Quote Originally Posted by Whistler View Post
Let me get this straight - just because you happen to carry you should keep your head down, eyes averted, eat shit and let anyone do anything that doesn't directly place you in a position of imminent loss of life just because they might break stupid? The guy was Neighborhood Watch who's charge was to look for suspicious activity, I won't consider profiling because it's my opinion if you want to look/act like a "gangsta" don't be shocked when people think you are a "gangsta". As a member of my community/neighborhood I have every right to want to know what someone is up to when they appear to be suspicious, are acting or dressed in a manner that makes me think they are up to no good. I choose not to wait until I've been shot, attacked, burglarized, etc. before I watch them and/or politely ask exactly why they are there and what they are up to. I've been asked and it doesn't bother me a bit to explain why I'm wandering around in a place or at a time that would make someone suspicious of my intent. Never once did it occur to me to attack that person and punch them in the face for trying to make the place they live safer, in fact I thanked them for their involvement. It shouldn't bother or offend any rational person though I wouldn't push it beyond a polite inquiry and notify the proper authorities if they take exception as I would consider that confirmation of my suspicion. While I believe carrying to be a grave responsibility and a last resort in extreme circumstance, the fact that I carry (or not) does not dissuade me from what I consider reasonable inquiry to ensure the safety of myself, my neighbors and my community. No I'm not LEO and I don't have a "hero complex", I'm a responsible member of my community under no delusion that the world isn't filled with scumbags and ne'er-do-wells. I further don't call that being a "badass" or thumping my chest, I don't want to fight and damn sure don't want to shoot anyone but I certainly don't want to live in a place where no one wants to "get involved" to keep it from becoming a shithole. Isn't that the point of Neighborhood Watch to begin with? Let me propose a different scenario; "Hi I'm George with the Neighborhood Watch, how are you this evening?" "Oh hi George I'm Trayvon. I'm staying with my Dad's girlfriend for a few days and had a craving for some Skittles, headed back to the house." "Nice to meet you Trayvon, I like Skittles too, maybe I'll go get some. Have a nice evening." "You too George and thanks for keeping an eye on the neighborhood."
bold statement - correct. otherwise you roll the dice. if youd like to that its a free country, just don't be surprised when you end up like zimmerman, or like my buddy who did time for his bar fight incident.

the point of the neighborhood watch is to alert police to suspicious activity, not engage a suspicious person. if you actively see someone break into a house or assault someone its a bit different. no point in approaching someone walking down the street. what do you expect to gain from that? you think they are going to say, "well yes sir, i was about to rob a place, thanks for stopping me?" either the person is up to no good and therefore is going to cause you some trouble you don't want, or they are simply walking down the street. either way, approaching them and talking to them won't necessarily tell you anything, but it may get you in trouble. watch from a very safe distance until the police arrive.