If you had owned a gun....

[Kitsune]

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

Has your owning a gun ever stopped an attacker?

While sitting at an intersection at a red light behind several other cars some years ago, a guy walked up to my window, banged on it, and made the "get out of the car" motion. It surprised me so much I rolled the window down a bit thinking he wanted change, but instead was yelled at to get out of the car. The guy seemed enraged. I'm not sure why, but at that moment I felt the need to proceed calmly and even said "just a moment" before I opened the glove box to retrieve my HK. The moment I had my hand on the grip, his arms lifted into the air and he quickly walked away.

Does that mean having a gun in the car managed to scare away a possible carjacker? Maybe, although I would have felt a lot more threatened had he approached the passenger side. He clearly wanted the car, not me. Was it the right thing to do? Absolutely not, especially given Florida state law at the time.

Would I repeat the same action when placed in that situation again? You bet.

[Clodfobble]

Originally Posted by Hippikos

Do you really think bad guys will approach you openly in t-shirts?

Will, and have.

Jesus Christ man, a t-shirt is a t-shirt. Everyone from homeless people to millionaires wears t-shirts. What do you think they should be wearing, ninja outfits?

[Kitsune]

Maybe it varies elsewhere, but in the south carrying a gun is not usually a big deal. The few times I've interacted with police, they've never seemed to care that I was packing and have even declined to see my permit when offered. Most don't seem to be alarmed by it, most people just don't seem to care.

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

What do you think they should be wearing, ninja outfits?

No way. Criminals are always identified by the little black mask, bag with a dollar symbol on it, and "sneaky walk".

[Hippikos]

I got the idea already HH, just as I said: enjoying the country whilst needing a gun is unthinkable overhere. Having said that, I wouldn't go out in deserted places at night with my family.

Maybe it varies elsewhere, but in the south carrying a gun is not usually a big deal. The few times I've interacted with police, they've never seemed to care that I was packing and have even declined to see my permit when offered. Most don't seem to be alarmed by it, most people just don't seem to care.

I guess that's because in the US more people carry guns than cell phones.

[Hoof Hearted]

Originally Posted by Hippikos

I got the idea already HH, just as I said: enjoying the country whilst needing a gun is unthinkable overhere.

Where are you located? Am I correct in thinking that England has banned guns and only the criminal element has possession of said guns? Is the rest of Europe the same way or are they more lenient?
I don't know, and would like to know...

I am certain the gun was only brought out because of Bill's law enforcement experience (dealing with bad shit every day makes you much more aware of it) and because the park was miles away from civilization (homes, gas station, freeway) and we were there at night.

Could we get away with it today? Maybe. Maybe not. ...but I'm certain I wouldn't take my family to that same park, in that same manner, after dark, in today's world. Safety in numbers.
hh

[Kitsune]

Originally Posted by Hippikos

I guess that's because in the US more people carry guns than cell phones.

...so I guess out of the 17,789,864 people in the state of Florida there were less than 289,644 cell phone users in 2004?

You watch too many movies/too much television.

I've never seen a gun brandished in public.
I've never seen anyone shot in public.
I've never seen a shot fired outside of a firing range/hunting area.

[LabRat]

Are you for real? Have you even BEEN here?

[Hippikos]

Originally Posted by LabRat

Are you for real? Have you even BEEN here?

Yep, I'm real and I've been there.

[Clodfobble]

Originally Posted by Hippikos

I guess that's because in the US more people carry guns than cell phones.

Ridiculous hyperbole is so much fun to throw around, isn't it? Here in 'Merica we also sometimes refer to it as bullshit.

[Dagney]

Hmm, in my house we carry 3 cell phones between us - and no guns. I know lots of kids who carry phones, but no guns. I'm thinking whomever gave you that statistic was a bit skewed.

[LabRat]

Then you obviously weren't paying attention. 2 cells, no heat.

[Undertoad]

I never saw a handgun in the first 25 years of my life. Since then I have only seen handguns in private homes, gun stores, and firing ranges. I have never seen a handgun in public and I have never seen a handgun used against anything but paper targets. I can't remember anyone I have ever known who has ever used a handgun against anything but paper targets.

[jinx]

I grew up surrounded by guns. My dad had always collected and carried, my mom carried for a while, they were kept for protection at my parents businesses, they were all over the house and barns at the farm for protection and hunting, the were all over our home - in cabinets, displayed, and often just generally laying around (my parents were not very 'responsible' gun owners now that I think about it...).

I'm not into guns myself, and never felt I needed one, although I always enjoyed hunting.

[BigV]

Hippikos is completely correct. In the US, the number of guns carried by people far exceeds the number of guns carried by cell phones.

Lighten up, people. You owe him and apology.

[Undertoad]

You could combine them.