Yesterday was Sunday, September 11th. It was the 10 year anniversary. Like many people in America that day, I was spending it with my family. My usual routine on Sunday is to go over to my parent’s house so this wasn’t out of the ordinary. I stopped to fill up the gas tank on my truck as I was heading out there. This is also fairly common place. I had a conversation at the pump which was not particularly common. This is a story about that conversation.
After putting the fuel nozzle away, I was putting the gas cap back on my tank when I heard a man from behind me say,
- “Excuse me young man, not that I am not also a young man - heh heh” I turned around to see a man maybe in his early 40’s dressed in tan pants and a white striped button up shirt un-tucked, sort of a casual look. He appeared hygienically sound, not extensive body odor, shoes tied, maybe a day or so since his last shave and dark aviator sunglasses. In short, he didn’t look out of place for a relaxed Sunday morning at a gas station. He certainly looked a little more together than I did. I was wearing a green T-shirt, cut-off camouflaged cargo pants with a rip in the seat, my dirty work cap, boots and safety sunglasses with a solid three days growth on my face.
- I replied with a friendly smile “Heh-heh, how’s it going?”
- He said “I’m just fine. I was wondering how you’re feeling now that November 1st is coming up?”I frantically scanned the current events bulletin board in my brain but say nothing for November 1st that this guy could be asking about.
- I stammered “I, uh, I’m sorry, I’m not sure what you’re referring to.”
- He said “Wisconsin’s Concealed Carry Law goes into effect, what do you think?!”I was thinking about what a precarious position I may have just found myself in. The Concealed Carry Law is a very controversial topic in Wisconsin right now and the opposing parties can get quite riled up on the subject. Add to that the fact that this guy is starting a conversation like this on a politically and emotionally charged day like September 11th and the volatility of the situation sky-rockets. I have no idea what this guys point of view is or his motives for striking up this little chat with me. I’ve been attacked under the guise of an innocent conversation before so I’m leery.
However, I decide to answer him honestly and tell him I agreed with the law and I think it’s about time we got it passed here in Wisconsin. He asked me if I’ve been to a training class yet so I can get my permit the day it goes into effect and I tell him that I have not.
-He says “Well, what are you waiting for man! You’re going to have to wait in line and that could take a while.”
- I explain “I can afford to go to any of the classes right now. I actually want to wait until they work out the inevitable problems that are going to crop up once this law goes into effect. Plus, I don’t even own a handgun. If I can’t afford the class and permit I sure can’t afford a gun.”
- He asks “Why don’t you own a gun?”I then tell him I own a couple of rifles but I am just now learning about firearms. I am learning about the different types, their safe operation, maintenance and storage, and deciding what make and model of gun I want or even if I want one.”
- “Why wouldn’t you want one? Don’t you want to be able to protect yourself and your property?” He asked me in a shocked tone of voice.I explain that I’m not too worried about property loss. If someone wants what I have badly enough to steal it or pull a gun on me, they can have it. There is nothing I own that I will die for. I might give you a hell of a fight for some of it if it’s human against human but once the mortality rate rises, I lose interest quickly.
As for protecting myself, I’ve made it 36 years defending my life without a gun. Short of a complete collapse of modern society, I’m pretty sure I could find my way to the end of my road without needing one. I am a 6’ 1” male, broad built, coming in at just under 300lbs. I am not what you would call an immediate physical target.
- He asks me “Why even bother to get the permit if you don’t have the guts to use it.”
- I said “It’s not a matter of “guts”, it’s a matter of practicality. The majority of places I frequent are likely to post signs prohibiting guns in their facility. That is their right and I respect it. That would mean I have to leave my gun in my car where and jack-ass can break a window and steal it. Now a criminal has MY gun. It has nothing to do with “having the guts to use it” and it’s that attitude that is providing some of the support for the anti-gun crowd.”
- He says “Well, I just meant why go through all that if you’re not convinced you’ll use it.”
- I said “I want to be able to have the legal option to carry if I feel it necessary. I also think training is a great thing. Knowledge is a great thing. The more you know about things the less scary they are.”This seems to make us friends again because he starts quoting statistics (a small pet peeve of mine) and joking about popular Hollywood gun myths seen in movies. I banter with him for a couple more minutes because it seems he’s starting to work his way toward an end.
He says “Well, it was good talking with you. Good luck to you when you decide it get your permit.”He extends his hand to shake and now I have to decide whether or not I’m going to touch this man’s hand. Most of the time it’s an automatic response; you want to shake, bang, here’s your hand shake. Most of the time, however, the shake doesn’t follow a semi-awkward potentially conflict ridden conversation with a stranger.
In the end, I shook his hand because he never really gave off a vibe I was worried about. As I mentioned, I’ve found myself mixed up in some unpleasant interactions with people and living in downtown Waukesha you run into people who aren’t always clear minded so you get a sense of who’s going to be trouble and who isn’t. This guy just seemed like he wanted to have a conversation with a fellow gun enthusiast and given that I was a large guy dressed in wannabe army garb standing next to a truck he thought he could be open. Whatever the case was we parted ways with a hand shake and a smile. I don’t know about the rest of that guy’s day, but I know he had a bright point talking with me at gas pump number 1 on Grand Avenue in Waukesha. I certainly came away with something; Yet another Wacky World of Waukesha story.
(Note – For those with differing opinions of the concealed carry law who feel affronted by the view expressed here, please feel free to review the first post on this blog
HERE. Thanks)
