For Concealed Carriers...

[virginia mountainman]

Over the past few years, watching "Gun Free" zone after gun free zone get shot up by some deranged lunatic, have been reconsidering disarming when I, or when my family "must" enter into a gun free zone. I tend to obey the wishes of the property owner and keep myself, and family (along with our money) away. In Virginia, it is only a minor misdemeanor if I refuse to leave after being asked too if. This generally is not a problem, since 95% of business around the areas we travel have no posted policy so it is almost a "none issue", but it has reared it's head from time to time.

Since the penalties are so weak, and trivial, on the same level as many traffic tickets do, and ONLY if I am stupid and refuse to leave when asked, and on the other side, the penalties of being unable to adequately protect my wife and kids from harm far outweigh any piddly fine..

From others whom carry, thoughts on this?

[Nuclear Unicorn]

1. 100% of the time gun free zones work 0% of the time.

[virginia mountainman]

10. ya, YOU know that, I know that, many in here know that as well..

But some simply don't understand how a sign cannot protect them.

AND NOW IT IS CARTOON TIME!!!!!!




ROFLMAO!!!

[safeinOhio]

2. I agree with you on part of it.

I carried for years and then a few years ago I let my CCW expire. I mostly carried when I went places I felt I might be in some kind of danger.

After thinking about it, I figured it out. Why in the world would I go any place that I figured I needed a gun.

I no longer have to worry about accidents or all the the other hassles of walking around armed. If I stay away from dangerous place, don't get involved in triangle relation ships, stay away from illegal drugs and be polite to everyone, the odds of needing a firearm go down to almost zero. Less than having a firearm accident.

I have met several people that were firearm experts, including a 30 plus year NRA safety instructor, ex military and active LEOs that suffered firearm injuries.

[virginia mountainman]

9. I do avoid "those" places, like the plauge..

No drugs, No love triangles, nothing like that at all.. But sometimes in the line of my work, I am forced to go into bad neighborhoods three states away from home late at night. My employer is fine with me bringing my sidearm with me, but after driving for 5 hrs, sometimes I find myself where I am supposed to be at, and facing a "no guns" sign. (and no, I am not a delivery driver) I keep abreast of the laws in the states I travel in, practically all of them honor my VA Permit.

I need to research the penalties in other states as well, for violating the "gun free zones".

[safeinOhio]

11. I can understand the work thing.

I use to deliver car parts in Detroit. I hate it, but I would find a rap station, turn it all the way up and roll down the windows. Everyone just smiled and waved at me. I've found if you never show fear, you won't become a victim.

[benEzra]

3. I think it's really wrongheaded that Marine Corps officers and NCO's

don't have *any* armed response capabilities in off-base situations like this. The best they might manage under the current system is to run to their car where they can legally have a weapon. A civilian desk jockey on a Federal installation sits behind armed protection, but a career officer or master sergeant in a recruiting station or similar facility, even at elevated FPCON, has less ability to defend their installation than my 75-year-old dad does drinking coffee at Bojangles.

It reminds me of post-9/11, when National Guard troops were stationed to "guard" airports and other potential terrorism targets with empty carbines and empty magazines; it doesn't make sense to me, IMO.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

5. Maybe the disarming of the military...

...in civilian areas was an over reaction to the events of 4 May 1970 at Kent State.



I can't imagine trust a government involved in that nor can I imagine being a guardsman in that position.

[sarisataka]

6. It all goes back to liability...

A military member on duty with an issued weapon is an extension of the government. Any injury caused by accident, negligence or even to a third party in a justified self defense situation will ultimately be the responsibility of the government.

The PTB would rather risk lives than money. Survivor benefits cost less than lawsuits.

[virginia mountainman]

8. yes, it is ridiculous.

[DonP]

14. Everybody doesn't need to carry, maybe the OIC and NCOIC

While on duty the senior officer and senior NCO can carry, keep it locked in a desk or a safe and take it home when they close up shop.

[Lurks Often]

4. I tend to avoid doing business with places that post the no guns sign

Like you, I can be charged with trespassing ONLY if I refuse to leave when asked.

As to the trite argument "If you think you are going to need a gun to go somewhere, why go" If I thought for certain that I was going to need a gun to go to a certain place, I wouldn't go, or I would call the police and if for some bizarre reason I still HAD to go, I'd probably bring a shotgun with me.

[virginia mountainman]

7. I am thinking more of post offices and such..

Things where it is really not optional to go... Like for a car part when your broke down... This sort of thing. I have long practiced situational awareness, and avoid certain places, if at all possible.

[Lurks Often]

12. I avoid using the US Post Office if possible

I can get stamps from the ATM and I can use a UPS Store to ship a package.

The laws against firearms in a US Post Office came out of the post office shootings committed by postal employees, not customers going in and shooting up the Post Office.

[littlewolf]

13. I CCW … one never knows when you have to protect yourself or your family.nt