Playing Golf with Someone Carrying a Weapon

[rehmwa]

First of all, equating someone having a black belt in karate to carrying a gun on the golf course is pretty absurd.

Actually it's almost a perfect equate - someone has special ability to be dangerous to others.  If they choose to.

So - If you went golfing and a stranger showed you his black belt....would you play with him?

I wonder how some people are even able to go to baseball games - it must be terrifying.

It comes down to assessing the character of the other person - whatever OBJECTs they carry is really inconsequential.

Then is comes down to one's default attitudes towards strangers - are they hostage to their fear of the unknown?  or just very, very risk adverse?  Or just poor judges of character?   I guess golf or bowling is a good choice for them.  Nice and safe.

I understand both positions, but I'm just amazed at the absolutist attitudes of those that fear any weapon....Simply saying "I  -personally- am unwilling to take the risk"  I respect that, but trying to blame it on the object or the other people is a cop-out  IMHO.

(There is a real purpose for all types of people - example, we didn't descend from the monkeys that grabed sharp sticks and ran out to fight the sabre tooths......we descended from the little fast ones that run up into the trees and hid - I'm grateful)

[boogielicious]

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogielicious

It's the weapon for me not the type.

If he had a military style knife I would feel the same with my first impression.

That seems contradictory.

Is it the weapon, or the type of weapon that concerns you? You're worried about someone who has a " military style" knife, but not some other type of knife, maybe a kitchen or hunting knife approximately the same size?

David,

He's got a weapon on a golf course.  Not a pen knife, but a self defense weapon.  If it was brass knuckles or nunchucks or a nightstick, it would not matter.  That is unusual in my area of the country.  I've never seen it or heard of anyone doing this anywhere I have golfed. So I am concerned.  I don't know the guy.  You seem comfortable with that, and I don't.  You think he is one of the 99% of responsible gun owners.  I can't make that assumption because it is unusual. All the responsible gun owners I know said they would never do it.

It is like lightning.  The odds of getting struck by lightning are small.  But why take that chance.

[Golfingdad]

It's not really feasible to carry an unloaded revolver, they take too long to load.  Don't you remember those old Andy Griffith shoes where "Barney" couldn't ever get his gun loaded in time to stop the crime?

Aha!  This is a good reason why I think open carry might have a place.  I much prefer things that would DETER crime rather than REACT to it.  Leaving your porch lights on instead of having a silent burglar alarm, as one example.

If people can see that you have a gun, then they're probably less likely to start anything.  I'd much rather nothing ever get started than be tasked with making the decision to end it.  And, to that end, I feel like a visible but unloaded gun would be more than adequate protection.

Think of how good of a driver everybody is once they see a police car on the road near them.  They don't wait to question whether or not he's in his jurisdiction, or whether he's on or off duty, they just, by and large, would rather not take the chance, so they slow down and put away the phone.

Note that this whole answer is predicated on the idea that nobody can really tell the difference between a loaded and unloaded handgun.  If that isn't the case, then ...... ummmmmmmmmmmm, never mind.

[Lihu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Golfingdad

Poll Results: Would you be comfortable playing golf with a stranger who you knew was carrying a loaded revolver in their bag?

It's not really feasible to carry an unloaded revolver, they take too long to load.  Don't you remember those old Andy Griffith shoes where "Barney" couldn't ever get his gun loaded in time to stop the crime?

I had to look this up, googled "andy griffith show barney loading a gun", and came up with this:

That pretty much sums up what most people would do. . .

[turtleback]

Poll Results: Would you be comfortable playing golf with a stranger who you knew was carrying a loaded revolver in their bag?

I'd be more worried about someone who carries an unloaded revolver on a golf course - or anywhere else.  Carrying an unloaded weapon seems to me to be one of the stupider things someone can do.  It provides no protection and may get you shot by someone with a real (i.e., loaded) weapon.

I had to look this up, googled "andy griffith show barney loading a gun", and came up with this:

That pretty much sums up what most people would do. . .

Really?  Know a lot of people who own guns and have carry permits do you?

[Mulligan Jeff]

I have several close friends that have cw permit and I am very comfortable in their company. When it comes to strangers nope. Have you ever considered how often you come in contact (passing by) with a stranger that carries a weapon illegally?

[David in FL]

David, He's got a weapon on a golf course.  Not a pen knife, but a self defense weapon. It is like lightning.  The odds of getting struck by lightning are small.  But why take that chance .

