[Machina]

I don't yet have my chp. I'm signed up for the class, but don't have it yet. I've been open carrying a few places; the gas station across the street, mcdonalds, thats about it. Never had an issue. I also carry it around my house. No big deal right?

I was outside on my balcony that is adjacent to the neighbors. They had some people over and the home owner was outside smoking a cigarette, just like I was. I had my shirt up (I've been checking myself so that it is truly open) over the holster on my hip.

Conversation went something like this:
"Is that a gun?"
"Yeah"
"Why are you carrying it?"
"Because it's my right as a citizen, and I choose to carry it"
"I'm not sure if that's safe"
"Safe for what, me or you?"
"Moreso my family"
"So you feel less safe that a sane person has a gun and chooses to carry it, versus some of the thugs out there?"

He flicked his cig and went inside after a short silence. I can understand his side to a point, but I also understand that I feel safer carrying than without, and it is my right whether he likes it or not. Either way I feel like I came off as an *******. Oh well I guess?

 

[Treo]

Oh well I guess?

Depends, were you good neighbors before?

 

[BeachBum]

Sounds like you gave him something to think about.

 

[DBRideout]

I'm sure he was just concerned about you shooting through the walls and hitting him or his by either an accident or in defense of yourself... Obviously he's a concerned neighbor for his safety from you... Thing is, when you live in particularly an apartment, your neighbors actions affect you to some degree, even if he goes to sleep in his chair with a cigarette in his mouth and catches the place on fire...
I'd say you need to get to know your neighbor a little better so he can get to know you better and in the mean time, try not to scare your neighbors. Maybe be a little more low key.
You have rights, but so does he, both are legitimate.

I was wearing a side arm one time as a security person when a customer asked me why I had a gun on, I simply replied "for your protection", nothing more was said... People have questions, we should have solid answers and do our best to instill trust and set a good example.

 

[Stevew]

The safety of your family out weighs his misguided concerns.

 

[DBRideout]

The safety of your family out weighs his misguided concerns.

I don't really think they are that misguided, he has a real concern, but that should not stop someone from exercising his right to protect himself. It would be best for all, if Machina could get to know his neighbor better and possible address his neighbors concerns. If his neighbor is adamant against firearms, at least he tried the diplomatic approach. He actually has the opportunity to turn a potential "gun hater" into a believer that way. It would ultimately be good for all of us 2nd Amendment practitioners.

 

[R.E.Lee]

Where in Richmond?

I live in the west end and despite all of the stories on OpenCarry, I have never done it. I just find concealed easier and there is never a hassle. :smile:

 

[BugDude]

I live in VA near VA Tech and I've open carried a lot in my town with no hassle. I also have my CC and mostly conceal. I had a lady that works in a convenience store I frequent ask me one time why I carry a gun and I replied, "because it's easier than carrying a police officer." She laughed and seems very comfortable with it as I'm a regular. She knows whether she can see it or not that I always have one.

Invite your neighbor over for a beer and casually discuss gun safety, your reasons, gun laws, etc. if he seems open to it. If he's not open to discussing it, let it go by just saying, "I'm exercising my right to legally defend myself and I take that responsibility very seriously. Everyone has to decide for themselves how they defend themselves and thier family. I assure you that I exercise safe gun handling practices." That's about all you can do...just be cool about it.

 

[RETSUPT99]

I would certainly try to strike up another conversation, perhaps if even over a beer on the balcony...you may make a new convert.:hand10:

 

[Goodtime Charlie]

I'd suggest that your conversation take place with a non-alcoholic beverage. Alcohol is involved in too many problem situations to use it as a warming up beverage when there is a possible conflict involved as in your situation. Offer your neighbor some coffee, tea, lemonade or some other NAB to break the ice. Then ask your neighbor what plans he has to defend his home and family from crime. Maybe the two of you can collaborate on some mutual aid and security plans.

Then I suggest that if you haven't already, that you invest in a .223/5.56 carbine and some Hornady 60 grain TAP ammo for home defense--less chance of it penetrating your walls and his than your pistol bullets.

Good luck.

 

[rljohns]

I'd suggest that your conversation take place with a non-alcoholic beverage. Alcohol is involved in too many problem situations to use it as a warming up beverage when there is a possible conflict involved as in your situation. Offer your neighbor some coffee, tea, lemonade or some other NAB to break the ice. Then ask your neighbor what plans he has to defend his home and family from crime. Maybe the two of you can collaborate on some mutual aid and security plans.

Then I suggest that if you haven't already, that you invest in a .223/5.56 carbine and some Hornady 60 grain TAP ammo for home defense--less chance of it penetrating your walls and his than your pistol bullets.

Good luck.

What is this TAP you speak of? I have a RRA M4 and can't find them anywhere.

