Playing Golf with Someone Carrying a Weapon

[dsc123]

In your own poll scenario, what, other than the gun itself, is there to make you so concerned that you refuse to play golf with the individual?

Given your comments, I would have expected that you would have further evaluated the individual, rather than refusing to play out of hand. Again, your scenario and poll options....

What does that mean?  Are you going to give him a gun safety test at the starter's booth?

I find it interesting that the pro-gun crowd sees holding a gun as a sign of responsibility.  I'm sure that's true of many of you here, and your friends, and your family.  But we're talking gen pop--we're including the crooks and killers, and biker gangs, etc.  Yes, on a golf course you probably have less of that element, but its not like there's a sanity test before reserving a tee time.

[boogielicious]

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogielicious

I grew up around guns and would tend to agree in most cases. Again, all my family and friends that are responsible owners would not make me uncomfortable.  But I have also known people in HS and college that are gun owners and I would not call them completely responsible.  They are the type that would make me uncomfortable to play with.

In your own poll scenario, what, other than the gun itself, is there to make you so concerned that you refuse to play golf with the individual?

Given your comments, I would have expected that you would have further evaluated the individual, rather than refusing to play out of hand. Again, your scenario and poll options....

It is about comfort.  I was imagining a guy that showed us he had a weapon versus someone that I just caught a glimpse of the weapon by accident.  If it was the later, I may just assume that he was Law Enforcement and maybe ask.  Perhaps we are all just thinking of slightly different scenarios.  Again, I am comfortable around weapons but find it unusual that someone would feel they need one on the course in our area.

I don't begrudge any of you who think the other way either. I understand and respect your point of view.

In the last three years, a police officer was killed in the line of duty a mile from my house.  Another was wounded at a jewelry store robbery (the one I go to) a mile from house in the other direction.  I still don't feel the need to own a weapon. I live 400 yards from the police station. Maybe it is the statistics that give me comfort.  I am far more likely to get killed riding my bike or driving than being killed by a criminal with a gun. It is what I chose and again, I respect others if they chose to own and carry.

[David in FL]

What does that mean?  Are you going to give him a gun safety test at the starter's booth?  I find it interesting that the pro-gun crowd sees holding a gun as a sign of responsibility.  I'm sure that's true of many of you here, and your friends, and your family.  But we're talking gen pop--we're including the crooks and killers, and biker gangs, etc.  Yes, on a golf course you probably have less of that element, but its not like there's a sanity test before reserving a tee time.

I was simply referring to the 3d option in his poll. An option that I agree, makes little sense, but that's what the poll offers....

[newtogolf]

What does that mean?  Are you going to give him a gun safety test at the starter's booth?

I find it interesting that the pro-gun crowd sees holding a gun as a sign of responsibility.  I'm sure that's true of many of you here, and your friends, and your family.  But we're talking gen pop--we're including the crooks and killers, and biker gangs, etc.  Yes, on a golf course you probably have less of that element, but its not like there's a sanity test before reserving a tee time.

I grew up around guns and would tend to agree in most cases. Again, all my family and friends that are responsible owners would not make me uncomfortable.  But I have also known people in HS and college that are gun owners and I would not call them completely responsible.  They are the type that would make me uncomfortable to play with.

In your own poll scenario, what, other than the gun itself, is there to make you so concerned that you refuse to play golf with the individual?

Given your comments, I would have expected that you would have further evaluated the individual, rather than refusing to play out of hand. Again, your scenario and poll options....

Going back to the OP, there's nothing in the wording of the poll that states the person with the gun owns it and is carrying it legally, just as we don't know if the person driving next to you on the highway has a valid drivers license or has legal title to the car.

[boogielicious]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsc123

What does that mean?  Are you going to give him a gun safety test at the starter's booth?

