Do you cary a weapon on your tractor?

Bird · Jul 8, 2002

Is it true anyone is allowed to carry a concealed firearm?

Not really, Neil. The laws are so different in different states that there's no way I could explain them here. And they change from time to time. When I started in law enforcement in '64, no one was allowed to carry one in Texas off their property except law enforcement and military personnel unless they were going to or from the place they bought it, to or from a sporting event or target range, legally hunting, "traveling", etc. And the law was so old it read that you couldn't carry a handgun (and a bunch of other weapons to include switchblade knives, slingshots, etc./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif) "on or about your person, saddlebags, or portfolio."/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif The fun was reading old court cases defining "traveling". In the old horse and buggy days, some courts decided you were traveling if you crossed the county line. Later decisions said you were only traveling if you were going to be away from home overnight. I recall one case in which a guy from Dallas went to Austin, checked into a hotel, and later that night got arrested (away from the hotel) for carrying a pistol. He was convicted; court said he was OK going from Dallas to Austin, but once he checked into the hotel, he should have left the gun there.

At any rate, most folks can get a permit to carry in Texas now, but you have to take an approved class first, so you'll spend a couple of hundred bucks, and a little time to get the permit.

Oops, getting too a message and still doesn't come close to covering the topic. Sorry about that.

knucklehead · Jul 8, 2002

Re: Do you carry a weapon on your tractor?

Since somebody's gonna key in on that fear comment, Harv, I guess I'll start & try to get it off on a civil, if not exactly gentle tone. I'm not going to try to get you to change your vocabulary, but if it's only fear that makes a person carry a weapon, then it's fear that motivates a lot of other activities, like locking up the house or truck, using seatbelts & smoke alarms, obeying traffic signals, ,etc., etc.. I can see anyone making those kinds of choices out of fear, but I'd have chosen a more wide reaching term, like my favorite: personal responsibility.

You & I are on different ends of some philisophical conversations; you'd like to be seen as a no-nonsense plain speaker, and you come across that way a lot. But be careful not to bypass thought before you go for the simple. I try to think a lot when I reply to be careful not to just shoot back (pun intended). Sometimes my answers are less strongly worded than I would choose because of it. It's easy to point the finger at things that are different, and I feel you did that this time. I should say I don't have a problem with you thinking any of us are acting in fear; it just gives me another opportunity to swallow my pride. And I'm getting used to the bad taste as it goes down. But I think you be wrong, my friend, even though you cut a fine figure whilst wielding that plasma torch /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

I listen to soft music - like classical, when I work, Harv. The rock winds me up too much, even though I like it. Used to go for the public stations, because they have the classical, and used to have book readings after lunch, but they get weird in the afternoon with the National Press Club, and "Fresh Air" (which I have renamed to "Foul Air"). I used to listen to Libertarian talk, because it was straight Constitutional stuff, but those guys are gone around here. I wish the public stations could get more to the pure Constitutional stuff, or at least balance the far left stuff, but I guess it ain't gonna happen. Have to admit I avoid Rushy, too, because I just want peaceful stuff.

knucklehead · Jul 8, 2002

Re: Do you carry a weapon on your tractor?

Ya beat me, Roy!

Anyone ever look at the Taurus Titanium revolver products? Since they got their quality control up, they are really getting a good product out. I've been looking at them, even though I stuck by S&W all the way through the short "capitulation period".....I knew they'd have an internal, Harley Davidson-like revolt/rebirth, shake things up and get back on track.

We aren't off topic, since this is the Off Topic forum. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif Should we start a technical <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=off&Number=169839&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=7&fpart=>firearms</A> discussion separately?

rocky2 · Jul 8, 2002

I carry 100% of the time, even have it stashed in the boats cabin. But, on the tractor, never. Don't worry about the 4 legged animals, it's the 2 legged ones that'll get ya.

StoneHeartFarm · Jul 8, 2002

Neil,

Michigan passed the right to carry law last year. They've issued about 85,000 permits in the last year. The term right to carry should be clarified a little bit. Not just everyone can get the permit. If you've ever had any mental health issues, you can't get the permit. If you are a convicted felon, you can't get the permit. If you've ever been convicted of a misdemeanor, you can't get the permit. There was a guy in the paper that got a ticket because he went fishing with 4 people in the boat and only 3 life preservers. He can't get a permit. So, it's not really a case of the "wild, wild west" here.
You can't carry your gun in a restaurant, bar, hospital, bank, school, etc. And don't get stopped with even one drink on your breath...

After a year, the Police Association is still trying to overturn the law, and they still can't show a corresponding increase in gun crime. Why? Simple, they're not giving permits to criminals. Criminals don't need permits. Honest people stay honest because they're allowed to pack legally, and they get the classes they need to do so. The idea is simple-- if I gave you a gun today, would you go commit a crime? The gun may facilitate the crime, but it doesn't make you commit it.

