Shooting in West Point......

40mikemike

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Sep 29, 2022
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Your situation, where you are answering the door to strangers with a loaded gun in your hand because the person many shoot you or bumrush you and Rob you, is living life scared.
It's preparing for something that is very unlikely to happen.

If you had said you answer the door with a gun, regardless of if the person is known or not because it's holstered, then that would be living life prepared.

Do you really not see a difference between answering the door with the gun loaded and in your hand, vs answering the door with the gun holstered? You stated it is in your hand when you answer the door to a stranger.

There is a difference between the two and your initial comment is clearly in the 'scared' scenario.
Answering the door with a gun in your hand because you don't know the person knocking is clearly a fear based decision.


Again, just don't answer the door if you don't know the person. It's probably best for you and the person knocking.
You really are dense. I don’t understand how small minds equate preparation with fear.
 
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mstateglfr

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Feb 24, 2008
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You really are dense. I don’t understand how small minds equate preparation with fear.
As stated in the post you just responded to- it is preparing for something that is very unlikely to ever happen.
It is therefore irrational and based on emotion...fear.

Meanwhile, you are answering the door to every stranger's knock with a loaded gun in your hand, which makes you look completely unhinged.
Nobody has tried to hurt you yet(you would have said so by now), so it's been decades of you holding a gun when opening the door to strangers.

That is fear.
 
Aug 25, 2012
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As stated in the post you just responded to- it is preparing for something that is very unlikely to ever happen.
It is therefore irrational and based on emotion...fear.

Meanwhile, you are answering the door to every stranger's knock with a loaded gun in your hand, which makes you look completely unhinged.
Nobody has tried to hurt you yet(you would have said so by now), so it's been decades of you holding a gun when opening the door to strangers.

That is fear.
That’s is being prepared, not scared
 

40mikemike

Senior
Sep 29, 2022
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As stated in the post you just responded to- it is preparing for something that is very unlikely to ever happen.
It is therefore irrational and based on emotion...fear.

Meanwhile, you are answering the door to every stranger's knock with a loaded gun in your hand, which makes you look completely unhinged.
Nobody has tried to hurt you yet(you would have said so by now), so it's been decades of you holding a gun when opening the door to strangers.

That is fear.
Your stupidity is matched only by your confidence.
 

mstateglfr

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Your stupidity is matched only by your confidence.
You have yet to say why you answer the door. If it's someone you don't know and you are so concerned that a door knocker may hurt you...just don't answer.
You keep saying I am dumb, yet you are the one answering a door knock with a gun in hand even though you could just ignore it.
 

40mikemike

Senior
Sep 29, 2022
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You said otherwise above I believe.
I said that I am always armed. That’s not the same as “greeting my son at the door with a gun.” Smart people can appreciate that there is a difference between carrying a pistol and presenting a pistol/brandishing a pistol. I carry every day. Period. It’s not unusual for me to have a pistol just like it’s not unusual for me to have my wallet, or my keys, or a pocket knife, or a flash light. If my child showed up unannounced (who does that in 2026?) at night, I might have my hand on that pistol as I looked through the peep hole to see who was there. He’d never know it, and I suppose if I end up raising a little murderer, that could be my downfall.
 

40mikemike

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Sep 29, 2022
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You have yet to say why you answer the door. If it's someone you don't know and you are so concerned that a door knocker may hurt you...just don't answer.
You keep saying I am dumb, yet you are the one answering a door knock with a gun in hand even though you could just ignore it.
Because it is my house. I deal with situations head on the way a man is supposed to. Who just sits around pretending not to be home while someone is knocking on their door? You realize that most home invasions start with a door knock or door bell ring to see if someone is home, right? If I don’t know you and you are knocking on my door, I’m going to go find out why. Period. Maybe you want to murder/rob me. Maybe you are delivering a FedEx package. Maybe you are at the wrong address. Well sort it out right there at the door and move on with our lives instead of me sitting in my recliner pretending I can’t hear you knocking. If ignoring an action intended to solicit a response is cool with you, live your life, man. I’m going to go find out what’s going on at my house.
 

