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When someone asks "why do you feel the need to carry?"

jt59

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2010
Messages
1,005
Location
Central South Sound
This is a link to the TNT in Tacoma, Seattle Times, Bellingham Herald and Yakima-Herald and is specific to "shootings" in the search engine, in and around those areas.

As I have had opportunity to talk about carry, both OC and CC with family and friends along with the odd stranger in the Safeway, this question has often come up at some point in the discussion. Having some of this information at hand or being able to refer to it, has helped to put some actual "context" to discussions in the areas that we all live and commute that go beyond opinions, emotion, projected fear and other bias to OC and/or carry issues in general.

Other city specific papers may have a similiar link to their stories locally, but thought this may be a place to accumulate stories that are more than anecdotal and specific to WA. I think these will stay current as a live link and update automatically....

http://blog.thenewstribune.com/crime/category/shooting/

http://search.nwsource.com/search?from=ST&query=shootings&searchtype=network

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/search_results?aff=1100&q=shootings

http://www.yakima-herald.com/search/story?query=shootings&per_page=20&range=all&order=desc

It may have some merit as a "sticky" if there is value in the information.
 

sigfan

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2010
Messages
47
Location
Semi-closed account
Personally, when I am asked why I open carry, I answer based on who is requesting. If it's a cop, I typically give a wry grin and obviously glance at their open-carried firearm. They typically then respond with "I'm required to do that". To which I ask "why do you suppose they require you to open carry?" To which they give a miriad of reasons. Then I just say "those sound like good reasons to me." In another such instance, a cop said "but wouldn't it be better if you concealed?" I said, "I will conceal when the law gets rid of my requirement to show ID and a permit in order to conceal. I don't like being harrassed and value my privacy. Oddly enough, law enforcement in cooperation with legislators created this problem when you created the need to have a permit to exercise my constitutional right. Drop the permit requirement and I'll conceal." He responded "DO YOU have a permit??" To which I said "now you see the beauty of open carry. I can tell you to pound sand because it's none of your god damned business while I'm open carrying, is it?"

Yes, I know those of you who feel we should always be polite when open carrying, and I usually am to the every day citizen. I refuse to be polite to police any longer.

All others who ask about why I open carry are responded to based on their demeanor and willingness to actually hear the answer.
 

gogodawgs

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Oct 25, 2009
Messages
5,669
Location
Federal Way, Washington, USA
Personally, when I am asked why I open carry, I answer based on who is requesting. If it's a cop, I typically give a wry grin and obviously glance at their open-carried firearm. They typically then respond with "I'm required to do that". To which I ask "why do you suppose they require you to open carry?" To which they give a miriad of reasons. Then I just say "those sound like good reasons to me." In another such instance, a cop said "but wouldn't it be better if you concealed?" I said, "I will conceal when the law gets rid of my requirement to show ID and a permit in order to conceal. I don't like being harrassed and value my privacy. Oddly enough, law enforcement in cooperation with legislators created this problem when you created the need to have a permit to exercise my constitutional right. Drop the permit requirement and I'll conceal." He responded "DO YOU have a permit??" To which I said "now you see the beauty of open carry. I can tell you to pound sand because it's none of your god damned business while I'm open carrying, is it?"

Yes, I know those of you who feel we should always be polite when open carrying, and I usually am to the every day citizen. I refuse to be polite to police any longer.

All others who ask about why I open carry are responded to based on their demeanor and willingness to actually hear the answer.

Well put Sir.
 

SpyderTattoo

Regular Member
Joined
May 22, 2008
Messages
1,015
Location
Kent, Washington, USA
Wow, first link in the list has this...

"McDougald, 36, lived in the Graham area, the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office reported today. An autopsy revealed he died of a gunshot wound to the back."

... in the back... :uhoh:
 

jchen012

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 4, 2006
Messages
144
Location
Bellevue, WA, ,
Wow, first link in the list has this...

"McDougald, 36, lived in the Graham area, the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office reported today. An autopsy revealed he died of a gunshot wound to the back."

... in the back... :uhoh:

I would shoot an intruder in the back if they were running toward my child's bedroom with a weapon. Self defense can include 3rd parties as well.
 

Schlepnier

Regular Member
Joined
May 12, 2011
Messages
420
Location
Yelm, Washington USA
My usual response would include
"i choose not to be a victim, the person responsible for my protection is me, i also choose to exercise my legal washington state and US constitutional rights"
 

sudden valley gunner

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2008
Messages
16,674
Location
Whatcom County
Personally, when I am asked why I open carry, I answer based on who is requesting. If it's a cop, I typically give a wry grin and obviously glance at their open-carried firearm. They typically then respond with "I'm required to do that". To which I ask "why do you suppose they require you to open carry?" To which they give a miriad of reasons. Then I just say "those sound like good reasons to me." In another such instance, a cop said "but wouldn't it be better if you concealed?" I said, "I will conceal when the law gets rid of my requirement to show ID and a permit in order to conceal. I don't like being harrassed and value my privacy. Oddly enough, law enforcement in cooperation with legislators created this problem when you created the need to have a permit to exercise my constitutional right. Drop the permit requirement and I'll conceal." He responded "DO YOU have a permit??" To which I said "now you see the beauty of open carry. I can tell you to pound sand because it's none of your god damned business while I'm open carrying, is it?"

Yes, I know those of you who feel we should always be polite when open carrying, and I usually am to the every day citizen. I refuse to be polite to police any longer.

All others who ask about why I open carry are responded to based on their demeanor and willingness to actually hear the answer.

We are from the same school of thought......maybe the school of too many LEO encounters.

And isn't it funny how they all say they respect our rights and are "civil" libertarians yet their departments work for every single control measure put out there against any sort of weapon?

Wow, first link in the list has this...

"McDougald, 36, lived in the Graham area, the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office reported today. An autopsy revealed he died of a gunshot wound to the back."

... in the back... :uhoh:

You know what I think I think we need to retrain the population that it doesn't matter, that a thief, mugger, rapists, (name your villain here) made the choice of what his life was worth when he violated yours.

If I am on a jury I don't care where the guy was shot, it would simply be what were his actions that led him to being shot.
 

amlevin

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2007
Messages
5,937
Location
North of Seattle, Washington, USA
The only person that's asked me that in the last few years was my ultra liberal relative. Anything I would have said in reply would have started the argument he was looking for. I ignored the question and he walked off. The even his wife said "that's the way to handle him".

Most "normal" people I encounter usually don't ask me "why", they merely comment on how they didn't know it was legal.

As for the "Cop" that told me it was illegal about 5 years or so ago, I found out after the fact that he was a KCSO Deputy that had been relegated to prisoner escort detail at the Courthouse. Wasn't fit for street duty any more according to sources.
 

MSG Laigaie

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jan 10, 2011
Messages
3,239
Location
Philipsburg, Montana
I was standing outside Goodwill in B'ham waiting for it to open. I was about ten mins early and there was a small crowd of about fifteen or twenty folks around the door. Conversations were the usual meaningless small talk. I noticed a man watching me and I wondered if he would actually say something. It took him a few mins but he finally asked, "Why are you carrying a gun?" At that point the crowd seemed to go quiet. I answered, "According to the police, there are thirtyone known gangs in Whatcom county with a total population of about six hundred. In the Army thats about a reinforced battalion. I carry to be safe. If they see my weapon they might move on to a softer target, like you." You could almost hear the crickets. So I added, "And you know you just have to be ready for that Zombie Appocolypse!" THAT eased the tension and most of them chuckled as the doors opened.
 

Tawnos

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2008
Messages
2,542
Location
Washington
The only person that's asked me that in the last few years was my ultra liberal relative. Anything I would have said in reply would have started the argument he was looking for. I ignored the question and he walked off. The even his wife said "that's the way to handle him".

Most "normal" people I encounter usually don't ask me "why", they merely comment on how they didn't know it was legal.

As for the "Cop" that told me it was illegal about 5 years or so ago, I found out after the fact that he was a KCSO Deputy that had been relegated to prisoner escort detail at the Courthouse. Wasn't fit for street duty any more according to sources.

"I like the taste of chocolate milkshakes on a Tuesday".

