So I was with my girlfriend at the bar. I met her friend, Jay. Jay was in the army from 1993-98. We have things in common, as I was in the army from 2008-12. In a random conversation, I mentioned I conceal and carry, which Jay replied he can't because he got in trouble with the law here and there. I understand, as I've also been in trouble, but never once have I been convicted guilty nor have I pled guilty, so my record is clean. He asked about people seeing my gun and I ran him through general behavior. When you see a man you see blue jeans, red shirt, white guy, red beard, and that's it. When you look at him you see from the chest up. Nobody ever sees the slightly odd point in my shirt where I appendix carry a full size ruger sr9. Nobody seems to notice.
The bar closes and we move to another bar. This one has a few guys and a rather attractive girl. Our group was 4 total, but Jay is the only important character in my story. Jay strikes me as a disabled veteran age 39 who is now an alcoholic living on a va check each month. In general he's a cool guy. I'm a 25 year old veteran who is in no way disabled. And all I know about the girl at bar #2 is she's rather attractive from the front and back, wearing tight fitting clothing, and I enjoyed viewing her.
Jay, who has by now had several drinks, approached me and asked if he could "borrow my piece." His words, not mine. He made some sort of explanation that I ignored about the girl and some guy that sounded to me like a bar fight was brewing. If I'm alive, the answer is no. I tuned back in and gathered Jay wanted to "make a statement." I let Jay know that pulling a gun is a death threat, and no matter what the outcome is the cops will be here soon if you pull a gun. I figure Jay has 3 options. Put $30 on the bar and leave now, avoid the group and don't look at the girl or the boyfriend all night, or get into the group and end up in a bar fight.
Jay then asked if I could "make a statement" with my gun. I told him no, since using a gun to bully people is still a death threat which still leads to cops when there's a variety of other options and its not my fight. I told Jay if he goes over there with my gun, He gets arrested and my gun is gone. If I make the statement I get arrested and my gun is gone. Either option can be avoided by standing over here or leaving.
Jay then attempted to tell me the whole story saying it's the girl talking smack and such And pushing people around... I asked him is pulling a gun the answer to someone thinking they're cool? He didn't think so. Off topic, thank God for background checks. At this point I'm glad Jay can't conceal and carry.
About 10 minutes later I found my excuse to leave and I was gone.
Going back over the situation, I know I'm right in not loaning out my gun. And I know I'm right in not bullying someone with my gun. I'm pretty sure I'm right in leaving and removing the gun on my belt from whatever situation was about to happen. And I really don't care what this rather attractive girl was saying, since I don't even know her name nor was I interested in learning it. Was I wrong to discuss concealing and carrying and letting someone know I carry? To me discussing guns is like discussing the weather. They're items legally purchased. Its a sport played by a bunch of people. Its an interest of many. But personal defense is like personal hygiene. Everyone does it, and some people's routine stinks, but nobody talks about it. Its personal, not public. Not really secret, but not a general topic of conversation.
I see both sides of the argument here. I just don't know which side I agree with more.
the original point and click interface, by Smith & Wesson
You, young man, are a poor judge of character even if those were the only issues in your story.
