The Steel Guitar Forum

As a matter of fact...I am leaving on Sunday to go to Austin to the Texas Department of Public Safety Training Academy. I will spend one week there taking courses to become a Certified Concealed Handgun License Instructor. I have had my CHL (Concealed Handgun License) for about four years and carry on my person everywhere not prohibited by law. I have had many musicians express interest in becoming licensed to carry which is one reason I am getting my instructor credentials.

Here in TN, it's not a concealed-carry permit. It's a handgun-carry permit. Legally, it doesn't have to be concealed, although it would be courting trouble if not concealed! Also the permit allows for any legal handgun that you own and more than one-at-a-time, if you so choose! I like the idea of not being limited to just one spacific gun, because; I own several and like to be able to choose, although; I seldom carry at all! I know I can, if I want/need to.

I met a guy in San Francisco once who asked where he could get a steel bar, like the one we use for playing, for protection. He reasoned it would be better than brass knuckles if he ever got stopped by the cops - he could claim that he was a steel guitarist. True story!

This whole topic is pretty far afield from "Steel Players and Their Music". We've allowed other off topic threads here in the interest of community building, but handgun discussions can get politically charged. I hope that doesn't happen here.

b0b, we'll try to play nice. We should, anyway. BTW, strings came today. Thanks!!

Oh !,those were the days !!Not even allowed an air gun without a licence in the Uk these days !
Frank. Corfu

Having a concealed carry permit does not advertise that you are indeed carrying, it's just a piece of paper that says you are legally allowed to carry if you so choose.Whether or not you do is totally up to the individual.

Lately I have done a few gigs with a fella ( retired Sherrif) who pretty much convinced me that having a permit and not carrying is better than NOT having a permit and not carrying.

He then convinced me that owning a handgun thats at home while I am 50 miles away at 2 in the morning is pretty much a bust.

As musicians we face late nights, Gas Stations, rear of buildings..etc, some of us are putting ourselves right into the hot spots. Entire bands walk out back doors of clubs with hundreds of dollars in cash in there pockets. I wonder who else knows this ?

We are also carrying thousands of $$$ in Instruments.

Be smart, be safe. If I do decide to carry I pray I will never be faced with a situation to have to use it. Also keep in mind that the #1 reason to carry is for SELF protection, not to break up or get involved in a situation. Thats a decision folks have to make on there own in a split second.

We had an issue in our very sleepy, quiet, out of the way rural neighborhood a week or two back, involving a drugged out teenager, his girlfriend and a Shot Gun...that morning I know of 3 neighbors who had there 9mm's on the table next to there cup of coffee.

be smart , be safe. BE TRAINED. Get home safe from the gigs. Especially the next one.

Papa Joe Pollick wrote:Ya mean I'm spossed ta have a permit?? Now ya tell me.. P J...

Problem with a permit, is there's too many places where you can't carry. No permit? Strapped 100%!

Some things to remember regarding the CHL:

1. Don't carry a handgun (concealed or otherwise) unless you intend to use it. If you carry a CH as a threat, only, a dangerous situation for you could end up even more dangerous. Numerous scenarios would be the reason.

2. ALWAYS conclude that you WILL use a concealed weapon to KILL, not to injure. There's no way to guaranty a non-lethal use of a firearm.

3. If you do use a concealed firearm, keep in mind you may NOT be found innocent in the inevitable court-of-law. You could face capital charges for your defensive actions. Or, at the very least, a civil trial.

Yes, a worst case scenario (as in number 3) is better than a perceived fatal threat to you or those with you. Just keep in mind these possible ramifications. If you don't, you'll be tragically foolish.

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn

b0b..sorry if I posted this in the wrong section...I was curious and did not know where else to post

Glenn,

I understand all 3 points...My instructor went over that thoroughly...

If you do use deadly force on the guy..You will go to court..Some person in his family is going to believe he "was just a good kid, and never did anything wrong"

Thanks for all your input!

Brandon

Wright's Ballroom, Akron, and The Bridge Tavern, Cleveland. After the first gigs at those clubs, I never went back un-armed!

Just remember that even though you have a permit to carry, that does not give you the right to carry everywhere. Certain places are prohibited to those even with a CCW license. Prohibited places generally include bars and restaurants, where you probrobly gig. So even if you have a license, you may not be permitted, and be in violation of the law. Make sure you are educated about what is actually legal to do or you might find yourself in hot water. Now of course, what mamma don't know won't hurt her, but that is the chance you take if you decide to carry anyway.

"Prohibited places generally include bars"
I know that. But I also know the clientele and neighborhoods of those two bars.
Case of "better safe, than sorry!" Last time I played the Bridge, we moved our stuff close to the door, and called the cops for protection whilst we loaded up and skedaddled!

