[ARCHIVED THREAD] - defensive comebacks (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 12/3/2008 5:03:40 AM EDT
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Ok so we all get this, I'm sure. People questioning are reasons for carry. I have a few comebacks like.
Why do you need to carry a gun? Because I would do anything to protect my family and myself. Or I don't want the last thing I see to be some punk pulling a gun on me. So what are you guys comebacks. I don't let it get to me but when its family or friends I would like to better explain myself. |
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Quoted:
Why do you need to carry a gun? Because I am responsible for the safety of myself and my family at all times and I take that responsiblity seriously. Smart ass responses don't gain any friends or allies. Be serious, be able to explain our beliefs and actions, and while you may not convince them, they will at least have a favorable impression of one gun owner. |
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Exactly. I don't wanna be a smart ass about it. I do feel. Its not a laphing matter. But how can I tell them there being small minded that nothing could ever happen to them.
When it comes down to it noone needs to know that I carry besides my family anyways. I saw a stupid sticker on the back of a truck yesterday. It said Got sig. And under that it had ccwp. Why would anyone want to tell the world that? |
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I usually say something along the lines of:
"You know, I get asked that question all the time. I think it's best answered by asking you what reason you have to not carry?" Then watch them stumble around for an answer. One of two things will probably happen. One, they realize they've never really thought about it before. Or two, they have some kind of excuse stored away from one of the BS media reports against guns. Something like "because if I got angry I might kill someone" and then they snicker a little afterwards. To which you say "I'm sorry, but I really don't consider this a joke. Have you really gotten angry enough that you would actually be willing to take a life?" If they say that they have, just politely thank them for being responsible enough to NOT carry if they can't trust themselves, and that you feel the exact opposite in that you trust yourself fully and don't trust every person you come across. Put them on the defense first, and then be ready for whatever it is they might say. But be calm and polite throughout the conversation. |
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Quoted:
I usually say something along the lines of: "You know, I get asked that question all the time. I think it's best answered by asking you what reason you have to not carry?" Then watch them stumble around for an answer. One of two things will probably happen. One, they realize they've never really thought about it before. Or two, they have some kind of excuse stored away from one of the BS media reports against guns. Something like "because if I got angry I might kill someone" and then they snicker a little afterwards. To which you say "I'm sorry, but I really don't consider this a joke. Have you really gotten angry enough that you would actually be willing to take a life?" If they say that they have, just politely thank them for being responsible enough to NOT carry if they can't trust themselves, and that you feel the exact opposite in that you trust yourself fully and don't trust every person you come across. Put them on the defense first, and then be ready for whatever it is they might say. But be calm and polite throughout the conversation. I like this one. Will have to try it out. Thanks for all the replys. Guys. We shouldn't have to answer these type of questions but we all do. |
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Quoted:
Because it is too heavy to carry a Cop around. Use this first, it's the most disarming, then if they want to get into the "oh well that will never happen, you won't get shot at you're crazy", hit them with statistics or a personal story. Mine? I went to Virginia Tech, I thought nothing like that would ever happen there, if you knew the place, it was just too peaceful, everyone was just so happy go lucky, TOO happy go lucky- its one of the reasons I left. It could never happen, not there. I was wrong... and though I'm "100% sure" nothing bad will ever happen, I'd rather be prepared in case I'm wrong, again. |
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Here are some of my witty retorts:
Because, I do not EXPECT the government to protect me. None of your damn business! Because, no one cares more about me than myself. To scare the hell out of liberals. To ensure I have the ability to refresh the tree of liberty with the blood of tyrants. |
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That last one's a great one, though most sheep aint' gonna get it right away.
I do think we should weigh our "retorts" carefully. I want to say things like "none of your fucking business", or "who the hell are YOU to question my choices?", but I'm not going to. I don't want to hurt the "cause" by makin' us, those who chose to be armed, to appear hostile. They're already against ya, when they have that worried, scared look, or with nose upturned, asking you "why..............blah blah.................". I think this is best met with logic or some attempt at common sense. Just call me Captain Bring-Down! 
