Originally Posted by
foxtrot
Legal or not, bad idea IMO. Probably 100% of the reason for it is machoism. IF we actually want to resolve the situation and improve our rights.
Lets ignore the "Well its my god given right" argument, and SEE what it actually does to us.
Place yourself in the seat of the average soccer sally mom. She isn't a liberal, didn't vote for Obama, and although she doesn't hate firearms, she really doesn't like them but hasn't had the opportunity to really develop much of a steadfast opinion. She has never been shooting. She is coming home after picking up her two kids from middle school. Now, you send one macho macho motorcycle rider all around her van with a shotgun and ammo on his back as he rides in the next lane, and with her back-of-the-mind concern for things like "school shootings" and "gangs", what exactly is she going to think? She is going to assume it's illegal. Assuming it's illegal... she is going to assume there is some bad intent, and what is the next action?
A lot of people are very naive thinking the display of firearms in that manner only freaks out the hardcore liberal. I've seen conservative women that tolerate firearm ownership freak out about open carry, thinking it's illegal, guy must be trouble etc.
What is she going to do?
What is she going to do after the person does not get into any trouble and she finds out that it's legal?
It's shit like this that can turn people in the middle into lifelong, hardcore opposition. Saying it's your right will not secure that right. If you want to maintain that right, we first have to win the PR war. I'd rather the majority of the public have their first exposure to firearms in a controlled setting. Not in a setting that causes them to shit themselves.
In this instance, Soccer Sally will probably continue to view it as a threat for life regardless of any resolution - guy could be the minister of a church going to the range, it wouldn't matter. Now, she is joining MMM and asking them to lobby for her.. for "her children". Also, as her kids get a little older, guess who will influence them considerably regarding firearms?