open/conceal carry

nikki912

carlatron said:

I'm also Canadian, and there is such a cultural difference in this respect. Guns scare the bejesus out of me. Here, people have rifles if they hunt, and that's it. The only people I know who have handguns are police officers. And I'm pretty sure they leave their guns at the station when not on shift.

I suppose it's just how, and where, you are raised.

It's definitely cultural. Canadians actually have the right idea but it wouldn't work here because we have too much crime to begin with! People want to protect themselves from a very real threat, where as, from what I've heard about Canada- that threat is barely there.

MyLuckyCharms

I am so glad I live in a state where it is not the norm for moms to carry guns on their person/in their diaper bags. 

Andrewsgal

I actually did shoot quite a bit before getting pregnant. I even took a couple private lessons. I still stand behind my opinion that unless you are shooting consistently at a moving target (which most people are not) you will not be accurate in a gun fight to actually take someone down, more than likely you will hurt innocent bystanders.

MamaFantastic

MyLuckyCharms said:

I am so glad I live in a state where it is not the norm for moms to carry guns on their person/in their diaper bags. 

This! I'm sure this makes me sound naive, but I have honestly never even considered the possibility that a mom would keep a gun in her purse or diaper bag, ever, in any state. It's just so, SO not the norm where I live.

hlm184

LalaMama81 said:

hlm184 said:

LalaMama81 said:

KNSATX said:

I've traveled alone for work almost five years and there were so many times I wished I could carry. Between flying and working on military installations it wasn't practical, but it would've made me feel better. 

Like what? I've traveled a ton and am in a major US city on a regular basis. I have never once felt like I needed a gun. 

I just can't wrap my mind around thinking you need a loaded weapon on your person at all times. I think it's completely ridiculous. 

Isn't it great we live in a free country where you can choose to not carry a gun and I can?

Actually, no, I don't think it's great. 

I still feel like no one has given a true example of when they have needed a loaded weapon and didn't have one. I am hearing a lot of, "it's late at night," or "I'm a woman." Do you think the rest of us never go out at night? I truly cannot think of a time I ever needed a weapon and it's not because I sit home all the time. 

Honestly, I don't need a reason.  It's my constitutionally guaranteed right.  End of story.

maelic

No.  It's the other way 'round.  For everyone who is reckless, there are many more who are perfectly responsible.

Except all it takes is one reckless asshole with a gun to kill someone, accidentally or not.

KNSATX

I truly cannot think of a time I ever needed a weapon and it's not because I sit home all the time.

@LaLaMama81 I hope you never will need one. & being home doesn't negate the potential need for a weapon.

MyLuckyCharms

If I were at a playdate and I found out one of the moms was carrying a gun, that would be the end of contact with that mom/her kid(s). Sorry, I am not having my child(ren) around someone carrying a loaded gun to the park in their diaper bag.

I am honestly like W.T.A.F at this entire thread but then I grew up in Ireland (no guns) and now I live in Massachusetts. (Thankfully)

DemoDoll

LalaMama81 said:

hlm184 said:

LalaMama81 said:

KNSATX said:

I've traveled alone for work almost five years and there were so many times I wished I could carry. Between flying and working on military installations it wasn't practical, but it would've made me feel better. 

Like what? I've traveled a ton and am in a major US city on a regular basis. I have never once felt like I needed a gun. 

I just can't wrap my mind around thinking you need a loaded weapon on your person at all times. I think it's completely ridiculous. 

Isn't it great we live in a free country where you can choose to not carry a gun and I can?



Actually, no, I don't think it's great. 

I still feel like no one has given a true example of when they have needed a loaded weapon and didn't have one. I am hearing a lot of, "it's late at night," or "I'm a woman." Do you think the rest of us never go out at night? I truly cannot think of a time I ever needed a weapon and it's not because I sit home all the time. 

