New Pants for my New Toy

[ViperGTS]

When I was big into modification of the interior of my old Plymouth Neon, removing the plastic door panels and dashboard, sanding them down, and painting them colors to match the body paint and give the car an overall matching theme, I really enjoyed taking something I owned and giving it my own custom flare. Buying something and owning it is one thing, but completely separate from that is making it mine. I've owned this Ruger P85 for a couple of weeks, but now, it's mine.

One with the flash,

And one without flash.

I took the grips off, gave them a real rough and thorough cleaning with a stiff-bristled brush, dried them off well, then hit them with two thin coats of Krylon FUSION spray paint, the can of which I bought at WalMart for less than $3. Allowed enough time to dry properly, they went back on, and I think they look rather sharp.

This morning, I ordered four more pairs of new-in-the-box OEM grips as well, so when they come in I can tinker with them too. I can have a pair of stock ones, as well as red, blue, gold, and maybe pitch black. Or, I can do some custom designs with stencils. I am pretty handy with stencils and a few cans of spray paint to make detailed and intricate designs, so we'll see how things turn out.

 

[RobAce]

AWESOME!!! You have yet another career in you there Viper.

Rob

 

[Gothika]

very nice dude

 

[TklDuo-Ann]

If you're doing projects like this, you must be feeling better. Good to see! Very nice weapon, btw.

 

[Borg Perfection]

I'm sorry my friend, I don't mean to be a party pooper lol, but though it does look cool and you did a good job with the painting, you would want to draw as little attention to your weapon as possible -- even if you do carry it in plain sight. Red is also known to subconsciously raise levels of aggression!

Street smarts aside; good work on the paint job!

 

[ViperGTS]

Oh boo hoo, you jackass. >.<

Thanks for the lookout warning, Borg. I had thought of that but decided I preferred to let it have that custom, sentimental touch and mark that makes it mine, over having it draw as little attention as possible.

I WANT people to see that I have a gun. I want other shoppers at WalMart and the grocery store to see another citizen going about their business, acting normally and confidently, who is armed and carrying a weapon. I want those people to see that when the shit hits the fan, there's someone with a cool and calm head that's screwed on tight that is on their side. And more Importantly, I want the people who would think about walking into an establishment and committing a crime to think twice about it when they see someone who not only has a gun, but takes the time to make it look nice an custom, which means he likes his gun and therefore knows how to use it.

/sortof2ndamendmentrant

 

[BellaRisa]

WHAT

I WANT people to see that I have a gun. I want other shoppers at WalMart and the grocery store to see another citizen going about their business, acting normally and confidently, who is armed and carrying a weapon. I want those people to see that when the shit hits the fan, there's someone with a cool and calm head that's screwed on tight that is on their side. And more Importantly, I want the people who would think about walking into an establishment and committing a crime to think twice about it when they see someone who not only has a gun, but takes the time to make it look nice an custom, which means he likes his gun and therefore knows how to use it.

/sortof2ndamendmentrant

I ask this with love: what are you overcompensating for??

Hon, this is one of the wrongest posts I've ever read here. People who don't already know you (and some who do ) don't automatically assume you're a safe person who can protect them from the bad guys because you're carrying a piece. You'd BE the bad guy. Any sane person, especially a mom like me, would freak the eff out if we saw a slighty angry looking young dude such as yourself tooling around a store with a weapon they were too zealous or too CRAZY to conceal sufficiently; furthermore, who wants to be within 500 yards of some guy who obviously really really likes his gun and feels the need to wear it to buy dish towels and cat food??

You know I love you, but seriously WTF.

 

[ViperGTS]

I ask this with love: what are you overcompensating for??

Hon, this is one of the wrongest posts I've ever read here. People who don't already know you (and some who do ) don't automatically assume you're a safe person who can protect them from the bad guys because you're carrying a piece. You'd BE the bad guy. Any sane person, especially a mom like me, would freak the eff out if we saw a slighty angry looking young dude such as yourself tooling around a store with a weapon they were too zealous or too CRAZY to conceal sufficiently; furthermore, who wants to be within 500 yards of some guy who obviously really really likes his gun and feels the need to wear it to buy dish towels and cat food??

