Open carry / firearm handy

[Sysop]

Sometimes you come off a bit harsh. This isn't a roundtable discussion at the local coffee shop where everyone can visually see your mood when saying these things. But it isn't. It's digital communication. So,,,,, sometimes those reading your posts get their feelings hurt and they lash out. In the end I believe you to be intelligent and respectful. Your "bedside manner" is just a bit rusty.

Your above post is very profound if read a couple times with no bias. Thanks for this post.

I'd agree with that assessment. Sure I may come across as harsh at times, but life is harsh. Especially the parts of life being discussed here. Thugs, muggers, hopped up druggies, trespassers, drunks, injured or dangerous critters, use of firearms, all are harsh topics.

I think those of us that make the choice to carry a weapon for defense need to have our "feelings" tested occasionally so we're not so sensitive to someone's off the cuff remark that we make a bad decision and confront someone who doesn't need confronted; turning a non-incident into a major situation. As long as people (in this case me) take the time to explain their point of view, and others take time to evaluate those views, most issues and disagreements can be worked through to everyone's satisfaction. If someone wants to "lash out" about something I've said, I'm more than happy to clarify my views. I hope in my explanations they will realize that there is a lot of care and love in my views.

If someone getting mad at me online plants a seed of thought that one day prevents some other confrontation, it's been a good day...

 

[Thall303]

You may want to get over yourself just a little!

A little pompous goes a long way!

 

[RandyT]

I'd agree with that assessment. Sure I may come across as harsh at times, but life is harsh. Especially the parts of life being discussed here. Thugs, muggers, hopped up druggies, trespassers, drunks, injured or dangerous critters, use of firearms, all are harsh topics.

I think those of us that make the choice to carry a weapon for defense need to have our "feelings" tested occasionally so we're not so sensitive to someone's off the cuff remark that we make a bad decision and confront someone who doesn't need confronted; turning a non-incident into a major situation. As long as people (in this case me) take the time to explain their point of view, and others take time to evaluate those views, most issues and disagreements can be worked through to everyone's satisfaction. If someone wants to "lash out" about something I've said, I'm more than happy to clarify my views. I hope in my explanations they will realize that there is a lot of care and love in my views.

If someone getting mad at me online plants a seed of thought that one day prevents some other confrontation, it's been a good day...

I totally agree I have a saying that goes like this. You don't get in a pissing contest while carrying a .45. Meaning a firearm carrier needs to avoid unnecessary conflict at all cost. Any altercation that you get involved in now involves a firearm because you brought the firearm to the altercation. Used or not, it is still present, and any actions on the carriers part that starts the altercation makes the carrier the initial aggressor, and any case for self defense goes out the window.

The best defense is a good offense, Carriers need to be observant, and work to avoid being put in situations that require you to defense yourself. if at all possible leave the area, and alert the authorities if needed. If somebody gets in your face looking for a fight, do your best to walk away. If there is no reason to engage in the situation then don't.

 

[ovrszd]

You may want to get over yourself just a little!

A little pompous goes a long way!

Accepting his pompousness (is that a word?) is kinda like accepting that orange tractors are better. Sometimes hard to do.

 

[ovrszd]

I totally agree I have a saying that goes like this. You don't get in a pissing contest while carrying a .45. Meaning a firearm carrier needs to avoid unnecessary conflict at all cost. Any altercation that you get involved in now involves a firearm because you brought the firearm to the altercation. Used or not, it is still present, and any actions on the carriers part that starts the altercation makes the carrier the initial aggressor, and any case for self defense goes out the window.

The best defense is a good offense, Carriers need to be observant, and work to avoid being put in situations that require you to defense yourself. if at all possible leave the area, and alert the authorities if needed. If somebody gets in your face looking for a fight, do your best to walk away. If there is no reason to engage in the situation then don't.

Well stated. My most used Military quote, Best Defense is a good Offense.

My wife and I have discussed her carrying. I always drive home the point if you can't point your firearm at a human and pull the trigger certainly killing them you should not carry. Because as you said, by carrying you elevated the battle. Law Enforcement personnel will tell you if the offender elevates the confrontation you must elevate it to a higher level.

