Delete comment from: The War on Guns
Once upon a time in a truck stop I was having a conversation with a highway patrolman. While I or my son talked he would stand with his armed folded across his chest while he politely listened. The conversation was friendly and had nothing to do with anything of great importance. But everytime he started to speak, his right hand would automatically drop to the butt of holstered pistol.
After the third of fourth time, I asked him if he had plans to use the "damn gun" because if he did, I was going to take it away from him. He asked what the hell I was talking about. I told him what he was doing, and he replied "I don't do....I'll be damned." Just as he started his denial he caught himself dropping his hand to his pistol. He looked surprised as all Hell. He did apologize,and he asked me if I was serious when I said I might have to take it from him. I said I was, that I didn't like people trying to inimidate me, even if it had become unconscious habit and they didn't realize they were even doing it anymore.
He said that was something he would have to think about. Nice guy and more intelligent with less need to prove his dick was biggest, than most cops I have met.
The conversation, of course, took a different tack then. We talked about his need to be alert, but just perhaps he could get more cooperation from people if he didn't start either angering or scaring them with that intimidating technique.
I wish we had more like him. He was willing to consider.
My son, later said "Dad, you're crazy." Oh well.
May 30, 2008, 12:27:00 AM