You know I love you, but seriously WTF.

PM sent, Bella.

I feel that your response to this thread is inappropriate and off-topic, and calls into question my character and reputation, which I take to be very personally offensive. I feel as though this concern of yours would have much better been handled had it been sent to me as a private message to begin with. The quote you posted from me above was an explanation as to why I painted my grips the way I did, not an opening into a discussion of how sane I am or why you think I am compensating for something, which, as you well know, I am not.

I love you too, Bella, but, as you said, WTF.

 

[Master Baiter]

I find myself agreeing with Bella.

Just because you're packing heat doesn't make you "someone with a cool and calm head that's screwed on tight", or someone to be admired. It has the opposite effect.

It makes you a vigilante with a screw loose.

I don't feel comfortable being around someone who feels the need to brandish a firearm when he goes out to buy toilet paper and a fishing net just in case something goes down; and I don't think I'm alone.

Join the military or the police force if you think carrying a gun is so damn cool.

 

[Angel77]

Oh boo hoo, you jackass. >.<

Thanks for the lookout warning, Borg. I had thought of that but decided I preferred to let it have that custom, sentimental touch and mark that makes it mine, over having it draw as little attention as possible.

I WANT people to see that I have a gun. I want other shoppers at WalMart and the grocery store to see another citizen going about their business, acting normally and confidently, who is armed and carrying a weapon. I want those people to see that when the shit hits the fan, there's someone with a cool and calm head that's screwed on tight that is on their side. And more Importantly, I want the people who would think about walking into an establishment and committing a crime to think twice about it when they see someone who not only has a gun, but takes the time to make it look nice an custom, which means he likes his gun and therefore knows how to use it.

/sortof2ndamendmentrant

Hi. 🙂

Just figured I'd give my two cents real quick. While I certainly respect a person's right to own a gun (my father was a hunter and had them so I grew up having a respect for them and yes, they were locked up, ammunition stored separately and all that jazz) however if I saw a stranger at Wal Mart carrying a gun in plain site, I'd probably be very wary and yeah, a little freaked because how would I know they were the good guy? I wouldn't. And seeing someone carry a gun in plain site I think would freak a lot of people out. I dunno. Maybe it's a conditioned response from having one held to my head last year.

I just kind of think concealing it is the way to go, ya know? Also, lots of people that aren't considered sane own guns. How would I know that the dude flashing his gun in Wal Mart is the good guy? I'm in no way attacking your character (because anyone here should know that I'm not the attacking kind) but rather I'm making a general statement about how do you tell who is good and who isn't? I'm sure you are the good guy but if someone didn't know you, they might get freaked out seeing a deadly weapon in your possession, know what I mean? In this day and age, when there are so many shootings and people being killed from gunshots, a lot of people don't associate good with guns and would be frightened at the site of someone walking around with one. How would they know that something bad wasn't going to happen?

 

[ViperGTS]

I find myself agreeing with Bella.

Just because you're packing heat doesn't make you "someone with a cool and calm head that's screwed on tight", or someone to be admired. It has the opposite effect.

It makes you a vigilante with a screw loose.

I don't feel comfortable being around someone who feels the need to brandish a firearm when he goes out to buy toilet paper and a fishing net just in case something goes down; and I don't think I'm alone.

Join the military or the police force if you think carrying a gun is so damn cool.

Brandish? Brandishing means to draw and actively show a weapon in a forceful or threatening manner. Not just carrying it around.

Furthermore, a vigilante is someone who actively looks for people who have committed wrongs and tries to right them outside the bounds of the law. What, in your infinite wisdom, makes you think for one second that I am doing anything outside the law? Please, enlighten me. Also, what makes you think I have "a screw loose", since you know nothing about me, have never met me, and are making baseless assumptions on something you clearly know nothing about? Hmm?

I don't feel comfortable being around sheep who naievely go about their lives as if nothing bad will ever happen to them. You call it crazy, I call it being prepared.

