The author, a doctor, makes the case that in our climate of daily random violence and desperate drug addicts, a doctor would be wise to have a gun in his office. He brings up the example of emergency rooms having metal detectors and bullet proof glass because shootings have actually occurred there. So he asks:
Would you not see a doctor if you knew he had a gun in his office?
To those who would fear ....... I ask you this, why would a doctor having a gun bother you? Do you live in fear that your physician is trying to kill you? I mean if he really wanted you dead, he could stab you with a scalpel or inject you with something lethal. He could do so with the tools of his profession in a much more efficient manner than with a gun.
brandishing implies pulling out your gun and waving or pointing it at someone.
merely letting someone know you have one is not a crime. it's as easy as removing your coat. the sight of the gun does all the work for you.
as to 'pulling' your gun. you, or someone else, has to be in immediate danger. that means if a guy comes at you with a knife but is still say 20 feet away, you have a legal expectation to try and run. if you shoot them and they weren't close to you you go to jail.
you can't just live in a country oblivious to its laws. you have to actually know and understand them. all of them.
i'll disagree with you 200% on that one.
you didn't just "let someone know" that you had one...you showed it to them.
that can sometimes be enough, as you can see below...this is from my state statute...unless you have actually seen what is in your state, i would suggest that you not "assume".
it shall be unlawful for any person to point, hold or brandish any firearm or any air or gas operated weapon or any object similar in appearance, whether capable of being fired or not, in such manner as to reasonably induce fear in the mind of another or hold a firearm or any air or gas operated weapon in a public place in such a manner as to reasonably induce fear in the mind of another of being shot or injured. however, this section shall not apply to any person engaged in excusable or justifiable self-defense. persons violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor or, if the violation occurs upon any public, private or religious elementary, middle or high school, including buildings and grounds or upon public property within 1,000 feet of such school property, he shall be guilty of a class 6 felony.
to me, i have too many other things to do in my life, than to see how "far" i can push local law enforcement, see how many arguments i can "win" with cops, etc.
i don't have these issues with the police when i get pulled over because on the one or two times i have...and i tell them the gun is in the glove box, all they ask for is to see the permit, which i keep in my purse so i don't have to open the glove box.
i have never see a cop "get nervous" or "start to reach for his gun".....i just have never experienced any behavior like that.
i also don't hang around with nor have any relatives that get into fights either...i left that behind in i think...2nd grade.
Wow... what a totally radical idea. Uh, that's a big resounding NO! Fast food workers deal with meaner people than doctors do, and people aren't advocating for them to carry guns. If this was a good idea (which it is not), then that logic implies all public service workers should carry guns... um, no! what a catastrophe! Seriousness inside, it's kind of funny to think that a doctor would wake up in the morning and think to himself... "Hmmm, don't forget my favorite pen, my stethescope, and oh yeah, my pistol!"
And also, the defense for the gun thing that a doctor has to deal with hostile patients is totally bogus. Yes, there are a couple out there, but very few would ever (ever, ever, ever!) warrant a gun. I mean come on, a police officer deals with hostile/violent people... not physicians.
Also, a little off topic from the OP, but I think that gun control, in general, is way too lax. CRAZY people out their have licenses to carry guns. Citizens with uncontrolled mental illness that can snap on a dime... it is scary. I don't think some people should NOT have licenses to carry a gun, but I would expect that the process for a license would be VERY long and detailed, with background checks, mental wellness evaluations, interviews, intentions/reasons for the gun, and on and on and on and on, but unforunately, it is not.
Many states now have what is called the "Castle Doctrine" to address that very issue. In states that have adopted Castle laws, the homeowner is legally protected from both showing and firing their firearm on persons who are not authorized to be there.
Also, if you read the article, it specifically states that the doctrine is not in all states nor appears uniformly, in state statute and is modified per state.
The problem you have with most of these types of laws, is it's up to the local police and district attorney (and what YOU have to prove as a defendant) is what justifies as a threat...what criteria fits imminent danger.
I personally, thought that my classmate was in imminent danger....but the local police and DA disagreed.
