Posted on 08/21/2005 6:02:36 AM PDT by CholeraJoe
"Never, ever leave home without it." No, not your American Express card, your sidearm.
This morning, I woke up about 4:15 and was hungry, so I decided to drive to the local 24-hour beanery. The only other customers were a table of 10, intoxicated 20-somethings making alot of noise.
There were 7 muscular young men and three loud-mouthed young women. After listening to their raucous laughter for 10 minutes, I politely asked the waitress to ask them to hold down the noise. All I wanted to do was eat my breakfast in relative peace.
Her request for quiet lasted about 45 seconds, then the noise and laughter resumed. At that point, I decided to do something.
Bear in mind that I am not an imposing figure. I'm 5'9", mid 50's, and slim. I walked over to the table, and walked completely around it twice. I said, "I'd like y'all to hold down the noise for a while, please." One of the young men started to give me trash-talk but within seconds was elbowed by the guy next to him, who whispered something in his ear. Then everyone at the table said, "Yes, sir, or OK."
What made the difference? Open carry. I was wearing a 9mm semi-auto on my right hip. I never touched it and I made no threats, but it was nevertheless visible.
Maybe that's what they were laughing at. CJ may have left out something important....Pink cowboy boots n' spurs?
That is a strawman argument. This issue has nothing to do with rights, but everything to do with the responsibility that comes with those rights. I haven't seen one Freeper call for his 2nd Amendment rights to be curtailed. I have seen a lot of them ask for some common sense to be used. All this crying of "my rights, my rights" sound just like the liberals when someone disagrees with them.
Since you want to invoke the founding fathers, how do you think they would feel about a man (implicitly) using a firearm to impose his will on people who were doing nothing illegal?
Keep it down phillies..... You boys can be as loud as you want....Nathan Zachary is with me.....he's covering my back....
That is the whole point here, careless irresponsible use of a firearm, which doesn't make things any better for those of us who are responsible.
The argument has become circular now, so this thread is about done.
Good comments all.
LoL! That CJ? Now I understand what the laughing was about....
Right. He knew it was the gun -- and that's what makes it intimidation.
When I want a quiet breakfast - under my control - I eat in my own kitchen. Restaurant owners have control of how much noise they'll accept and at what point they'll call for help - If a customer disagrees with that call, they can adjust or take their business elsewhere.
A customers rights extend right to the nose of the restaurant owner. And not one bit further. If the proprietor wants to put up with kids singing - dancing - telling loud jokes, that's his call. His place, his call. Jim does the same on FR - his place, his call.
If someone wants to make the call, they can buy the business. Short of that, no sympathy. Our friend with the gun should eat at home, find a new restaurant, or learn to respect the rights of others.
I also support right to carry laws which is why I'm NOT impressed with this story...
It's time I climb down and clean & store my spurs...get the little women to remove my boots and rub my toes.....and woop me up some grub/vittles/etc.... Brang me a brusky woman and brush down old Sally....wipe her down, feed and bed-er while your at it.... Clean em stalls too...they ain't been shoveled since Saturday...
Think CJ could cap that bottle of Corona off that blonde's head 'fore she whipped out one of them pearl handles? Also, the brunette next to her, that's gotta be Pochahot@ss. I've read about her.
Stay well!
Okay, we're cool. Thanks.
Your funny posts brought something to mind that hadn't been mentioned so far. I've deescalated a fair number of situations that could have gone very bad (sometimes when armed, sometimes not) with a bit of humor. I've met very few folks who would rather fight when they could have a chuckle, and that includes cons, loud drunks, and inhabitants of several urban "war zones".
So your going to enforce you right to peace and quiet--haven't seen that in the constitution-- in a public place by implying through your actions that the gun on your hip could possibly be used to end any protestations made by the lawfully assembled group exercising their rights to freedom of speech and freedom to assemble that was there first; doing nothing more than talking and laughing just becuase you were irritated?
The group was there before you arrived. You had plenty of time to decide that the place was to noisy for your taste before you ordered your food. What gives you the right to impose your will on ten other people with a gun on your hip?
You probably should not go out alone but I can't say that many folks would ride along with you unless they too were looking for trouble.
You are one lucky man. When I was in my twentys, Me and my crowd would have made you eat that gun, and your circling attitude...: ) <<< me
I agree, lemura. Irresponsible behavior young man. Now go up to your room for a good time-out and the firearm gets locked-up in the safe until further notice!
Skreeeeeetch! Back to reality. What? You don't have a white hat? Sorry, date's off!! (giggle!)
I'm not against guns. I'm all for 'em. I'm all for the right to bear arms, CCW, the works. I also am a father of seven and chose not to keep a loaded gun in the house (and what's the point if it's not loaded?).
I have yet to encounter, in my nearly 50 years, any circumstance I couldn't handle without a firearm. That time could certainly occur, no doubt.
Now.....with that said......you cannot possibly use my not owning a gun as a means of dismissing my points to the poster. That would be worse than ridiculous, and I expect more from you than that.
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