Visitors feel 'unsafe' in Canada.

**shonymat** · 08-08-12 at 09:07 AM

NOTE: I did not write this. It was a letter published in the Calgary Herald.

_______________________________________

I recently visited Calgary from Michigan. As a police officer for 20 years, it feels strange not to carry my off-duty hand-gun. Many would say I have no need to carry one in Canada.

Yet the police cannot protect everyone all the time. A man should be al-lowed to protect himself if the need arises. The need arose in a theatre in Aurora, Colo., as well as a college campus in Canada.

Recently, while out for a walk in Nose Hill Park, in broad daylight on a paved trail, two young men approached my wife and me. The men stepped in front of us, then said in a very aggressive tone: "Been to the Stampede yet?"

We ignored them. The two moved closer, repeating: "Hey, you been to the Stampede yet?"

I quickly moved between these two and my wife, replying, "Gentle-men, I have no need to talk with you, goodbye." They looked bewildered, and we then walked past them.

I speculate they did not have good intentions when they approached in such an aggressive, disrespectful and menacing manner. I thank the Lord Jesus Christ they did not pull a weapon of some sort, but rather concluded it was in their best interest to leave us alone.

Would we not expect a uniformed officer to pull his or her weapon to intercede in a life-or-death encounter to protect self, or another? Why then should the expectation be lower for a citizen of Canada or a visitor? Wait, I know - it's because in Canada, only the criminals and the police carry handguns.

Signed,

Walt Wawra, Kalamazoo, Mich. - Police Officer and **** me runnin'... PROUD AMERICAN. (I added the last part.

)

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http://www.calgaryherald.com/opinion/letters/Nose+Hill+Park+confrontation+makes+visitors+feel+unsafe/7050028/story.html

One of the three G's (God, guns and gays) at work again from the US. Reminds me of a quote from the movie Paul.

Quote:

State Trooper: Where are you boys from?
Clive Gollings: ...England.
State Trooper: I heard about that place: no guns.
Graeme Willy: Not many...
Clive Gollings: No, not really, just... farmers.
State Trooper: Well how are police supposed to shoot anybody?
Graeme Willy: [Uncomfortable] Well they don't...
Clive Gollings: They- they try not to...
[the state trooper stares at them suspiciously]

**kolewan** · 08-08-12 at 09:29 AM

I live near Calgary; Personally, I don't like the states as I feel the same way about there as they do about us.

Not to start some kind of patriotic we are better then them ultranationalist flame war... There's assholes everywhere, I guess I just like my assholes more...

**cazmajor** · 08-08-12 at 10:01 AM

Quote:

I quickly moved between these two and my wife, replying, "Gentle-men, I have no need to talk with you, goodbye." They looked bewildered

Lol I am not surprised! Sounds like something out of the league of gentlemen!

Shame he didn't have his gun or he could have pulled it out on these two random strangers who's tone of voice he didn't like!

**L1b3rta** · 08-08-12 at 10:58 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by kolewan

I guess I just like my assholes more...

Totally not ripped out of context!

**rainbowspinner** · 08-08-12 at 01:19 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by kolewan

There's assholes everywhere, I guess I just like my assholes more...

So very eloquently put! LOL. You've described that sentiment so damned well - Thank you.

About the guy in the story - for a cop he must not get out much. How the heck does he think the rest of us non-gun-toting folks feel or deal? I think he proved the real value of those gun laws. Geez...

elvisfan · 08-08-12 at 01:56 PM

The problem is if you pull out a gun and they were not threatening, but asking a legit question, the police would blame you.

Even if you legally conceal carry, you should be cautious of when you draw the gun, as long as the man didn't threaten you.

I get scared all the time walking the street, because the government looks down on self defense. You have to prove you were in danger to such a high degree in court.

I once had a neighbor who was arrested for simply answering the door. He always answered the door with a hand gun. He answered the door like he always did and a police officer (not in uniform) was on the other side. The officer drew his gun at my neighbor. My neighbor fled into the house, scared to death. He was arrested for threatening an officer. The judge dismissed all charges. The only reason the cop was there in the first place was to distribute a flyer, he was just going door to door.

lesbianrugburn · 08-08-12 at 02:05 PM

No cop should be given a gun if s/he is metally unstable.

