Question on this scenario

[Jeff White]

How does my status as an armed citizen make me different from any other citizen in terms of responsibilities?

As an armed citizen you must give up certain conduct because of the repercussions involved. You can no longer engage in behavior that would escalate a conflict. You have to be able to turn away from unacceptable behavior in others. No more standing your ground if some drunk insults you, no more returning the middle finger salute when a driver cuts you off in traffic.

Basically you can't escalate. The possible consequences if you do while you are armed are just too great.

You don't have any responsibility to protect the public, you have no duty to act. A CCW permit is not a peace officer's commission. It allows you to carry a weapon to protect yourself and your loved ones, not the public at large.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

^^^^^ Well Said^^^^^

 

[TennJed]

I disagree with post #45. Carrying a firearm in public doesn't mean you want to be a pretend cop or can dispatch justice as you see fit.
You have certain standards & responsibilities as a CCW holder or armed citizen.

As for the hey, just become a cop part, that makes no sense either.
I can't speak for all parts of the USA but in my state/metro area, PDs are short or can't hire enough sworn personnel. One agency with a background of scandals & bad PR is under-strength 20 officers(size about 250). Another smaller PD can't hire new officers or even find applicants that can meet all their entry requirements.
A rural county sheriff told a group of media reporters he could hire & staff 287 new sworn deputies to be at strength. He lacks the funds, manpower & resources to get to this level.
Many people just don't walk out & start working as police officers or state troopers. It takes months or years to develop a qualified, trained sworn LE officer. Many sworn personnel leave the career field too after 4/5 years.
This is more common in US law enforcement than in other occupations.

Carrying a firearm in public doesnt mean you want to play cop, fantasizing or thinking you should get involved in crimes where your life (or loved one) is not in danger to hold or command the criminal does

 

[Gun Master]

I disagree with post #45. Carrying a firearm in public doesn't mean you want to be a pretend cop or can dispatch justice as you see fit.
You have certain standards & responsibilities as a CCW holder or armed citizen.

As for the hey, just become a cop part, that makes no sense either.
I can't speak for all parts of the USA but in my state/metro area, PDs are short or can't hire enough sworn personnel. One agency with a background of scandals & bad PR is under-strength 20 officers(size about 250). Another smaller PD can't hire new officers or even find applicants that can meet all their entry requirements.
A rural county sheriff told a group of media reporters he could hire & staff 287 new sworn deputies to be at strength. He lacks the funds, manpower & resources to get to this level.
Many people just don't walk out & start working as police officers or state troopers. It takes months or years to develop a qualified, trained sworn LE officer. Many sworn personnel leave the career field too after 4/5 years.
This is more common in US law enforcement than in other occupations.

We have had "Blue Flu" (and "Red Rash") in our area recently, due to cuts in city employees' benefits. The Police and Fire Dept. demands are , of course, causing talk of some sort of tax increase.

I know that I would dislike to see a tax increase, on my limited income.
But, three things :
1. City employees have needs like the rest of us, and promises of support should be meet.
2. "You get what you pay for".
3. The politicians could and should do a more honest, responsible, and capable job in spending our tax monies. Not every time, when a situation like this comes up, saying, "Let's just raise taxes".

We definitely need our police and to support them. I'm thankful, when police are not there, to go CCW legally, and "fill my hand" with the weapon of my choice.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Post #51, armed citizens....

I agree with #51.
A armed citizen, using open carry or CC needs to be a mature adult and able to stay calm & think rationally. If a CCW holder or gun owner were to be a brash, obnoxious loudmouth always starting fights or arguments do you think they'd keep a concealed license or gun permit very long?

 

[Gun Master]

Don't Draw Unless You Can Live With It

I agree with #51.
A armed citizen, using open carry or CC needs to be a mature adult and able to stay calm & think rationally. If a CCW holder or gun owner were to be a brash, obnoxious loudmouth always starting fights or arguments do you think they'd keep a concealed license or gun permit very long?

Yup! I agree with you and # 51, and in your posting in # 58.

 

[HighExpert]

I would say don't draw unless you have a very strong expectation of needing to shoot. I don't use a weapon to try to force another's behavior just to stop deadly behavior. It has worked for me.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Blues & Reds.....

It's a bit off the main topic, but my metro area has a few agencies with $$$ problems/recruiting too. My county's large sheriff's office has the sworn deputies upset over merit raises & pay scales. A patrol deputy(year one) makes the same as a sworn deputy working patrol for five years.
A lot of them quit or change agencies.
It's the same & even worse with the FDs. Some fire-rescue units are way, way under-strength. They can't pay firefighters & EMTs decent wages so they move onto larger cities & private sector jobs.
The US has a serious crisis in lacking volunteer fire-rescue/fire service units.
It's a big problem few people are aware of.

Rusty