AndrewK - Actually I do have friends abroad that I game and chat with quite a 
lot and between that and reading foreign news agencies, I see what is 
happening in Europe and Canada now.  Frankly, I am not impressed.

. . . and I think like MANY others, that perhaps there are some that SHOULD 
have been more concerned about what's going on in their government and that 
now it may be just too late.

. . . and then there is the fact that historically, it is very lucky for many 
people in Europe and Canada that the US is so ready to protect our freedom and 
liberty.

PS ~ Also, I do do Irony quite often :)

Muehe (and others)

OK I am not entirely serious ("To be serious for a minute") and we all know 
that Americans do not do irony (JOKE!!!), but there is some serious intent in 
my comment.

(Sweeping generalisation alert!) As someone who has travelled a fair bit and 
lived in various countries, I think that Americans do have a tendency to (a) 
not know that much about the world outside their own borders and (b) do not 
realise quite how extreme some of their views may appear. The right to bear 
arms being such a point. And the paranoia about their government being another.

I believe that Bob is somewhat more sensitive to these facts and also to the 
fact that this forum is not exclusively accessed by Americans.

The plaque is spreading north:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012401775_apwawildlifeagentshootout1stldwritethru.html

Edited due to possiblity of offense; which was not intended.

Andrew -

Yes, this is the difference between the U.S. and many, but certainly not all, other countries. We still have a 
bit of a frontier mentality, and the urge for freedom that goes with it. 

As for civilized, you will never find a more polite or cleaner society than one that is well armed. Along with 
clean toilets, that pretty well describes civilized to me. :) 

-Paul

Although I recognize the right to carry guns under the current laws of this 
country, I don't like guns either.

It's nice to use my first amendment right to talk about my second amendment
right in public, is this a great country or what?

In Canada
The "Right To Bear Arms" means Going to the Beach!

Handguns can only be owned by police, security officers, and approved target 
shooters and collectors.

Brian

AndrewK  You are joking, right?

In this context that would be a "concealed carry permit".  And typically in 
the states would be similar to the old British Firearms License.  The user has 
demostrated familiarity with the safe handling of a firearm.

And I am far more comfortable with someone who has a gun AND a ccp, than I am 
with a person who just has a gun.

Do you good people have any idea how disturbing this kind of talk is to those 
of us who live in civilised countries (ie outside USA) ? To be serious for a 
minute, once again I am aware of the enormous gulf that exists between the 
States and Europe.

Frankly I can handle the phrase 'concealed carry piece' in a Marty Scorsese 
film, but in a programming forum ?

Does a Diamond in the rough count ?

IIRC a friend of mine said it's real easy to get a CC license if you're a 
diamond dealer.

Interesting on the 26; maybe I'll try that one out next time I go to the 
range.  The 19 is my 1st gun and I picked it because I could get my hand 
around the handle in the correct position.  With a Glock you are pretty much 
limited to one handle size per model, unlike revolvers where you can choose 
from many different handles.

So, this one was a nice fit and the recoil is not too much for me either. I 
can rapid shoot and keep a nice pattern with it; also it would work as a CC 
weapon, although the likely hood of getting a license for that in San Diego is 
pretty slim . . . too nothing.

Agreed on Glock 26, that will be my CC choice, need to GOMA and get my CPL.

Try a Glock 26 (aka a baby glock in 9mm) easier to conceal than the standard 
and service sizes.

Walmart: $9.95 for 50, not as cheap as .22 for sure.

I considered the Glock 19 and tried it's feel, I think it's a great concealed
carry piece but it just didn't "fit" me well. Same with the 17.

After some more time at the range with rentals, I'm 99% sure I'm going with the
FNX-9.

I got a Glock 19 last month and am pretty happy with it so far.
Target practice is fun but the ammo costs TOO much :p

Good luck Sarge, have fun while you're at it.

Hey, you probably have an opinion on this for a 9mm:

Glock 17
S&W M&P 9
FNH FNX-9 (or FNP-0)

These are my final candidates, tried a bunch of 'em.

but just for 9 days, this time.  gonna be out of the office from saturday (17 
july) to train a reserve unit.

seems i am the only person (not deployed) in this area that is knows the MK19, 
M2 and M249 machine guns, and is also a certified firearms (master marksman) 
instructor.

i'll be checking in with my google phone if i can get through to the internet 
in deepest, darkest Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

-Sarge