COURTESY WARNING: Many of my columns are meant to be humorous and entertaining. This is not one of those articles. My column today is intended to be a frank, life-saving article, and it includes adult topics that might be considered unpleasant and stressful as they relate to personal safety, injury, death, and homicide while involved with crowds of unknown individuals.
If you look carefully, you will always find some element of humor in anything I write, but there is not much of that today. I wanted to let you know in advance. If you feel the need to avoid the possibility of being exposed to tough-minded material, please feel free to stop reading now.
The Tacoma News Tribune published an announcement article on August 29, 2019, stating that the Washington State Fair (Puyallup Fair) security will be tight. (Click my link to review the full article.)
The City of Puyallup, the police, and fair officials have put a lot of thought into doing what they can to make visitors safer as they enjoy the annual fair. I compliment all concerned for the bulk of their efforts, decisions, and action steps. I am confident their efforts including more police officers, metal detectors, and other crime-fighting action steps will discourage many, but of course not all, evil doers from attending the fair with the intention of harming and killing innocent victims.
On the flip-side, the last sentence in the Tacoma News Tribune article promotes an environment that actually increases the possibility a fair visitor(s) will be injured or killed by a madman mass shooter, knife-wielder, or weapon handler. Even after passing through the metal detector to gain entrance to the fair, there are plenty of items inside the fair that can be used as weapons by a creative madman.
The last sentence in the TNT reads, “He also asks that visitors leave firearms at home. They are not permitted on the fairgrounds.”
Their policy and communication do not anger me. The fairgrounds management has the right to dictate a pretend, false-security Gun Free Zone. What this policy means is good guys will not have guns. Only bad guys will have weapons.
Having looked at both sides of this issue, all fair visitors should clearly understand an important concept that can make a difference in whether a fairgoer lives or dies. The Gun Free Zone means any law-abiding citizen, like me, will comply. I will not violate the rule set in place for the pretend false-security Gun Free Kill Zone. Why? Number 1: Because it is fair management’s right to demand that no one bring guns to the fairgrounds property. Number two: I do not wish to give on-duty law enforcement a hard time regarding my Second Amendment Right to possess and carry a firearm. Number three: During my police career it was like I had a round trip pass in and out of jails and prisons. Now that I am retired I can only earn a one way pass into jail by violating the Gun Free Zone policy.
That means I will not attend the fair with my firearm. I will not attend the fair with my wallet. I will not attend the fair at all even though I have been a fair visitor starting back in 1949. I love the Puyallup Fair. (I know, I know, the real name is Western Washington Fair.)
Fair management and law enforcement will have no trouble with me since I will comply with their short-sighted unrealistic policy. The Gun Free Zone forces me to avoid the fair.
While I appreciate all the extra law enforcement on duty at the fair, I clearly understand that unless law enforcement and fair management are prepared to provide me with a personally assigned armed police officer for every member of my fair visiting party, then law enforcement and fair management cannot guarantee our safety. That means we, as individuals, must assume responsibility for our own safety. To accomplish that we need to have our Second Amendment Rights restored by fair management. It makes sense for them to do so in that we are not criminals and should not be treated as criminals.
Clearly understand that while law enforcement will do their very best to protect all fair visitors, typically what police do in a majority of cases is react to life-threatening incidents after they are over, not prevent the incident. That means they will stand over our dead body while they record information in their official police notebook to write the official police report.
Know this for certain. I and others like me will not be there to make a difference in terms of whether you live or die. Even though I do not have a criminal background; even though I have possessed a Concealed Pistol Permit for decades; even though I have 25 years of law enforcement experience; even though I possess a retired law enforcement pistol permit in all 50 states; I and all other Second Amendment Rights qualified Americans will not be there to protect you from an attack. You are on your own. If attacked in a Gun Free Zone, you have no intelligent, efficient defense system.
When people die or are injured because a crazed criminal beats the fair’s security system you have to ask yourself, how much better would you have been if you or a total stranger qualified as a legal Second Amendment handgun carrier had been allowed to come to your defense before the police could arrive to help you?
Yes, law enforcement and fair management have increased security, but they have also placed you in a Gun Free kill zone.
