Oldgringo wrote:Texas CH licensees should set the example of responsible, mature gun ownership and concealed carry whether in Texas or elsewhere.
I, too, must disagree with the premise of my warrior buddy, Bronco78, that the embecilic actions of other CH licensees do not reflect on us all. Actions have consequences and one consequence is bad press for our 2A RKBA. Bad and/or sensational news stories are read by everyone and are fodder for the foe.
Once again, two dimensional, text on the internet does not convey perfectly the thought intended.
I understand in today's world of instant news, Anti what ever the flavor is today, that a persons bad action that can be associated with something like say,., a gun,
WILL reflect upon all that fall in that same grouping. This is a public perception and is unavoidable.
My point is, it is not reflection on me personally, if one of the posters here that has great standing and respect whips out his formally concealed hand gun and shoots a OWS protester because he pees on his boots... that person will be blasted in the public's eye.. and it may effect me.. in some real way.. but it will not be a reflection on me personally.
Same as if a male Soldier, 47 years of age rapes or murders another person, non combatant.., that is NO reflection on me as a person. I will not feel obligated to do anything different, to act any different way. Same with the shooting event described above. That person bad actions are NO reflection on me.
Likewise I do not feel any obligation what so ever to live my life by others demands, just because I carry a rightly owned and legally carried firearm.
The inane banter in this forum about concealed is concealed almost to the point of obsession and state secrecy is well beyond what i personally believe is required, right, needed or intended by the law as it is written. Some here make it seem to be both illegal and a mortal sin (if you go that way) to have a gun print, or a shirt pull up and expose your gun for a moment. Some here express that we MUST be a model citizen because we have a duty to other CHL owners. I disagree.. I owe you no such thing.. you did not give me a right, did not pay for my class, take the test for me, write the law....I owe you nothing, but common human decency.
The fact that i don't act like a loony, rob, rape, steal, wave my gun around in road rage, is not done for you, my fellow CHL, I do it because it's right
I owe you, my fellow common decency, and i would offer you the shirt off my back if needed more then I
But I find it repugnant that others will tell me I am responsible to them, simply because I have a CHL. My responsibility and obligations are to exercise that right in a lawful manner, and to act like a decent human no more.
with you I feel the same way