robbiev

Had the same experience here about 9 years ago (including my boss telling me to get out of it, which I did not try to do). We were told at the initial meeting that there were a few reasons you could get out of jury duty: if you had served within 10 years, if you had been found mentally incompetent, if you were addicted to drugs or alcohol, and maybe one or two others. Then he added, "Don't bother trying to get out for any other reason. It won't happen." He mentioned a few specific reasons that would not get you out, including financial hardship and/or owning your own business. I was called into one courtroom, but was not picked for the jury. I was simply sent back to the jury waiting room. On Thursday morning of that week, we were told the juries were full for the week and we could go home. I had a permit, but I didn't take my gun with me. I had someone drop me off each morning at the front door of the jury building. Interestingly enough, when we did go over to the courthouse, we were escorted around the metal detectors. If I had carried a gun, it probably woudn't have been an issue since we didn't have to go through the detectors.

I've been pulled over several times over the last few years, but also had a couple of other interactions with the police (not because of anything I did). I've never been disarmed or even had a situation where the cop acted like it was even an issue.

Just become a Shriner. I'm pretty sure we're allowed to drink at the temple!

They have two trigger pulls? I guess I shoot mine so fast I never noticed. RR

Luckly, you don't have to be a member of MSSA to shoot in the IDPA matches. You only have to pay the match fee. $10 I think.

If you want to be one, ask one. Or is that the Shriners? I can't remember. Actually, if you don't know any, you can contact a local lodge and tell them you're interested, or if you want to contact me off-list, I'll be glad to find someone in your area for you to contact. The person will give you a petition, which you simply fill out and return. My email is rrmemphis@comcast.net Edited: this is the link for one of the lodges in your area (assuming you're in "Monroe" County and not "Monore" County): http://www.gmwp.org/lodges/080.html You're still welcome to contact me, or you can contact someone at that lodge. I'm both, a Mason and Shriner, Memphis lodge 771 and Al Chymia Shriners. ...and the circus is this week in Memphis. Come to the circus and you get to hear me play the trumpet!

I don't play much any more simply because I have other hobbies, but when I do play, I carry. I carry a full size gun and spare mag on my hip, just like any other day of the week. It's already been covered, but golf courses aren't immune to violence.

I had several Camaros and several Corvettes before I was 21. Got pulled over all the time in the Camaros, but never once in the Corvettes. I had a Camaro a few years ago (I was in my early 30s), got pulled over all the time, even when I wasn't speeding. I have a Corvette now, I've been pulled over three times in 6 years. Two of the times I was going about 10 MPH over the speed limit in a small town, the other, I was going about 20 MPH over on the local interstate. No tickets. Never once been pulled over in the Corvette for weaving or anything else other than speeding, but got it all the time in the Camaro. I think I see a pattern. Back on topic: I've never had a problem during a traffic stop since I've been carrying (about 12 years). Even the time I was pulled over the in the Camaro for drag racing, even though I was absolutely not drag racing, she was cool about the permit.

I carry my gun, period. The "place" is absolutely irrelevant to me, and is not even a consideration. Many people tend to think of self defense as "is it ok for me to carry here?" I think of self defense as "I'm going to have my gun in case I need it."

I can name names, although I won't in this venue. Right off hand I can think of 5 people that will tell you they don't need to take any training because they shoot IDPA and they have learned everything they need to know for a gunfight. These same people will also tell you that they are glad they found IDPA, because now they have skills that are REALLY needed in a gunfight, compared to that gamey old IPSC where what you learn will just get you killed. (note: I'm not saying I believe that, I just know people who do). You didn't say that you were referring to my post, but I mentioned barrels and grips in my post. In my post, I wasn't referring to "better quality." I was referring to modifications that make the gun shoot differently, but are considered competition only modifications (by at least some people). Bowling. Don't forget bowling. Ooooh, and fishing. I understand your point, but some people are under the incorrect assumption/idea/notion that IPSC *requires* a certain type of equipment. I shoot the exact same equipment in IDPA as in IPSC. There is no requirement for more expensive equipment to shoot in an IPSC match. I shoot a Sig 226 or 229 with a Bladetec holster in every handgun sport in which sport I compete. They also happen to be the exact same guns and holsters I carry on a daily basis. Not similar or even "exactly alike" but the actual same guns. I don't even own any "race" equipment, and have no interest in buying any, even though I shoot in a sport where it could be advantageous.

