usmcbess
Regular Member
because I can in america thank God
Waitress, two nights ago: "Are you into security or something?"
Me: "Yes."
Normally, when I am asked this question (not very often), my answer is, "Because it is my right as a free man and because I care about the safety of myself and my family." I will usually go on to explain that, yes, it is legal in Alabama and will refer them to either this site or ALOC.
The exception was the little gang-banger wannabe who said, "Hey, Pops, why you packing?"
My answer, "You don't know?"
His response, "Naw!"
Again, "I didn't tell you?"
His response, with a smirk, "Naw!"
"Then it must be none of your damn business!"
His little buddies cracked up laughing at him. He even started laughing. Then he came back with, very politely, "Sir, why do you carry?"
From that, we had a pretty good little discussion and I hope they learned something about both respect and firearms.
I personally carry a firearm due to the increase rate of crime and not enough police protection for the city. Numious times of crimes and police dont get there fast enough and someone gets hurt.
Just a few problems with that idea, DW... The crime rate is actually falling, in part due to more people going armed I believe.
But it is important for people to understand that the "police" or sheriff or any other "law enforcement" bunch has absolutely ZERO obligation to defend anyone personally, or to come to their aid when called. This has been established over and over again at every court level including the Supreme court. So you need to carry because YOU and YOU alone are responsible for your safety.
And you might give some thought to how many innocent people get hurt AFTER the cops show up...
Dial 911 and die...
Lots of murdering the county there.Crime on Capitol Hill is skyrocketing.
I don't think that it helps our cause to give someone a smart ass answer to this question. I always answer that I carry for self protection, to deter an attack on me or someone near me, and because it is my Constitutional right. Some people really want to know; perhaps they really haven't thought about it until they saw someone OC. Be professional, be polite, and you may open someone's mind. If you give someone a smart ass answer, it doesn't help you or them.
Among people that I have a good relationship with (for instance, coworkers who encounter me on my off days), I usually use an amusing or disarming (pun intended) response. My favorites are "Because cops are too heavy" and "The holster matches my shoes/The grips bring out my eyes". Most of them are intelligent enough to know why people carry guns and what they are used for. Most of them really mean "Why do you carry like that?" and it usually leads to some great conversations where I get to explain/defend the legality of OC.
Among people that I don't know, and usually don't care to know, My response would probably be "Do I know you?" So far though, I haven't been approached because I tend to put off a 'leave me alone' vibe.
When encountering police, the reasons don't seem to matter much. I'm usually trying to reinforce the legality of carrying.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, to people that should already know. Go figure.