L4Dawg

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Oct 27, 2016
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I said that I am always armed. That’s not the same as “greeting my son at the door with a gun.” Smart people can appreciate that there is a difference between carrying a pistol and presenting a pistol/brandishing a pistol. I carry every day. Period. It’s not unusual for me to have a pistol just like it’s not unusual for me to have my wallet, or my keys, or a pocket knife, or a flash light. If my child showed up unannounced (who does that in 2026?) at night, I might have my hand on that pistol as I looked through the peep hole to see who was there. He’d never know it, and I suppose if I end up raising a little murderer, that could be my downfall.
Ok. If it makes you feel safe I guess.
 

mstateglfr

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Because it is my house. I deal with situations head on the way a man is supposed to. Who just sits around pretending not to be home while someone is knocking on their door? You realize that most home invasions start with a door knock or door bell ring to see if someone is home, right? If I don’t know you and you are knocking on my door, I’m going to go find out why. Period. Maybe you want to murder/rob me. Maybe you are delivering a FedEx package. Maybe you are at the wrong address. Well sort it out right there at the door and move on with our lives instead of me sitting in my recliner pretending I can’t hear you knocking. If ignoring an action intended to solicit a response is cool with you, live your life, man. I’m going to go find out what’s going on at my house.
Cool, appreciate the explanation, even if to me it is totally unrealistic and unlikely ever happen(needing a gun for someone knocking).

So follow up- when you answer the door to strangers with your gun in your hand, as initially stated, has anyone seen that as odd/threatening? I mean, you said you are holding a gun in your hand...that seems like it would be viewed as aggressive by the many people just innocently knocking to try and sell you on Pest Control or a new roof.
 

40mikemike

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Sep 29, 2022
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Cool, appreciate the explanation, even if to me it is totally unrealistic and unlikely ever happen(needing a gun for someone knocking).

So follow up- when you answer the door to strangers with your gun in your hand, as initially stated, has anyone seen that as odd/threatening? I mean, you said you are holding a gun in your hand...that seems like it would be viewed as aggressive by the many people just innocently knocking to try and sell you on Pest Control or a new roof.
First of all, we don’t get a lot of door knocks in the country and if we do, it’s generally a neighbor and I’ve got really good neighbors. I can see them on my Ring Doorbell. Of course, I’m not answering the door for them the way I would answer it for a stranger or someone unexpected.

Second, no one knows if I answer the door with my hand on my pistol or not. I don’t open the door, dick swinging in the breeze, pistol in hand ready to throw down like it’s the OK Corral. My gun side is facing away from the door, out of sight and my other hand is on the door in case I need to close it quickly. I greet them as cordially as anybody else they might approach and figure out what their intentions are. At that point I can continue the conversation or ask them politely to leave. It’s a lifestyle choice. You see the bad side of people long enough and you learn how to keep yourself reasonably safe while still being sociable. It’s not about fear. It’s about knowing what people are capable of and being willing to be violent if needed to avoid being a victim.

Not everybody is comfortable with that and those who are not comfortable usually try to rationalize it with things like statistics and statements like, “what are you scared of?” I’m not scared. I am completely prepared if someone chooses to be violent.
 
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I’m sorry that a grown man being prepared breaks your heart.
It's more that you are conditioned to be "prepared" to walk around your home with a f*cking gun. You either live in a terrible area or you have a microp*nis. Your family should be prepared from threats from inside the house, not outside.
 

40mikemike

Senior
Sep 29, 2022
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It's more that you are conditioned to be "prepared" to walk around your home with a f*cking gun. You either live in a terrible area or you have a microp*nis. Your family should be prepared from threats from inside the house, not outside.
I find it odd that you weirdos always equate firearms to penises. It’s a weird dick obsession that y’all have. That said, I live in a fairly safe area. I’ve got a pretty average wiener and my family is safer than most. I’m sorry that you have an irrational fear of guns and depend on others for your safety and the safety of your family. Guns are part of our every day lives. We hunt. We shoot competitively and we shoot for fun. Thank God we live in America and we have the freedom to choose our hobbies and habits.
 

TroyMcClure2025

Sophomore
Aug 1, 2025
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It's more that you are conditioned to be "prepared" to walk around your home with a f*cking gun. You either live in a terrible area or you have a microp*nis. Your family should be prepared from threats from inside the house, not outside.

Cool, appreciate the explanation, even if to me it is totally unrealistic and unlikely ever happen(needing a gun for someone knocking).