I don't want to be admired or approached. If you think I'm crazy or irresponsible, so be it - I just find you (a general term, not you in particular, true as it may be) to be ignorant and judgmental.

Hi. 🙂

Just figured I'd give my two cents real quick. While I certainly respect a person's right to own a gun, if I saw a stranger at Wal Mart carrying a gun in plain site, I'd probably be very wary and yeah, a little freaked because how would I know they were the good guy? I wouldn't. And seeing someone just carry a gun in plain site I think would freak a lot of people out. I dunno. Maybe it's a conditioned response from having one held to my head last year. I just kind of think concealing it is the way to go, ya know? Also, lots of people that aren't considered sane own guns. How would I know that the dude flashing his gun in Wal Mart is the good guy?

You may be right, it could be a conditioned response - it could also be what you've been taught by society, that everyone with a gun is a bad person. Anyone who makes that assumption has my pity, as well as my well wishes that they might go and learn about why so many people made this same decision before me, as well as will continue to make it after me.

Folks don't seem to understand the difference between flashing, brandishing, and simple carrying. I'm not walking up to people and thrusting my left hip as I talk to them. In fact, I rarely talk to people at all when I am out, I just go about my business and do my thing without bothering anyone. It's a "just-in-case" thing, the same way you have a spare tire in your trunk and a fire extinguisher in your home - you don't ever want to have to use it, but if you need to, it's there.

Besides, this is a thread about the customization of the handle - not my right and decision to openly carry.

 

[TklDuo-Ann]

Actually, Mark... While it may have been off the original intent, you did open yourself by stating how you felt others would react. Bella merely disagreed on the expected reaction. I thought I'd share something to illustrate.

I recently went to grab lunch at a local place. As I was turning to leave, I saw a guy sitting at a table with a sidearm very obvious on his hip. Until I looked past it and saw the detectives badge on his belt, I was slightly nervous...and intending to call it in as soon as I got outside.

With the number of brazen robberies, etc. that are taking place practicly everywhere these days, I would suspect that to be the more natural reaction that most folks would have. While it would be nice if total strangers could see someone as a knight in shining armor when they saw a sidearm, it isn't what I'd expect to find. It just doesn't seem the reasonable reaction given the way society is today. I also think that, if a criminal saw an armed person and didn't want to deal with them, they'd likely just go rob another place. So, the deterent factor is probably limitted.

As far as the rest of what was said, that's between the two of you. But, I do agree to the basics that she stated about the reaction that one would expect.

 

[McNoodle]

I have always liked Ruger's and can't wait to see what kind of custom design you come up with for it. Sweet piece!

 

[Angel77]

You may be right, it could be a conditioned response - it could also be what you've been taught by society, that everyone with a gun is a bad person. Anyone who makes that assumption has my pity, as well as my well wishes that they might go and learn about why so many people made this same decision before me, as well as will continue to make it after me.

Folks don't seem to understand the difference between flashing, brandishing, and simple carrying. I'm not walking up to people and thrusting my left hip as I talk to them. In fact, I rarely talk to people at all when I am out, I just go about my business and do my thing without bothering anyone. It's a "just-in-case" thing, the same way you have a spare tire in your trunk and a fire extinguisher in your home - you don't ever want to have to use it, but if you need to, it's there.

Besides, this is a thread about the customization of the handle - not my right and decision to openly carry.

No pity needed here because as in my prior statement, I said that I do support the right to own a gun. My father has them so I do know that not everyone that owns a deadly weapon uses them for bad. My father is a great guy that just happens to love hunting, that's why he has them.
So while I would support the right to own the gun, I do keep in mind that seeing someone walking around with one might scare a whole bunch of people. Let's just say you were out and about (or anyone carrying a weapon) and someone guys saw the gun and thought something bad was going to happen. Next thing you know, you've got five guys on top of you, disarming you and only later come to realize that you meant no harm. Or like Bella said, folks that have little ones that see a deadly weapon being carried around their children wouldn't like it and are would go into ultra protective mode and rightfully so. I'm sure they would feel very uncomfortable having said weapon near their kids, especially when it's not say, a cop or someone who would generally be there to protect them. While you might protect them should need be, they wouldn't know that you were a good guy. I don't see the need to wear a weapon out in the open unless one was a member of law enforcement or military but that's just me. I just feel that it would cause a whole bunch of unnecessary drama.