I guess it depends on one's personal definition of "radically." Many people I know shoot a gun in IDPA that is very different from the gun they actually carry, even if it's the same brand and model. If someone carries, say a completely stock Sig 226, but in competition they shoot a Sig 226 with different grips, different sights, a different trigger, a custom trigger job, a different barrel, and a different mainspring and recoil spring, I would consider that radically different, compared to the stock gun. Even in big matches, I've rarely (if ever) seen anyone really examine a gun to see if it has been modified. You could easily show up at an IDPA match and shoot a gun that doesn't meet the requirements and no one would ever really know the difference. I certainly know plenty of people who have. As to the OP, no, there are lots of other differences, mostly, as others have said, in the way you are allowed to shoot a stage. In USPSA/IPSC, you can usually shoot a stage any way you want to. In IDPA, you have to shoot the stage as specified by the stage description or by a specific set of rules which apply all the time. These rules dictate in which order you have to engage targets, what types of reloads you can perform, how many rounds you can load in your magazines, and, in some circumstances, where you must be positioned while you shoot. Other differences include what types of equipment are allowed; holster, gun, magazine carriers, etc, and where it can be positioned on your body. Also, the number of targets is usually much lower, and the distance closer in IDPA. The scoring system is also very different.

Apparently, the information I had was outdated or incorrect. The info I had specifically stated "firearm" instead of "any weapon prohibited by § 39-17-1302(a)" I'm assuming it was a copy of the old law, but it may simply be something that was wrong.

Here's what some of the related laws say: "On the grounds of any public park, playground, civic center or other building facility, area or property owned, used or operated by any municipal, county or state government, or instrumentality thereof, for recreational purposes." That seems fairly clear. If the property is owned or operated by any goverment agency, it's off limits. "Recreational" may be the only ambigious part of that, although, in my personal opinion, a fair would be considered a recreational activity. If it's owned and/or operated by an individual or a private company, this law wouldn't apply, but they could post signs if they chose to. The "alcohol" law specifies "within the confines of a building" however, if they sell beer, I wouldn't recommend hoping for that to be a loophole.

And probably thinks it's funny since no one was hurt. Even though he did say "Oh S$#t" he gave a very nonchalant "You allright?"

And I have no problem with that. Certainly each individual is free to do whatever they want to do and/or feel comfortable with. I just personally don't feel any need to do it.

I did notice, but I wasn't referring specifically to you in my reply. I was referring simply to people who believe there are parts of town where there can't be crime. I didn't intend to imply that's what YOU meant. I know that probably doesn't make any sense: I was referring to one of your statements, but not to you specifically. Oh well, it made sense to me.

I understood that. My point was, someone said they only felt uncomfortable without a gun in certain parts of town. I have never told anyone I thought they should carry a gun all the time, but I have run into many people that honestly believe there are certain parts of town where crime CAN'T happen and you could never be in danger period. "Feeling safe" and "being safe" are not necessarily the same. That was my only point.

The problem with being the "least bad part of town" is, it's a lot like being the "least hungry anorexic."

When I first started shooting, I was taught to use the Weaver Stance, by someone who believed that if you didn't use Weaver, you'd get killed in a gunfight. Since that time, I have learned to vary my stance depending on the situation. IMO, there is no one single stance that works perfectly for every situation, since as others have said, real gunfights don't seem to involve standing static and trading shots. I try to think of "stance" as a starting platform, but not any type of panacea. You have to start somewhere, then you go on from there.

I realize you are a pastor, but I don't agree. I don't feel obligated to inform anyone that I'm carrying a gun, whether at church or anywhere else. Strictly speaking, as long as I'm not breaking any laws, it's nobody else's business.

I carry in church because I might have to shoot somebody. Location is irrelavent.

It's not always a good idea to make decisions about an aread of town based on what you do or don't see on the news. There are tons of armed robberies and other crimes that don't make the news.

I doubt it very seriously.

In TN, you can only legally carry a loaded handgun in your car if you have a permit. Since the permit doesn't cover shotguns, it isn't legal to carry a shotgun.

Unfortunately, Packing isn't kept up to date any more. Also, for the last week or so, it's been down completely. All the "southern" states recognize it also, except "southern Illinois."