Personally, I don't pack. When I go to work I carry a large, heavy aluminum clipboard. So far, its protected me from bats, rats, snakes, coons, dogs and an assortment of other stuff.

SHF

Its only paranoia if there's really no danger.

8NTX · Jul 8, 2002

I guess you could say that people carry a weapon out of fear, but I prefer to think that it simply gives me peace of mind. I have a concealed carry permit, but rarely carry a gun on my person unless I am in an area where there is a likelihood of trouble. But I always have one in the car or truck when I'm driving. Just last night, after returning home from a wedding reception, we were at a stop light in a fairly undesirable area of Dallas, when 3 panhandlers approached the car holding their signs. After I signaled my intention not to give them money, they began to get a little mouthy. Luckily, the light changed and we were on our way. Before I had my permit, this situation would have made me pretty nervous. But now, just knowing that I have the ability to protect myself and my family gives me substantial peace of mind.

RichZ · Jul 8, 2002

Without getting into the guns are good or bad debate, I think John Miller III, who gave the first response had it right (as usual). By education (not, unfortuanately by occupation) I am a wildlife biologist, and I can tell you the odds of ANY animal attacking a person on a tractor are incredibly slim. As was said earlier, a charging animal would not be able to differentiate the human from the tractor, and would take of as quickly as possible in the opposite direction, from the scary looking monster, that the animal would perceive. I can't imagine an instance where someone on a tractor would need a gun for protection against an animal.

TresCrows · Jul 8, 2002

Why are the police trying to overturn the law. You know what, I am tired of the police state mentality infringing on the constitution, if the cops think it increases their hazards then maybe get a job at Wal-mart as a checker. I don't care, I didn't elect them, they should stay out of "lawmaking" and just stick with law enforcement. Too many people on the public dole anyway, I figure as many police agencies as this country has do-nut shops should be a real boon for investors. If that makes people mad--too bad--we got to many people minding the buisness of a supposedly free people and now with the terrorist it will only become worse--they ain't tatooing, bar coding or chipping me to make it convieneint for law enforcement--I will not take the Mark.
I really like the way "law enforcement" strip searches 80 year old women and then allows a guy with explosives in his shoes to board an airplane--this after he was refused the day before and then to be PC they put him up in a hotel for free so he could board the next day. Every bit of power we hand over to these people will be used agaisnt the citizens of this country and they will claim they are "just doing their jobs". J

rocky2 · Jul 8, 2002

It's not the cops "trying to overturn the law". It's the system the suits...the lawyers, politicians and community social conscious activists created that the cops are trying to work in. The cop's hands are tied tighter than a three dollar watch. They're accused of "profiling", abuse, over reacting, under reacting, graft and any other thing some "social conscious for a living" deadbeat can think of. Ok, not all cops are saints, but not all are devils either.

RanchMan · Jul 8, 2002

RichZ -

person on a tractor are incredibly slim.

I don't think that anyone here has said that the chances are great, just that while chances are "low", it doesn't mean never. Those that choose to carry (whatever type of "weapon" - be it firearm, pepper spray, or piece of pipe) are simply following the mentality of "if something happens, I'm not defenseless."

As was said earlier, a charging animal would not be able to differentiate the human from the tractor...

/w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif Not sure I concur with that. Sure, makes sense for some (especially those who have poor eyesight), but I've seen plenty of dogs in the past that get up on the side of the car to bark at the driver and don't just chase the tires. I mean, if that's the case, why do they make you keep the windows up when driving through one of these "African Safari" type deals? I just don't see this statment as an "absolute truth" as expressed.

I can't imagine an instance where someone on a tractor would need a gun for protection against an animal.

Depends on what you are protecting. I think in the context so far, most folks have been talking about the "bad animal" jumping on the tractor operator and going for the jugular. To your point, again, like I and others have said, probably unlikely. But what if you're on your tractor and you need to address with "terminal persuasion"? Like, say, a pack of coyotes/dogs/whatever is attacking your stock? (happens) Or a hog tearing up your fences or causing other damage? (happens) etc.

I guess all I'm saying is that yes, just about everyone here has said that chances are small (including myself) - but small is not "0". If someone chooses not to carry on their tractor - fine - I have NO problem with that, it's their place to make that decision, not mine. (I do hope, however they based their choice on knowlege and personal convictions and not intimidation/misinformation.)

But, at the same time, if they do, I think it is unfair to characterize them as paranoid, uneducated, or extreme. Everyone's believes based on their experiences - just because someone has not had any bad ones yet doesn't mean they are non-existent and can't happen.