Man arrested for bringing gun into Thornton movie theater

[10mm-man]

I also still think that most do it simply to make a statement, and not because they actually NEED to. I'll bet most people here who regularly OC also have a CCW.

Again I missed something (trying to catch up on the conversation), so what is your point? If someone has an CHP/CCW they can't, shouldn't or are not allowed to carry OC to make a statement?

[MED]

Personally, I don’t open carry in urban or suburban settings because I have absolutely no desire to draw attention to myself. If you open carry, you will be noticed; and I prefer to blend into my surroundings as much as possible.

I really don’t think open carry at a theater shortly after the Cinemark mass shooting helps our cause any. It makes us look like we are nuts, and I feel this was done in extremely poor judgment. I know and you all know this was a peaceful display of both gun ownership and the right to bear arms, but it is not presented that way.

However, he shouldn’t have been arrested and the reporting on the incident was horrible. Although, I did read a statement from the police department referring to Colorado as an open carry state. If you watched it on the news, it described the incident as a lunatic with a gun. If you read about it, you got more of the legality of it.

Although consider this: who really expects that we would actually get positive publicity on this? This kind of stuff may actually target the Colorado open carry law. We have a hell of a fight on our hands, and we need to focus on the important issues…negative publicity is not helpful.

[Singlestack]

+1 on the negative publicity.

I don't think anyone believes the antis minds will be changed one way or the other based on Mapes - they will continue to push Gun Control at every opportunity. However, most people aren't antis and aren't necessarily pro-gun either - they are soft, squishy, not very well informed, and easily influenced by emotional reactions. Love them or hate them, their votes carry as much weight as any of ours.

Regardless of what I/you/we think, the majority of those who vote are affected by this type of negative publicity and (in my opinion) are more likely to support Gun Control at the ballot box and through their elected representatives. Ignoring or denying that just makes it more likely we will have restrictions we don't want sometime in the future.

Singlestack

[Whistler]

Obviously neither side will be swayed, commendable resolve from both sides and discussion of this type is imperative to healthy society.

You have a right to your view, I have the right to disagree. I respect your right to choose and I ask you respect mine without resorting to name calling and insults. Simply stating "I disagree" conveys the message as readily as "that's just stupid!". Surely we can discuss opposing views in a rational manner though I'll need to refine my argument as opposed to repeating myself.

After removing the insults so far as I can ascertain the position against OC is that generally people are more sensitive to people with guns at this time, that OC upsets them (however irrational) and that we should refrain from OC until they calm down. As I understand it this position also contends inciting these fears by openly carrying a weapon will result in action against open carry and that the "common sense" course of action is to accommodate that fear by refraining from OC in hopes it will serve to mitigate calls for additional restrictions by not contributing to them. Additionally that exercising your OC right is "ignorant right now" and will make all gun owners look like "gun nuts or pistol-packing rednecks". Please correct me if I've misstated the position.

I contend that the emotional reaction will run it's course regardless and that those opposed to guns and/or OC will continue to be opposed despite any actions we might take to impress them otherwise. I also contend that those opposed to guns and/or OC will make every effort to exploit these emotions to serve their agenda and that an implied concession is more valuable to their agenda than maintaining our historical position. That is not meant to imply they will not exploit emotional reaction regardless of any concession. Candidly the bad press argument is without merit unless you mean more bad press, gun owners are already portrayed in that light, have been for years and will continue to be despite our best efforts. Especially if those opposed to guns perceive they have "shamed" us into a compromise.

I don't perceive any value in making a point by carrying openly likewise I can fathom no value in refraining from carrying openly. I will continue to do as I have always done and make my choices as I see fit. My position is do what you think is right but insulting someone else for doing exactly the same thing, making a personal choice, supports the opposition and diminishes our rights by legitimizing OC as "wrong" based on any particular event.

In my opinion we should not change our behavior based on a perceived possible outcome and instead should maintain the status quo remaining vigilant to actual threats to our freedoms. The only thing that really bugs me is how readily otherwise stalwart gun owners are willing to change their behavior and/or accept compromise to avoid confrontation.

[sellersm]

accept compromise to avoid confrontation.

This very thing is what some folks accuse the NRA of doing. Compromising to gain some kind of advantage, or future payoff...

[josh7328]

After reading some of yall's well written responses, I have swayed a bit to the side of supporting this guy. Good points.

[Squeeze]

You really think its a good idea to waltz into a movie theater with open carry a week or so after one of the worst massacres in US history which happened just down the road? Give me a break, this isn't about the law or changing the rules forever this is about using the brain god gave you. If you absolutely can't go to the movies without showing your heat then wait until things cool down. Just because you have a right to do something doesn't mean you get to throw all common sense out the window and not expect bad things to happen. The vast majority of citizens know nothing about guns or about the laws regarding guns. They do know 70 people were shot a little over a week ago in a theater. Hell even I would have a hard time focusing on te movie if I saw that. I don't know that guy, maybe he's as crazy as Holmes. Had it happened a month ago I would have thought nothing of it, but this event has even me a bit on edge of people with guns that I don't know.

It's not like we are calling for the laws to change or for this guy to be unjustly prosecuted for acting within the law. However, if you play stupid games you win stupid prizes. People in this area, and even the country, are goin to need some time to heal from this tragedy. Gun owners can use their brain and be thoughtful in their actions, especially during this time. Shit like this just makes gun owners look like people who only care about their right to bear arms and nothing else, basically playing right into the liberal fear mongrring anti gun crowds hands.

I agree wholeheartedly.

[sneakerd]

To try to clarify my point -again-, for all of the boisterous and vociferous support of OC-at-the-theater-man, nobody here will dare do what he did, because it was dumb, and makes us all (gunowners) look like idiots. Whether or not it is his "right" to do it.

[cofi]

To try to clarify my point -again-, for all of the boisterous and vociferous support of OC-at-the-theater-man, nobody here will dare do what he did, because it was dumb, and makes us all (gunowners) look like idiots. Whether or not it is his "right" to do it.

find me a theater with no posted "no firearms" signs ill gladly go OC there this weekend with the family

[00tec]

find me a theater with no posted "no firearms" signs ill gladly go OC there this weekend with the family

I was about to say, might be hard to do. Especially since the closest one to me had someone arrested recently and probably installed signs.