 

[Angel77]

I also think that, if a criminal saw an armed person and didn't want to deal with them, they'd likely just go rob another place. So, the deterent factor is probably limitted.

Or the criminals put a bullet in the armed person first, to get them out of the way.

 

[Kitten_Kat]

As previously stated- Red is an 'aggressive' color. It's why cops typically single out red sports cars. However, since it IS Viper...

I'd feel entirely safe, especially if I was on his good side. :3 If I had a gun, I'd probably bring it too walmart, as well. There's some pretty intense crazy people that shop there.

I also agree with Bella. Hide that sucker. You might get some unprovoked reactions, that may lead too you getting injured. 🙁

 

[ViperGTS]

You guys have good points, but let me explain a few things.

Ann: If you were to call the police about a "MWAG" (man with a gun) who is just minding his business and patronizing a store, the dispatcher would tell you (depending on the state, here in PA this applies) that open carrying is perfectly legal and that the person in question is doing nothing wrong. They'd then tell you to have a nice day and end the conversation. You'd actually be wasting the dispatcher's time and possibly causing undue distress around you by causing others to think something might happen and drawing additional unwanted attention to the person with the weapon, when he was just sitting there minding his own business. Please, unless someone is acting shifty or suspicious, leave us alone.

Also, Ann, what you said is true, in fact the exact scenario played out recently. A man was at his local bank making a deposit, and the teller, who knew him well, got wide-eyes and looked over his shoulder at the door. By the time the man making the deposit turned around, the person was gone and the door was closing - the guy has a ski mask on and was about to rob the bank, but saw the gentleman at the counter with a gun on his hip, so he took off. Criminals commit crimes because they are lazy and are looking for easy, fast cash or goods. If there's someone there with a gun, it makes life very complicated, because either they risk their lives off the bat, or they need to fire an early shot before establishing their intent to rob, which causes panic and police response. Criminals don't fuck with places if they think there will be resistance of any kind.

Angel: I have news for you. Less than 30% of most major police forces do anything more than the bare minimum with their issued weapons, which usually is to qualify with it every 6 months, which is twice a year. I have been to the shooting range twice in the last month, and have done well enough to "qualify" by law enforcement standards both times. The people who buy guns and are not within the bounds of law enforcement do so because they want to protect themselves and their family, so they make damn sure to train with it and be good at using it. The latest statistics (which I will try to go find here in a moment) state that 90% of "regular citizens" that own guns are FAR more proficient and skilled at drawing, aiming, firing, and loading/unloading/maintaining their weapon that 70% of most police forces. Think about that before you invest all your trust in a cop.

Also, Deputy Kyle Dinkheller, a state police officer in Georgia, was making a routine traffic stop for a pickup truck that was going close to 100mph on a backroad. After pulling him over, a firefight broke out between the deputy and the driver, who was a mentally ill Vietnam veteran. The vietnam vet shot and killed the deputy, systematically disabling him with multiple gunshots from a rifle, but not before the deputy was able to return fire. Deputy Dinkheller emptied his magazine twice, having to reload while taking cover behind his patrol car, yet he only struck his attacker once in the abdomen before he was disabled and ultimately killed. He fired over 22 shots in thsi attempt. So please, don't tell me you'd rather trust the gunmanship of a police officer over that of a well trained private citizen.

I was not looking for an argument here, folks. It's pretty apparent that from now on I will need to keep my weapons enthusiast threads for the gun owner's forums, the same way I keep my tickling discussion threads for here, lol.

 

[tickles]

..It seems that differing opinions evoke quite an angry response in you Viper...Not calm cool headed as you attest to being.

I'm with Bella...

I also thought it is against the law to carry an unconcealed weapon unless you are an on duty officer......I could be wrong about that...

