YAY! Senate Takes Up Concealed Weapons Measure

[The_pantless_hero]

I disagree, especially in areas where there's an inherent bias against the presence of firearms.

Yes, because being secretive about something people don't like has at every point in history made them more accepting of it.

Carrying a gun on your person could get you more trouble than it would protect you from,

Oh no, people are making snide comments about my gun holster! How horrible!

A conceal & carry license reduces or eliminates that particular problem.

People not liking your pink gun holster?

Besides, most states require that you attend a gun safety course and receive a very thorough background check prior to getting a conceal and carry,

I'm glad you couldn't possibly miss my point more.

It's just not worth the effort - they'll just conceal it illegally if they're going to do that.

Perhaps you would like to pay attention and read what I wrote again.

[Galloism]

Carrying a gun on your person could get you more trouble than it would protect you from,

Oh no, people are making snide comments about my gun holster! How horrible!

A conceal & carry license reduces or eliminates that particular problem.

People not liking your pink gun holster?

Fuchsia, dammit.

Besides, most states require that you attend a gun safety course and receive a very thorough background check prior to getting a conceal and carry,

I'm glad you couldn't possibly miss my point more.

You had a point? I thought you were just saying there was no reason to conceal and carry a gun.

It's just not worth the effort - they'll just conceal it illegally if they're going to do that.

Perhaps you would like to pay attention and read what I wrote again.

Sure:

Concealment of weapon should be banned. All carried weapons for civilians should be required to be plainly visible.

And I disagreed with the following statements for the following reasons:

There is no reason to conceal a weapon on your person

I gave you a reason - to avoid problems with the rest of the public. To keep from causing panic and discomfort in areas where guns are not socially accepted.

Basically the same reason we have public nudity laws - to keep the general public from being alarmed and offended. (not that I agree with those, but that's another subject altogether)

You then asserted that there was only two reasons to conceal a gun:

unless you (a) tend to rob some one or some thing

In which case, the right to conceal and carry is going to make absolutely zero difference. A person who intends to rob someplace isn't going to get a conceal and carry license first. He will just conceal it illegally, because he's about to rob a store illegally anyway.

(b) subconsciously think guns project a magic forcefield that keeps you safe simply by being anywhere on your person.

And this I laughed at. It was humorous.

[The_pantless_hero]

Besides, most states require that you attend a gun safety course and receive a very thorough background check prior to getting a conceal and carry,

I'm glad you couldn't possibly miss my point more.

You had a point? I thought you were just saying there was no reason to conceal and carry a gun.

Exactly. What you said had nothing to do with my point. And no, I did not say there was no reason to carry a gun. I said there were only two reasons to conceal a weapon: You intend to rob some one or something or you are an idiot.

I gave you a reason - to avoid problems with the rest of the public.

What problems? Not only are your problems obviously theoretical but you didn't state them.

To keep from causing panic and discomfort in areas where guns are not socially accepted.

To quote myself:

Yes, because being secretive about something people don't like has at every point in history made them more accepting of it.

Basically the same reason we have public nudity laws - to keep the general public from being alarmed and offended.

The only reason we have public nudity laws is because we are a nation of morally self-righteous puritans.

In which case, the right to conceal and carry is going to make absolutely zero difference. A person who intends to rob someplace isn't going to get a conceal and carry license first. He will just conceal it illegally, because he's about to rob a store illegally anyway.

I'm sorry, read that again. I didn't say anything about doing it legally or illegally, I was solely making a statement about concealing a weapon. Perhaps you should turn off your knee-jerk filters.

And this I laughed at. It was humorous.

It was a nice way of saying "you are an idiot." Which I did in this post because I didn't want to type out the nicety again.

[Galloism]

Exactly. What you said had nothing to do with my point. And no, I did not say there was no reason to carry a gun. I said there were only two reasons to conceal a weapon: You intend to rob some one or something or you are an idiot.

Don't misrepresent my statements - I said that you said that there was no reason to conceal and carry a gun - I.E., carry a gun concealed, which is exactly your argument.

On to the point, I guess I fall into that category then, because I have a conceal and carry. I find it useful to be able to walk into places without everyone staring at my gun. Besides, if any sort of major crime were to go down, the guy with the visible gun is the first one to get shot at - seeing as he's the only visible threat.