Discharges of electricity CAN start fires at gas stations. It, however, is NOT igniting gasoline. Gasoline in and of itself does not explode. Gasoline vapors do.
This phenomenon is VERY rare though and it would take a 'perfect storm' of favorable conditions to do it. Even when they try to duplicate it in experiments they usually fail.
Not something I am about to test.
I have actually seen people smoke cigarettes while pumping gas...so obviously that's not a 100% either.
But I sure as heck pull out of there (along with other patrons) as fast as I can when I see it.
Rare doesn't mean impossible..if it can happen, then it can happen.
Discharges of electricity CAN start fires at gas stations. It, however, is NOT igniting gasoline. Gasoline in and of itself does not explode. Gasoline vapors do.
This phenomenon is VERY rare though and it would take a 'perfect storm' of favorable conditions to do it. Even when they try to duplicate it in experiments they usually fail.
... So, uh- isn't that kind of a technicality? If it's the gasoline vapors and one discharges their firearm around them- wouldn't that still have the same possibility of igniting said vapors? Granted- not a huge probability- but enough to consider where one is and whether that might come into play?
Cell phone thing has been debunked too. Don't know why the signs are there, but I bet it could be traced back to a trial lawyer:D I guess if you were doing the Zoolander thing (spraying gas all over your buddies) and your cell phone was shootin' out sparks it might be a problem.....
Actually, I have never noticed the sign that says no cellphone use. Then again, I don't pay to much attention to the warnings on the gas pump as I am usually concentrating on finishing off my pack of camel no filters while fillin' up the tank.
Yeah, having it snatched was for sure one of the cons we weighed with the pros. I just could not make other holsters work. Different seasons, different wardrobes, dress up, dress down... You know how little old ladies get with their handbags, even to where they keep them in bed with them in the hospital and freak if you try to move it to change linen. Yeah, I'm totally there.
Yeah- I can understand that one. I try to avoid carrying a handbag if I can- I'm not a fan. I like them as an accessory- but I can't stand clutching them 24/7. I'm definately not the sort who would do well with a handbag holster I'm the gal who puts her credit cards and license into her back pocket (or while dressed up, into my bra along with my lipstick LOL) Hey- whatever works- if you're SURE you'd never put it down anywhere (giving someone the opportunity to take it) etc. then it's a good solution for you. For me I might as well put a "please take me" sign on mine cuz I'm so NOT attached to it
opening a blazer/jacket to show a holster and firearm does not fall into the realm of "pointing", "holding" or "brandishing". ones hand does not touch the firearm- therefore there is a significant difference. ask a lawyer.
i'll disagree with you 200% on that one.
you didn't just "let someone know" that you had one...you showed it to them.
that can sometimes be enough, as you can see below...this is from my state statute...unless you have actually seen what is in your state, i would suggest that you not "assume".
it shall be unlawful for any person to point, hold or brandish any firearm or any air or gas operated weapon or any object similar in appearance, whether capable of being fired or not, in such manner as to reasonably induce fear in the mind of another or hold a firearm or any air or gas operated weapon in a public place in such a manner as to reasonably induce fear in the mind of another of being shot or injured. however, this section shall not apply to any person engaged in excusable or justifiable self-defense. persons violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor or, if the violation occurs upon any public, private or religious elementary, middle or high school, including buildings and grounds or upon public property within 1,000 feet of such school property, he shall be guilty of a class 6 felony.
to me, i have too many other things to do in my life, than to see how "far" i can push local law enforcement, see how many arguments i can "win" with cops, etc.
i don't have these issues with the police when i get pulled over because on the one or two times i have...and i tell them the gun is in the glove box, all they ask for is to see the permit, which i keep in my purse so i don't have to open the glove box.
i have never see a cop "get nervous" or "start to reach for his gun".....i just have never experienced any behavior like that.
i also don't hang around with nor have any relatives that get into fights either...i left that behind in i think...2nd grade.
