Gun Rights And Bullying Cops

[CrossCuT]

A friend of mine on facebook recently posted a link to this video:

http://www.westernjournalism.com/watch-happens-pair-girls-open-carry-walmart/

 

It is about some cops who he viewed as overstepping their bounds and abusing authority when some girls walked into walmart openly carrying guns on their hips.

 

 

 

Bully cops again. Makes me want to open carry just to see what type of cops I run into if someone makes a call. People being afraid of those who are willing to protect them even though they are not required to is very backwards.

 

It triggered a long facebook debate which I wont go into detail about but it seriously made my blood pressure rise.

 

My thoughts:

1) Guns are powerful weapons designed to empower their using whether its a male or a female. Regardless of the gender in possession of a gun, a bullet will still kill you if it makes a lethal hit.

2) In my opinion, responsible gun owners will NOT exploit a hot button issue by using their guns as a means to express their political positions. "LOOK AT ME I LIKE GUNS AND I HAVE A RIGHT TO CARRY THEM." 

3) Do you really feel threatened in Walmart?

4) The officer was doing his duty by checking IDs and permits. Permits are not for YOU to know you are ok carrying a gun, permits are for OTHERS to know you are ok carrying a gun.

5) Seriously. A gun is not a toy. If someone reports to police that a 5 people are walking into walmart with guns, you check it out. I would rather have the headlines be "5 pissed off girls got their IDs checked" than "Shootout at Walmart killing 10 people because police didnt respond"

 

 

I am 100% in favor of being allowed to have guns. Completely. 

I am 100% NOT in favor of using guns as a statement. It is irresponsible, loathsome, and stupid. 

[CatholicsAreKewl]

A friend of mine on facebook recently posted a link to this video:

http://www.westernjournalism.com/watch-happens-pair-girls-open-carry-walmart/

 

It is about some cops who he viewed as overstepping their bounds and abusing authority when some girls walked into walmart openly carrying guns on their hips.

 

 

It triggered a long facebook debate which I wont go into detail about but it seriously made my blood pressure rise.

 

My thoughts:

1) Guns are powerful weapons designed to empower their using whether its a male or a female. Regardless of the gender in possession of a gun, a bullet will still kill you if it makes a lethal hit.

2) In my opinion, responsible gun owners will NOT exploit a hot button issue by using their guns as a means to express their political positions. "LOOK AT ME I LIKE GUNS AND I HAVE A RIGHT TO CARRY THEM." 

3) Do you really feel threatened in Walmart?

4) The officer was doing his duty by checking IDs and permits. Permits are not for YOU to know you are ok carrying a gun, permits are for OTHERS to know you are ok carrying a gun.

5) Seriously. A gun is not a toy. If someone reports to police that a 5 people are walking into walmart with guns, you check it out. I would rather have the headlines be "5 pissed off girls got their IDs checked" than "Shootout at Walmart killing 10 people because police didnt respond"

 

 

I am 100% in favor of being allowed to have guns. Completely. 

I am 100% NOT in favor of using guns as a statement. It is irresponsible, loathsome, and stupid. 

Does that Walmart have a policy against carrying weapons in the store?

 

[KnightofChrist]

Does that Walmart have a policy against carrying weapons in the store?

 

That would be key I believe, if they don't have such a policy then people should be able to carry their guns as a form of free speech or 'making a statement'.
 

[CrossCuT]

I believe they are not a gun free zone.

They sell guns after all.

 

http://www.walmart.com/cp/Firearms-Ammunition/1088608

Edited September 19, 2013 by CrossCuT

[Lil Red]

 

3) Do you really feel threatened in Walmart?

 

 

just had to address this part - there are times when I've gone to Walmart (reluctantly, believe me) that I have felt very not safe in the parking lot and inside walmart. 

 

and part of carrying, is carrying everywhere; simply because you do not know when you will be targeted by criminals. 

[CatholicsAreKewl]

Well, if the manager called the cops, that's a different case altogether. If the cops came out of nowhere and did this, das kinda lame. It's none of their business if Walmart isn't complaining.

Edited September 19, 2013 by CatholicsAreKewl

[PhuturePriest]

just had to address this part - there are times when I've gone to Walmart (reluctantly, believe me) that I have felt very not safe in the parking lot and inside walmart. 

