imported post
Now that I have had time to ponder the subject further, I guess I'll take theeasy way out and say that both OC and CChave their places.
I willOC in
my element. I will have to be comfortable.
Upsettingstrangerswho are turned off by guns in
their element makes me uncomfortable. Other than where it's illegal, of course, there are legal places I would never OC. For example, I would never OC in any downtown Metro area such as Minneapolis.A thumper told me straight out that if the brothers see a middle-aged white guy, alone,carrying a gun on his hip while walking down the sidewalk, they will not hesitate to out-number and take that MF'ers gun.Not only that, they willpermanently disfigure him for being so f'ing stupid.
"Hey, Dave. What happened to you? Why is your nose next to your ear? How longbefore you don't need the crutches?" Dave will tell his story. People will shake their heads while staring at their feet.
"Boy. Won't you feel bad if someone gets killed with your gun?"
Yes. I would. Plus, it and the holster cost me a lot of money.
Dave gets tired of telling his story and defending himself.Now hetells the curious it was a boating accident...
Deterrence is a great advantage. Too bad it isunquantifiable and therefore prevents the anti's from seeing the light.WhatI
don'twant to deter is an honest interaction with a person. People aren't used to seeing normal citizens carrying guns where I come from. (Maybe they should, damnit!)I don't want to be wondering, "Is this person treating me differently because I have a gun? Does the gun make her nervous, or does she think it's cool? Did he give me a break, or did he instantly question my motives for showing off a deadly weapon? Does he think I'mafraid? What of?"
To hell with them, though, right? That's
their problem. I'll just jump on my soap box and yell, "Second Amendment! Rah. Rah. Rah! I can't carry a cop, so I carry a gun."
But I still want an honest interaction with people. If Itreat people with respectand earn their respect, they will want to earn mine. If not, they are not the kind of person I need to befriend. There's something to be said for respect through fear and intimidation, but it's not my style.
There's a time for all of us to OC and a time to conceal. Most of the time, I'll be happy knowing that nobody knows. I can go about my business with self confidence and letfolks show their true character.
Grapeshot
wrote:
No argument between OC and CC. The most important thing is to carry responsibly.
OC is tactically sound, educates the public, deters crime on person, is somewhat politically motivated. All newbies have a case of the jitters - everybody is looking at me type of thing. It will pass - find and meet up with others in your area and go to lunch or dinner together. Stay here and read of positive experiences of others.
We do have a few kooks here and there - you'll learn to ignore them - separate the wheat from the chaff.
As to tactically sound, we have a long standing challenge to the detractors of OC.
Show me one (1) documented, confirmed (W/cite) incident where an OCer (non-LEO or military) was ever preemptively taken out in modern times anywhere in these United States. No one has ever been able to do so.
Further, If ever one such gun grab and resulting injury/death ever does occur (it will likely someday) the resultant percentage ratio will look something like .00001%
Best initial advice anyone can give you is buy a good retentive holster, know the laws and be a reasonable and responsible person.
In Chapter 16 of Massad Ayoob's book; "The Gun Digest: Book of Concealed Carry", the author discusses the two sides of a complicated issue.I laughed when I read your challenge to provide a documented case of a disarming. Ayoob wrote that this is a common arguement he has heard. He provides two in this chapter.
And, I'm sorry, but I gotta call you out on how you figured the probability of a gun grab resulting in such a good outcome for the victim. I figure the odds are pretty bad for the BG as I draw my backup weapon.
P.S. Go Vikings!
