Anonymous wrote:Do we hear many stories of people successfully defending themselves from random violence/theft with a gun?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you’re carrying a concealed weapon … you’re a gun nut.

I think that’s a pretty close-minded way to look at it.

I have a fire extinguisher in my kitchen - does that make me a “fire extinguisher nut”?

Both fire extinguishers and guns have compelling and justified reasons for being kept on-hand for emergencies. If you don’t like guns, that’s fine, no one is forcing you to have one. But you don’t get to force me NOT to have one, either. It’s just like abortion. Don’t like abortion? Don’t have one. But you don’t get to tell others they can’t have one, either. I’ve been a Dem my whole adult life, but they need to drop the whole gun control thing. I cringe and roll my eyes every time I hear someone I voted for prattling on about gun control. It’s a failed issue for us. Americans like being able to own guns if they choose to, and they aren’t giving them up. Dems need to accept that and STFU about it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I lived in multiple states that have open carry and CCW and in a few parts of MD where the cops and citizenry basically ignored the states CCW rules for years. People carried in these areas of MD and the sheriffs, local cops and the one MD state trooper who was assigned to and lived in the area knew it but didn't care. I did not ever get the sense that anybody there was eager to use their weapon. Crime was almost non existent due to most people not knowing who was armed so they minded their own business.

Or because people weren't trapped in poverty?

Anonymous wrote:That's great but, people with guns just look for a chance to use them. Make sure you don't turn into the next Bernie Geotz.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you’re carrying a concealed weapon … you’re a gun nut.

I think that’s a pretty close-minded way to look at it.

I have a fire extinguisher in my kitchen - does that make me a “fire extinguisher nut”?

Both fire extinguishers and guns have compelling and justified reasons for being kept on-hand for emergencies. If you don’t like guns, that’s fine, no one is forcing you to have one. But you don’t get to force me NOT to have one, either. It’s just like abortion. Don’t like abortion? Don’t have one. But you don’t get to tell others they can’t have one, either. I’ve been a Dem my whole adult life, but they need to drop the whole gun control thing. I cringe and roll my eyes every time I hear someone I voted for prattling on about gun control. It’s a failed issue for us. Americans like being able to own guns if they choose to, and they aren’t giving them up. Dems need to accept that and STFU about it.

Last time I checked a fire extinguisher wasn't a tool meant to kill or maim a person. So yeah, there's a big difference between a fire extiguisher and a gun.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you’re carrying a concealed weapon … you’re a gun nut.

I think that’s a pretty close-minded way to look at it.

I have a fire extinguisher in my kitchen - does that make me a “fire extinguisher nut”?

Both fire extinguishers and guns have compelling and justified reasons for being kept on-hand for emergencies. If you don’t like guns, that’s fine, no one is forcing you to have one. But you don’t get to force me NOT to have one, either. It’s just like abortion. Don’t like abortion? Don’t have one. But you don’t get to tell others they can’t have one, either. I’ve been a Dem my whole adult life, but they need to drop the whole gun control thing. I cringe and roll my eyes every time I hear someone I voted for prattling on about gun control. It’s a failed issue for us. Americans like being able to own guns if they choose to, and they aren’t giving them up. Dems need to accept that and STFU about it.

Anonymous wrote:I lived in multiple states that have open carry and CCW and in a few parts of MD where the cops and citizenry basically ignored the states CCW rules for years. People carried in these areas of MD and the sheriffs, local cops and the one MD state trooper who was assigned to and lived in the area knew it but didn't care. I did not ever get the sense that anybody there was eager to use their weapon. Crime was almost non existent due to most people not knowing who was armed so they minded their own business.

Anonymous wrote:If you’re carrying a concealed weapon … you’re a gun nut.

Anonymous wrote:If you’re carrying a concealed weapon … you’re a gun nut.

Anonymous wrote:OP here - a few quick responses.

- Process is tedious and time consuming but not difficult. You have to take a class that includes time at the range. You have to demonstrate that you can safely handle and fire the weapon. You have to go through a background check with MPD before you can take possession of firearm. I didn't feel like there was enough shooting practice to feel comfortable so I took a basic pistol class that really helped. I didn't grow up around guns, and I didn't want to accidentally hurt myself or someone else.

- I safely store my firearm in a safe.

- DC is a shall issue state now - you don't have to provide a reason other than "self defense."

- I'm intentionally calmer now, especially in the car, because the last thing I want to do is escalate with a firearm. The law in DC is clear that you have a responsibility not to escalate and to retreat if possible if you want to claim self-defense. I guess there are some "legend in your own mind" people who carry. I'm the opposite.

- I live here and I have roots here. I'm not going to move to the suburbs. I'm also not going to live at the mercy of armed criminals with no regard for human life.