Interestingly, in Florida, it's illegal *not* to conceal a gun while in your private vehicle, whether or not you have a CCW permit. The weapon must be concealed while in a vehicle, but then, if you don't have a CCW, it must be unconcealed upon exiting the vehicle.

I gave you a reason - to avoid problems with the rest of the public.

What problems? Not only are your problems obviously theoretical but you didn't state them.

To keep from causing panic and discomfort in areas where guns are not socially accepted.

To quote myself:

Yes, because being secretive about something people don't like has at every point in history made them more accepting of it.

Yes, and it would be nice if the public was more accepting of it. In some parts of Texas and Arkansas, for instance, I could carry a gun on my hip and it wouldn't even get a second glance.

In many parts of California or New York City, however, people might call 911 - "Omgz, he has a gun!" It's better to keep it concealed and avoid the hassle if you can get the proper permit.

Basically the same reason we have public nudity laws - to keep the general public from being alarmed and offended.

The only reason we have public nudity laws is because we are a nation of morally self-righteous puritans.

Heh, that is true. I can't argue with that.

In which case, the right to conceal and carry is going to make absolutely zero difference. A person who intends to rob someplace isn't going to get a conceal and carry license first. He will just conceal it illegally, because he's about to rob a store illegally anyway.

I'm sorry, read that again. I didn't say anything about doing it legally or illegally, I was solely making a statement about concealing a weapon. Perhaps you should turn off your knee-jerk filters.

I gave you reasons - to avoid public disturbance and allow a person to go about his day. It also prevents you from being the first person shot at in any kind of a criminal act.

[BunnySaurus Bugsii]

The only reason we have public nudity laws is because we are a nation of morally self-righteous puritans.

Which is why you are all so hot.

What, you didn't know that being morally self-righteous and all puritan and obsessed with personal hygeine makes you hot?

It's the way you go "oh, nooooo, I going to come! I feel so diiiiirty, I'm coming! I'm bad, I'm naughty, I'm ...."

Well, it gets we of a more practical and scandinavian temperament all hot and bothered, let me tell you.

Um, there was a subject ...?

[The_pantless_hero]

Don't misrepresent my statements - I said that you said that there was no reason to conceal and carry a gun - I.E., carry a gun concealed, which is exactly your argument.

I said, and I quote, "There is no reason to conceal a weapon on your person"

On to the point, I guess I fall into that category then, because I have a conceal and carry. I find it useful to be able to walk into places without everyone staring at my gun. Besides, if any sort of major crime were to go down, the guy with the visible gun is the first one to get shot at - seeing as he's the only visible threat.

Except the common argument in support of conceal in carry (which leads to my forcefield statement) is that it discourages crime. It can't discourage crime because no one knows you have it. If people were walking around with guns at their hips instead of under their shirt, I am pretty sure petty gun theft would go down (as opposed to preplanned major gun crimes).

Interestingly, in Florida, it's illegal *not* to conceal a gun while in your private vehicle, whether or not you have a CCW permit. The weapon must be concealed while in a vehicle, but then, if you don't have a CCW, it must be unconcealed upon exiting the vehicle.

Which is irrelevant for 2 reasons
1) We arn't talking about that
2) Florida is stupid. So much so that most sites that report weird news usually dedicate Fridays solely to weird news from Florida.

In many parts of California or New York City, however, people might call 911 - "Omgz, he has a gun!"

Maybe you should ask one of the New York Knicks or LA Lakers to catch the point as it flies over your head as you seem so short that you missed it twice.

I gave you reasons - to avoid public disturbance and allow a person to go about his day.

After the fact doesn't count

It also prevents you from being the first person shot at in any kind of a criminal act.

Forcefield.
OR.
Why exactly are you in support of carrying concealed weapons?

[BunnySaurus Bugsii]

I gave you reasons - to avoid public disturbance and allow a person to go about his day. It also prevents you from being the first person shot at in any kind of a criminal act.

Your attempt at a gender-neutral terminology is noted. "Their" day would have been more correct, but for a moment there I could actually place myself in your scenario as genderless human.

Frankly, if you want to be the hero in some scenario of a "criminal act" then carry a gun. If you want to reserve the right to be the hero who *cough* shoots someone *uncough* but aren't prepared to declare yourself as such in advance ... then screw you.