**Omega_Prime** · 08-08-12 at 02:17 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by lesbianrugburn

No cop should be given a gun if s/he is metally unstable.

and how exactly do you measure 'mental stability' - a persons motives can change in an instant which makes guns extremely dangerous to carry by any person. Obviously if there was a definitive way then it would be the philosophers stone of sorts and would significantly reduce a lot of problems but it's a fools errand.

**rockyrocks** · 08-08-12 at 02:17 PM

Quote:

Iv never been there, but somehow the biggest threat I can imagine in Canada is the wildlife, oh, and their neighbour to the south.

I remember one of my relatives surprised by the amount of "Breaking News" on Indian television compared to the Canadian breaking news which mostly happened when the neighborhood cat got stuck on a tree or a duck walked out on the streets..

On topic.. well when one party doesn't have guns the other party doesn't need any either..
And also more manly to fight with knives and hands :P

**EvilToeKnee** · 08-08-12 at 02:34 PM

What the hell is a stampede!? Is that some kind of "You're gonna get raped in the @ss" code or something!?

If you want real adventure Shonymat, you should come visit Saginaw once in a while.

**shonymat** · 08-08-12 at 02:46 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by EvilToeKnee

What the hell is a stampede!?

If you want real adventure Shonymat, you should come visit Saginaw once in a while.

I have no idea what 'stampede' means in the context it was used... wasn't my story. It was released by the Calgary Herald and written by a man named Walt Wawra. I doubt he'll be going back there anytime soon.

I've only been to Canada once and enjoyed the brief time I was there. Isn't Saginaw in Michigan or is it on the Canada side?

I've had my fun of gun wielding and it was enough for me thank you.

**EvilToeKnee** · 08-08-12 at 02:59 PM

A lot of people who travel to Canada from Michiagn come through Saginaw. I have NO IDEA WHY. I was greeted on the news this morning that there were 6 shootings last night. One only a block away from where I work. Good thing I don't get out until 10pm tonight.

**WillowSun** · 08-08-12 at 03:44 PM

this story reminds me of the guy busted in the Batman movie with a bag of guns and knives "for his own protection", coupled with the panic buying of guns post-Batman massacre and 'fear' of changes to gun laws.

**rainbowspinner** · 08-08-12 at 04:59 PM

LOL!! I didn't know what they meant by a stampede either so guess what Google turns up?

Quote:

Over the past century, the Calgary Stampede has welcomed millions of visitors to The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.

The Calgary Stampede is an annual rodeo, exhibition and festival held every July in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The ten-day event, which bills itself as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth", attracts over one million visitors per year and features one of the world's largest rodeos, a parade, midway, stage shows, concerts, agricultural competitions, chuckwagon racing and First Nations exhibitions.

I guess this cop has now become the laughing stock of Canada and they've taken to responding directly to Wawra's concerns using the Twitter hashtag #NoseHillGentlemen. Not. Good.

Don't people usually check out the place they are going to on vacation? How could he have missed noticing that Calagry is known for it's Stampede during the month of July? Or that Canadians do tend to be friendly?

08-08-12 at 02:46 PM	#11
shonymat Elder Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 2,890	Quote: Originally Posted by EvilToeKnee What the hell is a stampede!? If you want real adventure Shonymat, you should come visit Saginaw once in a while. I have no idea what 'stampede' means in the context it was used... wasn't my story. It was released by the Calgary Herald and written by a man named Walt Wawra. I doubt he'll be going back there anytime soon. I've only been to Canada once and enjoyed the brief time I was there. Isn't Saginaw in Michigan or is it on the Canada side? I've had my fun of gun wielding and it was enough for me thank you. Last edited by shonymat; 08-08-12 at 02:48 PM.

08-08-12 at 09:29 AM	#2
kolewan The Perseverant Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 729	I live near Calgary; Personally, I don't like the states as I feel the same way about there as they do about us. Not to start some kind of patriotic we are better then them ultranationalist flame war... There's assholes everywhere, I guess I just like my assholes more...

08-08-12 at 10:01 AM	#3
cazmajor Elite Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 1,640	Quote: I quickly moved between these two and my wife, replying, "Gentle-men, I have no need to talk with you, goodbye." They looked bewildered Lol I am not surprised! Sounds like something out of the league of gentlemen! Shame he didn't have his gun or he could have pulled it out on these two random strangers who's tone of voice he didn't like!