The Gun Free Zone will make you feel good at the fair until you feel the penetrating impact of a crazed gunman’s bullet or the cold steel of his knife.
When the tragedy is over, everyone will be asking, how can this happen in a Gun Free Zone?
You might want to ask the officers and fair management if they are confident enough in their ability to protect fair visitors with a Gun Free Zone if they are willing to provide a multi-million dollar insurance policy in case of injury or death by a crazy Gun Free Zone killer.
Mass killers love what they think of as easy targets, soft targets, or sitting ducts found everywhere there is a Gun Free Zone.
The Western Washington Fair’s Gun Free Zone is perfect for any reject crazed human being with a desire to become infamous, a desire to achieve an award-winning body count, and a desire to commit suicide by cop.
As I sit here on September 2, 2019, tapping away on my laptop for this column which discusses safety and risk issues at our Puyallup Fair, my projections go live at the Michigan State Fair. One of my police information sources just reported that on September 2, 2019, violence exploded at the Minnesota State Fair to include multiple fights inside and in front of the fairgrounds, rioting, one woman near death after being run over by a car, and three fair goers injured by gunfire. (Click link Violence at Minnesota State Fair for more details.)
These incidents prove, once again, while there were lots of cops, law enforcement can never be everywhere at once, and they could not respond quickly enough to prevent any of these tragedies. In life and death situations, 30 seconds can make a difference. You may need to protect yourself right now rather than calling 911 and waiting for the police to arrive to help you.
I realize not everyone thinks like I do. The force that generates the concepts and opinions I am sharing with you relates to my life experiences and education. I understand most people are never the target of violence or homicide. That is a blessing.
Before becoming a police officer, as I grew up in a rough neighborhood, I was the victim of multiple assaults. While I am not big and tough, I was always a quick thinker in a tight spot, and I possessed tactics and training that typically surprised the criminal. Many of those who tried to assault me ended up seeking medical aid.
At ages 6, 13, and 21, and then later as a police officer in my 50s, I was the target of a possible or definite plan to make me the victim of a homicide. I have learned it is best to try to be tough to kill. Using my Second Amendments Rights helps with that goal.
Add to all my personal life experiences my 25 years of law enforcement observations and experiences, and hopefully, it is easier to understand why I think the way I do.
One of my law Lakewood law enforcement cases involved my fighting a man over his gun. I was able to calm him down and talk him down so that eventually he cooperated. It easily could have ended up with either of us being the victim of a homicide. When the trouble started, I was calmly prepared with two ways to kill the man to stop the fight to avoid injury or death.
While it is obvious that I support our right as Americans to benefit from our Second Amendment Rights, it should be noted that while I have had many cases as a police officer where I had all the slack out of my trigger, I have never fired a shot at a human being. My historical behavior supports the concept that we should only use a firearm when absolutely necessary. Conversely, if I wish to attend the Puyallup Fair, please do not strip me of my right to defend myself or others with my firearm.
If you choose to not spend any time carefully considering my message or if you do not agree with my thoughts and opinions regarding your personal safety and that of your friends and family, while in public places with large crowds, I easily understand. It is my personal opinion that if you choose to not consider my message, you may discover one day you have made a serious mistake. Of course, your right to ignore my message is supported by your freedom of choice.
Whatever you do, if you choose to wade into a large unknown crowd by attending the fair, do not make a second mistake by missing out on the Puyallup Fair’s strawberry scones.
Joseph,
You are correct. The article was not funny. Stark reality rarely is. People who want to kill innocent people will forever find a way. No matter what security is in place right now, there are so many ways that people could kill fair goers without even being at the fair. I would hate to let terror dictate our pleasures, but we may have already sunk that low.
Mr. Doman,
No humor? None? What about my last 31 words?
Joseph Boyle
Concur.
Art,
As a verbose Irishman, I appreciate the way you are able to express yourself with a heighten level of succinctness. As you can see, I can’t match you.
Nice!
Joseph Boyle
I don’t go to places where the only people carrying a gun are the people that should not have a gun.
Thank you! For your service, keeping a firm hold on reality, and being honest.
I am also a fan of your writings! They go well with my coffee and scone.
