Playing Golf with Someone Carrying a Weapon

[David in FL]

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.  ([URL=http://wamu.org/news/15/01/27/dc_grants_first_concealed_carry_permits_in_decades]http://wamu.org/news/15/01/27/dc_grants_first_concealed_carry_permits_in_decades[/URL])  But the good reason law was struck down yesterday, so maybe it will increase soon.  ([URL=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/may/18/dc-good-reason-gun-ownership-requirement-halted-by/]http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/may/18/dc-good-reason-gun-ownership-requirement-halted-by/[/URL]) 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:  [URL=http://www.abc2news.com/homepage-showcase/conceal-and-carry-permits-difficult-to-obtain-in-maryland]http://www.abc2news.com/homepage-showcase/conceal-and-carry-permits-difficult-to-obtain-in-maryland[/URL]  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.  :beer:   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!

It's worth remembering that permit holders are exclusively adults, and predominately male. When you look at the % of permit holders vs population as a whole, the numbers go way up when you're in the presence of a large number adult males.....like on the golf course. ;-)

[dsc123]

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.

It's worth remembering that permit holders are exclusively adults, and predominately male. When you look at the % of permit holders vs population as a whole, the numbers go way up when you're in the presence of a large number adult males.....like on the golf course.

That's a good point,. but it doens't really change much.  So its more like one in 300 in MD and one in 60,000 in DC and one in 10 in florida.  And not everyone with a license to carry does so all the time...so that swings it back towards more unlikely..

[David in FL]

:doh: That's a good point,. but it doens't really change much.  So its more like one in 300 in MD and one in 60,000 in DC and one in 10 in florida.  And not everyone with a license to carry does so all the time...so that swings it back towards more unlikely..

No doubt DC and NYC are exceptions, but small exceptions in the overall scheme of things. The fact remains, the vast majority of us interact often, maybe daily, with people licensed to carry, and never even know it. Maybe that thought will provide some comfort to those that are somehow convinced that anyone carrying a handgun is just one sideways glance away from taking out everyone within sight! :-)

[jusanothajoe]

That's a good point,. but it doens't really change much.  So its more like one in 300 in MD and one in 60,000 in DC and one in 10 in florida.  And not everyone with a license to carry does so all the time...so that swings it back towards more unlikely..

I'll put you down as don't want to answer

[Ernest Jones]

How about "nutty person with a deadly weapon in relatively remote area"....

The golf club could do some serious damage.

Yeah, but then I get one too.

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.

Ha ha, no kidding.

[14ledo81]

[QUOTE name="14ledo81" url="/t/81903/playing-golf-with-someone-carrying-a-weapon/198#post_1144046"] How about "nutty person with a deadly weapon in relatively remote area".... The golf club could do some serious damage.[/QUOTE] Yeah, but then I get one too.

OK then, what if on the second tee (he teed off with a 3 wood on #1), he pulls out the "Hammer"..... Don't have one of them, do you???... :)

[InTheRough]

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.

Its not just the gun that makes a lot of the "no" voters (or at least me) uncomfortable.  I've shot guns(which is a lot of fun by the way), I've got several friends that CC on a regular basis and the presence of the gun in their possession doesn't worry me in the slightest.  What worries me, as stated in the original question, is that you DO NOT KNOW the person carrying the gun so you have no idea whether that person is a firearms instructor who knows every in and out of gun safety, or is a hot head that will pull out the gun when someone complains that they are playing too slow.  Sure, the chance may be slim that something bad will happen but why take the chance when you can avoid it?

[Golfingdad]

OK then, what if on the second tee (he teed off with a 3 wood on #1), he pulls out the "Hammer"..... Don't have one of them, do you???... :)

Bam!!!!!!!!! Wait ... Or is it "POW!!!!!"??

[jusanothajoe]

Its not just the gun that makes a lot of the "no" voters (or at least me) uncomfortable.  I've shot guns(which is a lot of fun by the way), I've got several friends that CC on a regular basis and the presence of the gun in their possession doesn't worry me in the slightest.  What worries me, as stated in the original question, is that you DO NOT KNOW the person carrying the gun so you have no idea whether that person is a firearms instructor who knows every in and out of gun safety, or is a hot head that will pull out the gun when someone complains that they are playing too slow.  Sure, the chance may be slim that something bad will happen but why take the chance when you can avoid it?

I voted maybe, because of the person being a stranger.

[newtogolf]

Given the wording of the poll, I'd vote maybe too if the stranger made it obvious was carrying a switch blade or machete.  Does our hesitancy speak to the presence of the revolver or the fact that the stranger felt the need to arm him/her self to play golf?

[jusanothajoe]

Given the wording of the poll, I'd vote maybe too if the stranger made it obvious was carrying a switch blade or machete.  Does our hesitancy speak to the presence of the revolver or the fact that the stranger felt the need to arm him/her self to play golf?

I might be hesitant to play with certain people even if I know they are not armed. More the person to me than the gun

[rehmwa]

I'd still rather carry with someone armed than a smoker.

Seems like it is the gun itself that makes people uncomfortable. Would anyone hesitate to get into a car with someone that had a HAMMER in the car ? Would the presence of the HAMMER make you uncomfortable ? They are not (acting like they will hit you over the head with) it, you don't know if they are going to (do that), its just there.

Fixed it for you

[Ringworld]

I am a card carrying member of the NRA.  But the thing I was always taught about situations like this is that a gun only escalates the situation.  Just like the saying never bring a knife to a gun fight.

My only question is why bring a weapon with you if the situation outlined is safe?  You already have 15 sanctioned weapons in your bag.  Why one more additional weapon?

[David in FL]

I am a card carrying member of the NRA.  But the thing I was always taught about situations like this is that a gun only escalates the situation. Just like the saying never bring a knife to a gun fight. My only question is why bring a weapon with you if the situation outlined is safe?  You already have 15 sanctioned weapons in your bag.  Why one more additional weapon?

The saying has nothing to do with escalation. It has everything to do with preparation. Be careful, the NRA may ask for their card back! :-D And why do you have 15 clubs in your bag in the first place?! :naughty:

[Ringworld]

Doh!... meant 14 :D

I only carry 12 anyways LOL so I am already at a disadvantage LOL.

Sure it's all about the individual but since I don't know this stranger... better he not tell me he is packing.  It is a concealed weapon after all.

I find it funny though if you holster your weapon and it easily seen, does that make you unapproachable?  Hmmm.  Perhaps that is a good thing LOL  Talkative golfers will leave you alone LOL.

[bubble]

I cant even really live in a country where people carry weapons.

Cant beleive how many dead there are in the US by firearm. probably beats drugs and alcoohol.

[Golfingdad]

Cant beleive how many dead there are in the US by firearm. probably beats drugs and alcoohol.

Wrong thread for that.

[Pretzel]

Wrong thread for that.