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Moving to Wilmington from Tennessee/Virginia - in shock....

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DontWannaDieOnAJog:
I grew up in TN and have lived in VA for a few years. I have been trying to digest the extent of the DE's concealed carry requirements over the past few days..... I am moving there early next year for work. Fair warning, I am venting. I don't have another outlet because I'm in a social milieu that acts like I'm about to storm the capital just because I like to carry a small pistol in case I need it.

Background - A few years ago, my dog and I were on a walk when we were attacked by a pit bull. The dog (which wasn't even that big, maybe 50 pounds?) latched on to my 80-pound dog's neck. I've never heard her scream like that. It took me ten minutes to get the dog off of her (after punching it in the eye five times at one point, which didn't phase it). I had marks from its canines all the way around my calf from where I pulled my leg out of its mouth just before it would have no doubt mauled the meaty part of my calf. My dog got lucky, as she has mane-like hair on her neck which prevented the dog from getting ahold of more flesh. Though, she did have numerous puncture wounds. After this, I looked into self-defense, and began carrying mace and a knife. I was still scared because mace is frequently ineffective against these dogs, and the fact that it would have to get so close to me to use my knife was not terribly reassuring. Not to mention I would be trying to control my own 80-pound dog during all of this.

Fast forward a few years - After enough trips to the range, I recently started carrying on my walks with my dog, and I simply didn't realize how paranoid I still was from the dog attack. I'm now outside exercising probably three times as much as before. I'm so much more relaxed. it's unreal. I've had dogs run up on us and I stayed perfectly calm, because I knew I could handle it if the worst happened. I also think this calmness helps to deter attacks in the first place. This was a wonderful feeling given how helpless I felt during the attack a few years prior (and how paranoid I was afterward).

Realizing that I likely won't be able to get a permit for concealed carry for at least several months (and probably longer, because my workplace is blue blue blue and references are unlikely) is just so disheartening. I know I can open carry, but I just don't want to draw that much attention to myself in a blue state with high crime rates. I am also a very private person, and I am not sure about advertising myself in the newspaper. Work is also politically sensitive on this issue, and it could very possibly affect my career.

It's just so odd to me... Given where I've lived, people around me have of course championed 2nd amendment rights, but even people who don't really care about gun rights were very supportive of women carrying while on a jog or a walk.

I don't mean to turn this into a gender issue, as I think the laws are absolutely ridiculous on their face (and Lord knows we've got enough people trying to turn everything into a "gender thing"). I just feel like as a female jogger/walker this is even more scary and unfair. I don't want to ever get into a hand-to-hand fight with anyone or anything. I'm just so angry that this newfound peace of mind will not be available to me in the state of DE. I don't understand how the strength disparity between men and women is not even considered in making these kinds of laws, especially with the culture's hyperfocus on gender right now. It puts women at the mercy of male criminals with twice the upper body strength and dogs that are known to frequently kill even grown men. I know I'm preaching to the choir here.... I'm just upset. From looking at news reports and judging by my own experience visiting the area last summer, DE seems to have a serious pit bull problem as well. I saw numerous hyena-sized pits on street corners with floss-thin leashes. By the way, criminals do use these dogs as weapons (but I can't conceal carry a pistol?).

I could use some advice on the following - is there anyone in Wilmington or the surrounding areas that can speak to the community's general reaction to open carrying? Is there anything I should be concerned about? Have there been any concerning prosecutions of people exercising their right to self-defense? Any concerning attitudes from District Attorneys (ya know, where they exercise performative empathy solely on behalf of the criminal perpetrator? Looking at you, Philadelphia)?

Any general advice (or commiseration) is welcome. And - on the bright side - if I'm forced to go public regarding concealed carry, I may as well get involved in the local political processes surrounding the issue.

Just Bill:
Welcome aboard!!  But Wilmington city is not good place to live or open carry.  Crime is high, bad guys generally don't get prosecuted.  Suburbs to west and south better crime wise.  The DE process is expensive and lengthy.  And one-party system in DE is determined to become CA.  There are multiple court battles currently in process.  There are probably some on this site that can help with references.  Others may disagree with my negativity, so be it.

Bill

DontWannaDieOnAJog:

--- Quote from: Just Bill on October 22, 2022, 08:16:27 PM ---Welcome aboard!!  But Wilmington city is not good place to live or open carry.  Crime is high, bad guys generally don't get prosecuted.  Suburbs to west and south better crime wise.  The DE process is expensive and lengthy.  And one-party system in DE is determined to become CA.  There are multiple court battles currently in process.  There are probably some on this site that can help with references.  Others may disagree with my negativity, so be it.

Bill

--- End quote ---

Thank you for the warm welcome! And I appreciate the advice on Wilmington. I'll definitely check out the areas you mentioned for housing. I'm realizing I took my rights in TN for granted (and VA, to a slightly lesser degree).

I'll do my best to offset one of the NY transplants and look forward to funneling a chunk of my nice salary from my libbed out employer towards the cause (joking, kind of? I'll try to dial down the spice on future posts). Thanks again!

Just Bill:
Freedom of speech is fully allowed here.  Speak your mind, you will not be booed here.  It is truly a shame you took such physical damage because your rights were limited.

My Basset Hound weas attacked by the neighbors Pit bulls, unfortunately I did not have much to stop them either. minimal damage when the neighbor actually stepped in.

Clarence:
Unfortunately the references and the newspaper ad are long standing (1911).  In fact the references used to be from your election district. 

The recent Bruen decision MAY make these portions of the concealed carry law unconstitutional.  You seem like a perfect plaintiff for such a test case.

If you are willing to get involved, the Firearms Coalition is actively looking for Delaware residents to challenge these infringements on our rights.

You may want to get in contact with them. 

Firearms Policy Coalition. https://www.firearmspolicy.org

Hoping all goes well with you and please do continue following this forum.

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