For my job I go into abandoned buildings, homes, etc. there had been times where people are destroying the property when I'm on site or bums can be sleeping in some random room in a building. Not all bums are mentally stable. I have been in areas looking at a property and I hear gun shots. I have even driven out of a property and the property on the next block was being invaded by two vans full of cops and SWAT. I used the example that I am a woman because there have been times that men have walked by the building I am walking into and start hollering profanity at me. I have never had a guy try to do anything to me but most of the situations I stated above made me leave that site immediately and where I refused to continue my work. If I had a gun I would have felt safer.


Is this a good enough reason for you? Rape is a real thing that happens to women all the time.

AcaAwkward

hlm184 said:

AcaAwkward said:

homediva said:

As a Canadian this thread is blowing my mind. I honestly did not realize that moms carry guns in their day to day activities. Is this the norm? What percentage of moms would you guesstimate carry a gun through their daily activities?

I really hope the answer is not very many...although living in gun-happy TX, I guess you never know. For every person who carries / owns responsibly, there are many others who do so recklessly...which terrifies me WAY more than the chance I might be violently attacked.

No.  It's the other way 'round.  For everyone who is reckless, there are many more who are perfectly responsible.

Sorry, y'all, don't mean to fight but this is my subject.  I'm a firearms instructor and active second amendment proponent.  I do this day in and day out.


-------------------------------

Meh. Agree to disagree.

After extensive research on the subject as a law clerk, I actually don't believe the 2nd amendment was designed to convey an individual right (as opposed to a collective one meant arm militias in case the federal government unduly attempted to take away citizens' rights), but now is probably not the time for a con law debate.

maelic

Yeah, "well regulated militia" is not exactly my definition of a woman with a loaded gun in her diaper bag. 

Andrewsgal

I am with @letranger there is no way most of you ladies a. Could un holster a gun fast enough to get a shot off when needed B. are actually a good enough shot to hit a moving target when you are terrified and your adrenaline is pumping.

amhah09

Yikes. Maybe I will stay in my small country town where violent crimes happen like once every five years and I don't feel the need to carry a gun with me for a neighborhood walk.

I see nothing wrong with having a gun in the house for those people who are responsible with it and know how to use it. But it makes me suuuuuper nervous to think there are guns on the playground or in the grocery store. I also agree that there are more irresponsible gun owners for every responsible owner. Statistically that is true. Kids are more often killed by the misfiring of a gun that they/a sibling/a friend got ahold of. (That is not an attack on anyone in this thread because I sure hope you're all responsible gun owners if you're carrying)

I would rather take self defense classes and master karate or the like than carry a gun with my kids. I'd rather know how to get myself out of a hold and incapacitate an attacker so that I can get back to my kids and get away.

Maybe if I didn't have kids. But I do. And I have small kids. I wouldn't carry a gun on my person because I constantly have at least one kid on my hip or in a carrier and at least one bag on my arm. It scares me much more to think that an attacker could get ahold of a gun that I carried before I could reach it.

sprightlysparrow7

LalaMama81 said:

KNSATX said:

I've traveled alone for work almost five years and there were so many times I wished I could carry. Between flying and working on military installations it wasn't practical, but it would've made me feel better. 

Like what? I've traveled a ton and am in a major US city on a regular basis. I have never once felt like I needed a gun. 

I just can't wrap my mind around thinking you need a loaded weapon on your person at all times. I think it's completely ridiculous. 

I haven't seen anyone say necessarily that they "need a loaded weapon on their person at all times", but I think some people are just more comfortable with the idea than others. And that's okay! Personally, if anyone finds the concept completely ridiculous I would rather them not carry for fear they would not handle it appropriately...so I'm fine if he or she doesn't! It's definitely not for everyone.

As for me, I don't have a permit yet, but my husband and both his parents do. I'm not going to lie to you, there are definitely times when I do a little eye roll because he's got the gun when I don't think it's really necessary, but there are definitely many, many other times I feel safer knowing he has it.