Carry your weapon where others know you are armed ... or be like any criminal and hide your gun until you use it.

That's exactly what concealed carry is: cowardice. I will be a hero, at the time and place of my choosing. Cowardice.

[Saint Clair Island]

I find concealed carry rather silly.

Instead, I would support a law mandating training in arms for all citizens, and making the ownership of some kind of weapon mandatory (except for those who objected for religious reasons or something). If you carried it in public, you would be required to display it on your person -- and since everyone would be trained in firearms and such, they wouldn't give it a second glance.

It would also be a boon for the fashion and gun industries. "Now here's a 9mm automatic pistol designed specially to match this purse!"

[Galloism]

Don't misrepresent my statements - I said that you said that there was no reason to conceal and carry a gun - I.E., carry a gun concealed, which is exactly your argument.

I said, and I quote, "There is no reason to conceal a weapon on your person"

Yes, I got you. Yes there is. It makes you less of a target while still leaving you armed and able to defend yourself and others.

On to the point, I guess I fall into that category then, because I have a conceal and carry. I find it useful to be able to walk into places without everyone staring at my gun. Besides, if any sort of major crime were to go down, the guy with the visible gun is the first one to get shot at - seeing as he's the only visible threat.

Except the common argument in support of conceal in carry (which leads to my forcefield statement) is that it discourages crime. It can't discourage crime because no one knows you have it. If people were walking around with guns at their hips instead of under their shirt, I am pretty sure petty gun theft would go down (as opposed to preplanned major gun crimes).

Well, Florida has issued over 250,000 CCW permits since 1987 when the law was enacted. Interestingly, since Florida issues more CCW permits than anybody else (I'm pretty sure - I can look for that if you want), we have some interesting crime statistics from Florida since the law was enacted:

In 1987, when Florida adopted its current concealed-weapons law, Florida's homicide rate was 11.4 persons per 100,000. In 1993, Florida's homicide rate declined to 8.7 persons per 100,000.[107] During this same period, the national homicide rate increased from 8.2 to 9.3 persons per 100,000.

....

During the same period (1987-93), the incidence of rape went up 14.4% while in Florida the rate went up only 2.9% and started declining in 1993.[109] Although Florida's rape rate went up somewhat, Florida women avoided the skyrocketing rape rates that the rest of the country experienced.

You can deny the relevance if you want, and argue that correlation does not equal causation, but that correlation is strong enough that I would oppose any change to our issuance of CCW permits and allowance of people to carry and conceal.

http://www.saf.org/LawReviews/Espohl1.htm

Interestingly, in Florida, it's illegal *not* to conceal a gun while in your private vehicle, whether or not you have a CCW permit. The weapon must be concealed while in a vehicle, but then, if you don't have a CCW, it must be unconcealed upon exiting the vehicle.

Which is irrelevant for 2 reasons
1) We arn't talking about that
2) Florida is stupid. So much so that most sites that report weird news usually dedicate Fridays solely to weird news from Florida.

1) I know. It was just an interesting factoid I thought I'd throw out there to see if you were interested. Apparently you weren't.
2) That doesn't surprise me in the slightest.

In many parts of California or New York City, however, people might call 911 - "Omgz, he has a gun!"

Maybe you should ask one of the New York Knicks or LA Lakers to catch the point as it flies over your head as you seem so short that you missed it twice.

Yes, avoiding a public disturbance is the reason I got a CCW. It's also the reason why I don't wear my underwear on my head, or get a dragon tattoo on my face.

I gave you reasons - to avoid public disturbance and allow a person to go about his day.

After the fact doesn't count

What?

It also prevents you from being the first person shot at in any kind of a criminal act.

Forcefield.

Well, let's say it makes you less likely to be the first person shot in any kind of criminal action. It doesn't "prevent" it per se, but it does keep you from being targeted not-at-random.

[Galloism]

I gave you reasons - to avoid public disturbance and allow a person to go about his day. It also prevents you from being the first person shot at in any kind of a criminal act.

Your attempt at a gender-neutral terminology is noted. "Their" day would have been more correct, but for a moment there I could actually place myself in your scenario as genderless human.

Damn. I should have used his/her. "Their" is actually less correct, as it's a plural pronoun rather than singular. I could have said "to avoid public disturbance and allow people to go about their days." and that would have been correct, but alas, I didn't.

