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I don't have much to add, just thought I'd express a lit bit of surprise that you guys weren't willing to discuss what you personally carry with Knuth, since so many of you have talked about what you carry in previous threads. I'm not saying that I don't think it's rude or invasive (I can certainly understand how someone might feel that way), but it just seems that if you're not going to make a general policy of keeping it secret, that there's no reason not to dispense the same information when asked.

I personally thought he asked a pretty legitimate question, in so far as he wsa wondering how training as a martial artist influence's ones handling of a weapon.

But clearly I don't have much of a leg to stand on if you disagree with me.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Panther:
However, I will say that the media and political connotations around the terms "gun-nut" and "redneck" are extremely derogatory, condesending and insulting... you would not believe how often I get that here in Massachusetts!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I totally agree, and I would not be surprised by how often you get that. I can't stand the way that friends of mine sometimes talk about people from the south or west.

But as for Knuth's use of it "redneck" I could consider it similar to efforts on the part of the homosexual or black community to use deragotory words as a source of pride rather than shame. In the same way, Knuth's post struck me as proud rather than ashamed. But I can see how you would feel that way.

Damn did this get political Sorta like giving a mouse a cookie

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Ryan Knuth
Be like Water.

I'm curious. . . Why does the law require weapons to be "concealed"? Obviously the intent is not to show-off your gun and/or scare people you come in contact with.

Although I admit to have a license to carry, I don't think I should be telling people if, in fact, I am carrying or do carry. I'm kind of wondering if I would be breaking the law by informing people that "I am carrying a gun". Does this make sense?



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GEM

The concealed laws differ considerably from state to state. Virginia is both an open carry state and a shall issue concealed carry state. Florida is concealed carry only with a permit required. North Carolina is open carry so if I cross into NC I must expose the handgun since VA does not recipricate with NC, and visa versa.

Even before the shall issue ruling of 1995 anyone in VA could open carry. In fact, open carry has some restrictions now as the shall issue regulation included banning firearms from establishments selling liquer for on site consumption, the disliked restaurant rule.

Sometimes I do open carry, but it is usually a small revolver with just the grip exposed above my belt. Actually, I prefer that mode over having it deep in a pocket. It does not seem to bother anyone when I do it that way. However, I will not go near a school, church or government building with a firearm as those are generally off limits to weapons, permit or not.

Rich

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Valkenar:
I don't have much to add, just thought I'd express a lit bit of surprise that you guys weren't willing to discuss what you personally carry with Knuth, since so many of you have talked about what you carry in previous threads.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Not quite. There have been discussions about what may or may not be a good personal defensive tool and what may or may not be reasons for carrying that tool one way or another. While some may have said "I carry an X in a Y holster", Most folks have many different firearms for different occasions and different methods of carry depending on the specifics as well.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote

I'm not saying that I don't think it's rude or invasive (I can certainly understand how someone might feel that way), but it just seems that if you're not going to make a general policy of keeping it secret, that there's no reason not to dispense the same information when asked.

I have no problem with discussing different options in both defensive rescue tool choice and the choice of the method for carrying that tool. I just pointed out that directly asking is considered rude.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote

I personally thought he asked a pretty legitimate question, in so far as he wsa wondering how training as a martial artist influence's ones handling of a weapon.

Asking what people think of the option from the perspective of a MA would have probably been a better way to phrase it... I have no problem with people discussing their particulars if they so desire OR with people discussing their mindset and hypotheticals in this regard.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote

But clearly I don't have much of a leg to stand on if you disagree with me.

Naaaa... I can see your point. I was just making a point myself...

However, I will say that the media and political connotations around the terms "gun-nut" and "redneck" are extremely derogatory, condesending and insulting. I take issue with both terms. I specifically don't like the fact that when some people here my accent (originally from the South), they immediately assume that I hate "Ni@@..."

That really ticks me off and you would not believe how often I get that here in Massachusetts! Fortuantely, I've got some decent friends that I hang with now that know me as something other than a "redneck". (A stereotype, BTW, which I absolutely blow out of the water! Just ask Mattson-sensei, Canna-sensei or Khoury-sensei! )

To: GEM and the group

I just noticed your Post on June 4, 2001, making inquiry why Massachusetts's firearm laws requires a weapon to be concealed.

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 269 Section 10 (a) states: " Whovever, except by statute knowingly has in his possession or knowingly has under his control, in avehicle, a firearm, loaded or unloaded, as defined in section one hundred and twenty-one of chapter 140 without either,(1) being present in or on his residence or place of business; or (2) having in effect a license to carry firearms issued under section one hundred thirty-one of chapter one hundred and forty; or (3) having in effect a license to carry firearms under section one hundred thity one F of chapter one hundred forty..."

The above sections have to do with type of permit, and the above statute goes on to specify the requirements, and ends up with the penalties for failure to comply.

I cannot find any language differentiating the carrying of the firearm either concealed or conspicuously.

The language only specifies carrying on one's person or in a vehicle, knowingly and under one's control.

In my opinion it is entirely permissive as to the mode of carry so long as the licensing requirements are met; these requirements are listed, and failure to meet them result in the penalties presented at the end of Chapter 269 Section 10 for each category including the dangerous & MA weapons section.

GEM has a good point and he is not the first to believe that Massachusetts requires the carrying of a least a pistol or revolver concealed. I think the key words in the beginning of the statute "kowingly has in his possession" may connote to many that this means hidden or holstered under clothing.