If and when I do carry, I hope I never, ever find myself in the situation where I have to use it...but if I do, I'm sure I won't regret it! Especially if I am protecting the life of a loved one.

KNSATX

Really? You think she's taking her daughter to work? Reeeeally? And do you honestly think you'll be changing anyone's mind here because you're scared and think guns are icky?

DemoDoll

Andrewsgal said:

I actually did shoot quite a bit before getting pregnant. I even took a couple private lessons. I still stand behind my opinion that unless you are shooting consistently at a moving target (which most people are not) you will not be accurate in a gun fight to actually take someone down, more than likely you will hurt innocent bystanders.

---------------------------
What do you think you do in a shooting league? And what do you think shooting clays entails? Also, I would be super lucky if the pheasants I shoot just stood in place for me. 90% of my shooting is at a tiny moving target. A person is much larger and slower than a pheasant or clay. So I am confident that I could shoot under adrenaline and at a moving target.

MyLuckyCharms

yeah I mean come on. If someone is a cop I'd be like sure I see why you'd carry a gun to work.

If someone has a dangerous job like you mentioned sure carry a gun to work.

but why do you need it at the playground? Answer: you don't. There is a .00001% chance that gun will save you or your kids during some hypothetical playground altercation and a much higher chance your gun will hurt one or more children due to misuse.

Andrewsgal

KNSATX said:

Really? You think she's taking her daughter to work? Reeeeally? And do you honestly think you'll be changing anyone's mind here because you're scared and think guns are icky?

I am not at all scared of guns nor do I think they are icky. I still think carrying a loaded weapon with a child is asinine and in no way being a responsible gun owner. I am all for the right to own a gun, I am not okay with irresponsible gun owners carrying a loaded weapon in a purse this is not responsible gun ownership.

homediva

PS did anyone actually think a thread like this on the April 14 board would not end up getting cray cray?

KNSATX

I love stats and figures without sources. Care to back that up, MyLuckyCharms?

MyLuckyCharms

KNSATX said:

I love stats and figures without sources. Care to back that up, MyLuckyCharms?

no need to "back up" common sense.

DemoDoll

Andrewsgal said:

KNSATX said:

Really? You think she's taking her daughter to work? Reeeeally? And do you honestly think you'll be changing anyone's mind here because you're scared and think guns are icky?

I am not at all scared of guns nor do I think they are icky. I still think carrying a loaded weapon with a child is asinine and in no way being a responsible gun owner. I am all for the right to own a gun, I am not okay with irresponsible gun owners carrying a loaded weapon in a purse this is not responsible gun ownership.

She meant to quote letranger.

maelic

Try this on for size: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/01/pro-gun-myths-fact-check

The links all go to studies. 

sprightlysparrow7

LalaMama81 said:

hlm184 said:

LalaMama81 said:

KNSATX said:

I've traveled alone for work almost five years and there were so many times I wished I could carry. Between flying and working on military installations it wasn't practical, but it would've made me feel better. 

Like what? I've traveled a ton and am in a major US city on a regular basis. I have never once felt like I needed a gun. 

I just can't wrap my mind around thinking you need a loaded weapon on your person at all times. I think it's completely ridiculous. 

Isn't it great we live in a free country where you can choose to not carry a gun and I can?



Actually, no, I don't think it's great. 

I still feel like no one has given a true example of when they have needed a loaded weapon and didn't have one. I am hearing a lot of, "it's late at night," or "I'm a woman." Do you think the rest of us never go out at night? I truly cannot think of a time I ever needed a weapon and it's not because I sit home all the time. 

I can give you an example, though it did not happen to me.

My mother has a best friend. A few years back, she went out with her husband. She has her carry permit and is quite familiar/comfortable with firearms. Anyway, while she and her husband were out enjoying themselves with friends on a date, her husband was murdered right in front of her. This man turned out to be a stalker of hers, and so he took it upon himself to take the life of her husband.

