| Author | Post |
|---|
mekender
Regular Member
| Joined: | Fri Feb 22nd, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 146 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Sat Oct 17th, 2009 06:32 am |
|
When open carrying, how do you answer questions like "why are you carrying a gun?"
Ive thought about it and cant come up with an answer that doesnt sound like i am being a dick. I would love to come up with something better than "because i can" but that is my first instinct.
|
cbackous
Regular Member
|
Posted: Sat Oct 17th, 2009 07:17 am |
|
For me, it depends on who is asking, and the tone that they are asking in.
If its a person that is asking because they are curious, and there isnt an obvious negative tone, I would reply with a "OC is legal in XXX state" type of remark, or possibly "I want to be able to protect myself and people around me if needed"
If its a person that has a obviously negative tone, and is asking in a challenging manner, I would stick with the "because I can" type of answer. These people typically, but not always, wont see your logic either way, and spew their anti dribble.
I usually dont carry any "informational" cards with me, but that is a good idea also.
|
Myrighttocarry
Regular Member
| Joined: | Tue Jun 23rd, 2009 |
| Location: | North Carolina |
| Posts: | 137 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Sat Oct 17th, 2009 06:31 pm |
|
The "because I can" is almost certainly not going to change anyones opinion on OC and is probably just going to add fuel to the fire for an Anti.
I think a pleasent attitude and a calm demeanor is impossible to argue against, however if they insist on being rude you can just walk away(remember if there are people watching you maybe forming their schema towards gun owners, not only the person you are directly speaking too). You're going to run into people that don't argree with you everyday, this is America, our cultural melting pot doesn't allow for uniform thinking so you'll have to assume as much when you OC.
You can't make everyone happy and it's frustrating, but when you give up and start letting dick comments fly out your mouth you are only reinforcing the negative stereotypes that gun owners are narrow minded conservatives.
Just my 2 cents.
|
HankT
State Researcher
|
Posted: Sat Oct 17th, 2009 06:53 pm |
|
mekender wrote: When open carrying, how do you answer questions like "why are you carrying a gun?"
Ive thought about it and cant come up with an answer that doesnt sound like i am being a dick. I would love to come up with something better than "because i can" but that is my first instinct.
Bad first instinct...
"Because I can" is:
a) a silly answer, and
b) not the real reason you carry.
Why not just tell the questioner something simple, accurate and understandable: "Self-defense."
Everything else, all other details that could be spoken....come from that real reason.
"Because I can" is schoolyard talk. Automatically lowers the speaker's IQ by 10 points ...
Last edited on Sat Oct 17th, 2009 06:54 pm by HankT
|
mekender
Regular Member
| Joined: | Fri Feb 22nd, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 146 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Sat Oct 17th, 2009 07:17 pm |
|
well, i ask because a couple of weeks back, i had this gal behind the counter at a gas station ask "why are you carrying?" and i could tell that she was a bit scared of me. By the time i left the store, she was smiling and agreed that the most likely person to rob her store wouldnt be wearing a collared shirt tucked in to slacks with an open pistol on his belt.
|
wylde007
Regular Member
|
Posted: Tue Oct 20th, 2009 02:02 am |
|
Because I can and I feel that I should.
|
JDriver1.8t
Regular Member
|
Posted: Tue Oct 20th, 2009 03:05 am |
|
| I usually say for personal protection, and to show that law abiding citizens can and are are armed in our every day lives, not just criminals.
|
DreQo
State Researcher
|
Posted: Tue Oct 20th, 2009 01:22 pm |
|
If there's no time for conversation, I'll simply state self defense. If it's in a social setting, however, I'll usually ask "Why not?".
The response I get usually begins with  ...umm.. ....
One rather forward (and obviously liberal) woman immediately said "well there are kids around!". I responded with "What in the heck does that have to do with a sidearm on my hip?". I acted genuinely surprised. She mumbled, stuttered, and then dropped the topic.
I love asking why not. I'm honestly curious what they have to say!
|
.40 Cal
State Researcher
|
Posted: Tue Oct 20th, 2009 01:53 pm |
|
| I euqate it to having insurance.
|
chiefjason
Regular Member
| Joined: | Thu Jan 29th, 2009 |
| Location: | Hickory, NC |
| Posts: | 248 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 20th, 2009 08:04 pm |
|
I tend to tell them NC's an open carry state, I have a right to carry. Which is generally followed by, "Really?" Then let the education begin. In reality I live in a pretty pro 2a area. I think the anti's just know they are outnumbered. Must be the large number of pickups with big tires and gun racks. 
|
HankT
State Researcher
|
Posted: Wed Oct 21st, 2009 02:20 am |
|
DreQo wrote: If there's no time for conversation, I'll simply state self defense. If it's in a social setting, however, I'll usually ask "Why not?".
The response I get usually begins with ...umm......
One rather forward (and obviously liberal) woman immediately said "well there are kids around!". I responded with "What in the heck does that have to do with a sidearm on my hip?". I acted genuinely surprised. She mumbled, stuttered, and then dropped the topic.
I love asking why not. I'm honestly curious what they have to say!
I am the same way. I love asking questions about stuff that people think they know is true.
It's a hoot when they get all mumbly, stuttery and it's even entertaining when they can't carry on a logical or civil exchange and get spitting angry. I love that. FTF or on the forum, it's always educational. They simply don't know how bad they look...
|
.40 Cal
State Researcher
|
Posted: Wed Oct 21st, 2009 02:32 am |
|
| You're just an all around instigator, aint ya?
|
Citizen
Founder's Club Member
|
Posted: Wed Oct 21st, 2009 03:13 am |
|
HankT wrote: DreQo wrote: If there's no time for conversation, I'll simply state self defense. If it's in a social setting, however, I'll usually ask "Why not?".