One of the best and most honest articles I’ve read. I’ve never fired a weapon, ever. I will tell you that my mom was a crack shot, both with her .22 rifle and with bow and arrow! My ex-husband was a sniper in Vietnam. I worked as a DoD Civilian overseas for over a decade….situation “tense” prior to the wall coming down. Leaving Europe to live in Texas (to find a cowboy…lol), gave me a whole other take on everyday folks being armed. I wasn’t prepared for the trucks and gun racks…filled, not for show!
However, when a couple of evil-doers, attempted to break in and take over a home, it was not surprising, that a neighbor across the street, saw what was happening, and promptly called 911 to report he was about to “handle the situation” and then handled it. Bad guy down, family safe…all before law enforcement could get there.
Though I was never armed, knowing that those around me were, gave me the courage to live my life in all of those circumstances. Kudos for writing an article without vehemence and instead, offering wise counsel.
All, y’all, take heed!
Thank you for your service, sir.
Peace out!
Jerri Ecclestone,
Thank you for reading and commenting.
I will admit I had to stand up and overcome some level of hesitatncy before deciding to publish my frank column today.
I appreciate your adding credibility to my thought process. Don’t tell anyone, but I think your Reply was better than my article.
Thank you for sharing your real life experience.
Joseph Boyle
Uh…no. But thanks.
Looks like you struck a common nerve with some other folks, too.
Hope you don’t mind. Shared your article on my FB timeline. I hope it will give folks pause…
Jerri Ecclestone –
Not only do I not mind, I appreciate you for sharing my thoughts thereby giving others an opportunity to consider my point of view.
Joseph Boyle
Sorry Joe, this well thought out, well written column makes too much sense for the anti gun crowd. Unfortunately many of my close friends are rabid anti gun even though I have take their own kids shooting in order to provide them with basic safety training and the experience of handling firearms. It’s baffling how emotions override logic and/or facts on this issue. I made the same decision not to attend the fair this year after almost 30 years of attendance.
Robert,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
All they have to do at the Western Washington Fair, if they wish to be intelligent about safety, is to require that I show my credentials in the form of my Concealed Pistol Permit and without any extra charge I could show them my retired law enforcement I.D., that by Federal Law, allows me to carry a firearm in all 50 states.
Think about how many years of background checks I have passed during the past 55 years. Many cry out for expanded background checks, but then choose to ignore background checks to support the gun-haters.
While it is obvious I am not a gun-hater, it may surprise some to learn I am not a gun-lover. A gun is just another tool for me like a Cuisinart or chain saw.
They could check my I.D. and let me pass. No I.D. would mean no entrance with a gun. Fair enough.
Joseph Boyle
Fantastic article. Unfortunately, as others have already mentioned, it will not be heard by those who feel differently. In fact, I would go so far as to say that many people on both sides of the gun argument might not even read the whole thing because it’s longer than a tweet. Ok, bit of an exaggeration, but you get my meaning. In all seriousness, though, all anyone needs to do is to look at all of the youth shooting each other in Pierce County this year: youth who are not supposed to have guns in the first place; youth who are not getting these guns at home.
Thank you for writing a spot on article. Going to the fair is not safe. According to The News Tribune, there will be “random” metal detector checks. Not everyone will be screened. Therefore, the Fair cannot guarantee a safe and gun free event. The Fair is offering a false sense of security. All gun free zones are a target rich environment.
Jimmy,
I appreciate your sharing your views on this important life-saving topic.
You are correct. The fair can’t guarantee anyone’s safety. While I elect to be careful to not publish any of my ideas on how to circumvent the security plans in place; believe me I already have ideas on how to illegally possess a gun in a Gun-Free Zone.
Joseph Boyle
I am in complete agreement with you on all points. Concealed or open carry can make the difference in a bad situation. To think what might have been prevented had more people been armed in many of these horrible situations we have seen or heard about these past few years. Druggies, mentally disturbed, angry, doesn’t matter. They are the ones with the guns that do the evil deeds. Not the lawful abiding or respectful people.
It gives me some comfort that several of my children go out armed except when flying somewhere.