I find it interesting that the pro-gun crowd sees holding a gun as a sign of responsibility.  I'm sure that's true of many of you here, and your friends, and your family.  But we're talking gen pop--we're including the crooks and killers, and biker gangs, etc.  Yes, on a golf course you probably have less of that element, but its not like there's a sanity test before reserving a tee time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogielicious

I grew up around guns and would tend to agree in most cases. Again, all my family and friends that are responsible owners would not make me uncomfortable.  But I have also known people in HS and college that are gun owners and I would not call them completely responsible.  They are the type that would make me uncomfortable to play with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by David in FL

In your own poll scenario, what, other than the gun itself, is there to make you so concerned that you refuse to play golf with the individual?

Given your comments, I would have expected that you would have further evaluated the individual, rather than refusing to play out of hand. Again, your scenario and poll options....

Going back to the OP, there's nothing in the wording of the poll that states the person with the gun owns it and is carrying it legally, just as we don't know if the person driving next to you on the highway has a valid drivers license or has legal title to the car.

Good points. The poll really is talking about the first impression and what comfort level you have.  There are a lot of questions that go with this and it is hard to put them all in the  poll questions.  I think the discussion we've been having has been pretty constructive as well.

[David in FL]

Going back to the OP, there's nothing in the wording of the poll that states the person with the gun owns it and is carrying it legally , just as we don't know if the person driving next to you on the highway has a valid drivers license or has legal title to the car.

But if I have to make a decision based on an assumption, I'm going with the most likely....

[dsc123]

I was simply referring to the 3d option in his poll. An option that I agree, makes little sense, but that's what the poll offers....

I see what you mean.  I actually haven't voted because I'd say that I'd be mildly uncomfortable, but probably wouldn't refuse to play with the guy.

Unless he had it on his hip when he teed off.

[Golfingdad]

But if I have to make a decision based on an assumption, I'm going with the most likely....

And others are going with the most cautious.  Unless Mr. gun owner was a 40 handicap that insisted on playing you straight up for one million dollars, then you're not losing anything by choosing not to play with him.  There's no downside.

[newtogolf]

But if I have to make a decision based on an assumption, I'm going with the most likely....

The most likely scenario in influenced by location and first impressions.

[David in FL]

The most likely scenario in influenced by location and first impressions.

I highlighted the portion of your post to which I referred. Certainly the most likely is that he is completely legal in operating his car. [quote name="Golfingdad" url="/t/81903/playing-golf-with-someone-carrying-a-weapon/216#post_1144267"]And others are going with the most cautious.  Unless Mr. gun owner was a 40 handicap that insisted on playing you straight up for one million dollars, then you're not losing anything by choosing not to play with him. There's no downside . [/quote] Sure there is. You may not even be able to get out with another group. If you can, it may be a long wait until you can. You also may be missing the opportunity to meet a great group of golfers.

[dsc123]

I highlighted the portion of your post to which I referred. Certainly the most likely is that he is completely legal in operating his car.

Sure there is. You may not even be able to get out with another group. If you can, it may be a long wait until you can. You also may be missing the opportunity to meet a great group of golfers.

The same can be said about the next group, without the firearm.

[Golfingdad]

I highlighted the portion of your post to which I referred. Certainly the most likely is that he is completely legal in operating his car.

Sure there is. You may not even be able to get out with another group. If you can, it may be a long wait until you can. You also may be missing the opportunity to meet a great group of golfers.

Well, I voted maybe, and even though it may sound in jest, believe me when I say that if one of the consequences of not playing with gun man means not playing at all ... then that gets thrown on the side of the scale opposite his potential craziness. But if its teeing off at noon with gun-toting strangers or teeing off at 12:15 with unarmed strangers, it's not really a hard decision.

The same can be said about the next group, without the firearm.

Yup.

[turtleback]

I highlighted the portion of your post to which I referred. Certainly the most likely is that he is completely legal in operating his car.

Sure there is. You may not even be able to get out with another group. If you can, it may be a long wait until you can. You also may be missing the opportunity to meet a great group of golfers.

