I thought I was going to get jumped over a t-shirt at the mall!

[oneshot]

I'm confused as to why you think the shirt is funny. The POTUS has undoubtedly accomplished more than Dr. MLK Jr. I think it's a fair comparison. Obama has been an inspiration to millions, and he has had the authority to make changes. MLK Jr. was just an inspiration.

Maybe, maybe not. MLK is undoubtedly one of the most over rated historical figures in American history. I am unaware of anything really important he accomplished. He was a professional protester and an agitator. Barrack Obama is a two term President who has actually accomplished a lot in office, whether you disagree with it or not.

^^^You are correct on that call,^^^^^^^^

He has made great strides in advancing our country down the path of socialism/redistribution of wealth/giveaway programs.

Yep, you got me there.


BTW, Malcom X, Spike Lee, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and the like are professional protesters/agitators, MLK jr. was indeed not.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Secret Spuk]

So I stop into the mall yesterday to look for a gift for the wifey. As I'm making my way to the desired store, I notice an underprivileged gentleman (term used loosely) who couldn't afford a belt to hold his pants up wearing a shirt that had both Dr Martin Luther King Jr and our current POTUS. I could stop myself and busted out laughing at the absurdity. He and his friends, noticing my mirth, started coming towards me, asking if "You got a problem?" I was carrying but the mall was just crowded enough that I didn't want to draw. Luckily I still had my Bluetooth in my ear from a conversation I was having in the car, so I put my finger up to it and said just a sec, hon. Then I looked the guy in the eye and asked as calmly as I could if I could help him. He and his friends just gave me a dirty look and kept walking. I honestly thought they were going to attempt to kick my posterior on the spot. I know I shouldn't have laughed but come on! One of the greatest proponents for equal rights on the same shirt as the man who is doing his level best to strip us of our rights! Am I the only one that finds this so pathetically funny?

I wonder if you wasnt carrying, would have been so bold as to laugh in this guys face. What you did was made assumptions about a situation you had no part in. You made assumptions that the individual wouldnt be offended by you, You made assumptions that because you was armed that you would prevail, you made assumptions that people on this site wouldnt be offended. The O/P went to great length to describe the individual and identify his race. (Underpriviliged, and not being able to afford a belt). Then it seems you did have a problem. Maybe thats why he asked. While you absoloutly have every right to your opinions... the other guy has the same right to his own. If he wants to wear a shirt with Obama and MLK.. thats his right. If he wants to wear his clothing in the current fashion standard... thats his right. Just as you have the right to wear what ever you like in any way you like. Individual rights are not granted to a few, or only to people who look like us.

This could have blown way out of proportion. With rights come responsibility. Knowing you were armed... and probably the more mature man... I believe it would have been better that you kept your opinions to yourself.

[suntzu]

I think the OP and the rest of us know the difference in flipping someone off and simply laughing or grinning. One is directed specifically at someone and cant be mistaken for what it is.
A chuckle or a grin can be provoked by anything a person just thought about or heard or saw and no way of anyone knowing why. Unless your pointing your finger at the person and laughing your head off. Which he didnt do. Nor would I.

Some thing though legal are offensive by their very nature and would be to anyone they are directed at.
Laughing or grinning in a public place is a bit over the top as far as guarding ones behavior. If I grin or chuckle about something that strikes me funny it could be nothing but something I thought about from the past. If some kook takes it on himself to think its him that provoked it thats on him. Where he escalates that too is on him also. What happens because hes an idiot trying to prove something? Well thats on him too.

You make it sound like the kids did not know wha he was laughing about.....they did. So his action was directed at them in this case.

[sixgun]

Although I think the shirt is offensive, I think it was ill advised to openly comment on it. If you are carrying you have a duty to avoid conflict as much as possible not prevoke it.
The dangers of a confrontation escalating are too great, along with the possible damage to the reputation of fellow gun owners .

Just my two cents.

+1 When Im carrying I dont draw attention to myself. I keep to myself and avoid any conflict.

[Rock and Glock]

Rereading the original post, I think I may have been a little vague. That coupled with the editing by a mod for a violation might have a few people confused. Short retelling to hopefully clear up any misunderstandings. Walking through mall, see shirt, laugh a short, quick haha, maybe two seconds, no pointing or any other indication of what was being laughed about. Guy wearing shirt and his two friends approach me in a hostile and threatening manner, and using foul language, (really hope I'm good with it this way Rock, if not I'm really sorry. Please don't ban me ) ask me if I have a problem. They gave me the dirty look after I played the I'm on the phone bit. I would never consider pulling my gun over a dirty look. I get those every day from my wife and teenage daughter. I WOULD pull it to scare off THREE hostile assailants, if given no other choice.

Now that being said, can't we all just get along?

You're good to go!

BTW, since we are not discussing MLK, BHO, or anything in that direction we can focus on the situation of the OP. Sick kids is enough of a burden!

I think what I see a lot is "Grey Men" that stay below the radar, whom generally might "bite their tongues" rather than have a laugh. I've gone both ways at different times in different circumstances. Like with my wife. Each to their own though. I think your telephone ruse was great. Quick thinking.

[NCSoxFan]

Based on the thread title I assumed the story was going to be someone engaging you because of a shirt you were wearing. Seems you should change the title to Almost got jumped for offending someone.

[Ghost1958]

You make it sound like the kids did not know wha he was laughing about.....they did. So his action was directed at them in this case.

Apparently they didnt or the bluetooth cover wouldnt have went over. Now would it? So no they didnt KNOW they just took whatever excuse they could find to do what they were probably standing there waiting to do given any excuse to do it.