The response I get usually begins with ...umm......
One rather forward (and obviously liberal) woman immediately said "well there are kids around!". I responded with "What in the heck does that have to do with a sidearm on my hip?". I acted genuinely surprised. She mumbled, stuttered, and then dropped the topic.
I love asking why not. I'm honestly curious what they have to say!
I am the same way. I love asking questions about stuff that people think they know is true.
It's a hoot when they get all mumbly, stuttery and it's even entertaining when they can't carry on a logical or civil exchange and get spitting angry. I love that. FTF or on the forum, it's always educational. They simply don't know how bad they look...
QFT
|
HankT
State Researcher
|
Posted: Wed Oct 21st, 2009 05:26 am |
|
Citizen wrote: HankT wrote: DreQo wrote: If there's no time for conversation, I'll simply state self defense. If it's in a social setting, however, I'll usually ask "Why not?".
The response I get usually begins with ...umm......
One rather forward (and obviously liberal) woman immediately said "well there are kids around!". I responded with "What in the heck does that have to do with a sidearm on my hip?". I acted genuinely surprised. She mumbled, stuttered, and then dropped the topic.
I love asking why not. I'm honestly curious what they have to say!
I am the same way. I love asking questions about stuff that people think they know is true.
It's a hoot when they get all mumbly, stuttery and it's even entertaining when they can't carry on a logical or civil exchange and get spitting angry. I love that. FTF or on the forum, it's always educational. They simply don't know how bad they look...
QFT
Building up your post count, Citizen?
You're only 300 posts away from your goal of being OCDO Citizen No. 1...
Looks like you'll make it by Halloween. 
7,618 Posts
|
wethepeople
Regular Member
| Joined: | Thu Mar 19th, 2009 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 38 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 22nd, 2009 07:17 pm |
|
| Why do you carry a cell phone?? These people are on my enemy list.
|
ocgso
Regular Member
|
Posted: Tue Nov 3rd, 2009 12:42 am |
|
.40 Cal wrote: I euqate it to having insurance.
I equate it to wearing a seat belt. I wear it every day and I have never had to use it in the time I have been driving. That doesn't stop me from putting it on EVERY DAY.
The other one I love (because I have a good friend who is a rather heavy set cop) is "I carry a gun because a cop is too heavy".
|
mrjam2jab
Regular Member
|
Posted: Wed Nov 4th, 2009 04:03 pm |
|
wethepeople wrote: Why do you carry a cell phone?? These people are on my enemy list.
Funny thing about that....how many people originally started carrying a cell phone "just in case"...? Exact same idea.
|
REX681959
Regular Member
| Joined: | Sat Oct 17th, 2009 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 15 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Mon Nov 9th, 2009 03:30 am |
|
Why carry a cell phone?
why do you need insurance?
And if they are willing to listen I will explain that the only defense against a crook with a handgun is being armed & willing and able to defend yourself with a handgun of your own.
WELL , what about the police? It's thier job to protect us.
This is one of the comments I get in return.
My answer & the answer any "Thinking" person would know is that the police can't be everywhere.
I'm 50 years old & I'm ashamed to say that it took some of my son's conversations with me to open my eyes to what's going on in the world around us every day.
Just think about years past before 9/11 for a period of time there were planes being hijacked for awhile & most of the time they just wanted money or to go to another country but most of the time very few people got hurt.
Fast forward to 9/11 the people on all but one of the planes probably knew they were being hijacked but that's ok we'll be ok. Only on the one plane after they found out the fate of the other plane & knew they were all going to die did anyone fight back.
now most peoples mind set is I don't go in bad parts of town , I don't go to bars , If someone robs me I'll just give them my money & they'll leave me alone ,ect,ect,ect
Now open your eyes & look at how many people get robbed & shot even if they gave the robber their money. This is happening more & more.
WE NEED TO EDUCATE THESE SHEEP!!!!!! 
Last edited on Fri Nov 13th, 2009 02:15 am by REX681959
|
tekshogun
Regular Member
|
Posted: Tue Nov 17th, 2009 07:07 pm |
|
HankT wrote: mekender wrote: When open carrying, how do you answer questions like "why are you carrying a gun?"
Ive thought about it and cant come up with an answer that doesnt sound like i am being a dick. I would love to come up with something better than "because i can" but that is my first instinct.
Bad first instinct...
"Because I can" is:
a) a silly answer, and
b) not the real reason you carry.
Why not just tell the questioner something simple, accurate and understandable: "Self-defense."
Everything else, all other details that could be spoken....come from that real reason.
"Because I can" is schoolyard talk. Automatically lowers the speaker's IQ by 10 points ...
I disagree, I think it lowers the speaker's IQ by something more like 40 or 50 points. At that point, the questioner will instantly think you are a fool looking for trouble and will either seek to get away from you quickly or will move in the the mode of chastising you and asking you more rhetorical questions at your expense.
As already stated as a deterrent and for self defense incase it does not work as a deterrent. If they want to know how you can do that legally, you tell them not only is it a constitutional right as a citizen of the United States of America, it is also, specifically allowed in some places of the public and private in the state (NC and some others, not all).
Last edited on Tue Nov 17th, 2009 07:09 pm by tekshogun
|
Current time is 01:15 am | |
|
