Breaking Barriers

[Yellowfin]

Two weeks ago was a monumental breakthrough towards reaching my inlaws with the message of self defense. I flew up there Sunday with my sidearm for the first time, having gotten my PA LTCF (the local name for CCW/CHL) and always preferring to carry where and when I can if at all possible. Even more to the point there's been a bit of a spike in crime lately in the SE PA area. They've known me for four years, knew thus far that I have been a lifelong firearm owner and experienced hunter and shooter and trust me quite well and accept me as their son. I think they even knew to some degree that I had given my soon-to-be wife a rifle to keep under the bed for home defense in the few months that we were parted by her work training. However they knew nothing of civillian carry rights and that I had for a while had my CCW in Alabama and had been carrying my sidearm every day for months before being relocated out to the PRK. So once back into the free world and also as a particular local precaution my holster once again resumed its rightful place on my hip. There it stayed, completely unknown to anyone but me and my adoring soon-to-be wife who was flying in a few days later, until a couple days in...

I was in the kitchen there at the house on Tuesday night shaping up some burger patties to grill that evening with the mother in law cleaning a few dishes as I worked. I gave her a sniff of the mix of spices and herbs I was working into the burgers. She thanked me for the good work and gave me a nice pat on the lower back...RIGHT ON MY GUN.

Now this is someone who had absolutely zero family or personal acquaintences who owned any form of firearms even for sporting purposes. Someone who her whole life had voted Donkey party for everything, never once questioning it. Someone immersed in a sea of neocommunism, a card carrying member of the poverty class victimized by the upper class--by reason of money situation and family struggles over time misinterpreted as medieval class oppression rather than lack of personal financial soundness, lacking education of the latter and sadly suckered in by all the political rhetoric of the former. A person distant from the idea of robust and capable American by way of strong family encapsulation which although greatly creating a loving, caring, sensitive, and loyal person all but erased the concept of the empowered, hardy, self determinate individual. A person whose faith and extremely strong religious devotion had unfortunately turned abundance of charity, reliance upon divine sovereignty, and goodness towards people into a nailed in doctrine of pacifism and helplessness.

In short, a sheep. Not by being a bad person but by being who she had been brought up to be and had always been and like the people around her, literally not knowing any better.

A few minutes later as I was firing up the grill she came out and asked me in a low voice as to what it was that I had back there. I replied my sidearm, attempting to soften the "blow" you might say. She didn't understand. She just had to lift up my shirt tail and have a look. The immediate whispered but obviously shocked (though well contained, all things considered) response was "Oh my god Bill why do you have a gun?" Immediately my mind was racing but at the same time it's something I've written volumes on so I felt up to the task. A little impromptu, I know, but I suppose if the need for self defense is on the spot I guess it's only fair that the perpetuation of it be quick, on the spot, and definitive. So I gave it all I had and then some.

I started out saying that I have for a while and have a license to do so. It's a priority to protect myself wherever I am because I am important to Melissa, her daughter, as well as to herself and the rest of the family. If anything were to happen to to me they'd be completely devastated. I'm in charge of my own defense because I am protecting what is valuable to them. I immediately went to the armored car analogy, as it's the one I personally find the most believable. I asked her if she knew what an armored car is. Obvious answer is yes. The guards are carrying guns because they're carrying bags of cash. Perfectly reasonable, right? Accepted by most people at very least so good enough. Now, I asked her, if the same guard was holding a bag of cash in one hand I was on the other side of the guard and someone threatened them which she'd rather be lost, me or the money. She'd rather have me be still there. OK, how about me or some politician? Celebrities? Are they more meaningful than me? No contest there. So why then if something or someone less important than me is defended should I be any less defended? Ah, a ray of reason. I am important to all of my family, and it is my duty to them to defend myself and my fiance, and obviously I extend that protection to them as I am around. It is a decision to be responsible. Others in this world, and even right across the tracks from them--and they're 2 doors down from that--make bad decisions. Violence against people is a decision made completely without regard to who is on the other end of it. That is simply a fact of humanity since day one. They are going to do so whatever my choice is. My decision is simply to be able to walk away and get home at the end of the day no matter what goes on around me.