Like, what if one of the other guys in the group was Graham McDowell?  Or what if Graham himself was the one carrying?  They might change their minds and play after all.  LOL

[David in FL]

Like, what if one of the other guys in the group was Graham McDowell?  Or what if Graham himself was the one carrying?  They might change their minds and play after all.  LOL

A lot of people would be shocked by how many people they already interact with on a daily basis who are carrying. Amazingly, not only haven't they been dragged into a violent gunfight, they didn't even know. Nor are they ever likely to. :-)

[dsc123]

A lot of people would be shocked by how many people they already interact with on a daily basis who are carrying. Amazingly, not only haven't they been dragged into a violent gunfight, they didn't even know. Nor are they ever likely to.

While that's probably true for some people, many of us live in places where concealed carry is pretty much illegal.  So for some of us, like me, we can be virtually certain that nobody that we interact with on a daily basis carries a concealed weapon.

[David in FL]

While that's probably true for some people, many of us live in places where concealed carry is pretty much illegal.  So for some of us, like me, we can be virtually certain that nobody that we interact with on a daily basis carries a concealed weapon.

Fortunately, there are VERY few places where it is not possible to obtain a carry permit any more. 44 of 50 states now have laws that require all eligible persons to be issued a permit. The remaining 6 states, New York City, and yes, even Wash DC allow for permits to be issued, but stop short of requiring it. So sorry, even if you never leave the city limits of DC, it's still very possible that there are legally armed people in your midst. Leave the city, and it's almost guaranteed! How cool is that?! ;-)

[dsc123]

Fortunately, there are VERY few places where it is not possible to obtain a carry permit any more.

44 of 50 states now have laws that require all eligible persons to be issued a permit. The remaining 6 states, New York City, and yes, even Wash DC allow for permits to be issued, but stop short of requiring it. So sorry, even if you never leave the city limits of DC, it's still very possible that there are legally armed people in your midst. Leave the city, and it's almost guaranteed!

How cool is that?!

Just because I find the topic interesting:

Its certainly likely in Virginia.  But not where I live (MD) or work (DC).  Sure, they "allow" permits.  If you can convince the chief of police that you "need" a gun.  And that basically means no.

As of January, there were 8 licensed concealed carry permit holders in DC.  (http://wamu.org/news/15/01/27/dc_grants_first_concealed_carry_permits_in_decades)  But the good reason law was struck down yesterday, so maybe it will increase soon.  (http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/may/18/dc-good-reason-gun-ownership-requirement-halted-by/) But that's about 1 in every 81000 people.  Or about 1 in 800,000, since there are probably 10 times as many people in the city during the day than the number that are residents.

Maryland is a bit better.  They have 14,000 concealed carry permit holders for a population of 6 million.  That's 0.02% of the population, or about 1 out of every 429 people.  I presume most are law enforcement or former law enforcement, because even people who can cite specific threats to their life are routinely denied permits:  http://www.abc2news.com/homepage-showcase/conceal-and-carry-permits-difficult-to-obtain-in-maryland

For comparison, there's about 1.4M carry permits in Florida, with a population of 20M, for about 7% of the population, or 1 in every 14 people.

And in full disclosure, I actually think the DC and MD laws are unconstitutional.  I probably support more permissive gun laws, too (not necessarily the same thing).  I'm just saying that a) its really very unlikely that the people I deal with on a daily basis are armed, b) its extremely rare that I run into a non-law enforcement type who with a concealed carry permit where i live or work.

edit:  oh, and that's why I'd probably be uncomfortable if someone was carrying in my foursome--Its really not something I'm used to, as well as my previous comments about being skeptical of the sanity of someone who thinks that's a good idea.  So I'm on topic!

[jusanothajoe]

Seems like it is the gun itself that makes people uncomfortable. Would anyone hesitate to get into a car with someone that had a six pack in the car ? Would the presence of the alcohol  make you uncomfortable ? They are not drinking it, you don't know if they are going to drink it, its just there.