First of all, just because I keep an AR on me doesn't mean I'm looking for trouble. It means that if trouble comes, I want to be able to dispatch it quickly. Second, I keep an AR because I grew up here in Atlanta and I know how this city is (I was robbed 6 times growing up). Third, state law gives me the right to employ deadly force to protect my property (not limited to real property)...this law was passed several years ago. You have no right tell someone to stop carrying around guns because it makes them an idiot. I'd say you're an idiot for refusing to acknowledge that there are people in the world that you may need to protect yourself from. Now my situation wasn't self defense, it was defense of my property. I'm not the "lay down and take it" type. I'm the type that if I'm in a position to help myself then I will..period point blank. The reason crime is so high is because of people like you who too afraid to protect yourselves and are content with just filing a police report after the fact and hoping that the cops investigate it. Most of the time the police will never even look to far into things like that because they have other things going on, so the criminals often go unpunished which just furthers their thinking that they can just do things to people with no consequence. At some point you have to stand up for yourself. I'm not saying everyone should chase someone down, I did that because I am very skilled with my weapon and knew how to take control of the situation. Long story short, if everyone thought the way you did, crime would be even worse.
Kennesaw is a city here on the outskirts of town...they have one of the lowest crime rates in the Metro Atlanta area because they have an ordinance that requires their residents to own a firearm. Criminals are a lot less likely to do crimes to people they know are armed...Fact.
I'm sorry, but you will never convince me or many others you're in the right. Since when does standing up for yourself involve carrying firearms on the streets?
If you know you're in a historically violent area and you feel the need to carry a "assault" rifle (made for killing people) with you...why would you not make sure you put yourself in the safest possible situation....for instance right in front of the local police station. That's where I've done many craigslist deals and I live in a relatively safe part of town. For me that's common sense. If you tell the potential buyer you want to meet outside the police station....most crooks would not show up....honest people would have no problem with that. You might not be looking for trouble, but you're not trying very hard to stay away from trouble.
Maybe the problem with the area you live in, is people (like yourself) that feel the need to carry weapons. I'm sure gangsters and thieves feel the need to carry weapons. Domino effect anyone? I would strongly suspect that there are many good people in your area that don't carry and have never carried firearms and somehow manage to lead happy, productive lives. Correct?
As far as my thinking....If everyone thought like I did...no one would have guns on the streets....period. I'm all for defending myself, my family and friends, or anyone who needs help....as I've done MANY times...without a gun. My firearm is kept in my home, in a safe. Only to be used in an emergency situation where my life is directly at risk. My gun is not for chasing down a thief who just stole my TV. There is a difference.
From your own words, you were no longer in danger....you chased after them and could have potentially been in a gunfight over a phone. That is exactly what is wrong with people who feel the need to carry guns around. If that's law where you are....that's disturbing and could cause countless deaths over petty theft.
Again...I know this pisses you off...but you are just as bad as the crooks who robbed you. Have you asked yourself what would have happened If you killed a couple of people over a phone? There is no court in this country that would say you had the right to hunt them down and kill them. No way dude....not gonna happen.
I will let you respond without any further "opinions" from me...I've stated my case
I hope you don't kill or get killed. Sounds like it's only a matter of time though