Im sorry but again I dont bother anybody, but ill laugh which I seldom do period or pretty much whats legal to do if I want to as long as whatever it is wouldnt by any common sense line of thinking offend someone on purpose. If some I gots to have my respects punk wants to take offence to something and approach me, thats on him, if hes stupid enough to escalate things when I tell him it was nothing to with him thats on him, and how far he wants to escalate things is also on him.

CCing a firearm doesnt make me a second class citizen that has cower around everywhere I go looking every which way to make sure I dont say or do something that (gasp) someone might take offense too.
I dont offend anybody by design. I dont take offense to even blatantly stupid things. Thats as far as Im willing to back into a hole to get along. Sorry if that offends anyone

[QKShooter]

Excellent correction and clarification. Much appreciated.

Just a clarification on terminology: Any time a person dies as a result of action (and in some cases, inaction) of another individual, the cause of death is considered "homicide"--no attorney or DA can change that fact. You are referring perhaps to a term that implies a criminal act. The term "homicide" is typically coupled with a descriptive legal adjective and can encompass such legal terms as "justifiable", "negligent", "vehicular", "criminal", and in the case of government executions, "judicial". The term I think you meant was "murder", rather than "homicide", but the two are not interchangeable. Just a friendly FYI.

[Snub44]

...1.He made a fo-paw...by dissing someone in public

...2.He made a great decision...the use of gun was out in that location

...3.He wouldn't have needed it anyways...there were two of them and he's a Marine...Semper Fi!!!

(and my spelchekre's just foine, thankyberrymuch!!!)

[beatcop49]

If you take a stick, and stir a pile, it will stink....I can guarantee that.

[ElMonoDelMar]

Just as an added FYI in case folks were unaware of the fact ~ M.L.K. was a conservative registered Republican.

http://www.politifact.com/tennessee/...er-king-jr-wa/

[mulle46]

I wonder if you wasnt carrying, would have been so bold as to laugh in this guys face. What you did was made assumptions about a situation you had no part in. You made assumptions that the individual wouldnt be offended by you, You made assumptions that because you was armed that you would prevail, you made assumptions that people on this site wouldnt be offended. The O/P went to great length to describe the individual and identify his race. (Underpriviliged, and not being able to afford a belt). Then it seems you did have a problem. Maybe thats why he asked. While you absoloutly have every right to your opinions... the other guy has the same right to his own. If he wants to wear a shirt with Obama and MLK.. thats his right. If he wants to wear his clothing in the current fashion standard... thats his right. Just as you have the right to wear what ever you like in any way you like. Individual rights are not granted to a few, or only to people who look like us.

This could have blown way out of proportion. With rights come responsibility. Knowing you were armed... and probably the more mature man... I believe it would have been better that you kept your opinions to yourself.

so a spontaneous reaction isn't allowed in your opinion?

[Secret Spuk]

so a spontaneous reaction isn't allowed in your opinion?

Of course spontanious reaction is allowed...lol. I'm not suggesting that the O/P could or even should not. I pretty much believe the O/P was bolstered by A) the fact that he was armed, and B) the other guy was fair game for ridicule because of his race, or lifestyle. There are a hundred ways to handle a similar situation.... One would have been to be man enough to engage in conversation about the O/P's opinion. Judgment call's were made based on racial, and cultural differences. Nothing about this situation should include a firearm. It's like bringing a gun to settle a debate. Things like this is exactly what liberals, and anti's use to paint us as gun-nuts. I'm not suggesting the O/P is of this kind... But it's possible there are carriers out there just looking to get into a shooting.

We all should accept that carrying a firearm carries an enormous responsibility as well. Having a GOD granted and constitutionally protected right, dont mean that you can enjoy that right over other rights , or that same right enjoyed by every American. The O/P has every right to express his opinion by laughing at a shirt. The wearer has an equal right to be offended, and to voice his own opinion. There we have a debate. Not a shootout. If the O/P is intimidated by the T-shirt guys clothes, or race.... that could be a problem. None of that equals fear of imminent death or serious physical injury.

I've read a quite a few posts on this and other forums where posters seem to think their 2nd rights trump common sense. We have every right to go about armed... We dont have any right to use it unlawfully.

[Snub44]

...and the OP made that decision instantly...

Of course spontanious reaction is allowed...lol. I'm not suggesting that the O/P could or even should not. I pretty much believe the O/P was bolstered by A) the fact that he was armed, and B) the other guy was fair game for ridicule because of his race, or lifestyle. There are a hundred ways to handle a similar situation.... One would have been to be man enough to engage in conversation about the O/P's opinion. Judgment call's were made based on racial, and cultural differences. Nothing about this situation should include a firearm. It's like bringing a gun to settle a debate. Things like this is exactly what liberals, and anti's use to paint us as gun-nuts. I'm not suggesting the O/P is of this kind... But it's possible there are carriers out there just looking to get into a shooting.

We all should accept that carrying a firearm carries an enormous responsibility as well. Having a GOD granted and constitutionally protected right, dont mean that you can enjoy that right over other rights , or that same right enjoyed by every American. The O/P has every right to express his opinion by laughing at a shirt. The wearer has an equal right to be offended, and to voice his own opinion. There we have a debate. Not a shootout. If the O/P is intimidated by the T-shirt guys clothes, or race.... that could be a problem. None of that equals fear of imminent death or serious physical injury.

I've read a quite a few posts on this and other forums where posters seem to think their 2nd rights trump common sense. We have every right to go about armed... We dont have any right to use it unlawfully.

[zamboni]

Some things are just....better left UN-laughed about.

I've always thought it best not to kick a sleeping ......snake!

just saying