Man in Utah open carries AR15

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Originally Posted by Gman

Yeah, lets all hide in our basements and convince ourselves that we really have something important. Everyone stay in line and point and criticize someone who doesn't toe the line.

It has taken us a while to get to this point. Keep convincing yourself that the slide will stop some day soon and we won't be ostracized for actually believing in the right to bear arms. If you don't really believe it, why should anyone else.

I like the element of surprise, that's my choice for CCW.

He's in Utah. I'm not going to judge the guy based on what I don't know.

I'm concerned at the ease at which people that seem to have a common belief in our right to self-defense are so easily divided just based on what people might say. If you can be convinced that it's not socially acceptable to exercise your rights...where do you go from here?

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^+1

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Originally Posted by Melvin

Psychiatrists will tell you that the best way to deal with a phobia is to confront it. How can people who are afraid ever see the guns if they are hidden. Time to set up meet and greets on weekends and talk with people and explain in layman's terms. Let them see first hand the guns nor the owners are boogie men the media would have them believe. Maybe invite them to a range. More converts born on the range than anywhere else. Time to go out and win hearts and minds. One at a time. The same way they were stolen.

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I like your thinking!

At first I had mixed feelings about this, but I assume he called the LEOs to not only inform them of his decision, but maybe even ask a few questions, to ensure it was legal and such.

Did it put him at risk? Yes, I really think it did. He could have been tackled by a bunch of people who were only trying to "protect" everyone else and prevent this guy from shooting people.

The thing with open carry though is that every single action you take, people will notice. So you have to be the PERFECT citizen because you are being watched. If you start getting aggressive with a sales associate because they can't process your return or whatever, things could get very sketchy very fast. Its like putting the Ichthys on the back of your car, and then speeding and cutting people off, it makes them think that Christians only preach the Word, they don't follow it.

I have never open carried in public (only while hiking), but I should probably try it first to see what its like before I start making any accusations of people who open carry.

Let me see if I have this straight...

We have a young man, apparently responsible and law-abiding, who called LE to ostensibly alert them to his plans and/or to check the legality of what he planned to do, then legally and openly carried his rifle while he went about his peaceful business. He caused no problems for anyone...with the exception of causing emotional distress with some who can't handle the fact he chose to exercise his right in an unusual and unorthodox way. So because some people don't like the way he carried his rifle he's:

• an idiot
• a dumbass
• totally retarded
• a jackass
• a dickweed

I guess I'm in the minority because I support what he did 100%. I don't give a rat's ass that it might make some of you or some liberal anti-gun types uncomfortable. I'm tired of worrying about what the media people or anti-gun people might think because I, or someone else, chooses a "different" approach of lawfully exercising their rights.

No fucking wonder we're turning into a society of pussies. Even the so-called "pro gun" people get their panties all twisted over the most minor shit.

Some of you guys really crack me up...not in a good way.

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Originally Posted by Bailey Guns

I'm tired of worrying about what the media people or anti-gun people might think because I, or someone else, chooses a "different" approach of lawfully exercising their rights.

No fucking wonder we're turning into a society of pussies. Even the so-called "pro gun" people get their panties all twisted over the most minor shit.

Some of you guys really crack me up...not in a good way.

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You took the words right out of my mouth!

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Originally Posted by Bailey Guns

Let me see if I have this straight...

We have a young man, apparently responsible and law-abiding, who called LE to ostensibly alert them to his plans and/or to check the legality of what he planned to do, then legally and openly carried his rifle while he went about his peaceful business. He caused no problems for anyone...with the exception of causing emotional distress with some who can't handle the fact he chose to exercise his right in an unusual and unorthodox way. So because some people don't like the way he carried his rifle he's:

• an idiot
• a dumbass
• totally retarded
• a jackass
• a dickweed

I guess I'm in the minority because I support what he did 100%. I don't give a rat's ass that it might make some of you or some liberal anti-gun types uncomfortable. I'm tired of worrying about what the media people or anti-gun people might think because I, or someone else, chooses a "different" approach of lawfully exercising their rights.

No fucking wonder we're turning into a society of pussies. Even the so-called "pro gun" people get their panties all twisted over the most minor shit.

Some of you guys really crack me up...not in a good way.

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I completely agree with you.

My mixed feelings came from the way the media portrays ALL guns and gun owners. While completely legal in places, open carry tends to have a stigma associated with it even before the shootings. Open carrying a rifle is almost unheard of in this country and that might be where the name calling started.

With that said, I don't think I would feel comfortable enough to open carry an AR.

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Originally Posted by BuffCyclist

My mixed feelings came from the way the media portrays ALL guns and gun owners. While completely legal in places, open carry tends to have a stigma associated with it even before the shootings. Open carrying a rifle is almost unheard of in this country and that might be where the name calling started.

With that said, I don't think I would feel comfortable enough to open carry an AR.

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I agree with you in that I KNOW I wouldn't be comfortable doing it. I think the guy had some balls for carrying through to make his point.

The media aren't likely to ever come around to our side of the conversation since it doesn't follow their agenda. I'm tired of being concerned about what a bunch of lefties have to say about us. I never felt I needed to be one of the cool kids in school or needed someone else's approval or validation. I go my own way based on my core beliefs. It may not be "cool", but my conscience is clear and I sleep well at night.

“Always stand on principle....even if you stand alone.”
― John Adams

“Be not intimidated...nor suffer yourselves to be wheedled out of your liberties by any pretense of politeness, delicacy, or decency. These, as they are often used, are but three different names for hypocrisy, chicanery and cowardice.”
― John Adams

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Originally Posted by O2HeN2

I frankly find it pathetic that some gunowners consistely call open carry folks "assholes" etc. Divided we fall, and invisible we fall as well. Show people that good guys carry guns too. Open carry, be friendly doing it, answer people's questions patiently and politely. Be a good ambassador.

O2

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Here's the problem I have with people doing things like this.

A guy walks into a public place with an AR/AK/Etc on his back. Someone freaks out and calls the cops. Cops show up, talk to the guy and let him go about his business because he's not doing anything illegal.

Now which do you think is more likely; The people who freaked out and called say to themselves "Oh, he's just responsibly exercising his 2nd amendment rights?!? I totally get it now and I support his right to do so!"

... or....

"Oh my GOD! That's legal?!? We have to do something about that...We need more laws.. For the children!".

At the end of the day, stunts like this bring negative attention and definitely don't win us any friends.

Oh, they won't come after us if they just don't know it's our birthright. We'll be OK as long as we don't remind them of our freedom. The security through obscurity approach.

Those same ignorant individuals are happy to give up their rights and ours. They want honest people disarmed based on the actions of criminals. They aren't acting in a logical manner, so you won't out-think them by being tactical.

Virginia lawmaker's AK-47 sparks gun debate on House floor

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A Richmond-area lawmaker brandished an AK-47 on the floor of the Virginia House of Delegates on Thursday in a wild stunt aimed at rallying support for tougher gun laws.

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"A lot of people don't know that in many locations in the commonwealth, you can take this gun, you can walk in the middle of Main Street loaded and not be in violation of the law," Morrissey said. "Even though the law right now says you can't bring this gun into a high school or elementary or middle school, there is nothing from keeping you from walking in front of [an elementary school with a gun]."

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That's from a Democrat that wants guns banned.