Frankly, if you want to be the hero in some scenario of a "criminal act" then carry a gun. If you want to reserve the right to be the hero who *cough* shoots someone *uncough* but aren't prepared to declare yourself as such in advance ... then screw you.

Nah, if I get shot at the very start of the criminal act before I even get to draw, it's not going to be a very heroic day for me, is it?

Carry your weapon where others know you are armed ... or be like any criminal and hide your gun until you use it.

Criminals like FBI agents, Secret Service, Undercover Police, etc?

That's exactly what concealed carry is: cowardice. I will be a hero, at the time and place of my choosing. Cowardice.

Nah, it gives me the drop on the criminals should the situation require it, and allows me to go about my day without everyone looking at my gun first and me second.

[The_pantless_hero]

Well, Florida has issued over 250,000 CCW permits since 1987 when the law was enacted. Interestingly, since Florida issues more CCW permits than anybody else (I'm pretty sure - I can look for that if you want), we have some interesting crime statistics from Florida since the law was enacted:

In 1987, when Florida adopted its current concealed-weapons law, Florida's homicide rate was 11.4 persons per 100,000. In 1993, Florida's homicide rate declined to 8.7 persons per 100,000.[107] During this same period, the national homicide rate increased from 8.2 to 9.3 persons per 100,000.

....

During the same period (1987-93), the incidence of rape went up 14.4% while in Florida the rate went up only 2.9% and started declining in 1993.[109] Although Florida's rape rate went up somewhat, Florida women avoided the skyrocketing rape rates that the rest of the country experienced.

You can deny the relevance if you want, and argue that correlation does not equal causation, but that correlation is strong enough that I would oppose any change to our issuance of CCW permits and allowance of people to carry and conceal.

And what was their previous unconcealed carry law?

Yes, avoiding a public disturbance is the reason I got a CCW. It's also the reason why I don't wear my underwear on my head, or get a dragon tattoo on my face.

Your analogies are asinine and make your reason asinine.

Well, let's say it makes you less likely to be the first person shot in any kind of criminal action. It doesn't "prevent" it per se, but it does keep you from being targeted not-at-random.

Load. Of. Crap.
Well, let's address that first.
1) Present statistics that some one carrying a visible gun is more likely to be shot in a criminal act before some one not visibly carrying a gun. A civilian carrying a gun.
2) What kind of crimes do you believe you will be getting into that carrying a gun visibly is more likely to get you shot than deter the crime? Moreover, how many of these have you heard of. Present statistics for number 1, or at least evidence, because you talk like you have them.

Now to the relevant part. You didn't address my question. That is why you conceal the gun. You didn't answer why you carried a gun.

[Gun Manufacturers]

Speaking as a limey I feel this whole issue is ridiculous. While I support gun control in general the idea of concealed weapons has a particular stupidity to my mind. No one except plain clothes law enforcement, and in special cases (ie: ambassadors) private security should ever have the need to carry a concealed weapon. That is just asking for trouble.

While I understand the arguments why some Americans (and some Brits as well) need guns - hunting essentially being the only reason I accept as legitimate - allowing private citizens to walk around with guns hidden on themselves makes no sense, and has no logical reasons going for it that I can think off. If you have a bear problem carry a gun people can see - why do you have a need to hide it?

What you consider a legitimate reason for firearms ownership is irrelevant in the US.

It should not be. In fact, I don't think it is. The Second Amendment notwithstanding, the debate state by state and the consequent legislation is based on harm and benefit, just like any ethical debate is.

That is, having a Federal constitution which guarantees a right, does not render "irrelevant" debate about whether the right to bear weapons is a human right. That debate certainly includes "reason," the intentions of a person bearing weapons and their reason for doing so.

Or perhaps you intend to take a big dump on the US people, and say that they are incapable of considering the legal right to bear weapons, incapable of making an ethical decision about that and putting it into law, because it's already "in the book." You want to cast the US people, the body politic, into the role of Bible Literalists, with the Constitution as their Bible? Incapable of making real-world decisions, because "it says here"?

But to answer your question, people carry concealed because some states don't allow open carry. In those states, if you're carrying, it MUST be concealed. Also, some people have been harassed for open carrying in states where it is legal.

Harassed by police, you mean?

Perhaps you missed the point where he said he was from the UK/Britain (he called himself a limey). That's why his opinion on what is a legitimate reason for firearms ownership in the US is irrelevant.

