Carrying Guns

[FlightlessDuck]

So, hold on.

Calgary Stampede isn't a hockey or soccer team?

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Don't ask me why, but to me there is some sort of ******* between the "Happiest Place on Earth" and a Glock 17...

Happiness is a warm (yes it iiiiis) guuuuuuuun

 

[Magpie]

Agreed, there are always two sides to every story and there are truths,embellishments on both sides. Hard to really interpret what was going on. I believe in the 2nd amendment and I also respect the house rules, I just wish the bad guys followed the laws too, but then they wouldn't be the bad guys would they.

If I'm out with the wife, my only concern is her. If we're out and about and I don't look like I need help, leave us alone. If I want something I'll ask. If we're out on the street and you approach us, I'm on alert, I'm watching body language and listening to your tone.

There are a lot of things that can set off warning alarms and there are a lot of things that can say hey don't mess with me.

Working in retail, have you ever had that feeling someone was trying to steal something? Just approaching them and acknowledging them, letting them know you're around can sometimes throw them off.

I was out jogging one night, by myself, around midnight. I was nearing a few guys drinking from the back of their car, really no option to avoid them. When I passed them all I heard was one of them yell out, you better watch out! A lot of options ran through my mind and I will never know their true intentions. But I stopped and turned and said, what did you say me to me? The reply, you better watch out, we saw a bunch of raccoons go in your direction. I said thanks and jogged off. No gun, no pepper spray, just me alone. There are a lot of scenarios that could have played out that night and probably all not in my favor. 3 vs 1, me tired and no way I'm out running them. The only thing I had for me was I stopped and bluffed my way out of anything that could have gone wrong.

You know, the only real scenario is the one that actually played out? Some guys drinking in the back of their car, warning a stranger about raccoons. (In my neighbourhood, you really don't want to mess with the raccoons! Unless you really want stitches and rabies shots, that is.)

You didn't bluff your way out of anything. You didn't survive a life threatening encounter with a pack of villains. You simply asked a question and they answered and off you went.

When I'm out, I nod and smile at people as I pass them. I say, hi, or "nice day, eh?" As a woman, yes, it's smart to be alert and aware of my environment. But, I also like people, so it's a win-win for all of us.

When I'm out, people ask me the time of day. They ask me when the next bus is. They strike up conversations when I'm waiting outside a store with my dog, or waiting for a bus. I'm not "on alert" for imminent attack, though I am, of course, alert and aware. There's nothing odd about being spoken to in public.

I think we live in very different worlds. And I'm glad I don't have to view every unplanned encounter with another human being as a potential attack on me or my loved ones.

 

[Magpie]

So, hold on.

Calgary Stampede isn't a hockey or soccer team?

It's the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth!

It's a rodeo, and so much more, too. Takes over Calgary completely. Most every Canadian knows about it, even if we've never had occasion to attend.

http://www.calgarystampede.com/

 

[MIGrandma]

I think there are two groups here. Those who own guns, and understand the responsibilities of them. And those who don't own guns, and don't understand them, or even want to understand them.

I didn't grow up around guns for the most part. My parents didn't own a gun. My grandfather owned a rifle, for hunting deer.

DH loves hunting (squirrel, rabbit, deer) so he owned a rifle when we first got married. Over the past 10-15 years or so he has gotten more interested in guns and now collects them. Several years ago he took the CCP class and started wearing a gun. Made me nervous at first as I wasn't used to it. But over time I got used to it and there have been situations where I've even asked him "are you carrying" and I was glad when he said he was. The way the world is going these days more and more honest law-abiding citizens are taking those classes and carrying their own gun. People need to protect themselves and their families.

I took the CCP class myself a few years ago and also have my own gun. I don't carry mine daily like DH does (although he wishes I did). To him, his gun is part of his every day wardrobe and very rarely does he not have it on him. For me, I basically wanted to learn how to use a gun, and to be prepared if I met up with a wolf or bear while out walking on our property up north. But also to have with me in our camper if I was staying up there by myself.

DH doesn't take his gun with him if we fly on vacation, but he does when we drive. A few years ago we drove to New Orleans, spent a few days there before getting on a cruise. I was glad he had his gun on him when we walked back to our hotel at night, just for our own personal safety. Thankfully nothing happened. But I'm glad we were prepared in case it did. When we left to go on the cruise he put his gun in a locked safe, in a concealed compartment with a metal cable lock in the truck.