 

and part of carrying, is carrying everywhere; simply because you do not know when you will be targeted by criminals. 

 

Indeed. There are some scary Wal-Marts in the world, and I've seen a few of them.

 

I don't think the cops were wrong to be suspicious (Do you really expect them not to be when we have a new shooting every week?), but I think they could have done this a different way. They could have just casually walked up and said "Hi, how's it going?", and kept a close eye on them. If they were acting super suspicious, it wouldn't be out-of-bounds to ask for permits.

 

But at the same time, I'm not on these ladies' side at all. They weren't doing this for protection. They were doing it as a statement. How can that be easily seen? By the fact their guns were in the open. The element of surprise is always best, and if someone is messing with you and you bring out a gun from nowhere, they'll be more freaked out and docile than if they had been staring at it and expecting you to pull it out. I don't respect that they made guns and safety into a political statement, and I don't like how they got mad because the police asked for ID's. If I were to walk in a Wal-Mart and try to buy beer, they would ask for an ID to make sure I could buy it. That is their right as a store (And also the law). Well, it's the law that you have to have a permit, so if you suspiciously walk into a store with guns hot and ready to go, I know if I were a cop I would be very concerned, and I would question them about why they were doing it.

[CrossCuT]

just had to address this part - there are times when I've gone to Walmart (reluctantly, believe me) that I have felt very not safe in the parking lot and inside walmart. 

 

and part of carrying, is carrying everywhere; simply because you do not know when you will be targeted by criminals. 

 

That is a very good point! Walmarts are often shady however I have never walked into a Walmart where a cop wasnt right there in the entry way or somewhere near by.

 

And in regards to KoC's comment about freedom of speech...they absolute have that right, Im not arguing with that. I just dont think its responsible to use guns in that way. This isnt just a tshirt with a cuss word on it or an inappropriate pictures, it is a weapon. If you DO decide to exercise that right (which is totally fine) then you should not be upset if that cops want to double check for safety. Safety always comes first. If the cops assumed every single person walking around with a gun was a responsible law abiding citizen, then they would not be doing their job and that neglect could potentially lead to harm or death.

Edited September 19, 2013 by CrossCuT

[Tab'le De'Bah-Rye]

Iz you in L.A. I just watched the first 5 minutes of my first bloodz and crips documentary. If your not in L.A. you prob don't need to show everyone you have a gun. And a quick question about the bloodz and the crips, are they the same as the traditional gangsters in that they mainly only kill other gangsters or assumed gangsters?

[CrossCuT]

Indeed. There are some scary Wal-Marts in the world, and I've seen a few of them.

 

I don't think the cops were wrong to be suspicious (Do you really expect them not to be when we have a new shooting every week?), but I think they could have done this a different way. They could have just casually walked up and said "Hi, how's it going?", and kept a close eye on them. If they were acting super suspicious, it wouldn't be out-of-bounds to ask for permits.

 

But at the same time, I'm not on these ladies' side at all. They weren't doing this for protection. They were doing it as a statement. How can that be easily seen? By the fact their guns were in the open. The element of surprise is always best, and if someone is messing with you and you bring out a gun from nowhere, they'll be more freaked out and docile than if they had been staring at it and expecting you to pull it out. I don't respect that they made guns and safety into a political statement, and I don't like how they got mad because the police asked for ID's. If I were to walk in a Wal-Mart and try to buy beer, they would ask for an ID to make sure I could buy it. That is their right as a store (And also the law). Well, it's the law that you have to have a permit, so if you suspiciously walk into a store with guns hot and ready to go, I know if I were a cop I would be very concerned, and I would question them about why they were doing it.

 

I had the same line of thought as you did FP. Being a female myself, i think its good that these ladies are taking steps to be more secure if a dangerous event occurs. Would I purchase a gun myself? No. I opt for non lethal means of protection FIRST; like a taser. But thats just me.

 

But I agree...if you really wanted to protect yourself, Id stash it in my purse! If there was a person who was intent on doing harm, what would stop them from overpowering me and taking the exposed gun right off me? Im only 5'2 and do not have a lot of upper body strength so it wouldnt be hard.

 

But the point of this post is that people need to understand that if you are carrying a weapon around, expect to be checked! The guns were not taken away, no rights were violated. Checking for a permit is the SENSIBLE, reasonable, and responsible thing to do.