When the person asks why you said that, you can quite honestly reply: "to you, any answer I give would make about as much sense, and you're less likely to argue that one."
 

xxx.jakk.xxx

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2010
Messages
467
I generally just spout off "For self defense" since it's quick and to the point. It's surprising how annoyed people get when you say "Self defense"... It's like they don't want you to be able to defend yourself. I actually got asked why my friends and all were carrying guns the other day (we were at Cash & Carry in Bremerton). The woman asked us, I answered, then she commented that her husband wanted to carry a gun. My buddy, who usually CCs and only OCs with me around, said "It's only 55 dollars and a quarter to get his CPL.". She responded with, "Oh, he has that. I just won't let him.". Pretty sad if you ask me... =\
 

.45ACPaddy

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2009
Messages
999
Location
Lakewood, WA
I generally just spout off "For self defense" since it's quick and to the point. It's surprising how annoyed people get when you say "Self defense"... It's like they don't want you to be able to defend yourself. I actually got asked why my friends and all were carrying guns the other day (we were at Cash & Carry in Bremerton). The woman asked us, I answered, then she commented that her husband wanted to carry a gun. My buddy, who usually CCs and only OCs with me around, said "It's only 55 dollars and a quarter to get his CPL.". She responded with, "Oh, he has that. I just won't let him.". Pretty sad if you ask me... =\

Someone needs to go Nike with it... Just do it.
 

jt59

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2010
Messages
1,005
Location
Central South Sound
I generally just spout off "For self defense" since it's quick and to the point. It's surprising how annoyed people get when you say "Self defense"... It's like they don't want you to be able to defend yourself. I actually got asked why my friends and all were carrying guns the other day (we were at Cash & Carry in Bremerton). The woman asked us, I answered, then she commented that her husband wanted to carry a gun. My buddy, who usually CCs and only OCs with me around, said "It's only 55 dollars and a quarter to get his CPL.". She responded with, "Oh, he has that. I just won't let him.". Pretty sad if you ask me... =\

Hmmmm.

PW
 

MSG Laigaie

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jan 10, 2011
Messages
3,239
Location
Philipsburg, Montana
She responded with, "Oh, he has that. I just won't let him.". Pretty sad if you ask me...

He does not sound like someone with the will to use it even if he wore it. I would consider him dangerous in an SD situation.
 

amlevin

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2007
Messages
5,937
Location
North of Seattle, Washington, USA
He does not sound like someone with the will to use it even if he wore it. I would consider him dangerous in an SD situation.

Unless he has his wife by his side and she gives him permission. Could definitely slow things down, especially if the BG shot the wife first. But then rather than just shoot the BG on his own, he might just say "Thank You".
 

xxx.jakk.xxx

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2010
Messages
467
Unless he has his wife by his side and she gives him permission. Could definitely slow things down, especially if the BG shot the wife first. But then rather than just shoot the BG on his own, he might just say "Thank You".

If I was with her, I'd definitely send that kind fellow a thank you basket and reimbursement for the round spent on her.
 

silver

Regular Member
Joined
May 10, 2011
Messages
83
Location
CONUS
I generally just spout off "For self defense" since it's quick and to the point. It's surprising how annoyed people get when you say "Self defense"... It's like they don't want you to be able to defend yourself. I actually got asked why my friends and all were carrying guns the other day (we were at Cash & Carry in Bremerton). The woman asked us, I answered, then she commented that her husband wanted to carry a gun. My buddy, who usually CCs and only OCs with me around, said "It's only 55 dollars and a quarter to get his CPL.". She responded with, "Oh, he has that. I just won't let him.". Pretty sad if you ask me... =\


Hmmmm.

PW

When i told my GF I was going to start carrying she got a really freaked out look on her face and said "no thats not good because this and this and this and that"

I said "get over it"

NOT PW!!!!!:lol:

about 2 weeks ago a clerk got shot a gas station less than 600 yrds from where she lives. interestingly enough she has now changed her mind.
 

amzbrady

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2009
Messages
3,521
Location
Marysville, Washington, USA
I generally just spout off "For self defense" since it's quick and to the point. It's surprising how annoyed people get when you say "Self defense"... It's like they don't want you to be able to defend yourself. I actually got asked why my friends and all were carrying guns the other day (we were at Cash & Carry in Bremerton). The woman asked us, I answered, then she commented that her husband wanted to carry a gun. My buddy, who usually CCs and only OCs with me around, said "It's only 55 dollars and a quarter to get his CPL.". She responded with, "Oh, he has that. I just won't let him.". Pretty sad if you ask me... =\

I really dont think thier thought process at the moment is they dont want you to be able to defend yourself, (although that is their ultimate goal, when protesting guns). I think it is more they are so out of touch with reality and think they have made a great choice in their immediate location and think there is no danger where they are at any given time. They have no concept that there are not just certian locations that crime will happen. If they have a cell phone, (which most everyone does now days) they feel perfectly safe thinking that all they have to do to stop crime, is call 911.

Too many people with a "Picaso Thought process".
 
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