Gun storage

[Anchorman]

Kedis.

I can imagine - you can't get much fresher but it must take some lugging back to the car.

 

[Unobtanium]

Genuine question. How much of that deer got eaten? Do you butcher it yourself or do you take it to a butcher?

Almost all of the 40# I got off of her (the rest is in my freezer, for when my father visits. I saved the best part of the backstrap for him). My friends and I took the deer from standing on its own, to wrapped in freezer paper, 100% of the way, in-house.

 

[Unobtanium]

27% of all statistics are made up on the spot. I looked and couldn't confirm your numbers but I did find this.
CA Guns per 100 residents: 1.8 Gun murders per 100,000 in 2010 3.4
DC Guns per 100 residents: 0.1 Gun murders per 100,000 in 2010 16.5
Kentucky Guns per 100 residents: 41.8 Gun murders per 100,000 in 2010 2.7
Wyoming Guns per 100 residents: 30.2 BTW, The lowest murder rate in the US Gun murders per 100,000 in 2010 0.9
West Virginia Guns per 100 residents: 15.4. Gun murders per 100,000 in 2010 1.5

My data on that percentage came direct from one of the tops at ATK. Maybe they are wrong about their market share, and the values of the available markets, but I doubt it.

 

[Unobtanium]

That's the type of attitude one should have towards Police. Essentially communication is key. Let me correct that, good clear transparent communication is the key. Both on the part of citizens as well as Cops. Putting a cop in a situation where he/she has to second guess then react is a big no no.

That said I don't carry a gun. I'm more of a McGyver guy who can take out 3 thugs with my wristwatch and dental floss.

Yep. Especially with all of the "Patriots" out there who tend to view police officers as "them vs. us". My vehicle (CX5 obviously) does not fit the image of someone like that, but I do. I am White, I pump iron, I keep my hair short and neat, and I have a weapon with me. My first and #1 goal in any police encounter is to impress upon the officer that it is not my intention to play road-side lawyer, to compromise their ability to go home that night, or to be an asshole or claim that "they work for ME!" (they pay taxes, too...cancels "you" out? interesting...). I have found that this attitude typically produces a similar attitude of pleasant professionalism from the officer, and if I DO get a ticket, there is usually something written on the back of the officer's copy that makes my court visit very simple, if it even requires my attendance (often I will settle with the DA or Clerk and avoid court all togather/.)

What's this talk of going to court?

Well, your traffic ticket, each and every one of them, includes your court costs. Traffic court (unless absolutely extreme infractions are in play) are set up where your arraignment and trial is a 1 and done combo-deal. You've paid for it. This is YOUR LEGAL RIGHT, to go to court. And if you don't? The fine is not reduced for you. You still paid for the right to have been there in court. So...I do.

Why do I go to court? Because I don't view speeding as "wrong". I have zero moral obligation to feel bad about it, or to want to pay a fine or penalty for it. It is my right to debate my way out of said penalty, and I will do my very very best to knock it down as much as possible. That said, things you don't want to do in court: Call the officer a liar. Imply that somehow this is the officer's fault---it's yours. You were speeding. Attack the law (ex: "But that's stupid! That road is AT LEAST a 70mph road!"). I have found the best way to beat a traffic ticket is to agree that you broke the law (you did), and to agree that the court system has the obligation to penalize you for it (They do, if they can). However, that the penalties extending beyond your fine are un-due (such as report to your insurance company, which can cost thousands, etc.), and that while you do not want to contest your wrong-doing, you would be very obliged if the court would reduce the paper infraction to a non-moving violation, as you already are getting bent of a barrel on health insurance and other insurances, and don't need an even bigger bite taken out of your ability to make ends meet, and that yes, you do have the money with you to pay the fine today, but it was hell making a hole in the budget for that, and you'd be very grateful if it stopped there, as you've learned your lesson.

I have paid for a couple of $200 "missing gas-caps" and "missing license plates"...

A similar argument for the more economically challenged, is that you could only get $156 together for your $183 ticket, but that you do have it in cash with you, on you, today.

Traffic court is not a high-stakes game. It is a cheap and easy revenue-maker for the city/state (depending on who stops you), and you need to view them like a loan-shark. They are happy to collect ANYTHING from you, and if they can get a decent amount of the ticket, cash, out of you then and there, they are happy to do so and move on. Easy money.

but all that? Save it for THE COURT DATE YOU'VE BEEN BILLED FOR! because that is NOT the officer's problem, nor does making it his problem reduce yours.