M-Taliesin
Regular Member
Howdy Folks!
The wife and I were in Brighton yesterday, and did a little shopping there. After a break for Starbucks, very OC friendly, BTW.... We decided to hit a few yard sales just to see what might be available. I found one location that was giving away a 4 drawer file cabinet, which I latched onto because it will come in handy as I receive new cases and close others. I'll have a place to store case files now, and have new case files readily available and easily found. But that's another story.
While at one particular garage sale, a couple approached me to ask whether I was a cop or licensed to open carry. I explained that open carry is legal, and the basics of concealed carry; like how to go about getting a permit and other relevant information. But I emphasized that open carry is entirely legal in most of Colorado so long as a citizen can visit a gun store, apply for and pass a background check to purchase a handgun, and walk out with a gun. The woman I was speaking with works for... ready for this.... wait for it..... City and County of Denver! I explained that sorta sucks for her, but that she could open carry anywhere else, and would need to get a permit to carry concealed in Denver. Turns out she lives in Hudson (northeast of Brighton about 14 miles) and would need to get her license from either Adams or Weld county, depending on where she's at.
While talking with that couple, another woman approached and wanted to learn more about carry rights and I was able to fill her in as well. I had my wife fetch her purse and show how it has a concealed compartment for her handgun but is easily accessible without opening the handbag. I was able to answer her questions and give her some information to go on, when a 3rd couple approached and wanted to learn about carry in Colorado.
Before long, I'd been able to positively influence 3 different couples on open carry in Colorado, give them facts about concealed carry and how to obtain permits, and how to exercise their rights with open carry within our state.
I was wearing my new 1911 A1 Rock Island, which probably was real noticable contrasted with that nickle plated finish against my darker clothing.
What I found impressive is how folks were curious about the right to carry, wanted to learn more, and were absorbing information like sponges. One of the women I spoke with made clear why such interest was manifesting "It's getting dangerous out there!" I told her that was why I carry, and have encouraged my wife to carry too.
With each person I spoke with, the subject of police response times came up, and how they are only minutes away when seconds mean the difference between life and death. One person asked "Are you prepared to shoot somebody?" I answered "I don't shoot to kill. I shoot to stay alive. When the chips are down, I will survive." They seemed to understand that one. I closed such discussions with "Are you willing to defend your own life? Or your wife? Or your children? Who deserves to live? You, or the criminal who threatens your live and the lives of your loved ones?"
As we drove away, with the filing cabinet safely ensconced in the back of the Jeep, we pondered how much interest there is among folks who have noticed that our society is becoming increasingly hazardous for those unprepared to defend themselves. My hope is that someone I interacted with may one day thank me for giving them information that saved a life!
Blessings,
M-Taliesin
The wife and I were in Brighton yesterday, and did a little shopping there. After a break for Starbucks, very OC friendly, BTW.... We decided to hit a few yard sales just to see what might be available. I found one location that was giving away a 4 drawer file cabinet, which I latched onto because it will come in handy as I receive new cases and close others. I'll have a place to store case files now, and have new case files readily available and easily found. But that's another story.
While at one particular garage sale, a couple approached me to ask whether I was a cop or licensed to open carry. I explained that open carry is legal, and the basics of concealed carry; like how to go about getting a permit and other relevant information. But I emphasized that open carry is entirely legal in most of Colorado so long as a citizen can visit a gun store, apply for and pass a background check to purchase a handgun, and walk out with a gun. The woman I was speaking with works for... ready for this.... wait for it..... City and County of Denver! I explained that sorta sucks for her, but that she could open carry anywhere else, and would need to get a permit to carry concealed in Denver. Turns out she lives in Hudson (northeast of Brighton about 14 miles) and would need to get her license from either Adams or Weld county, depending on where she's at.
While talking with that couple, another woman approached and wanted to learn more about carry rights and I was able to fill her in as well. I had my wife fetch her purse and show how it has a concealed compartment for her handgun but is easily accessible without opening the handbag. I was able to answer her questions and give her some information to go on, when a 3rd couple approached and wanted to learn about carry in Colorado.
Before long, I'd been able to positively influence 3 different couples on open carry in Colorado, give them facts about concealed carry and how to obtain permits, and how to exercise their rights with open carry within our state.
I was wearing my new 1911 A1 Rock Island, which probably was real noticable contrasted with that nickle plated finish against my darker clothing.
What I found impressive is how folks were curious about the right to carry, wanted to learn more, and were absorbing information like sponges. One of the women I spoke with made clear why such interest was manifesting "It's getting dangerous out there!" I told her that was why I carry, and have encouraged my wife to carry too.
With each person I spoke with, the subject of police response times came up, and how they are only minutes away when seconds mean the difference between life and death. One person asked "Are you prepared to shoot somebody?" I answered "I don't shoot to kill. I shoot to stay alive. When the chips are down, I will survive." They seemed to understand that one. I closed such discussions with "Are you willing to defend your own life? Or your wife? Or your children? Who deserves to live? You, or the criminal who threatens your live and the lives of your loved ones?"
As we drove away, with the filing cabinet safely ensconced in the back of the Jeep, we pondered how much interest there is among folks who have noticed that our society is becoming increasingly hazardous for those unprepared to defend themselves. My hope is that someone I interacted with may one day thank me for giving them information that saved a life!
Blessings,
M-Taliesin