TexasCHLforum.com

I didn't realize it seemed like I was trying to inflame an argument when I wrote it. I re-read it and changed some stuff in order to move the conversation along instead of turn it into an argument.

ELB wrote:

gregthehand wrote:"HEY HEY LOOK AT ME!!! I GET TO CARRY A GUN!!! YESSSSSSS AIN'T IT COOOOL?"

I really don't understand why some people go out of their way to mention or point out indirectly that they have a CHL and are armed. I mean I see it all the time. Calling to hotels before they check in and asking if they are "gun friendly". Calling around to apartments and asking the same. Emailing big corporations and saying they will sue if they don't take down the (non-applicable) sings. Whatever happened to concealed means concealed? Loose lips sink ships, that sort of thing. I see it all the time with people who say "Yeah I totally chewed out this manager at XYZ bussiness over there sign saying how wrong it was. They didn't even know it's not even legally binding." If it's toothless just walk by the dang thing! Why must you go out of your way to not only make a "point" but also expose the fact, even indirectly, that you are carrying.

I have to say I find this a truly juvenile strawman caricature of those who are forthright in pressing the cause of self-defense and the 2A. The strides of the last 20 years that you mention were not made by people who kept their mouths shut. You have to exercise your rights and privileges at all levels, from the strategic (SCOTUS/Congresss) to the personal, if you want to keep them. (This, by the way, is why the left beat the pants off conservatives for years and years -- they understood this very well. Push the rights you support to the limits, and circumscribe the ones you don't in everyway possible, at every level).

Yes, concealed means concealed. It doesn't have to mean secret. I myself am choosy about who I directly reveal my status to. But writing a letter to USAA about their signs, who I pay good money to, about their 30.06 signs is hardly trying to boast how cool I am about having a CHL; that is a trivial characterization.

One of the key things I said was that if you don't like it don't go there and if you do already you can stop and tell them why. I never said stay at home keep your don't get out there and try to change some people's minds. I was saying pick battles you can actually win! Also don't go out and tell a major company you are going to sue them because of something that may or may not (more than likely may not) happen in the future. If it happens then sue. If not why throw empty threats around like that? I didn't say people shouldn't say how they feel to a company they do business with. My post was entirely focused on those who go out of their way and to bring the gun factor into a conversation it doesn't need to be in. I love firearms and my right to own and carry them. But I have to tell you if I owned a business and someone called me and said "Hey I'm thinking about doing business with you today but before I come down I just wanted to know is it ok if I bring my gun along? Oh by the way if you say no and someone assaults me while I'm there I fully intend to sue you out of existence." I would seriously question that person's motives for asking such questions!

I also said in my post "if you contact them that is all you need to say" or in other words say I'm not contributing to your business anymore since you are anti-gun and anti CHL. I never said don't contact them. I never said don't fight for your rights. I said don't go around threatening law suits. Don't go to a business with whom you haven't even done business with or given a chance to see if they even have a no guns or 30.06 sign and ask them about it. If you walk up and they have a sign well then just turn right around and go somewhere else. Maybe then tell them why by email or in person. But don't set a tone that may or may not be even needed before you even step foot on the property.

"HEY HEY LOOK AT ME!!! I GET TO CARRY A GUN!!! YESSSSSSS AIN'T IT COOOOL?"

I really don't understand why some people go out of their way to mention or point out indirectly that they have a CHL and are armed. I mean I see it all the time. Calling to hotels before they check in and asking if they are "gun friendly". Calling around to apartments and asking the same. Emailing big corporations and saying they will sue if they don't take down the (non-applicable) sings. Whatever happened to concealed means concealed? Loose lips sink ships, that sort of thing. I see it all the time with people who say "Yeah I totally chewed out this manager at XYZ bussiness over there sign saying how wrong it was. They didn't even know it's not even legally binding." If it's toothless just walk by the dang thing! Why must you go out of your way to not only make a "point" but also expose the fact, even indirectly, that you are carrying.

People we've made great advancements in the right to carry guns in the last 20 some odd years. However I don't think shaking your finger in someone's face is the way to change their minds. Oh and suing them for something like enforcing a policy on their own property sure isn't either. You don't like it? Don't go there. If you must contact them that's all you need to say. Everything after that is just speculation (I may get hurt, you may get sued, criminals may violate it anyhow). Businesses as big as AMC deal in quantifiable numbers ONLY. Therefore the best argument to make is with your wallet.