So follow up- when you answer the door to strangers with your gun in your hand, as initially stated, has anyone seen that as odd/threatening? I mean, you said you are holding a gun in your hand...that seems like it would be viewed as aggressive by the many people just innocently knocking to try and sell you on Pest Control or a new roof.
I was forced to go hand-to-hand with a knocker in 2014 because I didn’t have a gun on my person. That hasn’t been the case again in 12 years. I’m not saying it’s common, but it’s more likely than State winning 6 games next year.
 
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OG Goat Holder

Heisman
Sep 30, 2022
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Cool, appreciate the explanation, even if to me it is totally unrealistic and unlikely ever happen(needing a gun for someone knocking).

So follow up- when you answer the door to strangers with your gun in your hand, as initially stated, has anyone seen that as odd/threatening? I mean, you said you are holding a gun in your hand...that seems like it would be viewed as aggressive by the many people just innocently knocking to try and sell you on Pest Control or a new roof.
I think you guys are going a little far. 8/10 times somebody knocks on my door I don’t care. But if I look through the window and it’s even semi-suspicious, I’m going to get my pistol. That’s only natural.

But I’ll say that situation has only happened once in my life. Folks were casing houses during Christmas about 20 years ago. Cops caught them right outside the neighborhood.
 
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PhredPhantom

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Mar 3, 2008
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Cool, appreciate the explanation, even if to me it is totally unrealistic and unlikely ever happen(needing a gun for someone knocking).
I flew F-4 Phantoms for 12-13 years accumulating ~1,675 hours. Over all that time it was unlikely that I would ever have to bailout of one. In fact, I never did have to but we carried parachutes and sat in armed ejection seats on each and every flight in case we ever did need to do so. It only takes once. I’d rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. When the time comes that you need something quickly to defend your family and household, the bad guys won’t give you time to go and get what you need.

I live in a rural area in Mississippi as I’m sure many of y’all do. If someone knocks on my door or rings my doorbell during “normal” waking hours, I will answer the door in case it is someone who needs help or assistance. That’s common courtesy, especially in The South. I’ll be armed (concealed carry) because I’m always armed, much like 40MM. If the knock or ring comes in the middle of the night or the wee hours of the morning, I’ll still answer the door but I’ll have a weapon in my right hand behind my back and out of sight unless it proves to be needed. If that’s the case, I’ll show the weapon (but not point it at the visitor until their demeanor dictates it to be appropriate) so that the late-night visitor will have the opportunity to change his/her mind if they have bad intentions. This is not fear; it is preparedness.

I’ve had a late-night knock at the door to happen only once in the 40 years I’ve lived in this house. This is a true story. About 20-25 years ago (back before doorbell cameras), I got a knock on my back door at about one in the morning. I answered the door with a gun hidden behind my back. It was a young guy who said he was out of gas and wanted to know if I had any he could have. I actually didn’t have any and I told him so. I don’t know whether or not he noticed the gun behind my back. It was dark and the gun was black. I never brandished it. He left without incident. I think it makes a difference that my driveway is about 400’ long from the public road to my house. Anyway, as it turned out, this same young man and two other young people went to the house of a ~70 year-old man (I was about 45-50 at the time) that same night. They entered his house and robbed and killed him. They were later caught and eventually convicted but it didn’t bring back the life of their victim.

On another note, I don’t know about any past conflicts between gift and 40MM but I will have to say that making an argument personal and disparaging someone’s intelligence usually has no positive effect in persuading the opposing party to come around to your point of view.

I personally am probably closer to 40MM’s thinking on the arming issue but him calling glfr stupid doesn’t help his argument. A civil discussion may not always convince the opposing party but it does stand a better chance.

I hope I don’t wind up regretting that I offered my two cents’ worth here.
 

