When you go over to someone's house and you are carrying, do you ask them for specific permission to carry in their home? Are you respectful enough of the rules of their abode? Is it the polite thing to do?
Wanna know what I do?
I don't ask. I don't even mention that I've got a concealed firearm. Carrying a gun for self-protection is not aberrant behavior and requires no special permission as it does not depart from the norms of societal conduct.
What do you do?
I just keep it to myself. If someone notices, they might say something, or might not.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, if I'm at your house, you probably know me well enough to assume I'm carrying.
True. I don't think I'd stop to think about it, if I did I would assume you are armed given who you are.
DeleteAnd would you ask if you'd go to the house of somebody, where diverging norms of society in this respect apply, let's say, an European?
ReplyDeleteWell, if I was visiting the house of a European in Europe I wouldn't be carrying because the governments in Europe strive to have a disarmed populace.
DeleteBut would I ask to carry into the house of a European living in Virginia? No. Has that situation arisen? Yes. Regardless of stupid laws, handguns are simply the most effective means to self-defense and self defense is a natural right. To me, saying that I don't have the right to self defense in your home is the same as saying I don't have the right to be Jewish or Catholic in your home.
It's called concealed for a reason. :-) I don't mention it, although I rarely find myself in the homes of anti-gunners. I find no reason to trust such people so why associate with them?
ReplyDeleteI don't hang out with anti-gunners either. But I do know a few people that don't want guns in their house. I don't consider them anti-gun because they don't vote for gun control. They simply haven't thought about self defense in the same manner you and I have done. It may not be rational, but that's not the point.
DeleteStill, I carry into their houses without asking. If they tell me to get out then I'll leave and at that point our friendship becomes strained. That's why I conceal carry. I understand these things are personal decisions and I do not care to get in people's faces with the issue.
I did have a neighbor visiting once who flipped out to me when she noticed another guest's gun. I didn't have the heart to raise my shirt or point out the other 3 in the room. :-)
ReplyDeleteI guess they qualify as not anti, but not pro either. Of course, I'm the one they called when they weren't home and their young son was home alone and thought a bogey man was in the house.
Funny how that works, huh? I have a friend with a very similar experience regarding a "guns are evil" neighbour calling in the middle of the night.
DeleteI'm with MSgtB.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't go to someone's home and ask if any of my other rights were prohibited there.
I'd just exercise them as appropriate.
Well said.
DeleteConcealed is concealed... and most of my friends that I visit also carry, so no big deal.
ReplyDeleteProbably one of the safest places to be!
DeleteExactly as you said it, Andy. I don't mention it because it doesn't matter. As I see it I am the weapon; a gun is just an SL-3 component, a part of the system, and I choose to not be a weapon unless someone somewhere forces me to be.
ReplyDeleteDid you really just say SL-3 components?
DeleteThat's hardcore USMC geekery right there...
Thank you. I did not get the reference.
DeleteI figured the military yayhoos would pick up on that.
DeleteI never say anything. Most people who know me know that I probably have one, even the few non-gun owners that I enjoy spending time with. If they ask, I'll likely admit it, but no one ever asks.
ReplyDeleteI never answer the question directly, the few times it has come up. Although none of those have been when I was in somebody's home. It's always been somebody who knew I was into guns asking in a public or semi-public place. But I'd do the same thing if asked in a house. I've found that most people aren't confident enough in their convictions to follow up with more direct questioning.
DeleteI never say a thing. I don't mention that I have a credit card or a pocket knife either. All are just tools.
ReplyDelete"I don't mention that I have a credit card or a pocket knife either."
DeleteI like that. :-)