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Smart ass responses don't gain any friends or allies. Be serious, be able to explain our beliefs and actions, and while you may not convince them, they will at least have a favorable impression of one gun owner. You'll never convince 'em. They are trying to force their ideas and agenda on YOU. Get THEM on the defensive. Ask them, "Since you have a 1 in 4 chance of being beaten or killed in your lifetime... what are YOU going to do about it?" THAT keeps THEM from questioning YOUR sanity/capabilities. |
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Quoted:
Smart ass responses don't gain any friends or allies. Be serious, be able to explain our beliefs and actions, and while you may not convince them, they will at least have a favorable impression of one gun owner. You'll never convince 'em. They are trying to force their ideas and agenda on YOU. Get THEM on the defensive. Ask them, "Since you have a 1 in 4 chance of being beaten or killed in your lifetime... what are YOU going to do about it?" THAT keeps THEM from questioning YOUR sanity/capabilities. That's a good one. No, we aren't going to convice them, probably, but we can try to not leave a negative impression, which does hurt our cause. You response right there is totally logical. Put the ball in their court, make them think. |
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Quoted:
"none of your goddamn business" and then a stern self talking to for letting them find out in the first place. Chris This: Why the hell would I want people to know that I carry? As an aside; many years ago I had an aquaintance who owned a supermarket and made daily cash runs to the bank to make his deposits. He carried a .38 snubby and made sure that everyone and his mother knew all about it. One day some scumbags decided to rob him on the way to the bank and knowing he was armed, didn't confront him. Instead; they staged a minor traffic accident where they ran into the back of his car while he was stopped at a traffic light. As soon as he stepped out of his car they shot him dead on the spot and took the cash. Lesson learned at least for me. Nobody needs to know that I am armed except for my fiancee since we live together and she needs to be aware. My children don't know, her kids don't know, my sister, niece's and nephew's who live nearby don't know, and my neighbors sure as hell don't even know that I even own any firearms. Besides the safety factor in keeping all information regarding your firearms to yourself; you don't ever need to defend your personal choices to anyone or put up with their whiny nonsense. |
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Quoted:
-snip- While I completely understand what you're saying, the OP was asking how you respond when someone says "Why do you carry?", not "Do you carry a firearm?" So they already know you are carrying. I don't run around advertising that I carry or own firearms partially for the reasons you mentioned above. But that doesn't mean I avoid details once someone figures out I do carry. |
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-snip- While I completely understand what you're saying, the OP was asking how you respond when someone says "Why do you carry?", not "Do you carry a firearm?" So they already know you are carrying. I don't run around advertising that I carry or own firearms partially for the reasons you mentioned above. But that doesn't mean I avoid details once someone figures out I do carry. My point is that indiividuals who don't know that you carry won't be asking you any questions. And that includes friends and family members as well. I know too many individuals who, for one reason or another, like to wave their carry habits in the faces of others who don't need to know. The less people who know our personal business, the fewer clever retorts will be necessary to defend our choices. That's all I was trying to say. 
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Ok there is allot of good comebacks in here.
I know all about keeping a hush on the fact that we have a ccwp. I don't wear glock hats or have bullet cases for valve stems. No photographer vest here Like I said before friends and family. And I'm not talking about any friends but close friends. Ones you would take out shooting with you. My sister, mom, girlfriend of 4 years and a friend that I knew for 20 some years all asked me why am I even going thru the Bs to get the permit. Thankyou all again for the replys these will help |
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Quoted: Because some people are not ashamed of the fact that they own weapons, and don't act like second class citizens because of it? Exactly. I don't wanna be a smart ass about it. I do feel. Its not a laphing matter. But how can I tell them there being small minded that nothing could ever happen to them. When it comes down to it noone needs to know that I carry besides my family anyways. I saw a stupid sticker on the back of a truck yesterday. It said Got sig. And under that it had ccwp. Why would anyone want to tell the world that?  |
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My question is why not just open carry if your gonna post stickers like that on your car. I know its not that obvious. Ccwp to the right person may not mean anything. But a consealed carry means not in public view and got sig is definitely a sure sighn of got gun. It is our right but they ask us to keep a hush on it for a reason.
If it didn't matter I would walk around with a m4 with a single point sling all the time. Oh ya back on original subject. Can't carry a cop is best so far. That will be used in future conversations for sure |
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Something I have come learned about people is, they only want you to justify something when they feel it does not fit with cultural norms. Unarmed people are rarely asked initially by armed people, why are you not armed?
We are being asked to justify carrying weapons because it may not sit right with cultural norms. Our society has moved away from rational discussion about firearms because of liberal fascist, and the media drives the perception that regular folk like the ones on this website are not evolved enough to have weapons. Just remember, Obama said that "bitter people cling to their guns". This is typical liberal elitism that is growing in America because liberals control the media (except FOX News). So, no matter what you respond to the question, you can never convince them your actions are justified. |
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My weapon became exposed a few days ago while I was renting a movie.
