Conversations with Sven: Is Michigan Safe for Holiday?

Sven, a former client of mine who lives in Sweden asked me recently about travel to the great state of Michigan.

"Ted," he asked.  "I've seen those 'Pure Michigan' ads and want to take a trip.  Is it safe there?"

Is it safe?  Of course it is, I told him.

And then the question that almost everyone considers when thinking of travel to the United States: "What about the guns?  They got a lot there, no?"

I took a deep breath.  It's hard to explain this to Americans and even harder explaining it to foreigners.

I told him that yes, there are a lot of guns in Michigan.  But the 436,000 concealed carry permits in Michigan help keep Michiganders and tourists very safe.

"But more people die of guns in Michigan than in car accidents," he said.

Sven had done his research.

That may be true, I told him.  "But Michigan's homicide rate is rather low."

Sven furrowed his eyebrows.  "In 2012, there were 536 murders in Michigan by guns.  All of Sweden only had 58 in the same year."

"Yes, but that is so much lower than California.  California had over 1300 murders by gun in 2012."

"But California's population is larger.  California's murder rate was actually lower than Michigan." He fumbled through some papers.

"What you got there," I asked.

"The F.B.I. Uniform Crime Report," he replied.  "I downloaded it from the internet today."

"Ya.  Here it is," he continued.  "California may have had the most homicides by gun, followed by Texas and Michigan.  But its murder rate was 5.0 per 100,000.  Michigan's was 7.0."

I took a sip of my coffee.  "Yes, but when you look at it that way, Michigan is only #6.  Not even in the top 5."

"Well, the top two aren't even states."

I looked down at the sheet.  He was right.  The top was Puerto Rico with a rate of 26.7.  That was followed by Washington, D.C. with a rate of 13.9.

"Now you have to remember," I told him.  "That rate is not just because of guns, but knives and other weapons as well."

"True," replied Sven.  "But still, the majority of these murders are committed by guns.  Why should I go to Michigan---"  He paused as he scanned the tables.  "---When I can go to New Hampshire, which has the lowest murder rate at 1.8?"

"That's even lower than Sweden, isn't it?"  I said with a smile.

"No, it isn't.  Sweden's murder rate is only .89.  We had only 58 murders with guns.  The United States had close to 10,000.  That's 162 times more than us."

I took another sip of coffee.  "Well, what's there to see in New Hampshire?  You want to live, you need to take risks."

I continued.  "Michigan's got beautiful beaches.  Great bed and breakfasts.  The Henry Ford Museum. Michigan has a lot to offer."

"True," Sven said, folding up his sheets of paper.  "Maybe I go.  Or, maybe just to Canada."

The fact is that America is the greatest place to visit.  Yes, there are a lot of guns.  But the majority of Americans are law-abiding people who just really want to protect others.  They are waiting for that moment when they can pull out their concealed handguns and take out a bad guy with a gun.

"As the NRA says, Sven," I tell him, "The only thing stopping a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.  And there are more good guys than bad."

"Just stay out of Detroit," I added.

Celebrating Open Carry--World Edition

Thanks to Open Carry Texas, the country is beginning to see just how important this is to the preservation of our security and our constitution.  These open carry advocates are the "good guys with guns."  Their presence not only demonstrates the strength of our Constitution, but the stability of our society.  They make us safer.  There's nothing like a guy with a large assault rifle walking down the street to give you that sense of comfort and calm.

They also look incredibly cool carrying their guns too.

There are other countries that allow Open Carry, too.  Although you should visit the United States, a visit to these countries would provide the same uplifting, exciting experience.  Here is a celebration of Open Carry in other parts of the world:

Open Carry in Libya

Cool Guys with Guns in Libya

Open Carrying in Somalia with a Smile

Open Carry in Yemen

Open Carry Texas Guys Open Carry at Local Sex Shop

(June 4, 2014  Dallas, TX)
After hanging out with their rifles and their pals at Target, a couple of Open Carry Texas guys were found open carrying in a local sex shop.

"We were just hoping to get a date," said one who didn't give his name, but said his profile was available on GunLoversPassion.com, a dating site for gun affectionados. "My profile name is 'Double Barrel,'" he added.

Open Carry Texas is a gun advocacy group that has been making headlines with members carrying long rifles and assault weapons in very public areas, such as Home Depot, Target, Chili's and Starbucks.  This is the first time that they open carried in a sex shop, however.

"I come here a lot," said the other young man.  "Mostly without my gun, though."  He walks down the isle, admiring the new assortment of blow-up dolls.  "If they had a Sarah Palin one, I'd buy that in an instant."

Members of Open Carry Texas open carrying in Dallas sex shop.

Walt Disney World PSAs

The "Happiest Place on Earth" is also one of the best armed--thanks to "Concealed Carry" advocates.  Many people smuggle guns into Disney World every day.  Here are a selection of advertisements for eight of the biggest sources of tourism to the United States.  It's time we highlight our well-armed citizenry for the rest of the world! You're welcome, Walt Disney World!

"It's an Armed World After All" Concealed Carry at the Happiest Place on Earth

Over 2 million people have been given permits to walk around packing heat in Florida.  And that’s a good thing, since Florida has the world’s most visited theme park.  Some 17 million people from all over the world visit Disney World every year.

And every time they go, they are protected by hundreds of armed civilians everyday in the park, making the "happiest place on earth" also the safest.

Although Disney has a strict “no guns” policy on its property, that doesn’t stop the patriots who believe in conceal carry.  “Concealed is concealed,” they like to say.

A quick scan at gun forums on the internet reveals the truth:  people bring guns into Disney all of the time.  Sometimes they are discovered, sometimes not.

"Goober Tim" carries in Disney World every time he goes and I feel safer because of it:

"bhale187" understands that not having a gun makes you a target of terrorism, because terrorists know that if there is a "good guy" with a gun, they'll detonate that bomb somewhere else. So he carries just in case he needs to "get a shot off in a crowd."  Good for him.  He makes us all safer.

"HKinNY" carries a Glock into Disney World.  And outside food and drink as well.  

Disney security is notorious and there has never been a major incident (except for the patriot who accidentally left his loaded gun on a ride at Animal Kingdom last year. Ooops.). "Ab4ka"always feels safe in Disney World, yet he carries all the time because "there is no exception."

Yes, Disney and any theme park in Florida is private property and they have a right to prohibit things from entering their property.  But what if the government plans a take-over of Disney World?  Who's going to protect Mickey?  Concealed Carry is the first line in our defense of freedom.  These heroes are capitalism's mercenary force.  

"Netentity" has carrying at Disney down to a science.  He "deeply conceals" and then transfers his spare magazines in the comfort of a restroom stall.  You have to admire a man willing to shove his guns and ammo anywhere in order to sneak past guards at Disney World.  I just hope he washes his hands.

"Salsa" has some good advice to avoid detection.  He even carries a knife as well because you can't be too careful.  If a terrorist shows up and he can't get to his gun in time, he'll be "good to go" on that perp.

Carrying at Disney World is quite popular among the CC folks and there are many more posts that show just how safe Disney is due to these diligent, but patriotic rule breakers.

Concealed carry at Disney World (or any amusement park, for that matter) is what civilization is all about.  Sure most of the people who attend Disney World are under the age of 10, but who's going to protect them if something goes down? It is comforting to know that some guy sitting next to you on “It’s a Small World” may be packing.  If chaos breaks out at Cinderella’s castle, these “good guys” with guns may be your only defense.

I wonder why Disney doesn't publicize this?  Maybe we should. Check out our new Disney World Posters!

"It's an Armed World"  This is what Concealed Carry at Disney World might look like.