“We don’t dial 911”

“We don’t dial 911,” accompanied by the representation of a gun, is sometimes seen among Texas gift items. Sometimes the full phrase is given as: “We don’t dial 911, we dial .357,” meaning a .357 magnum revolver. The gift items (stickers, plaques, etc.) appeared in the 1990s.
   
   
The Texas Store
We Don’t Dial 911 Wall Hanging
Item No: 7212
Price: 21.99
3’ wide
 
Jefferson, Texas General Store
We Don’t Dial 911 Ornament $5.99
A funny ornament in the shape of Texas, with a revolver and the saying “We Don’t Dial 911” on the front.
 
Google Groups: talk.politics.guns.aus-politics
Newsgroups: talk.politics.guns, aus.politics
From: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (Lee E. Brown)
Date: 1997/02/27
Subject: Re: The gun debate and aus.politics
 
P.S.  I saw a cool sticker in Texas a few weeks go. No pictures of guns, no “protected by Smith & Wesson,” none of that crap.
 
It simply says: “WE DON’T DIAL 911 AROUND HERE.”
 
Free Republic
8 posted on 06/16/2005 4:44:44 AM PDT by Leofl (I’m from Texas, We don’t dial 911)
 
Kari Brooks
Oh, Texas.. Your wit charms me… and Abercrombie
Posted in General on 08.12.05 22:00
(...)
This was a new one for me, “We don’t dial 911,” written inside a picture of the state of Texas with a gun strategically placed under the comforting words. – Hmmmm, do you think it would be a little easier to just come out and freely say, “Texas – Land of the Hicks”? Rethink this one, Texas. 
 
2 August 2006, Spokane (WA) Spokesman-Review, “Violent crime rises 5.7% as most other types fall”:
Aug. 2—Visitors to Ray Fink’s home are greeted by the barrel of a shotgun pictured on a sign with the warning, “We don’t dial 911.” He and his wife sleep with loaded guns within reach. 
   
Gold & Silver Forum
wallew
04-20-2007, 12:27 PM
I’ve got a sign in our home. It was given to me by my little sister, who lives on a ranch in Texas.
The sign says:
WE DON’T DIAL 911
 
nelliethekickassmofo
May 27, 2007 - Sunday
We don’t dial 911 down here
(...)
OMG Texans are totally insane.
 
Kollarrow
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
(Picture of a gun—ed.)
We don’t dial 911 in Texas
 
alt.comedy.standup
Author: Peter B. P.
Date: Jun 28, 2007 17:57
 
“We don’t dial 911 - we dial .357”.
     
Wikipedia: .357 Magnum
The .357 Magnum is a revolver cartridge created by Elmer Keith, Phillip Sharpe, Winchester, and the firearms manufacturer Smith & Wesson, based upon Smith & Wesson’s earlier .38 Special cartridge. The .357 Magnum cartridge was introduced in 1934, and its use has since become widespread. This cartridge started the “Magnum” era of handgun ammunition.