Concealed Carry on The Course

[CartShedCop]

Agree with most of what you said and thanks for saying it. I need a life-threatening reason and a clear background. It has to be both urgent and important to disregard the clear  background! I think people need to be taught the NRA safety course in school along with a course on ballistics. If they can justify "planned" parenthood they can justify personal firearm safety.

Not starting THAT debate on such a site as this, but I will allow myself to say that I disagree with you on that last part. I grew up hunting and was exposed to long guns at an early age. Not all people are/were. However, "we" can not and should not "madate" gun safety classes or training onto people (kids) who express NO interest in learning such. Guns are NOT for everyone, nor should they be. Driving classes are not mandatory for people who do not wish to drive. That being said, we ALL have the equipment needed and prudent to become planned or unplanned parents. I for one was better served by the "Basket of Protection" in the school nurses' office by any school-run gun safety class that could have existed. I had far better control over my Browning during my teenage years... especially during The Rut. :) To steer the thread a bit more back onto course, let me say this... I think if courses did a FEW things, just a FEW, contrary to trying to squeeze every last dollar out of a sunny day, then this would likely become a Thread or Conversation that's not even needed. How about courses spread just a little more time in between tee times to avoid the jamming up of people (especially on the weekends) and I would also love to see course bars and grills be little more proactive in "cutting people off." Drunk people are annoying enough. I know because sometime I am one :) (never on the course!) Stuck behind a group of drunks for 5-plus hours on a golf course is no fun. Playing in front of the same drunk group can be even worse sometimes (hitting into you, talking obnoxiously and loudly, etc.) and these are the instances where I have witnessed, been apart of, and intervened on the course when things were getting a bit to damn "real" for a leisurely game. And don't even get me started on the guys who leave the course after drinking during the round like it's their last day on earth and then feel the need to have a good power hour at the clubhouse bar before setting their vehicle's course to "General Motoring Public." Want the "cop" in me to come out while I'm off-duty, wearing a polo and shorts... make it obvious you're intoxicated and attempting to leave. Self-absorbed jackass. Oh you're a member? Great... then you can afford to fix the tires I just flattened. Guns and alcohol don't mix? No. They don't. But neither does alcohol, 90 degree days, 6 minute tee times, rangers and starters doing nothing, slow play, and courses that are overly greedy for all your money. Combine ALL of those with egos and you'll see more and more smokewagons being brandished around the tee boxes and fringes.

[Lihu]

Glad you said it @CartShedCop , I was hoping someone with experience would finally step in. Many of the bullets would end up on different fairways. :-X

[David in FL]

What the "there would be shoot-outs on the tee" crowd seldom realizes is the number of people who ARE carrying in every aspect of their lives these days. As one example, in Florida, over 1.3 million law-abiding adults have concealed carry permits. With a state population of about 20 million 'm and using a rough factor of 70% adults in the overall population, that means that almost 1 in every 10 adults in Florida is authorized to carry a concealed weapon. Remember, concealed means concealed . You won't ever know.... Think about that the next time you're at the store, in a crowded theater or restaurant, and yep, even on that first tee box. And amazingly, no shoot-outs at the OK corral. ;-)

[shfboyroddy]

Being prior military, 13 years U.S. Army (combat engineer) 3+ years in happy places.... I am not sure I support this topic as much as I would for areas where I golf. (northwest). There are bears and cougars and other wildlife that has a mind of its own and I know I have had a couple times where I wish I had a pistol. With that being said to me there is a major difference between open carry and concealed carry. I know everyone has a stigma about a weapon in plain sight, but that is the wonderful part about it. Think of kids in school when a law enforcment officer comes in. What is the first things they notice. Yeah nice pressed uniform, badge, and haircut....ahhh oh yeah they visibly have a service pistol hanging on their hip and those nice shiny things called cuffs..... Nobody in their right mind wants anything to do with that stuff. Now as adults you have knowledge and you know the capabilities ect. of this weapon. You hold that person and the responsibility they possess in high regards. Concealed weapon (on public course), you have now intruduced mind altering decision, fear, and indecisivness. Once brandished openly. Could it be the best form of protection? Possibly against a drunk 3 foot club weilding idiot ..... Is that going to be something that is going to haunt you for many years to come including court battles ect. Take the high road, play smart ,play safe and remember you dont always have to use force on force....

