TexasCHLforum.com

Heres' what happens when a bunch photographers with varying degrees of gun knowledge and opinions discuss having concealed weapons at photo shoots:

http://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thread_id=866772" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My name there is "rp_photo", and I made a number of replies that I hope represent a right-thinking CHL.

Reminds me of other threads I've seen on various photo boards. Most of the non-US members think anyone who carries a gun is a bloodthirsty cowboy and the mostly very liberal US members think close to the same.

I'm an amateur and if I'm out shooting and my bag gets grabbed, it is insured and off it goes. My pistol is there in case they are out to inflict harm.

The funniest part of the thread was the grief given tothe guy from Florida that drew on three guys looking for a fight. Maybe the posters should be introduced to the term "disparity of force" and think before commenting.

It wasn't just the foreigners that had "wussy" views. Many Americans did as well.

People in the UK seem to bristle when asked "How's that gun control working out?" in light of the the London riots.

Check out the exchange at the end of the thread between me "rp_photo" and "Cuica Cafezinho" I state what is pretty much the standard CHL creed about carrying at all times and being up the 21 foot rule, after which he dismisses me as crazy.

In particular, non-gun types seem to have a hard time understanding the concept of carrying by default.

rp_photo wrote:It wasn't just the foreigners that had "wussy" views. Many Americans did as well.

People in the UK seem to bristle when asked "How's that gun control working out?" in light of the the London riots.

I loved the comment to the effect of first time criminals having a bit of fun at the governments expense and they wouldn't deserve to be shot. I wonder how the people who's property were destroyed and were injured and killed feel about that..........

We've had family photos done with my wife and son when he was newborn, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months. The newborn shots were done at our photographer's home studio; however the remainder were all done "on location" around the city. For whatever reason, it seems like the places she likes to take pictures are located in the seediest areas. The locations themselves make for great shots, but the surrounding neighborhoods aren't places you typically want to just wander into. Nothing "east L.A." or anything like that, but just areas where it's pretty obvious who is out of place and where crime rates are higher than average.

On each of the three on-locations sessions we've done, we've had somewhat nervous encounters with interesting characters. My wife told our photographer (who is a very attractive young mother of 2 and drives a luxury SUV into the bad parts of town) that I was armed the first time this happened (I know, I've talked with my wife about blowing my concealment). The photographer has asked me if I was armed after each of the subsequent encounters. I've talked to the photographer several times about needing to get a CHL and carry, and she has considered it but never acted. Just hope she doesn't wait until something bad does happen.

The encounters themselves were not really that bad, but just something to get you thinking. One turned out to be some sort of a block fight involving a very large group of youths. As the apparently loosing party squealed past us in their vehicles literally feet away, cursing loudly and glaring us down, we decided another location was called for. The other two were similar encounters of less-than-reputable looking individuals approaching and acting suspiciously multiple times. I never increased my internal threat level beyond a heightened awareness, but I did pay particularly close attention during both of those encounters. Probably nothing more than people minding their business, but their business was very suspicious if that's the case, with nervous glances all around, unexplained loitering, and mutliple walk-bys. It probably works in my favor that I stand 6'2" and 240lbs.

It's pretty rare for someone's views to be changed by interactions on an internet forum, so I'm ok with 'live & let live'. However, when I have been drawn into the debate I usually state my piece and respectfully bow out of the conversation with the following: "I respect your right to believe as you do and to profess your beliefs on this topic. Should the unfortunate need arise, I will respect your beliefs and will not employ my weapon(s) in defense of your person or your property."

An acquaintance, a staunch liberal, knows I carry.

He asked my why I carry. I told him I'm prepared as I can be for unexpected violence.

He condescendingly chuckled. He offered up something along the lines that indicated he was a superior being for NOT carrying or being willing to defend himself or his loved ones. Further, he essentially said I was some sort of unenlightened being for my stance.

My response was: If you were in fear for your life or your wife or children's lives, would you accept my help by way of gun or would you prefer I not intervene?

He looked down at the floor and mumbled yes he would accept my help.

This happened about a year ago, at a place I then smoked cigars, (had to give em up) and a few others there happened to hear this conversation.

At the time, he honestly seemed to think he was morally superior to give in to criminals. And, after our conversation still seemed to think I'm some sort of monster, who he'd accept the type of help I could provide, but wouldn't perform himself.

I remain baffled...

As I read through the linked forum thread, I noticed one overwhelming assumption by the anti-gunners - they assume that the would-be robbers/muggers would simply take the photography eqipment and/or other property & that would be the end of it. I feel sorry for them for their delusion because it seems like it's getting more common for a theif/mugger/car-jacker to try to inflict serious or deadly harm even when the victims fully comply and offer no resistance. In such arguements, they like to use the "things aren't worth dying for". But the criminal element - whether out of fear of being prosecuted or just plain barbaric brutality - has decided for us that YES! The __________ that you have IS worth dying for. The only real question seems to be is the dying going to be done by them or by me. I vote that they get to do the dying...by my CHL and my EDC.

Abraham wrote:An acquaintance, a staunch liberal, knows I carry.

He asked my why I carry. I told him I'm prepared as I can be for unexpected violence.

He condescendingly chuckled. He offered up something along the lines that indicated he was a superior being for NOT carrying or being willing to defend himself or his loved ones. Further, he essentially said I was some sort of unenlightened being for my stance.

My response was: If you were in fear for your life or your wife or children's lives, would you accept my help by way of gun or would you prefer I not intervene?

He looked down at the floor and mumbled yes he would accept my help.

This happened about a year ago, at a place I then smoked cigars, (had to give em up) and a few others there happened to hear this conversation.

At the time, he honestly seemed to think he was morally superior to give in to criminals. And, after our conversation still seemed to think I'm some sort of monster, who he'd accept the type of help I could provide, but wouldn't perform himself.

I remain baffled...

A man who won't defend his wife and children isn't displaying moral superiority. What he would like others to believe to be a virtue is simple cowardice.

When I encounter one of these folks, I like to ask if, in all fairness, they've advised the wife and kids they're on their own in the event they're victimized in a criminal attack so they won't waste precious time looking to him for help. This leads to some interesting conversations - particularly if the wife is present.

Excaliber wrote:When I encounter one of these folks, I like to ask if, in all fairness, they've advised the wife and kids they're on their own in the event they're victimized in a criminal attack so they won't waste precious time looking to him for help. This leads to some interesting conversations - particularly if the wife is present.