WORDS are EVERYTHING: Use them with CARE, and THINK first.
by: oldchopperguy - Jul 11, 2016 0:07:05 GMT -5
Post by oldchopperguy on Jul 11, 2016 0:07:05 GMT -5
Having been a concealed carry licensee for around twenty years, I truly wish to make mention of this for members who carry a weapon...
Our WORDS can REALLY be life or death to us.
The shooting and killing of the fellow in Minnesota was TRAGIC, and AVOIDABLE. While attempting to obey the law, he (a licensed concealed carrier) correctly attempted to INFORM the officer that he was legally armed.
He told the officer "I have a gun". Good practice; bad, DEADLY choice of words.
Decades ago, when I got my first carry license, the FIRST thing taught was to always inform a police officer stopping me of my carry license, appropriately done while producing my drivers license, insurance AND carry-license.
Correct wording: "I have a license to carry". NOT "I have a gun".
The officer will usually then ask if I am armed. I say yes, or no, and everything proceeds in orderly fashion, EVEN IF THE OFFICER POINTS HIS WEAPON AT ME which is not uncommon, and I cannot blame him or her at all.
The caveat applies to never, NEVER EVER tell the officer "I have a gun".
To say THAT supersedes your lawful INTENTIONS and becomes an instant CHALLENGE to the officer, often bringing a barrage of hot lead from the officer... As happened in Minnesota.
When stopped and asked for I.D. you COULD say "I have a carry-license AND I am armed" but even THAT is "jicky". When you inform an officer of your carry-license, he or she will EXPECT you to be LEGALLY armed, and the stop should proceed peacefully.
We stand or fall by our words, and sometimes we live or die by them.
Sincere advice, and food for thought from the Old Chopper Guy...
Leo (still packin' and still breathin') in Texas
Our WORDS can REALLY be life or death to us.
The shooting and killing of the fellow in Minnesota was TRAGIC, and AVOIDABLE. While attempting to obey the law, he (a licensed concealed carrier) correctly attempted to INFORM the officer that he was legally armed.
He told the officer "I have a gun". Good practice; bad, DEADLY choice of words.
Decades ago, when I got my first carry license, the FIRST thing taught was to always inform a police officer stopping me of my carry license, appropriately done while producing my drivers license, insurance AND carry-license.
Correct wording: "I have a license to carry". NOT "I have a gun".
The officer will usually then ask if I am armed. I say yes, or no, and everything proceeds in orderly fashion, EVEN IF THE OFFICER POINTS HIS WEAPON AT ME which is not uncommon, and I cannot blame him or her at all.
The caveat applies to never, NEVER EVER tell the officer "I have a gun".
To say THAT supersedes your lawful INTENTIONS and becomes an instant CHALLENGE to the officer, often bringing a barrage of hot lead from the officer... As happened in Minnesota.
When stopped and asked for I.D. you COULD say "I have a carry-license AND I am armed" but even THAT is "jicky". When you inform an officer of your carry-license, he or she will EXPECT you to be LEGALLY armed, and the stop should proceed peacefully.
We stand or fall by our words, and sometimes we live or die by them.
Sincere advice, and food for thought from the Old Chopper Guy...
Leo (still packin' and still breathin') in Texas