08-08-12 at 10:58 AM	#4
L1b3rta Guru Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 5,992	Quote: Originally Posted by kolewan I guess I just like my assholes more... Totally not ripped out of context!

08-08-12 at 01:19 PM	#5
rainbowspinner Elder Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,557	Quote: Originally Posted by kolewan There's assholes everywhere, I guess I just like my assholes more... So very eloquently put! LOL. You've described that sentiment so damned well - Thank you. About the guy in the story - for a cop he must not get out much. How the heck does he think the rest of us non-gun-toting folks feel or deal? I think he proved the real value of those gun laws. Geez...

08-08-12 at 01:56 PM	#6
elvisfan Newcomer Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 74	The problem is if you pull out a gun and they were not threatening, but asking a legit question, the police would blame you. Even if you legally conceal carry, you should be cautious of when you draw the gun, as long as the man didn't threaten you. I get scared all the time walking the street, because the government looks down on self defense. You have to prove you were in danger to such a high degree in court. I once had a neighbor who was arrested for simply answering the door. He always answered the door with a hand gun. He answered the door like he always did and a police officer (not in uniform) was on the other side. The officer drew his gun at my neighbor. My neighbor fled into the house, scared to death. He was arrested for threatening an officer. The judge dismissed all charges. The only reason the cop was there in the first place was to distribute a flyer, he was just going door to door.

08-08-12 at 02:05 PM	#7
lesbianrugburn Newcomer Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 34	No cop should be given a gun if s/he is metally unstable.

08-08-12 at 02:17 PM	#8
Omega_Prime Autobot Supreme Commander Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 3,568	Quote: Originally Posted by lesbianrugburn No cop should be given a gun if s/he is metally unstable. and how exactly do you measure 'mental stability' - a persons motives can change in an instant which makes guns extremely dangerous to carry by any person. Obviously if there was a definitive way then it would be the philosophers stone of sorts and would significantly reduce a lot of problems but it's a fools errand.

08-08-12 at 02:17 PM	#9
rockyrocks Elite Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,350	Quote: Iv never been there, but somehow the biggest threat I can imagine in Canada is the wildlife, oh, and their neighbour to the south. I remember one of my relatives surprised by the amount of "Breaking News" on Indian television compared to the Canadian breaking news which mostly happened when the neighborhood cat got stuck on a tree or a duck walked out on the streets.. On topic.. well when one party doesn't have guns the other party doesn't need any either.. And also more manly to fight with knives and hands :P

08-08-12 at 02:34 PM	#10
EvilToeKnee 3rd Street Saint Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: USA Posts: 771	What the hell is a stampede!? Is that some kind of "You're gonna get raped in the @ss" code or something!? If you want real adventure Shonymat, you should come visit Saginaw once in a while.

08-08-12 at 02:59 PM	#12
EvilToeKnee 3rd Street Saint Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: USA Posts: 771	A lot of people who travel to Canada from Michiagn come through Saginaw. I have NO IDEA WHY. I was greeted on the news this morning that there were 6 shootings last night. One only a block away from where I work. Good thing I don't get out until 10pm tonight.

08-08-12 at 03:44 PM	#13
WillowSun Therianthrope Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 5,023	this story reminds me of the guy busted in the Batman movie with a bag of guns and knives "for his own protection", coupled with the panic buying of guns post-Batman massacre and 'fear' of changes to gun laws.

08-08-12 at 04:59 PM	#14
rainbowspinner Elder Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,557	LOL!! I didn't know what they meant by a stampede either so guess what Google turns up? Quote: Over the past century, the Calgary Stampede has welcomed millions of visitors to The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. The Calgary Stampede is an annual rodeo, exhibition and festival held every July in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The ten-day event, which bills itself as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth", attracts over one million visitors per year and features one of the world's largest rodeos, a parade, midway, stage shows, concerts, agricultural competitions, chuckwagon racing and First Nations exhibitions. I guess this cop has now become the laughing stock of Canada and they've taken to responding directly to Wawra's concerns using the Twitter hashtag #NoseHillGentlemen. Not. Good. Don't people usually check out the place they are going to on vacation? How could he have missed noticing that Calagry is known for it's Stampede during the month of July? Or that Canadians do tend to be friendly?