When we go camping in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan we no longer go over the bridge into Canada because they won't allow us to bring a gun, and we choose not to be without DH's gun so we just don't go anymore.

 

[adelaster]

Happiness is a warm (yes it iiiiis) guuuuuuuun

Perhaps I am mistaken, but I definitely do not envision a piece of lethal metal when listening to this song.

The BBC even banned it for sexuality, lmao.

 

[Wubar]

I think there are two groups here. Those who own guns, and understand the responsibilities of them. And those who don't own guns, and don't understand them, or even want to understand them.

I didn't grow up around guns for the most part. My parents didn't own a gun. My grandfather owned a rifle, for hunting deer.

DH loves hunting (squirrel, rabbit, deer) so he owned a rifle when we first got married. Over the past 10-15 years or so he has gotten more interested in guns and now collects them. Several years ago he took the CCP class and started wearing a gun. Made me nervous at first as I wasn't used to it. But over time I got used to it and there have been situations where I've even asked him "are you carrying" and I was glad when he said he was. The way the world is going these days more and more honest law-abiding citizens are taking those classes and carrying their own gun. People need to protect themselves and their families.

I took the CCP class myself a few years ago and also have my own gun. I don't carry mine daily like DH does (although he wishes I did). To him, his gun is part of his every day wardrobe and very rarely does he not have it on him. For me, I basically wanted to learn how to use a gun, and to be prepared if I met up with a wolf or bear while out walking on our property up north. But also to have with me in our camper if I was staying up there by myself.

DH doesn't take his gun with him if we fly on vacation, but he does when we drive. A few years ago we drove to New Orleans, spent a few days there before getting on a cruise. I was glad he had his gun on him when we walked back to our hotel at night, just for our own personal safety. Thankfully nothing happened. But I'm glad we were prepared in case it did. When we left to go on the cruise he put his gun in a locked safe, in a concealed compartment with a metal cable lock in the truck.

When we go camping in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan we no longer go over the bridge into Canada because they won't allow us to bring a gun, and we choose not to be without DH's gun so we just don't go anymore.

So do you limit your travel to only places where you can bring your gun? Yikes.

 

[ronandannette]

You know, the only real scenario is the one that actually played out? Some guys drinking in the back of their car, warning a stranger about raccoons. (In my neighbourhood, you really don't want to mess with the raccoons! Unless you really want stitches and rabies shots, that is.)

You didn't bluff your way out of anything. You didn't survive a life threatening encounter with a pack of villains. You simply asked a question and they answered and off you went.

When I'm out, I nod and smile at people as I pass them. I say, hi, or "nice day, eh?" As a woman, yes, it's smart to be alert and aware of my environment. But, I also like people, so it's a win-win for all of us.

When I'm out, people ask me the time of day. They ask me when the next bus is. They strike up conversations when I'm waiting outside a store with my dog, or waiting for a bus. I'm not "on alert" for imminent attack, though I am, of course, alert and aware. There's nothing odd about being spoken to in public.

I think we live in very different worlds. And I'm glad I don't have to view every unplanned encounter with another human being as a potential attack on me or my loved ones.

Very, very true. Well said.

It's the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth!

It's a rodeo, and so much more, too. Takes over Calgary completely. Most every Canadian knows about it, even if we've never had occasion to attend.

http://www.calgarystampede.com/

It's hard to convey exactly what happens here during Stampede - the event dominates all life as we know it. It's completely normal to assume that every last living one of us will be down at the Stampede grounds at some point over the course of the 10 days; visitors or locals. I'm smiling a little because I can't imagine how many countless times I have opened an encounter with some version of "Have you been to the Stampede yet?". It's basically the Calgary-in-July version of "How's it going, eh?"

 

[Jaspers]

I think it's a good policy. I don't really trust people who casually take guns to places.

 

[MIGrandma]

So do you limit your travel to only places where you can bring your gun? Yikes.

I guess you belong in the second group?

And I don't think you read my entire post, as I said he doesn't take it if we fly.

And I probably should have clarified about not going to Canada anymore, when we camp at Sault Ste. Marie we have a truck camper so even if we leave the gun locked in the camper the camper is still with us so they wouldn't allow us in. I'm not sure if we would go though even if we had a tow behind camper and could leave the gun in the camper, we may not go just on matter of principle.