Why didn't she have her gun with her?... Bc it wasn't allowed in that particular location. Whether it should or shouldn't be allowed isn't my point here, but I'm convinced that her husband may have had a chance if she could have defended them both.

sprightlysparrow7

maelic said:

No.  It's the other way 'round.  For everyone who is reckless, there are many more who are perfectly responsible.

Except all it takes is one reckless asshole with a gun to kill someone, accidentally or not.






Unfortunately, reckless assholes can usually find a way to kill people regardless of their weapon of choice....cars, knives, fists...

MyLuckyCharms

sprightlysparrow7 said:

No.  It's the other way 'round.  For everyone who is reckless, there are many more who are perfectly responsible.

Except all it takes is one reckless asshole with a gun to kill someone, accidentally or not.

Unfortunately, reckless assholes can usually find a way to kill people regardless of their weapon of choice....cars, knives, fists...

not as easily. It's much much easier to KILL someone outright and quickly with a gun. I mean you can do it with knives and fists but it's much harder. Especially fists. Very hard to kill someone with your fists.

Andrewsgal

The assumption that people will accurately fire at a suspect drives me batty. I very seriously doubt that most people have the a accuracy and training needed to do this successfully under pressure. I know for a fact that just because you pass your CHL class does not mean this. Like I have said I could pass the shooting portion and I am at best a mediocre shot. I feel super comfortable knowing people who are not even close to expert gun handlers are carrying loaded weapons around children.

J&NL

In my home town, I have no need for a weapon but the town H and I live in now, you bet your sweet ass we will be carrying. It sucks. I don't like having to carry and I wish I didn't have to but I feel safer when I do. With that being said, I don't take it to play dates or or anything, only if we go somewhere after dark or if I'm home alone for a night (which happens often, hello, army wife) I will keep it next to my bed. It's just personal preference.

Andrewsgal

J&NL said:

In my home town, I have no need for a weapon but the town H and I live in now, you bet your sweet ass we will be carrying. It sucks. I don't like having to carry and I wish I didn't have to but I feel safer when I do. With that being said, I don't take it to play dates or or anything, only if we go somewhere after dark or if I'm home alone for a night (which happens often, hello, army wife) I will keep it next to my bed. It's just personal preference.

no please tell me you do not keep a loaded weapon next to your bed. Responsible gun ownership at its finest. This is why people don't believe anyone when they say they are a responsible gun owner.my kids are amazing sleepers yet still come into my room every so often.

amhah09

"On average, states with the highest gun levels had nine times the rate of unintentional firearms deaths compared to states with the lowest gun levels."

https://smartgunlaws.org/gun-deaths-and-injuries-statistics/#footnote_20_5975

MyLuckyCharms

I am fine with a firearm in the house, in a bio-metric safe  where it is kept at all times. I believe having something available to defend yourself against possible intruders to your home makes sense. An unlikely scenario but the risk is small assuming you are not an idiot and you KEEP IT IN THE SAFE away from children's prying eyes and hands. When children reach an appropriate age they should be taught about the firearm(s) in the home, and how to use it/them if necessary.

When evaluating a risk benefit scenario I believe the locked firearm in the home to be a good, calculated decision. Carrying one around on your person to the park however? yeah.. no.

sprightlysparrow7

::deleted post:::

Apparently I somehow managed to reply without actually replying? Not sure how managed that one!

amhah09

J&NL said:

In my home town, I have no need for a weapon but the town H and I live in now, you bet your sweet ass we will be carrying. It sucks. I don't like having to carry and I wish I didn't have to but I feel safer when I do. With that being said, I don't take it to play dates or or anything, only if we go somewhere after dark or if I'm home alone for a night (which happens often, hello, army wife) I will keep it next to my bed. It's just personal preference.

That's more understandable though than in your diaper bag at the grocery store.