 

[RoyJackson]

Well stated. My most used Military quote, Best Defense is a good Offense.

...if you can't point your firearm at a human and pull the trigger certainly killing them you should not carry.

I never think about killing...the intent is to stop the attack. The result may be injury, or death...

 

[Sysop]

You may want to get over yourself just a little!

A little pompous goes a long way!

I'd ask you to explain how you figure that expressing and explaining views in a conversation designed to do just that is pompous, but that'd get off topic. I have nothing to get over. I stated my opinions and others expressed disagreement, so I explained the line of thinking behind my opinions; end of story.

I totally agree I have a saying that goes like this. You don't get in a pissing contest while carrying a .45. Meaning a firearm carrier needs to avoid unnecessary conflict at all cost. Any altercation that you get involved in now involves a firearm because you brought the firearm to the altercation. Used or not, it is still present, and any actions on the carriers part that starts the altercation makes the carrier the initial aggressor, and any case for self defense goes out the window.

The best defense is a good offense, Carriers need to be observant, and work to avoid being put in situations that require you to defense yourself. if at all possible leave the area, and alert the authorities if needed. If somebody gets in your face looking for a fight, do your best to walk away. If there is no reason to engage in the situation then don't.

Amen.

Another good saying is "an armed society is a more polite society". The thought behind it being; If absolutely everyone knew that absolutely everyone else was armed, everyone (who has a normal thought process) would be much more likely to go out of their way to prevent the various conflicts from happening.

 

[DaveNJ]

Don't open carry on the tractor here in NJ (although you can, confined to your own property) because one, I'm in a State that hates guns and gun owners, and will likely be branded as a dangerous crazy if neighbors see it. Two, its a pain in the butt when working on a tractor.
Three, I can't hardly anything with either of my handguns. I once shot six times at a copperhead from about 12 feet away and never hit it once. I'm a lot better with the pointy end of a shovel I keep mounted to the tractor.
On the other hand I do keep a wingmaster by the back door. After thousands of clay pidgeons and probably hundreds of ducks, I seldom miss a target.

 

[k0ua]

Don't open carry on the tractor here in NJ (although you can, confined to your own property) because one, I'm in a State that hates guns and gun owners, and will likely be branded as a dangerous crazy if neighbors see it. Two, its a pain in the butt when working on a tractor.
Three, I can't hardly anything with either of my handguns. I once shot six times at a copperhead from about 12 feet away and never hit it once. I'm a lot better with the pointy end of a shovel I keep mounted to the tractor.
On the other hand I do keep a wingmaster by the back door. After thousands of clay pidgeons and probably hundreds of ducks, I seldom miss a target.

To be a good shot with a handgun, requires practice, practice, practice. Then when you get done practicing, go out and practice some more. You didn't become a good wingshot with shotgun overnight either. There are very few people that are "natural" handgun shots. Somewhere around 100,000 rounds fired, and most people start getting pretty good. I am sorry you live in NJ, and I realize your shooting opportunities are not the best there.

 

[ch1ch2]

We're 15 miles from the nearest police presence - not even a donut shop nearby. We've had two major marijuana grows busted up here in the last year. It's a relatively upscale rural community - rare to find a home for sale under $350k, and they run up to $5M+. Had a burglary ring hitting homes up here about five years ago - the neighborhood watch finally caught them, chased them down, and detained them for the Sheriff. This year, the drought has been broken and we have an abundance of squirrels, gophers, and cottontail rabbits, as well as deer, which has brought an influx of mountain lions. Last summer's fire on the other side of the mountain has encouraged wildlife to venture into our development, as well.
Add up all the risk factors, and we're still safer than the ghetto - but we both carry. I have roadside assistance - but I still carry a spare. Better to have it and not need it than the reverse. On the tractor, I'm often out of sight in steep areas. My biggest fear is a rollover with injury. Cell phone may/may not work, but three quick shots WILL get help.

Well said!