And yes, people have been harassed by police, just for open carrying (detained, arrested, firearms seized, etc).

[The_pantless_hero]

Criminals like FBI agents, Secret Service, Undercover Police, etc?

The first two might as well be wearing signs saying "I have at least 3 pistols on my person." The last should have to open carry like any civilian.

[The_pantless_hero]

And yes, people have been harassed by police, just for open carrying (detained, arrested, firearms seized, etc).

Because guns are associated with committing crimes. You people keep ignoring the thing I am saying over and over about how concealing something doesn't make it more acceptable to have.

[Intestinal fluids]

And yes, people have been harassed by police, just for open carrying (detained, arrested, firearms seized, etc).

Because guns are associated with committing crimes. You people keep ignoring the thing I am saying over and over about how concealing something doesn't make it more acceptable to have.

Pennsylvania Mom Gets Back Concealed Gun Permit

LEBANON, Pa. -- A mother who angered fellow parents when she openly carried a pistol to her 5-year-old daughter's soccer ...

http://www.usacarry.com/forums/pennsylv ... ermit.html

[Galloism]

And what was their previous unconcealed carry law?

It was a "may-issue" state. The local authorities (usually the sherrif) could choose to issue or not to issue on the basis of any reason whatsoever, including he got up on the wrong side of bed that morning.

Yes, avoiding a public disturbance is the reason I got a CCW. It's also the reason why I don't wear my underwear on my head, or get a dragon tattoo on my face.

Your analogies are asinine and make your reason asinine.

So, do enlighten me on why they're asinine. Both will cause public disturbance. So would it if I carried a 6 foot long scimitar with me everywhere I went (although that would be really cool). In many places, a gun provokes the same reaction.

Well, let's say it makes you less likely to be the first person shot in any kind of criminal action. It doesn't "prevent" it per se, but it does keep you from being targeted not-at-random.

Load. Of. Crap.
Well, let's address that first.
1) Present statistics that some one carrying a visible gun is more likely to be shot in a criminal act before some one not visibly carrying a gun. A civilian carrying a gun.

Oh you may have caught me there. It seems logical, but I don't have a statistic offhand. I'll look - give me a few minutes.

2) What kind of crimes do you believe you will be getting into that carrying a gun visibly is more likely to get you shot than deter the crime? Moreover, how many of these have you heard of. Present statistics for number 1, or at least evidence, because you talk like you have them.

I would think desperate drug-addicted individuals. I am thinking specifically of convenience store and bank robberies and such. However, I'll see if I can find a statistic for you.

Now to the relevant part. You didn't address my question. That is why you conceal the gun. You didn't answer why you carried a gun.

I carry a gun for the defense of myself and the defense of others when needed. I conceal it to keep from causing a disturbance until such time as I need to use it for the defense of myself or the defense of others.

[Gun Manufacturers]

There are still FFL's/Federal Firearms License (Assuming you can get one...fat chance in MA it seems), but I'm not sure if those cover concealed carry.

An FFL is what you need if you're a firearms dealer. It allows firearms manufacturers to ship firearms to your location, and allows you to resell them. It is not a carry permit.

[The_pantless_hero]

And yes, people have been harassed by police, just for open carrying (detained, arrested, firearms seized, etc).

Because guns are associated with committing crimes. You people keep ignoring the thing I am saying over and over about how concealing something doesn't make it more acceptable to have.

Pennsylvania Mom Gets Back Concealed Gun Permit

LEBANON, Pa. -- A mother who angered fellow parents when she openly carried a pistol to her 5-year-old daughter's soccer ...

http://www.usacarry.com/forums/pennsylv ... ermit.html

God this is like talking to a fucking wall.

Concealing something doesn't make it more acceptable to have.

[Galloism]

God this is like talking to a fucking wall.

Concealing something doesn't make it more acceptable to have.

No, but if you're concealing it, they don't know you have it, so they don't find you unacceptable to have around now do they?

[Saint Clair Island]

God this is like talking to a fucking wall.

Concealing something doesn't make it more acceptable to have.

No, but if you're concealing it, they don't know you have it, so they don't find you unacceptable to have around now do they?

By the same token, those homosexual deviants should just pretend to be straight, so that nobody gets uncomfortable around them.