I think that gun control is insane. Criminals and those who choose to ignore the laws can and will. The only thing that gun control laws do is make it more difficult, longer and more of a pain for those who should have no problems getting/carrying their firearm. To me it's ridiculous for you to say "I don't think some people should NOT have licenses to carry a gun, but I would expect that the process for a license would be VERY long and detailed, with background checks, mental wellness evaluations, interviews, intentions/reasons for the gun, and on and on and on and on" because you readily admit that people shouldn't be prevented from having that license- all you're suggesting is adding asinine levels of bureaucracy and red tape to obtaining that license and firearm, which to me makes no logical sense whatsoever. I agree with requiring a safety test- much as we do with driving tests- but much beyond that? Why? Unless we're talking about preventing people from owning a firearm, which I'd then go back to- if they can't get it legally- if they're going to snap and going to do something illegal- they WILL get it illegally- so why bother?
Also, a little off topic from the OP, but I think that gun control, in general, is way too lax. CRAZY people out their have licenses to carry guns. Citizens with uncontrolled mental illness that can snap on a dime... it is scary. I don't think some people should NOT have licenses to carry a gun, but I would expect that the process for a license would be VERY long and detailed, with background checks, mental wellness evaluations, interviews, intentions/reasons for the gun, and on and on and on and on, but unforunately, it is not.
And I was clear that it was "many" states- not "all" states. Many states that do not yet have castle doctrines DO have 'stand your ground' clauses which negate the old view that you had to attempt to run away from someone and then if that failed- you had to announce your intent (to shoot) even in your own home.
Part of the responsibility of being a gun owner is being able to correctly determine what is and what is not an immediate threat and not acting from a panicked state. If one makes a correct judgement in those situations, neither the police nor the DA will have any problems as far as whether it was an accurate assessment or not. The evidence will speak for itself. This is also why the Castle doctrines are becoming more and more prolific- because most people would tend to agree that if someone is in your home- that is your "castle" and most would view an unauthorized person in that castle to be an immediate threat.
We don't have that doctrine in my state.
Also, if you read the article, it specifically states that the doctrine is not in all states nor appears uniformly, in state statute and is modified per state.
The problem you have with most of these types of laws, is it's up to the local police and district attorney (and what YOU have to prove as a defendant) is what justifies as a threat...what criteria fits imminent danger.
I personally, thought that my classmate was in imminent danger....but the local police and DA disagreed.
you didn't just "let someone know" that you had one...you showed it to them.
wow! were you the guy i showed it too? if not than how can you disagree? lol
it shall be unlawful for any person to point, hold or brandish any firearm or any air or gas operated weapon or any object similar in appearance, whether capable of being fired or not, in such manner as to reasonably induce fear in the mind of another or hold a firearm or any air or gas operated weapon in a public place in such a manner as to reasonably induce fear in the mind of another of being shot or injured. however, this section shall not apply to any person engaged in excusable or justifiable self-defense. persons violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor or, if the violation occurs upon any public, private or religious elementary, middle or high school, including buildings and grounds or upon public property within 1,000 feet of such school property, he shall be guilty of a class 6 felony.
we haven't actually met before but you'll get to know me soon enough. rofl.
point - to hold in the direction of someone (implies holding the gun)
hold - self explanatory
brandish - a menacing wave or flourish (also implies holding)
the good thing about laws is that they are usually specific. not only did i not break a law. trying to argue i did is fruitless. the law here and in your state does not state anywhere that the purposeful act of removing your jacket and allowing someone to see a gun is illegal.
sorry, you can argue it all you want but i'll still be right in this instance.
i don't have these issues with the police when i get pulled over because on the one or two times i have...and i tell them the gun is in the glove box, all they ask for is to see the permit, which i keep in my purse so i don't have to open the glove box.
i have never see a cop "get nervous" or "start to reach for his gun".....i just have never experienced any behavior like that.
first off, i said i tell them because it's the law. you don't experience this reactions because a) you are female and b) you aren't a large black man. no arguments please, that is a different thread. you also can't deny that it happens because you have no idea what you are talking about.
i also don't hang around with nor have any relatives that get into fights either...i left that behind in i think...2nd grade.
yea, keep trying to insult me. i might not like or approve of my brother's behavior but i am not going to let something bad happen to him.
i would suggest, and it's just my humble opinion, that in these debates you stick to the arguments given and the facts that are presented and not opine on things you really have no idea about. that's just a suggestion though.