Yep, a self defense weapon. I can't even begin to understand how the thought that someone would want to be prepared to defend themselves from a lethal threat should it occur would cause you to fear him. Personally, I'm less comfortable around people who are incapable and/or unwilling to do whatever is necessary to defend themselves and their loved ones should it become necessary than I am with those, even if I don't know them personally, that are. I won't refuse to play golf with them. But I don't understand their indifference to their own personal safety. [quote name="Mulligan Jeff" url="/t/81903/playing-golf-with-someone-carrying-a-weapon/270#post_1145074"]I have several close friends that have cw permit and I am very comfortable in their company. When it comes to strangers nope. Have you ever considered how often you come in contact (passing by) with a stranger that carries a weapon illegally? [/quote] I guarantee, you come into contact daily with more people carrying a weapon legally, that you never know about, than with those carrying illegally.

[Golfingdad]

I can't even begin to understand how the thought that someone would want to be prepared to defend themselves from a lethal threat should it occur would cause you to fear him.

You're assuming facts not in evidence.  All that is known is that the person is a stranger, has a loaded weapon in his golf bag, and somehow allowed you to know that.  You have no idea if he is an upstanding citizen just prepared to defend himself or not.  The odds might favor that possibility, and they might even favor that possibility by a substantial amount, but the odds of you landing on the ground safely when skydiving are really good too, but I'm not going to begrudge anybody that would still rather GUARANTEE that they don't die by skydiving by ... simply not skydiving.

Personally, I'm less comfortable around people who are incapable and/or unwilling to do whatever is necessary to defend themselves and their loved ones should it become necessary than I am with those, even if I don't know them personally, that are. I won't refuse to play golf with them. But I don't understand their indifference to their own personal safety.

What the hell does this even mean?  Who are you talking about?  Are guns now the only possible way to safely protect you and your family?  Why do you get to decide what defines "whatever is necessary" for people to defend themselves?  And how can you not see that "choosing not to golf with a stranger carrying a loaded gun" IS a thing some people consider defending themselves?

[boogielicious]

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogielicious

David,

He's got a weapon on a golf course.  Not a pen knife, but a self defense weapon.

It is like lightning.  The odds of getting struck by lightning are small.  But why take that chance.

Yep, a self defense weapon.

I can't even begin to understand how the thought that someone would want to be prepared to defend themselves from a lethal threat should it occur would cause you to fear him.

Personally, I'm less comfortable around people who are incapable and/or unwilling to do whatever is necessary to defend themselves and their loved ones should it become necessary than I am with those, even if I don't know them personally, that are. I won't refuse to play golf with them. But I don't understand their indifference to their own personal safety.

David,

It makes no sense to me that you would be more comfortable around armed golfers than unarmed golfers.  Do you carry on the course?  Do your friends?  I am certainly capable of defending myself. The insinuation that anyone who doesn't own or carry a revolver is incapable or unwilling to defend themselves is silly and insulting.  Are we all supposed to walk around now with side arms?  Should I bring one to work?  To Church?  To soccer games that I coached?

I am not going to arm myself at all times just because you think we all should.  I am not going to willingly trust a stranger with a gun as perfectly responsible either.

[rkim291968]

Oh, wait.   I answered "No. I would ask to be placed in a different group."   This is likely a fatal mistake on my part.   I'd rather be in the group with someone with a loaded gun, willing to defend himself (and the group) against slow group in front, and ball-firing-over-our-group's-head-group behind.   What the effing was I thinking?   In case there is a confrontation between the groups, I'd rather be in the group with a loaded gun.  More guns the better.   Heck, if a stranger is carrying a live hand grenade, bazooka, that's even better.  No groups are going to mess with our group.   If the group in front is going awfully slow, they better watch out.

[Golfingdad]

Oh, wait.   I answered "No. I would ask to be placed in a different group."   This is likely a fatal mistake on my part.   I'd rather be in the group with someone with a loaded gun, willing to defend himself (and the group) against slow group in front, and ball-firing-over-our-group's-head-group behind.   What the effing was I thinking?   In case there is a confrontation between the groups, I'd rather be in the group with a loaded gun.  More guns the better.   Heck, if a stranger is carrying a live hand grenade, bazooka, that's even better.  No groups are going to mess with our group.   If the group in front is going awfully slow, they better watch out.

The bright side is that you learned the error of your ways before the situation arose.

[Ernest Jones]

The bright side is that you learned the error of your ways before the situation arose. ;-)

No doubt. Wouldn't want to get into a situation on the golf course and not be armed. My main concern would be running out of ammunition. Couple extra clips in the bag, 'cause you NEVER know! Better to have WAY TOO MUCH ammo and not need it than get caught in a prolonged firefight without ample reloads. Might be a good idea to bring some smoke grenades too, not a lot of cover on the course. :-P

[cipher]

No doubt. Wouldn't want to get into a situation on the golf course and not be armed. My main concern would be running out of ammunition. Couple extra clips in the bag, 'cause you NEVER know! Better to have WAY TOO MUCH ammo and not need it than get caught in a prolonged firefight without ample reloads. Might be a good idea to bring some smoke grenades too, not a lot of cover on the course.