[The_pantless_hero]

It was a "may-issue" state. The local authorities (usually the sherrif) could choose to issue or not to issue on the basis of any reason whatsoever, including he got up on the wrong side of bed that morning.

So the correct answer is "they couldn't openly carry guns either."

So, do enlighten me on why they're asinine. Both will cause public disturbance. So would it if I carried a 6 foot long scimitar with me everywhere I went (although that would be really cool). In many places, a gun provokes the same reaction.

Unless you are, gasp, at a place where it is common to see a gun! Imagine that, acclimation!
And they are asinine because they are wholly unrelated and unregulated by law.

I would think desperate drug-addicted individuals.

Yeah because that totally makes more sense that they are going to be logical and attack & kill a person with a gun where they wouldn't do the same to some one without a gun.

I am thinking specifically of convenience store and bank robberies and such.

I am most positive any number of convenience store robberies are ended by the clerk pulling a gun, or any anything usable as a weapon, and scaring off the robber, now imagine if the gun was far more obvious.
Petty bank robberies would likely end the same way.

I carry a gun for the defense of myself and the defense of others when needed. I conceal it to keep from causing a disturbance until such time as I need to use it for the defense of myself or the defense of others.

Basically, force field. Good job.

[Galloism]

God this is like talking to a fucking wall.

Concealing something doesn't make it more acceptable to have.

No, but if you're concealing it, they don't know you have it, so they don't find you unacceptable to have around now do they?

By the same token, those homosexual deviants should just pretend to be straight, so that nobody gets uncomfortable around them.

/shrug

I didn't say I'd force everyone to conceal and carry if they don't want to. I just want to have the option.

We could have an inquisition and out every homosexual on the planet, and make them wear signs saying they're homosexual so it will be accepted.

That's what taking away CCW does to gun owners.

[The_pantless_hero]

God this is like talking to a fucking wall.

Concealing something doesn't make it more acceptable to have.

No, but if you're concealing it, they don't know you have it, so they don't find you unacceptable to have around now do they?

A marijuana joint is just as illegal in your pocket as in your mouth.

[The_pantless_hero]

We could have an inquisition and out every homosexual on the planet, and make them wear signs saying they're homosexual so it will be accepted.

That's what taking away CCW does to gun owners.

No, it's not and it doesn't.

[Galloism]

It was a "may-issue" state. The local authorities (usually the sherrif) could choose to issue or not to issue on the basis of any reason whatsoever, including he got up on the wrong side of bed that morning.

So the correct answer is "they couldn't openly carry guns either."

Yes, they could openly carry. Conceal and carry permits were what was at the discretion of local authorities.

Do try to understand what I'm saying. It's not really that hard.

So, do enlighten me on why they're asinine. Both will cause public disturbance. So would it if I carried a 6 foot long scimitar with me everywhere I went (although that would be really cool). In many places, a gun provokes the same reaction.

Unless you are, gasp, at a place where it is common to see a gun! Imagine that, acclimation!
And they are asinine because they are wholly unrelated and unregulated by law.

Yes, but I don't live in Texas. I live in a state where if you carry a gun you generally get a CCW. It's just the way it is, and I'm ok with concealing my gun habit.

I would think desperate drug-addicted individuals.

Yeah because that totally makes more sense that they are going to be logical and attack & kill a person with a gun where they wouldn't do the same to some one without a gun.

Well, if there's 10 people standing around, and one's visibly armed, and one's unvisibly armed, who's going to get shot at first?

I am thinking specifically of convenience store and bank robberies and such.

I am most positive any number of convenience store robberies are ended by the clerk pulling a gun, or any anything usable as a weapon, and scaring off the robber, now imagine if the gun was far more obvious.
Petty bank robberies would likely end the same way.

Some do end that way. I don't know how many, but some.

A gun is not a threatening object until it's pointed. If it's hanging on the wall behind you, there's shit all you can do with it. I'm not saying everyone should be *forced* to conceal and carry, but that it should remain an option.

I carry a gun for the defense of myself and the defense of others when needed. I conceal it to keep from causing a disturbance until such time as I need to use it for the defense of myself or the defense of others.

Basically, force field. Good job.

So, splitting that up-

Carrying a gun for the defense of myself and others = forcefield?

or

Not causing a public disturbance = forcefield?

I'm confused.