... so, uh- isn't that kind of a technicality? if it's the gasoline vapors and one discharges their firearm around them- wouldn't that still have the same possibility of igniting said vapors? granted- not a huge probability- but enough to consider where one is and whether that might come into play?
nah, if you put a flame near gasoline it won't ignite unless you actually touch flame to gas. tried it.
if you have a space where you let gasoline fumes and then throw a match in the area, not touching the gas, it's ignite.
opening a blazer/jacket to show a holster and firearm does not fall into the realm of "pointing", "holding" or "brandishing". ones hand does not touch the firearm- therefore there is a significant difference. ask a lawyer.
indeed, someone is trying to create a non-existant situation. brandishing laws require you to touch your gun and 'pull it out.' to say any different quite frankly indicates a lack of understanding of the law and english.
try to stick to the argument. going the personal route isn't a good idea.
Opening a blazer/jacket to show a holster and firearm does not fall into the realm of "pointing", "holding" or "brandishing". Ones hand does not touch the firearm- therefore there is a significant difference. Ask a lawyer.
Considering that I nor you are a licensed attorney...that is why I posted the statute that applies in my state...it may be written differently in yours.
Any aspect of law is HIGHLY subject to interpretation.
Considering that the attorney does not make the arrest nor the decision to place charges and it usually goes before a judge or a jury...again, I have other things that I need to spend my money on...so flashing my gun around where everyone can see it (when there is no threat to me personally), just isn't something I can afford to do.
There are lots of things that you "could" get out of from a legal perspective.
But it doesn't mean it won't cause you an arrest, a trial and some serious cash to get out of it.
All the police had to do in my classmate's case was to make the arrest. The DA was trying to send a message that you just can't pull a gun on someone because you think they are a threat, and his interpretation was that it took more than just breaking into your house (which I disagree with...but the DA and the grand jury didn't think my way).
He still had to get an attorney, his name still appeared in the paper, he was photographed, arrested, had to post bail and it took him over $3,000 cash.
In the end, he was found not guilty...but in the end, he still had to pay.
I'm the gal who puts her credit cards and license into her back pocket (or while dressed up, into my bra along with my lipstick LOL) Hey- whatever works- if you're SURE you'd never put it down anywhere (giving someone the opportunity to take it) etc. then it's a good solution for you. For me I might as well put a "please take me" sign on mine cuz I'm so NOT attached to it
BabyLady, BSN, RN
2,300 Posts
i'll disagree with you 200% on that one.
you didn't just "let someone know" that you had one...you showed it to them.
that can sometimes be enough, as you can see below...this is from my state statute...unless you have actually seen what is in your state, i would suggest that you not "assume".
it shall be unlawful for any person to point, hold or brandish any firearm or any air or gas operated weapon or any object similar in appearance, whether capable of being fired or not, in such manner as to reasonably induce fear in the mind of another or hold a firearm or any air or gas operated weapon in a public place in such a manner as to reasonably induce fear in the mind of another of being shot or injured. however, this section shall not apply to any person engaged in excusable or justifiable self-defense. persons violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor or, if the violation occurs upon any public, private or religious elementary, middle or high school, including buildings and grounds or upon public property within 1,000 feet of such school property, he shall be guilty of a class 6 felony.
to me, i have too many other things to do in my life, than to see how "far" i can push local law enforcement, see how many arguments i can "win" with cops, etc.
i don't have these issues with the police when i get pulled over because on the one or two times i have...and i tell them the gun is in the glove box, all they ask for is to see the permit, which i keep in my purse so i don't have to open the glove box.
i have never see a cop "get nervous" or "start to reach for his gun".....i just have never experienced any behavior like that.
i also don't hang around with nor have any relatives that get into fights either...i left that behind in i think...2nd grade.