 

[nedrgr21]

20/20 hindsight from someone who can sometimes enjoy getting into it with the determined ignorant:image035::
"Safe for who, me or you?" is a challenge which put him on the defensive and smart aleky (not meant to bash you, just the way it is). It can also be taken to mean you have no concern for his safety, at least with respect to carrying a firearm. Not saying this is true, just how it can come across.

I would ask "how is it not safe?" - open ended questions open discussion and give the guy a chance to express his particular concerns and gives you an opportunity to address them.

If you're on your balcony, you don't have to OC, just sayin'.

Hornady TAP ammo is the latest in police rounds, however, a LEO firearms instructor I know said it was recalled for failure to perform as intended a few months ago. No, I don't have any add'l info on that.

 

[BugDude]

If it were me (this is just how I operate), I would invite him over just to get to know each other a little better and offer "a beer, soft drink, tea" as a courtesy and then follow his lead...not "a beer or twelve." Responsibility applies to alcohol just like firearms...and the two specifically do not mix. I would also not have my firearm in view during the invitation or conversation. I have settled many issues over A (1, one, singular, as in only 1, not more than 1) beer. I've also seen irresponsible consumption of alcohol cause many problems as well. If he said, "sure, I'll have a tea," then I would probably also have a tea. I'd ask questions about him and his family, his job, interests, etc. (people seem to open up when you are asking about them...people like to talk about themselves) and not just jump right into the real topic. Go round about it and wait for a good opportunity to bring it up casually. Play it cool.

 

[stanislaskasava]

Hmm... two people-luh... attempting a pithy debate-tuh... about what is safe-fuh..., whilst inhaling known carcinogens-suh.... "Can I get a witness-sss-sss-sss?" :congrats:

Others chime in to suggest that mutual imbibition of intoxicants is the only logical path to resolution.

Sehr interessant. Ja, ja... das is most ruhvielunk. :ticking:

 

[Bob O]

"Thanks for telling me how you feel. If something bad happens over there I certainly won't come over with my gun and scare you more. It's certainly possible that 911 may respond in time!"

Bobo

 

[Machina]

I do know my neighbor to an extent. He has a lot of things he has already made up his mind on no matter what I do.

To him, I'm a drunk college kid, which is an opinion I resent. We've spoken before for a few hours while I was outside working on a engineering project, so I do know about him, his family, job ect. When we spoke outside I wasn't speaking to put him on the defensive, but I do agree in hindsight I probably put him on the defensive by accident.

FWIW, I live on meadow street, a few blocks from some of the subsidized housing. I can see the police station, but right around the back there are always crack dealers. Last year there were 8 robberies withing the block in a span of a few months, a few involving gun and the majority involving one weapon or another. So I do feel safer now that I have an option should something happen.

In the end, he is my neighbor, but I see no need to go out of my way to gain his approval to carry a firearm. Should he bring up his concern for safety I will talk to him, but if his fear for safety is so insignificant he won't speak to me in a conversation that isn't a passing one like the previous incident, then I feel it not worth addressing.

 

[Jim Macklin]

I don't yet have my chp. I'm signed up for the class, but don't have it yet. I've been open carrying a few places; the gas station across the street, mcdonalds, thats about it. Never had an issue. I also carry it around my house. No big deal right?

I was outside on my balcony that is adjacent to the neighbors. They had some people over and the home owner was outside smoking a cigarette, just like I was. I had my shirt up (I've been checking myself so that it is truly open) over the holster on my hip.

Conversation went something like this:
"Is that a gun?"
"Yeah"
"Why are you carrying it?"
"Because it's my right as a citizen, and I choose to carry it"
"I'm not sure if that's safe"
"Safe for what, me or you?"
"Moreso my family"
"So you feel less safe that a sane person has a gun and chooses to carry it, versus some of the thugs out there?"

He flicked his cig and went inside after a short silence. I can understand his side to a point, but I also understand that I feel safer carrying than without, and it is my right whether he likes it or not. Either way I feel like I came off as an *******. Oh well I guess?

Just a little peeve of mine.
Certainly everyone has a "right" to be armed. But THAT is not why I carry a gun. Doubt it is why many people actually carry a gun.

A possible conversation that might be more persuasive.

Is that a gun? Why do you carry it?

Because it is a dangerous world and nobody know when danger will come unexpectedly. My gun is safe in its holster and its here now, not 20 minutes away after a call to 911.

 

[BugDude]

I carry a gun because I can't carry a police officer. Unfortunately, too often LEOs can't "prevent" crimes from occurring but can only gather evidence after it has already occurred. That's not a knock on law enforcement at all. I appreciate and respect law enforcement. I think they are overworked and underpaid (especially considering the risks) and there just aren't enough of them (I'm sure they likely feel the same way). They can't be everywhere all of the time.

 

[nedrgr21]

Also, proximity to the police station is no safety net. There was a post here in the past few months where someone was robbed or killed a couple blocks away from a police station.

 

[Floyd D. Barber]

And don't forget, the SCOTUS has ruled that police have no obligation to "protect citizens"