I think we have a troll in our midst.

[Phillip Gain]

Has anyone else noticed, over the last few days, we've been getting a lot of posts from very new members (less than 10 posts) asking really loaded stuff? Stuff that is meant to bait people and start an argument, rather than open a meaningful discussion?

Things like:

- A post saying he wants to get a NJ nonresident permit for when he visits his mother

- Another post describing a situation where he sees a LEO draw his gun and approach the car he just stopped, and wants to know "Should I draw and back him up?"

- Another post asking "What do I do now that I'm moving from AZ to IL?"

- Another post asking "I checked 'target and hunting' instead of 'personal protection' by mistake on my application - what do I do??"

The list goes on.

I'm wondering if we have a really bored member who has nothing better to do than antagonize with (what seem to me to be) stupid and/or bait questions.

[jon@hmbgny]

i noticed that myself hmmm

[Bighouse Doc]

Or dramatic quotes like '..you could cut the tension with a knife.."

-Doc

[CharonPDX]

Some come across as definitely "innocently ignorant newb," but yeah, some come across as definite troll. (I seriously debated not replying to one of those threads, then feared that some innocently ignorant newb would read the thread and be tempted to act in the manner the suspected troll suggests.)

[WV_Ray]

perhaps, in the LEO situation, if he had drawn, and announced real loudly, "I have a gun!" we wouldn't get anymore weird posts.

[nogods]

A post can't be a "bait" post unless someone responding to it is easily manipulated.

None of those posts seem so outrageous that they couldn't be real situations, even though they may not be. People ask about hypothetical situations all the time.

[Phillip Gain]

Yes, but these hypotheticals are just absurd enough to draw out well-meaning forum members who want to be helpful, and start a debate.

This troll obviously knows his subject matter.

[Flanmedic51]

I've seen posts as well that irk me. I mean, I assume most conceal carry that post some of the crap on here and that's scary enough. There's a level of maturity that seems to be missing and that doesn't help the 2nd Amendment cause. Glad to see others have noticed. But picking and choosing good conversations to be apart of instead of getting sucked into the troll ones will benefit the ol' stress level.

[Turkules77]

Wasn't there a post recently about someone reaching for something on a high shelf in Wal-Mart and that persons gun just so happened to flash a little. That caused the person witnessing this to ask the question "should I draw on this person"? Seemed like an odd question. I doubt there is anyone on this site who would even contemplate drawing a weapon on someone who accidentally flashed their weapon reaching for something at a store. Now it all makes sense.

[rdm6680]

You just took the bait.