As the pendulum swings, we see a glimpse of sanity on the horizon

[Starboard Tack]

238. What do I picture?

1. Not people scattering at the sight of every gun. Do they scatter now at the sight of guns? Why should that change? With OC they have a better chance of risk assessment and are able to make choices based on such assessment. Some may have no issue while others may choose to take a different route or drink in a different bar or pray in a different church. Pretty much the same choices that smokers and non-smokers have. Everyone has their own set of values and sometimes one may feel offended by the actions of another. We accommodate those differences by being respectful of them. That's how a functional society works.

2. I mentioned "demonstrable need" in respect to the issuance of CC permits. Let's not be naive, we all know that handguns are tools of violence. If you desire to hide one on your person, using a claim of self protection, then you need to demonstrate that need to the satisfaction of a panel, such as I described earlier. If you are denied the permit, then your option should be OC. I have noticed that OC organizations push their agenda on the premise that CC does not act as a deterrent and I agree with them on that. CC just ups the ante and should meet a very high standard. An example would be someone who has received credible threats, or a plain clothes police officer going into a situation where an armed suspect is believed to be.

3. I don't suffer from unreasonable fear. I have a normal survival instinct, which keeps me alert to anomalies. I do not get queasy walking through crowds, but I stay alert and don't lower my guard. I'm a sailor. I wouldn't survive very long if I didn't stay alert or suffered from queasiness. Having grown up and worked LE in the UK, I am well acquainted with concealed weapons, thankfully not handguns.

You seem convinced that I want to impinge on your rights. Not so. Your right, as you and the corrupt SCOTUS determine, is to be able to carry a gun. It does not have to be concealed. That is not a right, but a privilege enacted by weak state legislators cowering to the NRA, the gun lobby and it's minions.
I would like to see it no longer be a right to carry a handgun, but that is wishful thinking on my part, at least in my lifetime.

NB: If you want to continue this conversation, and hopefully grow from it, then please leave out personal snark like

Why would I ever want to substitute your fear-driven and authoritarian strictures for my own good judgement?