 

[MIGrandma]

I think it's a good policy. I don't really trust people who casually take guns to places.

Really? Wow. Just because someone carries a concealed gun and has the permit to do so, you don't trust that person?

Do you live in the US? If so, then unless you never leave your house you are around people with concealed guns every day.

 

[LYSE]

Don't ask me why, but to me there is some sort of ******* between the "Happiest Place on Earth" and a Glock 17...

I think we can all agree given the desire to keep it concealed a glock 19 would be a much better choice.

 

[ronandannette]

I guess you belong in the second group?

And I don't think you read my entire post, as I said he doesn't take it if we fly.

And I probably should have clarified about not going to Canada anymore, when we camp at Sault Ste. Marie we have a truck camper so even if we leave the gun locked in the camper the camper is still with us so they wouldn't allow us in. I'm not sure if we would go though even if we had a tow behind camper and could leave the gun in the camper, we may not go just on matter of principle.

OK. But I'm not sure what principle you mean. Do you believe that you as an American have the right to bear arms everywhere on earth and to be enjoined from doing so is an intolerable affront? Or to you think the odds of needing a weapon for protection in a campground are so high that to be there without one is an unacceptable risk?

 

[MIGrandma]

OK. But I'm not sure what principle you mean. Do you believe that you as an American have the right to bear arms everywhere on earth and to be enjoined from doing so is an intolerable affront? Or to you think the odds of needing a weapon for protection in a campground are so high that to be there without one is an unacceptable risk?

Well, we have recently seen that it's not safe to be in church so why would a public campground be any different?

 

[Hikergirl]

OK. But I'm not sure what principle you mean. Do you believe that you as an American have the right to bear arms everywhere on earth and to be enjoined from doing so is an intolerable affront? Or to you think the odds of needing a weapon for protection in a campground are so high that to be there without one is an unacceptable risk?

Maybe she means on the matter of principal that they always have their gun with them so even if they got in with it in their camper they would be breaking the law. So instead they choose not to go, as in not to break the law.

 

[Wishing on a star]

There is a bit of history of Law Enforcement in my husband's family.
He was actually commissioned, as a non-necessary, extra thing, at work at one time.
His Glock is like the old American Express commercials.
He doesn't leave home without it.

(Of course we have flown and traveled a few times, where it was not allowed or easy to bring a gun... But, I think he does wish he had it.)

 

[AnnaFloridaLover]

Well, we have recently seen that it's not safe to be in church so why would a public campground be any different?

Well, first of all mass shootings are an American phenomenon. Canada does not have a gun culture. There's no legal way you are getting your personal handgun into Canada.

 

[sam_gordon]

I think there are two groups here. Those who own guns, and understand the responsibilities of them. And those who don't own guns, and don't understand them, or even want to understand them.

Talk about oversimplifying.

How about the group that owns guns and are NOT responsible with them (leaving them out where kids can get them, leaving them in UNLOCKED cars and then finding out the guns were stolen)?
How about the group that don't own guns, understand them, and understand why people would want them?
How about the group that don't own guns, but wish ALL those who do would be responsible?
How about the group that owns guns but don't have any ammunition ? When DW's father passed away, we inherited his rifles. I have no interest in getting ammunition, but I'm not going to tell DW we need to get rid of the rifles.

 

[AnnaFloridaLover]

Spoken by someone who doesn't own a gun and has no idea what they are actually talking about.

I think you'd be surprised. lol

Anyway, even a four year old knows that guns are for killing.

 

[MIGrandma]

Well, first of all mass shootings are an American phenomenon. Canada does not have a gun culture. There's no legal way you are getting your personal handgun into Canada.

First time for everything. Bad things happen in ALL countries, Canada is not immune.

And I already know there is no legal way for DH to take his gun into Canada. We've been to Canada many times via the bridge between the two Sault Ste. Marie cities. The border patrol has always looked at our driver's licenses (then our passports when they started requiring those), asked us a couple questions and waved us through. So, we probably could leave his gun in the camper on the assumption that they would not search the camper and could "get away with it." But we aren't going to do that. We take our CCP seriously and wouldn't do something that could jeopardize that right being taken away.

But even though you say Canada doesn't have mass shootings it still could happen and we would prefer to be prepared to protect ourselves. Also, there are bears and wolves in Canada just as there are in Michigan. We would prefer to be able to protect ourselves from those as well.