Your article should be posted all over. Thanks for writing it with your intelligent and even got some humor in there, perspective.
And to Jerri, it’s no wonder several of us are planning on moving to Texas in the next couple years.
Joan Campion,
I appreciate your words.
If I see my article “posted” on power poles throughout the city, I will know who to thank.
Joseph Boyle
Joe,
One of the finest, if not the best, article regarding this issue I have ever read. Kudos. ?
Tony
Tony Gibbon,
Thanks for reading my work and for your encouragement.
Joseph Boyle
I generally agree with the purpose and tone of your article on gun use and safety. Makes sense to me at the Fair. I note that such murders happen where we don’t expect security needs. In front of Walmark, or at the beach, or in a volatile peaceful unsuspecting community. Gun safety for licensed civilians sounds good if Joeseph has the gun. However many carry legal weapons not even having shot the gun. It’s an old Betsy solution. I have a gun and I can stop an intruder. Intruders or serial killers are prepared to die, but few licensed citizens are ready to shoot or capable to stop an incident. Don’t have a “solution” but do believe tracking and listing people with guns is not an invasion of rights. In Switzerland, everyone has a gun and are part of the national guard. However, the country issues the bullets and counts and measures how many you have annually. It is not immoral to ask citizens to belly up to the bar (like in “high standard”) and acknowledge by law they own weapons, ammunition and sometimes silently imagine using the weapon on some person or persons they don’t know but hate as a group. Not better, but good to gather community folks of all persuasions to consider how to help our communities and neighborhoods be safer, and require real gun training and safety training with those purchased weapons.
Why do you need to carry a firearm at a fair? What about the constitutional rights of those killed by firearms? I fear getting in the cross fire of all you gun toters. Have any of you had to keep a class of elementary kids calm when there is a someone just off campus with a gun threatening their wife? I have. No other law abiding country has to put up with this kind of fear Second Amendment zealots are enforcing on all of us.
Great article Joe, I stand 100% with you on this. I went to the Fair Labor Day and as I walked through the turnstile, my girlfriend had her bag checked while I just walked on through. No wand, no body search, nothing. I could had brought my concealed carry in with nobody knowing, which I like. Nothing like protecting the innocent.
Jerry,
Thanks for sharing your real life experience.
The term Gun-Free Zone makes gun haters feel good, but it does little to protect them and their loved ones. If only gun haters could understand the truth and the facts related to firearms.
I have had a good number of opportunities to shoot someone as a civilian and as a police officer, but no shots were ever fired. I did not even need bullets. Just deploying the firearm, even if it were empty, convinced the badguys I was not easy to rob or kill.
My dad called the gun, “The great equalizer.” A concealed carry firearm, when displayed to a criminal, can mitigate the behavior of anyone with the easy target bullying attitude.
Joseph Boyle
Ms. Gail Alverson –
While obviously we do not agree, I appreciate the fact that you are willing to share your view. At least you and I are able to enjoy one Constitutional Right; the Right of Free Speech. Thank you for your comment.
Now to answer your question, “Why do you need to carry a firearm at a fair?”
ANSWERS: #1. I do not need to carry a firearm at a fair if someone can be guarantee I will not victimized or killed at the fair. #2. I do not need to carry a gun at a fair if someone is willing to provide me with a free $5,000,000 injury and life policy to protect my loved ones in the event I am victimized.
While I do not need to, I want to carry a gun at a fair since I am not a criminal and I have a Constitutional Right to do so. Carrying my gun is the intelligent thing to do like carrying you cell phone in the event of an emergency is an intelligent thing to do. A gun and cell phone are safety tools.
You are correct. You or I or some other innocent victim may be caught in a crossfire. I would rather die in a cross fire than having some mass murderer execute me or anyone else with no ability for the victim to fight back and survive.
If a Second Amendment qualified individual, man or woman, sees a bad guy chasing you and your school children with a gun or knife, would you demand that we keep our guns holstered rather than trying to save you and the children to avoid the possibility of a crossfire? It is my opinion that one crossfire victim is better than having the entire class executed.