[rkim291968]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Golfingdad

The bright side is that you learned the error of your ways before the situation arose.

No doubt. Wouldn't want to get into a situation on the golf course and not be armed. My main concern would be running out of ammunition. Couple extra clips in the bag, 'cause you NEVER know! Better to have WAY TOO MUCH ammo and not need it than get caught in a prolonged firefight without ample reloads. Might be a good idea to bring some smoke grenades too, not a lot of cover on the course.

Prolonged fights?    I think it will be rather short if one aims right on his 1st volley.  One of my fighting rules is to get off 1st.  I.e, the one who hits first usually wins.   This worked for me 90% of the time when I was growing up in ghetto without a gun.   Shot gun will work well in this situation (getting off 1st) and on short range combats.   That beckons the question.  Should I bring my bullet proof vest?   When gun battle breaks out on a golf course, there aren't too many places to hide.   I guess some deep bunkers will make a good cover but hiding behind a flag (white or otherwise) will not be good.   I just don't know what these crazy golfers will likely do and better prepare for the worst.

[Ernest Jones]

Yep. Hit first, preferably with something.

[dsc123]

Personally, I'm less comfortable around people who are incapable and/or unwilling to do whatever is necessary to defend themselves and their loved ones should it become necessary than I am with those, even if I don't know them personally, that are. I won't refuse to play golf with them. But I don't understand their indifference to their own personal safety.

that's a REALLY bizarre opinion there, John wayne.

[MyrtleBeachGolf]

David, It makes no sense to me that you would be more comfortable around armed golfers than unarmed golfers.  Do you carry on the course?  Do your friends?  I am certainly capable of defending myself. The insinuation that anyone who doesn't own or carry a revolver is incapable or unwilling to defend themselves is silly and insulting.  Are we all supposed to walk around now with side arms?  Should I bring one to work?  To Church?  To soccer games that I coached?   I am not going to arm myself at all times just because you think we all should.  I am not going to willingly trust a stranger with a gun as perfectly responsible either.

Quick answer is yes. Why wouldn't you? I carry my gun to work, to the grocery store, to the mall, to a soccer game (where the law allows). If we knew when we were going to need to protect our life with a firearm, we would just avoid that situation. You never know. So yes, if you chose to carry, you likely carry all the time the law allows. Many of us that carry actually avoid certain activities or businesses where it's not legal to carry. I can understand that some people "don't like guns". But I'm slightly confused as to how naive some of you are about the large population of CCW permit holders and how they go about their everyday life. When I leave my house for the day, I check to make sure I have 3 things, my wallet, my cell phone and my pistol. To me, it's no different than my wallet. I carry it everyday. If I ever need it to save or defend my life, I'd rather have it on me than be in a situation where it's necessary and it's in the safe at home.

[boogielicious]

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogielicious

David,

It makes no sense to me that you would be more comfortable around armed golfers than unarmed golfers.  Do you carry on the course?  Do your friends?  I am certainly capable of defending myself. The insinuation that anyone who doesn't own or carry a revolver is incapable or unwilling to defend themselves is silly and insulting.  Are we all supposed to walk around now with side arms?  Should I bring one to work?  To Church?  To soccer games that I coached?

I am not going to arm myself at all times just because you think we all should.  I am not going to willingly trust a stranger with a gun as perfectly responsible either.

Quick answer is yes. Why wouldn't you? I carry my gun to work, to the grocery store, to the mall, to a soccer game (where the law allows).

If we knew when we were going to need to protect our life with a firearm, we would just avoid that situation. You never know. So yes, if you chose to carry, you likely carry all the time the law allows. Many of us that carry actually avoid certain activities or businesses where it's not legal to carry.

I can understand that some people "don't like guns". But I'm slightly confused as to how naive some of you are about the large population of CCW permit holders and how they go about their everyday life. When I leave my house for the day, I check to make sure I have 3 things, my wallet, my cell phone and my pistol. To me, it's no different than my wallet. I carry it everyday. If I ever need it to save or defend my life, I'd rather have it on me than be in a situation where it's necessary and it's in the safe at home.

Why don't you also carry a fire extinguisher and a defibrillator? Those items will save lives.  Add a first aid kit and EpiPen.  They would really come in handy too.  I've have been qualified on advanced first aid and CPR since I was 15 years old.  That is very useful too. To me, much more so than needing to carry a gun on the golf course.