They had gotten a new car recently which was parked directly in view. I pointed to it. I asked if she liked safety features. Obvious answer. Anti lock brakes, airbags, seatbelts, and strong frame are all things she likes. Why? They keep you safe in the event of an accident. Not because you're more likely to get to get into one. You might drive 20 years and that car may never have a dent or scratch on it. But would she take them out if she didn't "need" them? Of course not. Would she be without a safety feature if she had the option of having it? Nope. They might get hit on the way to the grocery store. If they don't it doesn't cost them anything to have it anyway, but it could cost them everything if they don't. Getting hit, slipping off the road, accidentally hitting something and so on is bad enough. They're not going to purposefully swerve into a telephone pole, but life isn't always so accommodating. The idea is to have it not get any worse from there.

That much was understood.

The rest of that night nothing further was mentioned on the matter. The next night both the parents brought it up, actually the father asked first. I did a brief rehash then elaborated on how reciprocity works, out of state CCW's and how I got mine, what PA's laws allow, open carry versus concealed carry, shall issue vs. may issue and how may issue is abused, and how the lack of armed citizens brought about by may issue or no issue--or lack of awareness and participation as in the Philly area--is a major factor in big city crime. I explained what questions and qualifications are on the PA CCW form, what it costs, and that it's perfectly openly accessible and why it should be. I once again showed them my AL one as it looks a lot more official. They were particularly interested in how I flew with it (Strangely they very rarely fly...), so I gave a detailed account of that as well.

No objections or arguements from them at all. I think at very least they understand me carrying and get the general idea. It was completely new to them that someone like me or them could, so it definitely gave them a whole abundance of new information they never even had before. (Her dad even helped me laminate my PA license since it's just a slip of paper no thicker than a recipt.) I want both of them and my sister in law (who wasn't there at the time, so I don't know how much she knows but she's even farther off the deep end into liberalism by virtue of being a theater actress in NYC) to carry daily as I do because I love them as much as is evident that they love me. I can't say how quickly that will come about as they're very set in their ways but I can say that they're a lot farther along now than they were had it not been that I brought it to them.

[spc]

Congrats on your Pa. LTCF and the unexpected opportunity to share the information with your future in-laws. I am glad for you that your future mother-in-law was open minded enough not to raise a scene. You ended up handling the incident very well though at risk to future relations with the family. Your next step should be to take them to the range and introduce them to the shooting sport.

I too have my Pa. permit and renewed last fall. It is an easy one to obtain and inexpensive. My in-laws are among the founding member families of Giant Eagle Supermarkets and I acquired it just in case we traveled to visit in the state (which we did 2 years ago) and I was able to carry while there.

spc

PS,,,, let's stay away from the PRK references even though it is tempting because of our states politics.

[BonoVox]

Great story.

I find people that are reasonable and that will listen can be swayed. Or a lot of times the subject has just not been brought up before and you find they are actually pretty receptive. Geez after all it is common sense reasoning.

First noted from your story.....what were you carrying????

Second noted is that PA has a piece of paper for a CCW too!!!!!

Long live rice paper CCWs!!!!!

[sealbeach]

Well written story, thanks for posting it. It sounds like you have reasonable and thoughtful (or at least polite) in-laws, and you presented a good argument for CCW, good job.

[CCWInstructor]

Originally Posted by Yellowfin

However they knew nothing of civillian carry rights and that I had for a while had my CCW in Alabama and had been carrying my sidearm every day for months before being relocated out to the PRK.

??????

[CalCCW03]

before being relocated out to the PRK.

Welcome to CalCCW. California is not the PRK; California is not **********; California is not Cali. California is California is California. Please read the site rules:

Site Rules

Please take note of the included paragraph:

Getting 'cute' with alternate meanings/spellings isn't cute to us.

In any case, good post and again we welcome you aboard.

[Yellowfin]

As to what I carry when not here (and ideally as soon as possible when here), my sidearm of choice at the moment is an Astra A-75.

As for the alternative California name, sorry, I wrote the article before coming here so it was a C&P...but anyway we need to change the way things work in this state so it doesn't deserve the name. This is still the United States of America last I checked, and this state needs a kick in pants to get it to start acting like it again. "Oh, but you have to understand..." doesn't cut it with me, and it needs to stop being a valid excuse for people here too.