A lady behind me asked: "Is that a gun?" Me - "Yes, Ma'am." Lady - "I guess if you were going to rob us in here you would have already done it. So why do you carry the gun?" Me - "I've lost weight recently. The gun helps me keep my pants up." (IWB carry) *laughter* PS - Blockbuster employee that rented the movie to me is going to get her carry permit next spring when she turns 21. PPS - Legal here in TN to open carry or concealed. I usually carry concealed. This time, it was in an Uncle Mike's IWB, with my jacket over it. I bent over to pick up a dropped movie, and the jacket rode up - revealing my weapon. |
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Quoted:
Exactly. I don't wanna be a smart ass about it. I do feel. Its not a laphing matter. But how can I tell them there being small minded that nothing could ever happen to them. When it comes down to it noone needs to know that I carry besides my family anyways. I saw a stupid sticker on the back of a truck yesterday. It said Got sig. And under that it had ccwp. Why would anyone want to tell the world that? Dude - get a dictionary and USE IT. Self-appointed spelling/grammar Nazi for the month of December. |
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Ok there is allot of good comebacks in here. I know all about keeping a hush on the fact that we have a ccwp. I don't wear glock hats or have bullet cases for valve stems. No photographer vest here Like I said before friends and family. And I'm not talking about any friends but close friends. Ones you would take out shooting with you. My sister, mom, girlfriend of 4 years and a friend that I knew for 20 some years all asked me why am I even going thru the Bs to get the permit. Thankyou all again for the replys these will help Spellcheck is your friend. Self-appointed spelling/grammar Nazi for the month of December. |
| I've been carrying since it became legal to do it here. I used to just tell people it was to protect me and my family, or friends if I was with them. I live in a nice suburb, not upscale or anything, but it's a nice area with low crime. About a year and a half ago a girl was forced into her own car in a department store parking lot within a few miles of my house, and at some point she was beaten, raped and murdered. I was in that store less than an hour before she was taken, my wife was with me. Now I just pretty much tell people that story. You never know when and where bad shit is going to happen, and you can't depend on anyone else to protect you. My wife could have gone out to the car by herself to get something and I might never have seen her again. |
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I've been carrying since it became legal to do it here...You never know when and where bad shit is going to happen, and you can't depend on anyone else to protect you. My wife could have gone out to the car by herself to get something and I might never have seen her again. Does your wife carry? |
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Quoted:
I usually say something along the lines of: "You know, I get asked that question all the time. I think it's best answered by asking you what reason you have to not carry?" Then watch them stumble around for an answer. One of two things will probably happen. One, they realize they've never really thought about it before. Or two, they have some kind of excuse stored away from one of the BS media reports against guns. Something like "because if I got angry I might kill someone" and then they snicker a little afterwards. To which you say "I'm sorry, but I really don't consider this a joke. Have you really gotten angry enough that you would actually be willing to take a life?" If they say that they have, just politely thank them for being responsible enough to NOT carry if they can't trust themselves, and that you feel the exact opposite in that you trust yourself fully and don't trust every person you come across. Put them on the defense first, and then be ready for whatever it is they might say. But be calm and polite throughout the conversation. I had one conversation with a nitwit who said guns were bad because if he had one, he would murder somebody. I replied that since he might get hold of a gun one day, I'll just keep carrying mine in case I'm nearby when he goes mental. |
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Most folks I've talked to say that same stupid shit about "if i had one I'd kill someone", it's really easy to make them feel like an idiot when they say things like that, and even easier to make them look like an idiot in front of anyone else in the conversation.
And that's precisely what I do. You're gonna have that 'gun-nut' stigma no matter what you say, so you may as well embrace it. |
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Quoted:
Something I have come learned about people is, they only want you to justify something when they feel it does not fit with cultural norms. Unarmed people are rarely asked initially by armed people, why are you not armed? We are being asked to justify carrying weapons because it may not sit right with cultural norms. Our society has moved away from rational discussion about firearms because of liberal fascist, and the media drives the perception that regular folk like the ones on this website are not evolved enough to have weapons. So, no matter what you respond to the question, you can never convince them your actions are justified. This reminds me of when I was asked why I have tattoos by a priest....I told him, "You know the only difference between a person with tattoos and a person without them is that a person with tattoos doesnt care why YOU aren't tattoed. |
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I think if that many people know you carry its a mistake. I remember hearing a story of a guy who broke up with his girlfriend and they remained friends for many years and one night after years of listening to her bitch about her shitty boyfriend he e-mailed her and said we cant talk anymore I just cant take it -meaning the bullshit stories- the new boyfriend reads the e-mail and knowing he cc calls the police and says this guy has a gun and is going to kill himself or maybe us. The cop reads the e-mail that the guy printed out and says oh shit and shows up at the guys door takes him into custody pulls his permit and takes his weapons. Took him three years to get a review of his case. He did get his permit back but WTF. I was told this by the arresting officer who said based on the e-mail he had no choice and wrote to review board to help him get his permit back.
Why tell anyone you carry |
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I've been carrying since it became legal to do it here. I used to just tell people it was to protect me and my family, or friends if I was with them. I live in a nice suburb, not upscale or anything, but it's a nice area with low crime. About a year and a half ago a girl was forced into her own car in a department store parking lot within a few miles of my house, and at some point she was beaten, raped and murdered. I was in that store less than an hour before she was taken, my wife was with me. Now I just pretty much tell people that story. You never know when and where bad shit is going to happen, and you can't depend on anyone else to protect you. My wife could have gone out to the car by herself to get something and I might never have seen her again. This story is why I carry and should be the reason why everyone should! Enough said. |
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the only people who know i carry are family. they know i worked in the prison for years and know i have run into some of my former clients, they KNOW why i carry. they don't ask.
i guess if someone did ask i would say because i take my responsibility to protect myself and my family seriously. |