One of the 4 firearm safety rules is BE CERTAIN OF YOUR TARGET AND THE BACKSTOP BEYOND. That is designed to help avoid misplaced rounds such as a crossfire. You are right. There are no guarantees.
What would you prefer if you and the chidren are about to be harmed by a bad guy? Senario one is I can try to help you by stopping the bad guy with a gun with my gun or I can do nothing eigther because I was not allowed to benefit from my Constitutional Right to carry a defensive weapon or you demanded I keep my gun holstered to avoid the remote possibility of a crossfire tragedy.
The reason I choose to not attend the fair is because my Constitutional Rght is being tramped on. If I go the fair without my gun and someone kills me or another innocent victim and I can do nothing, then I feel I would have made an ignorant and unnecessary move.
Ms. Alverson it is likely nothing I say will help you understand the “gun toter zealot” viewpoint.
Likewise, what you have to say will not likely cause me to change my thinking.
At least we have had a civil exchange with the help of our Constitutional Right of Free Speech which has enabled the two of us to share our two viewpoints. Hopefully our conversation will benefit others.
Joseph Boyle
Joe, thanks for your reply. We won’t agree on this subject, but he’s we can agree to disagree. I understand your training as a law enforcement officer has tempered how you would respond, but not everybody who has a permit to carry has your level head or training. Wouldn’t we all benefit from keeping guns from the people who used them without proper training?
Gail Alverson,
You got me this time. I must agree. Level heads combined with common sense and appropriate training are musts if anyone is around guns.
Hey, we agree on something. Don’t tell anyone I agreed with someone on the other side of the debate. I do not want to ruin my reputation. Heh, heh, heh.
Joseph Boyle
I promise!
Thanks, good OLD friend. You said what needed to be said at the right time. I read all your words. Seldom reply. This time you deserve thanks again. Good job
Aren’t they Raspberry scones?
Cindi,
You got me. You are correct. Strawberry scones might be too lumpy anyway, but a guy can dream.
Thanks for your correction.
Joseph Boyle
I looked up the Minnesota State Fair killing of three people. The picture posed a trick question about identifying the shooter. That horrible incident happened OUTSIDE the fair, so I wonder if it is really germaine to the argument that a person would be less safe because of a policy of no firearms INSIDE the fairground. Clearly this issue is complex. I was once chastized by an NRA lobbyist for being honest when I said I have a visceral reaction when I see a gun. I did not ever see a gun while growing up, except on a law enforcement officer, and I have attempted to become less “sensitive” about seeing them in this open carry state. I have gone through a training opportunity with law enforcement and even went to the Legislative Shoot Out with Pam Roach (several bull’s eyes in pistol competition, I might add). I appreciate your perspective, but my concerns about guns in the hands of less scrupulous, thoughtful, or sane persons will never be calmed.
Jeannie Darneille,
Thanks for reading my column and for your thoughtful and honest comments. The incident in question occurred inside the fair and then spilled outside the fair. There is no confusion about what was actually multiple criminal ievents happening in and around the fair.
You may be surprised to learn that, I too, can have a visceral reaction when I see a gun in an open carry mode. While I am not against the open carry law as a part of our Second Amendment Rights, my thinking is if an individual is dumb enough to open carry, what else is going on in his or her brain?
During my plain clothes years, as a juvenile police investigator, I of all people, had the strongest right and justification to open carry with my belt-badge next to my gun. Makes sense. Cops carry guns. Did I? No way. For me, open carry, although legal, is dumb for a number of reasons including upsetting the public, especially those who are sensitive to seeing guns. I had special clothing to make certain my firearm and badge were both concealed from public view. It was appropriate for me to display my gun or badge, I had complete control over when that would happen and it would only happen if justified.
Your last line which I am now going to cut and paste for reference, is something I totally agree with.
“I appreciate your perspective, but my concerns about guns in the hands of less scrupulous, thoughtful, or sane persons will never be calmed.”
There is a lot of debate about background checks. I am all for background checks to keep guns out of the hands of the less scrupulous, thoughtless, or insane persons and mean killers except for one thing. Policticians refuse to set up an intelligent background system that is effective and expedient and fair for the honest citizens of our country.
I hope one day we will be able to live in a more sane world.
Joseph Boyle