 

[Angel77]

Angel: I have news for you. Less than 30% of most major police forces do anything more than the bare minimum with their issued weapons, which usually is to qualify with it every 6 months, which is twice a year. I have been to the shooting range twice in the last month, and have done well enough to "qualify" by law enforcement standards both times. The people who buy guns and are not within the bounds of law enforcement do so because they want to protect themselves and their family, so they make damn sure to train with it and be good at using it. The latest statistics (which I will try to go find here in a moment) state that 90% of "regular citizens" that own guns are FAR more proficient and skilled at drawing, aiming, firing, and loading/unloading/maintaining their weapon that 70% of most police forces. Think about that before you invest all your trust in a cop.

Also, Deputy Kyle Dinkheller, a state police officer in Georgia, was making a routine traffic stop for a pickup truck that was going close to 100mph on a backroad. After pulling him over, a firefight broke out between the deputy and the driver, who was a mentally ill Vietnam veteran. The vietnam vet shot and killed the deputy, systematically disabling him with multiple gunshots from a rifle, but not before the deputy was able to return fire. Deputy Dinkheller emptied his magazine twice, having to reload while taking cover behind his patrol car, yet he only struck his attacker once in the abdomen before he was disabled and ultimately killed. He fired over 22 shots in thsi attempt. So please, don't tell me you'd rather trust the gunmanship of a police officer over that of a well trained private citizen.

I was not looking for an argument here, folks. It's pretty apparent that from now on I will need to keep my weapons enthusiast threads for the gun owner's forums, the same way I keep my tickling discussion threads for here, lol.

Geez, why the anger? I could give a rat's ass about how close a cop or a regular dude can hit to a target. Police officers may not go to the shooting range a few times a month but that's because they don't have to. They go and test every year and if they pass, that's all they need. Obviously, if they pass they've got good aim. And they for the most part use their weapons to save an innocent person's life, not for show and tell.

I personally don't see the need to flash a deadly weapon for show. Sorry, but that's my opinion and everyone has one. You want a gun? Terrific. To flash it for the coolness factor or whatever reason someone would have to carry a nonconcealed gun, I don't get it. Why? Why do people feel the need to wear weapons out where people can see them and be frightened? Is it that hard to lift a shirt to access a gun if need be?

And actually, I have to say that yes, for the most part, I DO trust a police officer with a gun over a general citizen. My brother in law is a cop and I know lots of them and yeah, I would trust them with my life because afterall, they are the ones going out every day putting their lives at risk for me. Yes, are some cops assholes? Yep. But are way more murders caused by the general public more so than cops killing people? Yep. So I'll go by those statistics. Have a swell day!

 

[Angel77]

..It seems that differing opinions evoke quite an angry response in you Viper...Not calm cool headed as you attest to being.

I'm with Bella...

I also thought it is against the law to carry an unconcealed weapon unless you are an on duty officer......I could be wrong about that...

It is not illegal in PA to carry an unconcealed weapon but it's highly frowned upon.

According to the PAFOA (Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association):

To summarize, open carry is legal in Pennsylvania without a License To Carry Firearms except in "cities of the first class" (Philadelphia) and vehicles where a License To Carry Firearms is required to do so.

With that said, we would like to point out that there is much debate among firearm owners about whether openly carrying firearms is really a good idea. While we will leave that choice to the individual we will state that in many urban areas (namely Philadelphia) doing so will draw unwanted attention from law enforcement that may include (but not be limited to) the following repercussions:

Being stopped and questioned by law enforcement.
Having your License To Carry Firearms seized and sent back for revocation.
Being arrested either improperly or for other charges like disturbing the peace or creating a public nuisance.
While this may not happen should you choose to carry openly, many urban law enforcement officers we have talked to have expressed a very negative opinion towards the idea. Some have suggested that law enforcement will do everything in their power to make your life difficult should you choose to.


It's is illegal to carry a weapon into casinos, schools, theaters, government buildings and some other places too, but one would have to check their individual state laws as they can differ.

