Month: September 2012

Open Carry

As I’ve mentioned previously, I listen to the Squirrel Report podcast on my way home from work. Each week, they have a call-in topic, or a topic that most of the callers talk about at any rate. I would love to listen live, but since I normally have to get up at Oh-Dark-Early, I’m in bed before they come on. One of these days that I have a Friday off, I’m going to listen and call in.

Since I can’t call in at the moment, I’m going to answer their call-in question each week. If nothing else, it should motivate me to write on this blog more.

Anyways, the episode for Sept. 6 was about open carry. My personal belief is that anything I can legally carry, I should be able to do openly or concealed. Unfortunately, I live in Florida, which doesn’t allow open carry with some very specific exceptions. There are plenty of times I would love the ability to open carry, simply so I’m not having to wear extra shirts in hot weather. Supposedly, the NRA is backing Florida Carry’s push for open carry this legislative session, but I’ll believe it when I see it.

My only open carry story doesn’t actually involve a firearm. Before my current job, I was working at McDonald’s as the night manager. One of the stores I worked at was inside a Wal-Mart. One night, a lady comes up to me as I’m closing up to tell me she saw a man with a knife. I asked where he was and did he threaten her or her children. No threat, the man just had a knife on his belt. Knowing Florida law and Wal-Mart policy, I politely informed the lady that if the man wasn’t threatening anyone or breaking the law, I wasn’t going to do anything. Needless to say, she was less than pleased. It devolved into he’s scaring my children (I think your scaring your children by the way your acting) and what if he was carrying a gun (that would be against the law, and we would have to call the police). At the end, she decided to just leave the store. Nothing I could or would have said would have done a damn thing to change her mind, and I don’t care.

I think if you’re going to open carry, you should observe the don’t be a dick rule. It’s probably a good idea to have a holster with some sort of retention as well. In all honesty, unless you’re wearing a neon green holster with a fire-engine red pistol, most people aren’t even going to notice.

Zombie Strike Part 3 Chapter 19

In Chapter 19, Quentin and Billy Shakespear were recovering as Zombie Strike arrives on scene. Quentin tries to decipher some of the archeological clues to help the team find out why the site was attacked.

Narrator: Kenn Blanchard

Story: Derek Ward

This episode was originally broadcast on the Urban Shooter podcast.

Note: In the early episodes, I hadn’t figured out the numbering scheme. So the part/chapter numbers on the audio may not match the post title.

Friday Quote – Neil Armstrong

“It was never a concern…I know that somebody is going to go fly back up there and pick up the camera I left.”

Neil Armstrong on people believing the moon landing was hoaxed.

This is such an understated, but brilliant, comment. The more and more you think about it, the better it becomes. It certainly ranks up there with some of my favorite quotes from Winston Churchill.

Zombie Strike Part 3 Chapter 18

In Chapter 18, Quentin is forced to fend off a zombie horde that was once his friends and colleagues on the Mexican dig. He manages to call M&W and ask for help, but will it reach him in time.

Narrator: Kenn Blanchard

Story: Derek Ward

This episode was originally broadcast on the Urban Shooter podcast.

Note: In the early episodes, I hadn’t figured out the numbering scheme. So the part/chapter numbers on the audio may not match the post title.

Zombie Strike Part 3 Chapter 17

In Chapter 17, Quentin McLintock is on archeological dig in Mexico. After some on the dig find a gollum medallion, the camp is attacked.

Narrator: Kenn Blanchard

Story: Derek Ward

This episode was originally broadcast on the Urban Shooter podcast.

Note: In the early episodes, I hadn’t figured out the numbering scheme. So the part/chapter numbers on the audio may not match the post title.

New Monter Hunter Novel Will Always Take Precedence

Monster Hunter Legion, the latest in the Monster Hunter series by the Larry Corriea released this week. I am grateful that the audio version dropped the same week as the dead-tree version. First, because I don’t have to spend long weeks avoiding spoilers in the gun blogs. Secondly, in my day job, there are long stretches that I can fill up with podcasts or audiobooks. The audio versions of the MH books are awesome and are part of my normal “EDC” of audiobooks on my phone. I’ve listened to just over half so far, and Legion is keeping up with its predecessors and looks to surpass.

A special congratualtions and thank you goes out to Robb Allen, whose Tampa-based MHI team was included in this book. As a fellow resident of Tampa, it was exciting to hear the Sticks of Fire team mentioned. May he enjoy his contribution to the MH-verse to the fullest extent possible. (Slightly jealous because in my infite stupidity, I didn’t get my own team submitted in time).