DamonK
Regular Member
So I have an honest question about our demeanor while carrying. Let me say right up front that as long as you are legal, I support your right to carry. I believe that it's as much a right as free speech or not incriminating yourself. That said, I notice that there are some that would prefer to argue with LEOs, and some that will do anything they say, just to keep things smooth. I've also seen and read about folks that have treated the general public in the same manner, both ways. For me personally, I've never given up my ID while legally carrying(exception of traffic stops of course) But I have no trouble being civil or even friendly with an officer if possible. I keep it brief, but I always try to leave it on a positive note when I can. I do the same thing a lot of us do, go for walks and what-not in areas looking for a chance to re-educate folks when I can, but I always try to push the friendly helpful do-gooder image as much as I can. I make it a point to spend at least half of one day every week looking for folks to help out. Not with my sidearm, but maybe changing a tire, or helping someone carry something. I've even helped neighbors with yard work and done some volunteer work. I think that the more positive contacts we can have with folks out there, the stronger our cause will be. Every gun owner we convince to carry, every person who's never seen one that now feel comfortable around us, every liberal or "progressive" that we can convince that the second amendment is as important as the rest of them, that a big win for out team. It's because of this that I personally have a problem with the guys that go out there looking for trouble. I see them on Youtube all the time, just like most of you folks probably do. I like some of the youtube videos, the ones where the guy is courteous and at the same time stands his ground and sticks to his rights. Those are good stuff and I use them as learning tools myself. But the ones where our people are rude, or aggressive, or especially baiting, those really bug me. What does that really accomplish? Other than maybe getting the LEOs to do something you can suit over not much. And in my opinion, if you're going out there to make money off of law suits, you're no better than those westboro yahoos. Those of you that do that hurt our cause. Sure you might win a settlement, and the police will abide more strictly to the law for the next year or so. But what have you really done? You've turned the social environment toxic to our cause while if you're lucky filling your pockets with the local community's money. Is it your right? Yes. But why would you want to be so damaging to your own cause?
I realize that I ramble a bit, I'm going to blame that on my lack of coffee so far this morning. But my question stands. Pros and Cons to both sides. Maybe there's benefits to being aggressive that I'm just not seeing. Just bear in mind, I'm looking at the long term effects that we can have. Good or bad.
Now please, be gentle... It's my first time outside my beloved Washington State forum :lol:
I realize that I ramble a bit, I'm going to blame that on my lack of coffee so far this morning. But my question stands. Pros and Cons to both sides. Maybe there's benefits to being aggressive that I'm just not seeing. Just bear in mind, I'm looking at the long term effects that we can have. Good or bad.
Now please, be gentle... It's my first time outside my beloved Washington State forum :lol: