I purposely haven't replied to this thread, because I was waiting for responses and opinions from others. I do come to the forums often, but I don't often feel compelled to post.
It doesn't matter whether I am a law enforcement officer or not, or whether I have a permit to carry a concealed firearm. I should have stated that my firearm was concealed while in the restaurant. Personally, if Maryland had a law permitting the carrying of firearms by law abiding people, then I wouldn't mind if it was an open carry policy. At least then I can see who is armed. It would be the people concealing the firearms I would be worried about.
The point of my posting was to bring attention to the firearms debate and to prove that guns and knives are not dangerous. They are just tools used by some dangerous and evil people. I was wondering if you or any of the patrons of the restaurant would have been in fear if they had known there was a gun in the dining area with them, or would they have been in fear of the person it was on?
I was hoping more people would give their opinions on whether they feel safe or threatened by having people carrying firearms around them. Were the people in danger or were they safer because I was carrying a firearm?
What if an ex disgruntled employee had burst into the restaurant and had a firearm? What if someone had tried to commit an armed robbery, while innocent employees and patrons were there? What if some evil crazed lunatic, who feels nobody pays him enough attention and needs to make himself famous, came into the restaurant and started shooting the place up? I can guarantee that person's actions would have been put to an immediate stop!
If more law abiding citizens were permitted to be armed, and carried concealed or open firearms, I guarantee there would be less crime in the country. Criminals and evil people would thing twice before they committed acts.
As Robert Heinlein wrote: "An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life.".
In closing, remember that firearms are just a tool. They dont "spontaneously" start firing and kill people. There are enough gun controls laws in place all ready. Law abiding, gun educated people are not reckless nor run wild shooting places up. They make things safer for themselves and you. Don't believe everything the media attempts to cram down your throat. The media is often uneducated and look for ratings just like any other television broadcast.
