11.21.05
They said I was crazy…
OK, so people actually say this to me about a lot of things, but this is a specific thing. And I’ve been vindicated.
So, I got my CPL (Concealed Pistol License, that’s what we call it here in Washington) a few weeks ago and most of my friends had responses along the lines of “why would anyone ever want to carry a gun!?”. Lesson 1: Don’t tell people from Seattle you want to carry a gun, even if they seem like they’re normal. Lesson 2: If you didn’t pay attention to lesson 1, ignore all the responses you get:
http://www.komotv.com/news/story_m.asp?ID=40360
Some nutjob hauled a rifle into the Tacoma mall and started shooting people before holing up with hostages in the Sam Goody there. After 4 hours he surrendered to the SWAT team. The gun-toter injured six people, one critically.
<sarcasm>Yes, why would anyone ever want to carry a gun?</sarcasm>
Yeah, I know that having a gun wouldn’t necessarily help in such a situation, but unless you do something stupid, it’s not going to hurt.
It’s worth noting that no one died in this whole affair, which probably would not have been the case if an armed civilian had defended themselves. However, one person almost died, 5 others were hurt, the shooter was unhurt–I guess different people will have different opinions on whether or not this was “acceptable”, and whether or not the shooter being killed to avoid some or all of these injuries would have been “acceptable”–neither of these scenarios is really ideal, but…welcome to the real world.
becky said,
11.21.05 at 10:36 pm
um… I didn’t say you were crazy or anything… however… if you are in a hostage situation in a mall and you have a gun… mostlikely you’re going to get shot first… and not actually make the situation better. I was fine witht e CPL thing… before this entry. Now I’m afraid you’re going to do something stupid if you’re ever in a situation like that.
Matt said,
11.22.05 at 1:14 am
I knew this post was going to cause trouble.
>Yeah, I know that having a gun wouldn’t necessarily help in such a situation, >but unless you do something stupid, it’s not going to hurt.
Something I would classify as stupid:
Hunting the guy down in the mall. Why? first, pistol vs. rifle…bad idea. second, running around the mall with a gun…this is a good way to get shot by the SWAT team.
On the other hand, if the guy next to you pulls out a gun and starts shooting people…why not?
I am not a gun-toting redneck looking to shoot anyone that gives me an excuse. The idea of shooting anything besides a paper target isn’t an idea I relish. Thanks for the benefit of a doubt, though.
Heather said,
11.22.05 at 11:49 am
What do you have to do to get your CPL?
Matt said,
11.22.05 at 1:00 pm
Heh….show up at your local police station, pay $60, and get fingerprinted. If you pass all the background checks (criminal, mental health, etc.), they give you a license. No training is required in Washington State…I have mixed feelings about that. You have to take a class to get a hunting license, however…go figure.
Licensing procedures vary from state to state. Washington has some of the most liberal gun laws in the country. Residents of the People’s Republic of Kalifornia can forget about concealed carry, however.
Edit: Turns out is possible in California…but it’s much more difficult and much more restrictive.
becky said,
11.23.05 at 8:57 am
I’m moving to california
Heather said,
11.28.05 at 8:48 pm
nah, you don’t want to live in california. trust me.
Becky said,
11.29.05 at 12:44 am
This is true… I wouldn’t want to live in California
Matt said,
11.29.05 at 3:04 am
Cereal bowl of the world…what ain’t fruits and nuts is flakes!
Heather said,
11.29.05 at 5:57 pm
except for me, of course.