Dawgbite

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Nov 1, 2011
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I’m a self admitted gun nut. I love them. I think a well made gun is more of a piece of art than a painting in a museum. I have a carry permit but rarely carry. I try not to put myself in situations that I feel the need to carry. I have a gun in every vehicle. I have a gun within arms reach of my chair as I type this. I just don’t like to carry, guns are uncomfortable. I long ago removed myself from the gun debate. You aren’t changing anyone’s mind on the subject so stop wasting your breath. Guns are intimidating to people who didn’t grow up with them or haven’t trained extensively with them. A gun is a tool, nothing more. The media and rhetoric from both sides has blown it into this mythical thing, good or bad depending on your preconceived opinion.
 

mike tice

Senior
Sep 30, 2022
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Man, white people have it so bad right now. Whenever we shoot six people, it gets a little bit more national media coverage than when black people do it. I’m sorry this bothers you. It really sucks being a white person in America right now. ***

No, just sticking to reality

mass shooting of six people, hardly a mention in the national media.
Gonna have to go with Dabears here. A rarity. But when you're right your right.Crime in the black community is disproportionate and the media ignores the 17 out of it. Sorry if this offends. When I ask "What color is he?" it's automatically construed as racist. Why is that?
 

mike tice

Senior
Sep 30, 2022
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Threads like these are a fascinating window into how other people live. I've never touched a handgun in my life (neither has anyone else in my close family), and hopefully I never will, and then some people literally have a gun on them any time they're wearing pants. We grew up in the same state, the same American culture, and yet we still have this drastic difference in our approach to life.
Hopefully you never get in a bad situation on the "wrong side of town" ( car broken down in New Orleans ). Then you will forever understand. You will have no way of defending your family and "they" will take full advantage of this fact.
 
Jul 5, 2020
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I find it odd that you weirdos always equate firearms to penises. It’s a weird dick obsession that y’all have. That said, I live in a fairly safe area. I’ve got a pretty average wiener and my family is safer than most. I’m sorry that you have an irrational fear of guns and depend on others for your safety and the safety of your family. Guns are part of our every day lives. We hunt. We shoot competitively and we shoot for fun. Thank God we live in America and we have the freedom to choose our hobbies and habits.
Have I ever gotten my pistol out of my closet when I have felt a threat? Of course. But I don't feel the need to constantly wear it outside my pants for all the honest world to feel.

Not that it's at all important, but like almost every person on this board, I own several guns and have been around them for nearly 50 years. I was trained on a .410 when I was 6 or so. I've fired nearly every caliber round and can field strip and clean everything I own. I've used live grenades. I've hunted across the nation and am fully immersed in outdoor culture in the mountain west. I've drawn an elk tag nearly every season since 2003.

I can't remember one time that either of my grandparents, father or uncles ever felt the need to *open carry* or be armed at all times, certainly where I/they lived in Mississippi. They certainly never communicated that as part of being a responsible gun owner. The difference in gun culture over the last 2 or 3 decades is this need to display a readiness to rush into some type of live fire situation by being ready to "draw down". That is performative machismo that would have been downright embarrassing to my kin and their generation.
 
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thatsbaseball

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If someone knocks on my door at 10:00 PM i'll probably come to the window and see WHO THEY ARE . If someone knocks on my door at 12:00 AM they better know WHO I AM and call my name out loud because I'll be armed .
 
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40mikemike

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Sep 29, 2022
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Have I ever gotten my pistol out of my closet when I have felt a threat? Of course. But I don't feel the need to constantly wear it outside my pants for all the honest world to feel.

Not that it's at all important, but like almost every person on this board, I own several guns and have been around them for nearly 50 years. I was trained on a .410 when I was 6 or so. I've fired nearly every caliber round and can field strip and clean everything I own. I've used live grenades. I've hunted across the nation and am fully immersed in outdoor culture in the mountain west. I've drawn an elk tag nearly every season since 2003.

I can't remember one time that either of my grandparents, father or uncles ever felt the need to *open carry* or be armed at all times, certainly where I/they lived in Mississippi. They certainly never communicated that as part of being a responsible gun owner. The difference in gun culture over the last 2 or 3 decades is this need to display a readiness to rush into some type of live fire situation by being ready to "draw down". That is performative machismo that would have been downright embarrassing to my kin and their generation.
Who said anything at all about open carrying? Open carry is a disadvantage in the real world.

While we’re on the subject of small penises, did yours start shrinking before or after you “fired nearly every caliber round”, threw live grenades and slaughtered innocent animals?
 
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dorndawg

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Im not sure. I guess it's a learned response. Maybe because often the person is black thats doing whatever thing that caused the question.What's your opinion?
I don't know you mike, so I'm not sure why people think that about you. Sounds like maybe you've had some bad experiences with Black folks before and now when you hear about a bad event maybe your first inclination is to wonder if a black person did it? I've been guilty of that before with various groups myself.