I'm in Pittsburgh, not Philadelphia but I'm fairly sure that the folks here would feel the same way. And again, it backs up the fact that I still believe that carrying a nonconcealed weapon causes more stress and drama.

 

[Flatfoot]

I also thought it is against the law to carry an unconcealed weapon unless you are an on duty officer......I could be wrong about that...

That depends on individual state laws. Here in Ohio, I'm pretty sure there's no law against open-carry, but there is some law about "inciting a panic in public", which openly carrying a firearm can fall under.

On topic, Viper, I'm glad to see you're taking pride in your second amendment rights that many take for granted, and personalizing your weapon. Personally, I'm not diggin' the red, but I view firearms old school, kinda like the way Henry Ford felt about what a Model T should look like. However, if you're gonna go all out and have the money, have you heard of Duracoat firearms finish? They've got all sorts of colors and patterns specifically for firearms, from simple, woodland camouflage to cherry red, or even... *gag* ... pink. You could also have something etched into the weapon. I imagine you've probably looked into a lot of this already, but if not, I just thought I'd share, and the link's there.

 

[TklDuo-Ann]

You guys have good points, but let me explain a few things.

Ann: If you were to call the police about a "MWAG" (man with a gun) who is just minding his business and patronizing a store, the dispatcher would tell you (depending on the state, here in PA this applies) that open carrying is perfectly legal and that the person in question is doing nothing wrong. They'd then tell you to have a nice day and end the conversation. You'd actually be wasting the dispatcher's time and possibly causing undue distress around you by causing others to think something might happen and drawing additional unwanted attention to the person with the weapon, when he was just sitting there minding his own business. Please, unless someone is acting shifty or suspicious, leave us alone.

Mark...I wish, as you do, that this were true in all cases. In fact, it is not. I am a firm supporter of the right to own and carry a weapon...legally. Here in CT, it is not legal, which is why I had the reaction I did. (Even if it were legal, that doesn't mean that the person is carrying legally.)

Please don't make more of my point than it was in order to defend your own position. I stated clearly that, had I not seen the badge, I'd have called it in once I got outside. Nobody there would have been the wiser. Had that happened, they likely would have called out to see what the 20 was on plain clothes officers and sent a car to check it out if nobody had responded that they were there.

Also, Ass, what you said is true, in fact the exact scenario played out recently. A man was at his local bank making a deposit, and the teller, who knew him well, got wide-eyes and looked over his shoulder at the door. By the time the man making the deposit turned around, the person was gone and the door was closing - the guy has a ski mask on and was about to rob the bank, but saw the gentleman at the counter with a gun on his hip, so he took off. Criminals commit crimes because they are lazy and are looking for easy, fast cash or goods. If there's someone there with a gun, it makes life very complicated, because either they risk their lives off the bat, or they need to fire an early shot before establishing their intent to rob, which causes panic and police response. Criminals don't fuck with places if they think there will be resistance of any kind.

I've also seen cases where there's a shootout. So, while I agree that there IS a deterent factor, it's not automatic. My only concern is for the safety of all involved...you included. You get some nut case and they might put a bullet in you before they attract attention by trying anything else just to get you out of the way. We have both a right and, IMO, an obligation to defend ourselves. But, the option to carry concealed rather than openly is sometimes the wiser one...where that's permitted. (BTW, I hope that Ass rather than Ann was just a slip up. lol)

I was not looking for an argument here, folks. It's pretty apparent that from now on I will need to keep my weapons enthusiast threads for the gun owner's forums, the same way I keep my tickling discussion threads for here, lol.

I don't think people are necessarily arguing. I know I'm not. I think, given your defensive reaction, that we're just attempting to illustrate that there's more than one way of seeing this...even for those of us who support 2nd ammendment rights. I, for one, would love to see what else you do with the grips or any other customizations. My dad collected guns for years. So, I like seeing what folks have and do with theirs.

Peace!

 

[ViperGTS]

Angel, I am not angry at all. If I came across that way, blame it on how difficult it is to properly display emotions when typing things out online.