[akulahawk]

As many others have said before, Welcome to the forum! I see that you're in Cupertino... it's not a bad place. Unfortunately, it's Santa Clara County... not much luck for getting a CCW in that county. Or for that matter, any of the South Bay Counties. Although I never have lived in Cupertino, some friends of mine did.

[Dan M.]

Originally Posted by Yellowfin

This is still the United States of America last I checked, and this state needs a kick in pants to get it to start acting like it again.

That may be true. There are a lot of websites where folks are of like-mind and where pant-kicking efforts are organized and encouraged. This site is focused on getting CA CCWs through the channels that currently exist. Doesn't mean we don't agree in principle, it just means we've got specific priorities and will not generally deal with other approaches other than to encourage people to vote gun-friendly.

"Oh, but you have to understand..." doesn't cut it with me, and it needs to stop being a valid excuse for people here too.

We appreciate your passion and enthusiasm. We hope you can appreciate our approach as well.

[Yellowfin]

I do appreciate it, and I thank you for all your efforts--just make it work. Results with stealth and tact are great when you get them but only if in fact you do get them. For you it may be optional and a nice novelty but for me it's imperative. I like all approaches and think all of them should be taken, and nothing left out. You can catch some fish with worms, some with minnows, some with flies, some with nets, some with squid...the object is to fill the boat wherever you are. If it doesn't work, do something that does without hesitation. We've got a LOT of catching we need to do--leaving with an empty boat isn't acceptable.

[libertarian]

Originally Posted by Yellowfin

I do appreciate it, and I thank you for all your efforts--just make it work. Results with stealth and tact are great when you get them but only if in fact you do get them.

Sure.. I think what we're doing here, one CCW at a time, is working. In Orange County alone the number of issued permits went up 72.8% from 2006 to 2007,not to mention all the other counties. I think we helped that process considerably. I know several people who now have CCWs who thought it was impossible in California when I told them about this site.

[CalCCW03]

Originally Posted by Yellowfin

I do appreciate it, and I thank you for all your efforts--just make it work. Results with stealth and tact are great when you get them but only if in fact you do get them. For you it may be optional and a nice novelty but for me it's imperative. I like all approaches and think all of them should be taken, and nothing left out. You can catch some fish with worms, some with minnows, some with flies, some with nets, some with squid...the object is to fill the boat wherever you are. If it doesn't work, do something that does without hesitation. We've got a LOT of catching we need to do--leaving with an empty boat isn't acceptable.

I like your enthusiasm Yellowfin. As others have said, the purpose of this website is to help individuals obtain CCW's through existing/available channels. We don't have the money/resources to push this issue to a legislative level. Our goal is to educate gun owners on existing laws and encourage everyone to apply regardless of which county they live in. If enough people start applying candidates will start to realize that this is a valid campaign issue.

[CCWInstructor]

Originally Posted by Yellowfin

For you it may be optional and a nice novelty but for me it's imperative.

I've been reading your post today after several phone calls and e-mail. Young Man, the direction your heading too has thing ice. Be careful where you step.

[1buba]

Originally Posted by Yellowfin

I do appreciate it, and I thank you for all your efforts--just make it work. Results with stealth and tact are great when you get them but only if in fact you do get them. For you it may be optional and a nice novelty but for me it's imperative. I like all approaches and think all of them should be taken, and nothing left out. You can catch some fish with worms, some with minnows, some with flies, some with nets, some with squid...the object is to fill the boat wherever you are. If it doesn't work, do something that does without hesitation. We've got a LOT of catching we need to do--leaving with an empty boat isn't acceptable.

You need to stand down pal. You are visiting someone elses board here. As a newbie with a current total of 11, your opinions mean nothing here. More than that, your attitude is not making you any friends. Step back or be prepared step away.

[AMS MIKE]

Yellowfin, would be wise choice to listen to CCWI

Originally Posted by CCWInstructor

I've been reading your post today after several phone calls and e-mail. Young Man, the direction your heading too has thing ice. Be careful where you step.