Posted: 1/13/2010 11:38:47 AM EDT
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Hey everyone, I know that this section is filled to the brim with "advice needed" posts, but I have a situation that I need some help with. I do not really have a source to communicate with locally on this matter, so any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
I got my CCW in August of last year. I carry whenever I can, generally when I am in my home town. (I attend college in state and it is not allowed to carry on campus as you all surely know). I have learned quite a few things about carrying and the responsibilities that come with it over the months I have had my permit. I am a young person and I make mistakes, I try to learn from them. I know to leave my gun at home when I go drink, I know to not put myself in a place or situation thinking I'm safe just because I have a gun, and I have learned so much respect for firearms than I had before my permit was issued to me. Not many of the people around me are happy with the fact that I choose to legally carry a weapon. My parents have accepted it, and respect me as a reasonable individual to keep myself out of trouble. My girlfriend is very liberal (I know, haha) and never lliked guns, but has accepted me for who I am and what I believe. She has gone the lengths of having a small gun safe in her house for when I am over, and has even gone as far as wanting to know the dynamics of my Glock 26, just in case. I am very proud of her and the people who have supported me. So here's my issue. I've had a friend since the third grade, let's call him John. We have been strong friends for a long time, we are now both in our early 20's. Last year we had some friendship problems, up to the point of him never wanting to see me again. (Very, VERY long story). Regardless, he approached me last summer to patch things up, and we were friends again. A few weeks ago however, he stopped talking to me, for absolutely no reason. He now attends my school, and lives next door to my old room mate. (He is the root of the issue here, please try to follow). My old room mate used to be a high school friend. After last year however, we are no longer friends. (Awful situation, very awkward at times, another incredibly long story). My old room mate used to make all this bravado for himself, he was very overconfident, especially in workings of the law. He would always talk about how he could get cops fired for doing certain things, and whatnot. I usually ignored that stuff. So anyway, my friend John just yesterday decided to be my friend again. My old room mate was here for the first semester of the year, and is now leaving. This opens a lot of doors for me to be with old friends, because I could not be around him, and he was always around them. (Lived right next door). Well John explained to me why he stopped talking to me. Apparently, the last time we went shooting was when he decided to stop talking to me again. Once we were in my car, I holstered up (no carry on campus, but your gun can be in your car). According to him, he became afraid that I was still very upset about all the crap he pulled in the past, and was under the impression I was going to hurt him with my hand gun. He was so upset, he went and talked to my old room mate about it. (Of course he's a real friend... right). John knows me, and it was bull crap for him to even consider that I would hurt him. He even went to the extent of saying this to an enemy of mine. So that is my concern; John was saying to people (specifically an enemy) that he was in fear for his physical well-being because I had my gun with me. I am concerned that he has been telling people that I was dangerous for a period of time. I don't like a lot of people knowing I carry to begin with, let alone having someone going around saying he was afraid of my having it. Most of my friends know, and people close in my circle do, that's enough. So I just need some words of advice here. What would you guys do? Should I be concerned? Thanks in advance, sorry for the winded post. |
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Quoted:
You want advice; well here it is. a) Too many people that don't need to know that you carry know that you carry. b) Ask the mods to move this thread to GD where it belongs. On your first point, I would certainly have to agree with you. I don't talk about it at all with anyone that doesn't already know. What's done is done. Second, I can ask them that. My concern was on a legal basis, regarding carrying a firearm, and what harm could it be towards me with someone out there who use this craziness against me. Sorry if the back story was a waste of space. Thanks for the replies though guys, just looking to work things out. |
| Legally you are fine and have done nothing wrong. However, with friends thinking like that i would tell you to keep your distance/sever ties and WATCH the said individual. I only say this because if this dude is thinking up these thoughts with no justification now, then theres no telling what can occur in the future with such logic. |
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The easy, and maybe best, option is to stay clear of John.
I'm assuming he's come back to you knowing full well that you still carry. If he's okay with that, maybe he's come to terms with the idea that strapping a gun to your hip doesn't change who you are. If you're dead set on trying to rebuild your friendship with this guy you need to make it clear in no uncertain terms that you're not cool with him telling other people you carry. At best it puts you in an uncomfortable position, and could potentially lead to an ugly/dangerous situation. Just some thoughts from 1400 miles away, you obviously know the situation better than anyone else. YMMV. 
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Thanks everyone, I appreciate the responses.
Yes, we are friends again, I spoke with John about the situation. We made it clear that my intentions are good and he is in no harm. He thinks it was crazy of him also, and does not think this way anymore. My issue was basically my concerns of what this whole thing could mean legally. Thanks for the support gentlemen. |
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when my daughter had these kind of isusses with old friends while she was in college I told her this.
what kind of friends are\were they? were they like my buddies that would kill or at least go to jail for you and keep their mouth's shut at any price? if not move on, let them go you don't need Drama Lamas in your life. the friends you keep are the ones that when you call them all they ask is where are you at? can you stay there? and come running with a gun a shovel and money. those are keepers |
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Quoted:
when my daughter had these kind of isusses with old friends while she was in college I told her this. what kind of friends are\were they? were they like my buddies that would kill or at least go to jail for you and keep their mouth's shut at any price? if not move on, let them go you don't need Drama Lamas in your life. the friends you keep are the ones that when you call them all they ask is where are you at? can you stay there? and come running with a gun a shovel and money. those are keepers im off topic guys sorry;hey coldair, i have a question on your saying at the bottom about Carter. Please correct me if im wrong, I was under the impression that President Carter wasnt a shitty president but that whatever he proposed would be nixed by congress. Amongst other reasons if i recall correctly his poor handling of the economy from the effects of the energy crisis. |