I think telling people you carry a concealed anything kinda...defeats the purpose, don't it?

It sure do(sic), and no kinda about it, so, about myself, . . .

With this economy, it will get more desparate. I talked to a bar maid at Billy Bob's and she had 5 bullet holes in her car from going to work. She travelled on a main highway. I honestly do fear the same when travelling home at night. A do-do was robbed 3 times while using a phone at a 7-11. He was from the country and didn't know better than to stop at a rough neighborhood. He's learning. I talked to an officer and he says you may carry a gun in the car as long as it visible. And you may carry it to the motel as long as you conceal it. Dick Wood correct me on this if I'm wrong. I talked to Marcus on this. When we worked Billy Bob's, our manager, a cop went to the back alley to his truck and 5 dummies tried to jump him. Bryan, an officer, pulled out his gun and told 'them' hands on the wall or I'll shoot. It wasn't their day - huh? Billy Bob's called the police and says 'there's a nut with a gun exposed, yelling and he's threatening 5 guys'. The police then, arrested the 5 guys. What a night! But if that would have been me or you, most likely we'd be done without a gun.

With this economy, things will get worse. I was told you may carry a gun in the car if you do not conceal it. And you may carry it to the motel room if you 'do' conceal it. Dick Wood, need your stamp on this. When I worked Billy Bob's one time, our manager at that time, Bryan, an officer, walk out to the back alley to go to his truck. 5 guys tried to jump him. Then they heard, 'put your hands on the wall and don't move', while Bryan had a gun pointed at them and was yelling at them. Not their day, huh?Billy Bob's didn't know what was going on and called the city police. Bryan flashed his badge. End of story. If it was me, I would have been done for, not having a gun with me.

When I first read the title of this thread I had visions of a shotgun drawer under the PSG, rather like the drawer behind the bar in old time saloons.

Then I started thinking how bad the music would have to be before you had to defend yourself against the audience...

Years ago when Rufus Thibodeaux the fiddle player and i worked together we both had guns in the back of our amps.He kept his in case some one requested the OBS and me if some one requested the steel guitar rag.
Only kidding.Just wished we could have.

Ted,

I don't recall the Billy Bob's incident so I can't really say one way or the other.

The concealed handgun license and UCW (unlawfully carrying a weapon) are two separate laws.

Sept. 1 2007 UCW laws were relaxed in that you may now carry a handgun in a vehicle as long as it's CONCEALED which can be under the seat,trunk,glove compartment etc. whereas prior to the change,you could have been arrested except under certain circumstances although Officers still had the ultimate authority to arrest in all situations.

There has never been a "Motel" provision per se so you could be arrested under UCW unless you had a CHL but then again businesses can restrict customers from entering even if they have a valid CHL so be careful.

Even though the gun laws have been relaxed,criminal and civil penalties for it's use in various situations have not.

Ray do you need a permit to carry that quad neck? Do you have a crew to move it for you? Great looking guitar. I would love to hear you play that thing

Don't need one. I am authorized to carry a handgun all the time since I am in law enforcment. But the thing is, I very seldom carry it. Maybe I am blessed to live in Montana and not face some of things you all face in your travels. It does not give me one bit of security or confindence. The odds are almost better that it would get me into something bigger than I could handle without it. Just my 2 cents after having been around guns for a long time.

Ken,

I couldn't have said it any better.Most of my older Police buddies don't carry either.

I own guns, I like guns. I have never felt a need to carry. I've been playing and travelin the world for the past 35 years and I have never found myself in a situation where I would have felt safer carrying cept a six month stint in Fairbanks when the Moose and Wolves were on the prowl.

Maybe it has something to do with states where so many people do that causes others to think that they should also.

I am with Ken on this one.

SS

I think it clearly has to do with the regions and area's folks live in. Although I stated an incident in our neighborhood above which took place last week. You really never know.

My few Sheriff friends carry off duty, but this is Charlotte NC too..lots of bad stuff going around. There isn't 100 miles between houses here.

Brandon,

I didn't know that you had to have a permit to carry in TX. Or is the permit for concealed carry?

Here in TN you have to have a permit to carry, but you can conceal or OC. I don't think it is wise to OC other than if you are going to the range.

I very seldom leave home without a firearm, and I go cocked and locked. No way I am going to hide in the corner of a mall or in the bathroom of a restaurant and wait for some jerk to reload so I can safely bust a move.

I was asked once why I carried around a loaded .45, the answer was: They don't make a .46!

b0b,

I apologize, sorry if it frightened you.