 

Funny thing about guns is that if there is a gun involved in any situation, your chances of getting shot go up. Weird how that works.

[Tab'le De'Bah-Rye]

just had to address this part - there are times when I've gone to Walmart (reluctantly, believe me) that I have felt very not safe in the parking lot and inside walmart. 

 

and part of carrying, is carrying everywhere; simply because you do not know when you will be targeted by criminals. 

 

 

I would be paranoid in walmart too. I saw a photo of wall mart or an add or something and supposedly they sell quijah boards, that board is evil as. If i was allowed to i word fire bomb wall mart for selling that, just as fast as i would fire bomb a pornographic shop (if i was allowed to,which i am not.) You should have people praying outside of wall mart, perhaps the secular sale of the quijah board is the cause of all yall problems in the u.s. 

[Tab'le De'Bah-Rye]

I had the same line of thought as you did FP. Being a female myself, i think its good that these ladies are taking steps to be more secure if a dangerous event occurs. Would I purchase a gun myself? No. I opt for non lethal means of protection FIRST; like a taser. But thats just me.

 

But I agree...if you really wanted to protect yourself, Id stash it in my purse! If there was a person who was intent on doing harm, what would stop them from overpowering me and taking the exposed gun right off me? Im only 5'2 and do not have a lot of upper body strength so it wouldnt be hard.

 

But the point of this post is that people need to understand that if you are carrying a weapon around, expect to be checked! The guns were not taken away, no rights were violated. Checking for a permit is the SENSIBLE, reasonable, and responsible thing to do.

 

Funny thing about guns is that if there is a gun involved in any situation, your chances of getting shot go up. Weird how that works.

 

 

Why do girls need to carry guns, is rape epidemic in the u.s.? I wouldn't know. I'm not being sarcastic, my question is, 'is rape epidemic in the u.s.? If it isn't then probably they don't need to holster there guns. Probably just leave them at home in case a dictator comes along and rises to the hot seat in the white house or an invading foreign army is on the way. Which i'm pretty sure wouldn't be like those hollywood end of the world flicks, most people would have a chance to get home and get there guns, or perhaps raid the nearest store and grab some gatts and ammo. :)

Edited September 19, 2013 by Tab'le Du'Bah-Rye

[CrossCuT]

Why do girls need to carry guns, is rape epidemic in the u.s.? I wouldn't know. I'm not being sarcastic, my question is, 'is rape epidemic in the u.s.? If it isn't then probably they don't need to holster there guns. Probably just leave them at home in case a dictator comes along and rises to the hot seat in the white house or an invading foreign army is on the way. Which i'm pretty sure wouldn't be like those hollywood end of the world flicks, most people would have a chance to get home and get there guns, or perhaps raid the nearest store and grab some gatts and ammo. :)

 

Discussing rape is kind of off topic. I dont know the reasons these girls decided to purchase guns but that is irrelevant anyway. They are allowed to buy guns regardless of the reasons.

This thread concerns mostly the police response to the situation and if it was appropriate or not.

[PhuturePriest]

I had the same line of thought as you did FP. Being a female myself, i think its good that these ladies are taking steps to be more secure if a dangerous event occurs. Would I purchase a gun myself? No. I opt for non lethal means of protection FIRST; like a taser. But thats just me.

 

But I agree...if you really wanted to protect yourself, Id stash it in my purse! If there was a person who was intent on doing harm, what would stop them from overpowering me and taking the exposed gun right off me? Im only 5'2 and do not have a lot of upper body strength so it wouldnt be hard.

 

But the point of this post is that people need to understand that if you are carrying a weapon around, expect to be checked! The guns were not taken away, no rights were violated. Checking for a permit is the SENSIBLE, reasonable, and responsible thing to do.

 

Funny thing about guns is that if there is a gun involved in any situation, your chances of getting shot go up. Weird how that works.

 

One thing: don't stash it in your purse! Any cop/gun course trainer will tell you that. Your purse is easily lost/taken away. Conceal it on your hip. It may feel uncomfortable, but it can't be left behind and forgotten because it's always on you, and as a bonus you feel awesome.

[Winchester]

Cop carry guns as a statement.