Interesting article written by a reporter in North Carolina. I thought he captured an interesting insight on the subject.



Boyle column: What it's like to carry a loaded gun

Of all the participatory journalism I've done over my two-decade career, I've got to say carrying a loaded pistol into Subway and then eating lunch next to a cop was probably the weirdest.

And by weird, I mostly mean "uncomfortable."

As part of a story that ran this week on the explosion in concealed carry permits in Buncombe County, the region and the entire country, I decided to get my own permit, and then carry some. So for the past two months or so, I've been packin' heat — at Walmart, Ingles, sub shops, downtown sidewalks, even an art gallery once.

Now that my story and this column have run, I think I'm good on carrying a loaded firearm every day. More on that later.

First of all, let me detail the process. I live in Henderson County, so I had to go through the Sheriff's Office there for my permit. Buncombe County has a very similar process, as the state mandates most of this.

The first step is to complete a Firearms Safety Course, followed by an appointment with the Sheriff's Office. You've got to bring the certificate showing you passed the Firearms Safety Training Course, a valid North Carolina driver's license (former military must bring a copy of their DD214), and a receipt for the payment of the $90 application fee.

At the meeting, which includes another 20 or so people, you sign a bunch of paperwork, including a release for your doctor to fill out a form vouching for your ability to carry a firearm, and you get your fingerprints taken. They tell you it's going to take six-eight weeks to get the permit in the mail, and that's what it took me — mine came in February.

The eight-hour safety course costs $75 and covers the basics of pistol shooting and safe gun handling, and a primer on state laws governing concealed handguns and the use of deadly force. Instructor Jeff Stucker also had us practice drawing and dry firing (no live rounds), and then drawing and shooting live rounds.

Stucker impressed me with his overall knowledge of shooting, but more so with his bluntness about the gravity of carrying a loaded weapon and the ramifications of using it. He talked about two incidents where he had to pepper spray someone, including an incident where an extremely drunk man walked into Stucker's car after a NASCAR race, then claimed Stucker hit him.

When the man became belligerent and physical, Stucker gave him a snout full of pepper spray and called the police. The problem was solved, and no one was killed or permanently injured.

Stucker also told us that even if you shoot someone and it appears justified, you will likely be charged with something, while the courts will figure it all out. That means a year or more of your life will be filled with tension, and you'll probably pay a lawyer tens of thousands of dollars.

Later, in a phone call, Stucker stressed how carrying a gun gives some people a false sense of security. They buy a gun, take the class and get the permit, then never practice drawing or shooting.

For my part, I'm 51 years old, and I've never really felt the need to carry a gun every day. Years ago in Richmond, Virginia, when I delivered pizzas in dicey areas, I broke company policy and carried pepper spray, and I had a couple of incidents that were scary and I was glad to have it.

But otherwise, I've not felt the need to carry — even a few months ago in downtown Asheville when I had a disconcerting encounter with a guy I believe was mentally ill.

He imagined some sort of slight when I walked past, and when I got to Pack Library, I realized he had turned around and followed me.

He proceeded to follow me through the hallway to the parking deck, and at the door I sped up, wheeled around and confronted him.

"Do you have a problem with me?" I said.

He went off on a profanity-laden tirade, saying he would, ahem, mess me up if I ever disrespected him again. We parted company without any physical altercation, but I won't lie — it rattled me.

I've thought about that incident many times since, especially when I'm carrying. First of all, you can't carry in that hallway, as it's Buncombe County property and the signs on the door say no firearms.

Secondly, would I want to shoot that guy? If I drew a weapon, would it have escalated a situation that ended peacefully?

I know I wouldn't want to shoot the guy, who was clearly mentally troubled.

But if he had a weapon and came at me, and I truly felt my life was in danger? I could pull the trigger.

I know I would, if one of my children or my wife were ever threatened.

But in the current state of our society, I feel like these scenarios are highly unlikely.

Sure, society could fall apart from an economic collapse, an epidemic or a terrorist attack, but those seem like pretty remote possibilities.

My mind kept running to the gray area, where maybe a crazed gunman comes into Ingles and fires a shot in the ceiling and threatens the workers.

Actually, a gunman robbed the Long Shoals Ingles not too long ago and accidentally fired a shot, so this isn't all that far-fetched.

Would I pull out a gun and confront him? Would I shoot? Would it be the right move, or would it exacerbate the situation, turning a potentially dangerous but non-lethal situation into a deadly encounter.

The chances of a hero scenario playing out are pretty remote in my mind.

On the practical side, I'm not a fan of carrying regularly, either. Even concealed carry guns, which are smaller than standard-sized handguns, are somewhat weighty and certainly feel bulky in a pocket. In a jacket pocket or a holster, they feel much more comfortable.

So, if you're so inclined, spend the money to get a well-made, lightweight gun with a good concealed carry holster. Learn how to use it, and practice.

Consider a gun with a safety if you're not comfortable carrying a loaded weapon or really worried about an accidental discharge. It happens.

Learn where you can and can't carry, because carrying in places that prohibit it is a misdemeanor and you can lose your permit.

And be sure you're mentally able and willing to kill someone. I'm not joking — that's what this is about.

For my part, I don't see myself continuing to walk into Subway or go grocery shopping with a loaded .25-caliber pistol in my front pocket, or my .357 magnum on my hip.

It just seems like it would lead to way more problems than it would solve.

I'm glad to have the permit, should I ever feel the need to carry frequently, but for now, I think I'm going to stick with the pepper spray.

This is the opinion of John Boyle. Contact him at 828-232-5847 or jboyle@citizen-times.com.