Also, Angel, who said I was flashing the weapon, or pretending I am at show and tell? This is exactly the mentality that people like me really cannot stand - you seem to think that everyone who OCs (open carries) their weapon is trying to get attention or is trying to be a badass. I'm just protecting myself.

Clearly yours and my opinions differ and won't be changing - I'd be happy to agree to disagree. The sarcasm isn't necessary but I guess I am guilty of it as well, so who am I to talk.

Also, bear in mind that if a police officer decides to stop and disarm me simply because I am openly carrying a weapon, they are violating several constitutional rights and will the department will quickly find themselves under a lawsuit, most of which are closed out of court for 6-digit settlements. Most departments train their officers, despite their personal opinions to avoid these kinds of situations at all costs.

Ann - you know I love ya, and you are damned right the Ass was a mistake...lemme go fix that right now...lol

I could give a rat's ass about how close a cop or a regular dude can hit to a target. Police officers may not go to the shooting range a few times a month but that's because they don't have to. They go and test every year and if they pass, that's all they need. Obviously, if they pass they've got good aim. And they for the most part use their weapons to save an innocent person's life, not for show and tell.

For the most part? They should ONLY be using them to save innocent lives, and to train and get better at using them.

I find the whole idea of being issued a weapon, then not taking the time and effort to go and train with it consistently, to be irresponsible, that's all. The bare minimum to get by is not something I trust, and reminds me of the mentality of a 6 year old - do exactly what you need so mommy doesn't make you do more work. Just my opinion, of course.

 

[Angel77]

Angel, I am not angry at all. If I came across that way, blame it on how difficult it is to properly display emotions when typing things out online.

Also, Angel, who said I was flashing the weapon, or pretending I am at show and tell? This is exactly the mentality that people like me really cannot stand - you seem to think that everyone who OCs (open carries) their weapon is trying to get attention or is trying to be a badass. I'm just protecting myself.

Clearly yours and my opinions differ and won't be changing - I'd be happy to agree to disagree. The sarcasm isn't necessary but I guess I am guilty of it as well, so who am I to talk.

Also, bear in mind that if a police officer decides to stop and disarm me simply because I am openly carrying a weapon, they are violating several constitutional rights and will the department will quickly find themselves under a lawsuit, most of which are closed out of court for 6-digit settlements. Most departments train their officers, despite their personal opinions to avoid these kinds of situations at all costs.

Ann - you know I love ya, and you are damned right the Ass was a mistake...lemme go fix that right now...lol

I never said you were flashing your weapon for show and tell. It was a general statement for anyone that carries an unconcealed weapon. I was wondering why people need to show it at all. I'm sorry if I don't get why folks have the need for an open carry. If seeing a "regular Joe" carrying around a gun makes someone feel safe, that's great. If I see a random person carrying around a gun, I'm going to be on guard because my life is too important to me then to assume that all is ok. Having it concealed certainly doesn't mean you (or anyone else) is any less protected. If anything, it would make the person carrying the weapon more of a target but you're right, we'll just have to agree to disagree.

By the way, a police officer has every right to stop and question you for carrying a weapon. No, if you have a permit to carry, you shouldn't be disarmed but if someone sees you walking around with a gun and therefore calls the cops because there's a guy walking around the store with a gun, yeah, he does have the right to question. It's his/or her duty to ensure the safety of the public.

 

[ViperGTS]

I never said you were flashing your weapon for show and tell. I was wondering why people need to show it at all? Having it concealed certainly doesn't mean you (or anyone else) is any less protected. If anything, it would make the person carrying the weapon more of a target but you're right, we'll just have to agree to disagree.

That's the thing, though, a criminal mind doesn't work that way. They want to go where they will not be resisted, or have to deal with an additional threat. Read the post I made about the foiled bank robbery a little further up this thread. That's what I mean.

Besides, it's a right I choose to exercise. As we both said, no one has to agree with me about it, but it'd be nice if people weren't so jumpy as to start calling me crazy, having screw loose, and a vigilante because of it.

After all, I don't go around calling those who decide not to carry "constitution haters." That would be disrespectful, wouldn't it?