them that we aren't gunslingers.
If they ask why, it doesn't hurt to assume that they are honestly asking. At least not until they prove themselves as antis. As BullFrogKen said, most people are fence sitters. They are honestly ignorant about guns and may not care at all. These are the people we can influence. A good answer would be "I carry a gun for the same reason you use a seat belt in a car or have a fire extinguisher at home. I probably will never need to use it in self defense, but if something happens I'd rather be prepared."
cdb1
Member
Because I can.
TRX
Member
> "Why do you have a gun?"
The #1 best response I've seen, from a member on one of the ccw forums:
Say, "Gun? What gun?" Then start slapping at the holster, jerk about, and scream "GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF!"
The #1 best response I've seen, from a member on one of the ccw forums:
Say, "Gun? What gun?" Then start slapping at the holster, jerk about, and scream "GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF!"
FROGO207
Member
As stated it will depend on the situation/asker.
Often I will respond "It's legal and I choose to do it." Then follow that with "I am obviously NOT the one you should be worried about having a firearm." while offering a big smile.
In the OP's situation I would have replied "You're also scary to me if you are afraid of someone that thinks differently than you." also said with a BIG smile.
Quick wit will defuse a lot of sticky situations.
Often I will respond "It's legal and I choose to do it." Then follow that with "I am obviously NOT the one you should be worried about having a firearm." while offering a big smile.
In the OP's situation I would have replied "You're also scary to me if you are afraid of someone that thinks differently than you." also said with a BIG smile.
Quick wit will defuse a lot of sticky situations.
OK, this is absolutely the funniest I've heard.
I've discussed guns with my doctor several times. Her son has a permit. I've never worn my gun in her office because they weigh you each time. I finally asked her about this last time and she said there was no reason I couldn't. I said what about the staff and she said that they are used to LEOs coming in wearing their gun. I'm not a LEO, but that was reassuring. She also said that what I could do was to weigh my gun and holster and just have them subtract that from my weight. So next time I'll tell them to subtract 2.7 lbs.
SharpsDressedMan
member
You might ask in return: "Does it scare you that I have a gun on? If not, why worry? If it DOES scare you, do you really want to make me mad?"
Derry 1946
Member
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Strange to think it requires any justification. It seems obvious to me why a person carries a gun. What if you reply, "Why do you ask?" I'd be interested in the response. I've heard it said, For those who understand, no explanation is necessary; for those who do not, no explanation is possible. You could note that the State legislature, elected by the majority of the voters, has deemed it appropriate (either by expressly permitting OC, or at least by not banning it). If the inquirer opposes it, she finds herself in the minority. Interestingly, though, even on this board, several people question why a person carries openly rather than concealed, given the apparent drawbacks. No pun intended.
Hondo 60
Member
Why do I carry?
I'm a disabled vet, while not confined to a wheelchair, I cannot run.
So I have to be able to defend myself when some sniveling miscreant thinks I'm an easy target.
I'm a disabled vet, while not confined to a wheelchair, I cannot run.
So I have to be able to defend myself when some sniveling miscreant thinks I'm an easy target.
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