I pick-pocketed a guy not so long ago.  I gave him his money back, with a pat on the back, and a kind word.  The guy mugged me; took everything I had and left me so beaten down that I couldn't get on a flight for hours.

I said that was a dickhead move.  He said, truthfully, well now, what do you expect?  This is the mafia.

And these are the Streets.  A lot of the men, and women, around here drink, get high and talk shit.  They shout at each other, break balls, insult and so on.

But, unless a threat is made, should guns ever come out?  If a Made Man starts talking shit to a Goomba, and that Goomba bests him in verbal jousting, should the guns come out?

If a non-made member gets into a row with a CL from another city, again, when should the guns come out?

My view is that the guns should only come out when a threat is made.  That's it.  For nothing else.

So, when do YOU think the guns should come out?

I'll be interested in seeing what CLs think.

walks by and heres someone talking and laughs to himself,  thinking I would have beat the crap out of you too.

So you robbed someone and expected them to be friendly about it and laugh it off? I think I know who's house I'll be visiting....

Del_Preston - why not engage with the discussion, instead of sniping from the sidelines?  It doesn't make you look good.

Junk_in_the_Trunk - fair enough.  But what should we be able to say to each other on the Streets?

For example, were I to say that you're too dumb to engage sensibly in a discussion on the Streets, that you had nothing to offer, that you would never have anything to offer, would that be crossing a line?

Louis,

Your question is a rather broad one but I will add my views on this in the best way I can.

But, unless a threat is made, should guns ever come out?  If a Made Man starts talking shit to a Goomba, and that Goomba bests him in verbal jousting, should the guns come out?

If a Mademan and a Goomba wish to have a verbal battle, they would be free to do so and no guns should be drawn in this instance. However, with one of those individuals being Made, this should be taken into consideration from the Goomba. This doesnt mean the Mademan has free reign to contiously insult somehow of a lower rank though since respect should work both ways.

If a non-made member gets into a row with a CL from another city, again, when should the guns come out?

This is different. A non-made member should never be seen standing in the streets and insulting a Leader from another City. Depending on what has been said, this could certainly result in the swift removal of the member. It would depend on the details of the situation but once again, it comes down to respect. A Made member should hopefully already understand this and wouldn't be insulting a Leader anyway, so I feel that answers itself.

In pretty much all cases, guns should be holstered unless you have been ordered to remove it from its holder, or, you are using it for target practise.

The above is my opinion of course, others may have a slightly different view. This is a valid discussion point so it would be good if everyone could add their thoughts on the topic if they wanted to share their own views.

Having said that though, all CL's should have the ability to respond to any discussions at their own pleasure. They are never required nor expected to be somewhere unless its something which has been pre-agreed interally.

In my opinion, it doesn't matter what your title says when it comes to respect. If I am a goomba, I don't give disrespect to a crew leader. If I am a crew leader, I don't give disrespect to a goomba. We are all humans here.

I gave him his money back, with a pat on the back, and a kind word. 

This right here explains precisely why you got mugged. You decided to cut corners and did not follow pickpocket protocol to completion. Everyone knows that before the pat on the back but after the kind word you have to compliment his outfit, mention something regarding what a lovely day it is, send warmest regards to his Mom and Pops, ask him if he wants a lolipop and only THEN you can patronizingly pat him on the back as if you were consoling a child. I am surprised you got away with just a beating, close call for you but count your blessings that the fella had a kind heart. 

It's not all in vain tho, there's a lesson to be learned. As the old saying goes "You mess with the zebra, you get the hooves."

I gave him his money back, with a pat on the back, and a kind word. 

Looks for the kind word and the pat on the back

Damn I must of missed it. So tell me Louis_T, If someone came up to you and rudely pp'ed you, would you not teach him a lesson about reaching into your pockets without asking, whether or not if the culprit gave back the money. 

But you had the nerve to message me to tell me what I did was a dickhead move? Kid, this is the fucking mafia. It seems to me that you complain a lot. You should seek out another profession, this one don't suit you Louis_T.

I'll be interested in seeing what CLs think.

Well I don't know about you but if someone I don't know goes into my wealthy pockets and takes 15k from me and I don't know them, then you can be sure I am putting them in the hospital for a few hours at  the minimum.   First off  if I don't know you why you in my pants?  Your assaulting me.

As for arguments I believe there are certain situations where the gun should be used let me give an example,

Lets say Joe (fictional character) is arguing with Jerry (fictional character). Joe is a made man in a family but Jerry is not affiliated with anyone. If joe didn't start the conflict well guess what I am okay with Jerry seeing a butt head of the gun .   Although if Jerry is affiliated then a quick message to his Leader and from there his leader will deal with it as he see's fit.

Lets take my family for instance, I will not tolerate disrespect in the streets. I don't care what the reason is, handle it with respect. At the end of the day you are representing my family out here. Everything you do has an impact on the families image either good or bad. My bloodline has documented instances where  past wars erupted  over comments in the streets.

At the end of the day most situations can be handled without the gun but I believe its up to each leader to address the situation as they see fit.

In my opinion, pickpocketing and mugging shouldn't require a discussion at all. If you are caught you deal with the consequences of your actions. Personally I find it taxing to even receive word about alleged pickpocketing incidents and would rather never hear about it again. But that isn't the world we live in and isn't the topic of this conversation. 

Mr. Louis_T here is accurate in saying that guns shouldn't be drawn unless there is a clear threat of violence. If you're threatening violence of something as shallow as having a couple dollars pulled out of your pocket it speaks volumes about your character. Sure everyone wants to walk around and pretend their a big tough guy sometimes, but that only gets you so far. Life on these shores is about picking your battles and if you try to pull a gun for every little argument you'll find yourself in the river by your lonesome. 

I think you may have patted him a tad too low on the back.

Can't say this issue is the most important one, haven't all been having this in this world or am I wrong, it's just like much another thing, take it and forget it, lives go on and the world spins on, I promise.

And also agrees fully to what Kinky_Roger said.

Why are you living? 

We are all in a dream.