J&NL

LalaMama81 said:

J&NL said:

In my home town, I have no need for a weapon but the town H and I live in now, you bet your sweet ass we will be carrying. It sucks. I don't like having to carry and I wish I didn't have to but I feel safer when I do. With that being said, I don't take it to play dates or or anything, only if we go somewhere after dark or if I'm home alone for a night (which happens often, hello, army wife) I will keep it next to my bed. It's just personal preference.

Why would you move somewhere that is truly that scary? W/ a family nonetheless?

Because that's where the Army sent us. Any more questions?

J&NL

Andrewsgal said:

J&NL said:

In my home town, I have no need for a weapon but the town H and I live in now, you bet your sweet ass we will be carrying. It sucks. I don't like having to carry and I wish I didn't have to but I feel safer when I do. With that being said, I don't take it to play dates or or anything, only if we go somewhere after dark or if I'm home alone for a night (which happens often, hello, army wife) I will keep it next to my bed. It's just personal preference.

no please tell me you do not keep a loaded weapon next to your bed. Responsible gun ownership at its finest. This is why people don't believe anyone when they say they are a responsible gun owner.my kids are amazing sleepers yet still come into my room every so often.

It's not loaded. I keep the clip out of it.

amhah09

Can someone explain to me how it can really protect you even in your house? That's a legitimate question. Because if you're a responsible gun owner shouldn't it be locked in a safe? Or stored separately than the bullets? That's what I've always understood. If someone gets into your house in the middle of the night when you are asleep by the time you wake up do you really have time to get to it? Wouldn't you be better off with an alarm system?

J&NL

@amhah09 I do have a small door alarm for when H is away over night but that alone doesn't make me feel safe. What's a door alarm going to do if someone breaks into my apartment?

MyLuckyCharms

J&NL said:

J&NL said:

In my home town, I have no need for a weapon but the town H and I live in now, you bet your sweet ass we will be carrying. It sucks. I don't like having to carry and I wish I didn't have to but I feel safer when I do. With that being said, I don't take it to play dates or or anything, only if we go somewhere after dark or if I'm home alone for a night (which happens often, hello, army wife) I will keep it next to my bed. It's just personal preference.

no please tell me you do not keep a loaded weapon next to your bed. Responsible gun ownership at its finest. This is why people don't believe anyone when they say they are a responsible gun owner.my kids are amazing sleepers yet still come into my room every so often.

It's not loaded. I keep the clip out of it.

And is the clip locked up? 

Because kids can figure things out that would surprise you. If you are locking the clip away it might make more sense to load the gun and lock that away in a biometric safe (Because kids can also find keys and get very curious & devious.). then its just one step access in case of emergency.

Andrewsgal

@amhah09 we own guns and due to how safely they are stored there is no way the could be used for protection. We have three different safes. We own guns for sport, oh and the zombie apocalypse.

sprightlysparrow7

MyLuckyCharms said:

sprightlysparrow7 said:

maelic said:

No.  It's the other way 'round.  For everyone who is reckless, there are many more who are perfectly responsible.

Except all it takes is one reckless asshole with a gun to kill someone, accidentally or not.






Unfortunately, reckless assholes can usually find a way to kill people regardless of their weapon of choice....cars, knives, fists...




not as easily. It's much much easier to KILL someone outright and quickly with a gun. I mean you can do it with knives and fists but it's much harder. Especially fists. Very hard to kill someone with your fists.

----------------------------
You have a valid point definitely, but in your response forgot the whole car thing. Yes...cars. Are we all irresponsible jerks for putting our children in cars every day? I work in a pediatric intensive care unit, and you know what outright and quickly kills my patients?...cars. I'm not saying "oh go sling your gun around on your hip while juggling your bambino on the other", I'm just saying let's think about, statistically, what kills our children? Guns...sure. But car accidents, just for an example, kill them way more often, and we don't necessarily get upset over people driving kids around...even properly restrained! I've also watched several kids die this year because they contracted pertussis (were not vaccinated). There are many, many things that can harm our children.