[inthehole]

Possibly against a drunk 3 foot club weilding idiot ..... Is that going to be something that is going to haunt you for many years to come including court battles ect.

Take the high road, play smart ,play safe and remember you dont always have to use force on force....

As a CCW holder - this is the best advice I've read yet.

[Maddog10]

I'm a CCW permit holder and I exercise my rights every day. I carry with me basically everywhere I go, aside from places that are illegal to carry such as bars. I elect not to carry on the course just because I don't like having anything on me while swinging, but I certainly don't have an issue with those that do. In fact, taking my gun with me in my bag probably wouldn't be a bad idea. I likely will continue to leave mine locked away in a box in my truck though while on the course just so I don't have to worry about kids or anyone messing with it.

Some people will never understand why others feel the need to carry a weapon. After all, that's what the cops are for, right? Others, like myself, elect to have the added assurance that we can protect our families in the event that the police can't make it in time. By choosing this route though, it brings an additional level of responsibility to your everyday life. By choosing to be a licensed carrier, you are now under a responsibility to avoid escalating any conflict at all. IMO, drawing your weapon on a person without the intention of firing is rarely a good idea, and thus the only time you would draw would be with intent to eliminate a deadly threat. Some states require you to attempt to retreat before taking action and some don't. My state does not, but even still if a witness says that I was escalating the situation and then later used lethal force, this case just got much more murky in terms of legality.

I obviously hope to never have to put my license to use. If I do though, my plan is to make it very clear that I am trying to avoid this conflict and will do so in a loud and public manner so that if there are any witnesses then it will be clear who is the instigator. That way if the situation escalates to the point where lethal force is necessary, the story should tell that I was innocent. There needs to be no "macho" or "protector" ego associated with being a CCW permit holder. That will do nothing more than land you in jail.

[albatross]

Carrying a gun on a golf course is absolutely ridiculous. I don't care whether you're "allowed" to or not. It's like people that pack heat when they go to the gym.  Tough guys and clowns.

[Gunther]

Carrying a gun on a golf course is absolutely ridiculous. I don't care whether you're "allowed" to or not. It's like people that pack heat when they go to the gym.  Tough guys and clowns.

After a bunch of thoughtful, sincere posts, we get this. Thanks for my 3rd lol moment of the day.

[albatross]

After a bunch of thoughtful, sincere posts, we get this. Thanks for my 3rd lol moment of the day.

You're welcome.  And it's something I've thought about for a REALLY long time, so don't say I'm not being "thoughtful."  I was just succinct in expressing my opinion.  When I see someone walking around at a kid's baseball game with a gun on their hip, that's my LOL moment of the day.

You're entitled to your opinion, and this is mine.

[Gunther]

You're welcome.  And it's something I've thought about for a REALLY long time, so don't say I'm not being "thoughtful."  I was just succinct in expressing my opinion.  When I see someone walking around at a kid's baseball game with a gun on their hip, that's my LOL moment of the day.  You're entitled to your opinion, and this is mine.

And you are entitled, fer sure. But I had not 5 min before caught up on the thread and read 5 or 6 reasoned, somewhat lengthy, passionate posts on the topic then yours popped up. It was jarring, and quite funny.

[Maddog10]

Carrying a gun on a golf course is absolutely ridiculous. I don't care whether you're "allowed" to or not. It's like people that pack heat when they go to the gym.  Tough guys and clowns.

Anyone that refers to it as "packing heat" should have their weapon and permit removed anyways...

[albatross]

Anyone that refers to it as "packing heat" should have their weapon and permit removed anyways...

Yea, it was kind of a tongue and cheek comment, if that wasn't obvious.