BoatBanter.com - For those here following the Zimmerman-Martin murder...

"F.O.A.D." wrote in message
m...

On 5/8/13 9:52 PM, Eisboch wrote:

I just can't see myself watching this taking place without
challenging
the person. My reaction to the challenge depends on his. I might
run
or I might stand my ground. Sorta depends on how big he is. But I
don't
think I'd stand there calling 911 while I watched him in the process
of
stealing it and driving away. A challenge might be just enough to
cause him to abort and screw.

Ever been robbed? Had your house broken into and items taken?
****es
you off. It's not the value of the items taken. Like you said,
they
can be replaced. It's the thought that some people think they can
just
help themselves to things that don't belong to them. Sometimes the
items
are not replaceable and unfortunately most of the time they are
never
recovered.

You're willing to risk getting yourself shot to protect inanimate
objects? I'm not. We had a burglar visit us when we lived in Florida.
I
caught him in the act. He came after me with a pry bar. I whacked him
with my truck, but not because he stole our stuff, but because he was
threatening me physically.

------------------------------------------

Yup, stupid as it may sound to you. I'd like to think I'd be aware
and cautious of the situation but I've taken plenty of risks in my
life, both physical and otherwise and have survived. I just don't
think you can go through life being intimidated, controlled or even
inconvenienced by those who break the law or think they are entitled
to other people's personal possessions. Doesn't mean you become a
vigilante but you *do* have a right and a certain amount of
responsibility to protect yourself and your property.

So, what would you do if you walked out of a store and witnessed
someone keying your car (or any car for that matter) in the parking
lot. Would you watch as he gouged scratches in the paint while
dialing 911, afraid to confront him because he might be mean? Or
witnessing a purse snatching when you could come to the victims aid by
sticking out your foot and tripping him as he tried to run away?
Not all confrontations end up in gun fight. But, it's nice to be
prepared if they do.

On that note (which I am sure will raise the ire of some) I recently
discovered that the nanny state of Massachusetts is an "open carry"
state. Well, technically it is because there are no state laws that
prohibit open carry, other than on school or federal properties. You
must have a LTC permit and all the other laws, rules and regulations
apply but there's nothing in the statutes that prevent open carry in
public. The way the state gets around this is to leave it up to the
local police department Chief that issued your permit. If you open
carry and someone complains to the police, the local Chief is likely
to revoke your permit and confiscate your guns. That's what weird
about gun laws in MA and several other states. The "right" to own,
carry and use a gun exists in most, but under what conditions,
restrictions and even the issuance of a permit is up to the individual
town and city police departments Chiefs. This allows their personal
views on private citizen gun ownership to influence their willingness
to issue a LTC permit, what type (class A or B) and any arbitrary
restrictions they want to apply. It's not governed by a uniform state
law. Some are very pro-gun ownership. Some support even stronger gun
control by simply deciding you don't need one. It all depends on what
town or city you reside in. I recently was talking to a female who
lives in a neighboring town. She applied for a LTC, waited almost 5
months while it was processed and was then issued a "Class A" LTC
(concealed carry) *but* restrictions were put on it for "hunting
and "range" use only" Who the heck uses a concealed handgun to go
hunting?

This doesn't seem right to me and obviously to others as evidenced by
the number of lawsuits initiated by people who have been turned down.
Ironically, the state is a "may issue" state for handgun permits, but
a "shall issue" state for long guns which includes rifles, shotguns
and the infamous "assault type" firearms. The long gun permits are
in the form of a FID card, not a LTC.