Don't Open Carry

[edjobsman]

I am going to go way out on a limb here...

Open carry makes you look crazy. There, I said it. If it becomes a movement, and maybe it already has, it is going to hurt our cause (i.e., the right to keep and bare arms) more than it will help.

Before you jump down my throat (since I am new here and mostly an unknown), I AM NOT an anti-gun guy. I possess a concealed weapons permit and often carry a concealed handgun (Kahr PM)

So please sound off. Who is crazy - me or the guy with the firearm hanging from his belt in the Safeway parking lot.

I would like to give you an example of how I think open carry may actually be hurting our cause. Starbucks, as you know, recently announced that it would allow open carry in its shops. They said that not doing so would mean they would be preventing law abiding citizens from entering their establishments. Why would a liberal company like SB allow open carry in its shops if it didn’t have an ulterior motive (if you don’t think SB is liberal, just goggle “Starbucks and liberal and also check out http://www.sptimes.com/2005/03/25/Bu..._steam.shtml)? In my opinion this company is trying to encourage open carry because it thinks it has found a way to highlight a fringe element in our society that needs more negative attention focused on it (Note: I do not believe open carry is a fringe activity, but I do believe SB does). SB thinks this negative attention is going to advance their liberal agenda. I believe SB may be trying to lure open carry folks into their shops for the sole purpose of making law abiding citizens look like loonies in the eyes of an already hoplophobic society.

The practice of liberals flaunting guns or encouraging others to do so in order to promote this hoplophoia does not end with SB. Look at all the liberal film directors and actors who support anti-gun causes yet make movies depicting firearms solely as instruments of death and mayhem. When is the last time you saw a Hollywood production about skeet shooting or a CMP-sponsored junior's shooting event?


I am not trying to denigrate those of you who want to open carry. If the law allows it, then by all means do it. In truth, though, conversations about current laws regarding open carry don’t really interest me. Whether open carry is against the law or granted by the law is not my concern. The consequences of our actions, however, should be everyone’s concern. Many open carry folks want to be provocative. They want to make it absolutely clear, in no uncertain terms, that carrying openly is their right. Some do this responsibly (e.g., through eduction, etc.) but others do it an in-your-face manner. I am just not sure an in-your-face attitude is what we need.

I have been reading forums like the Colorado AR-15 Shooters for some time now. Even though I am not a friend of anyone in the group, that I know of, I think I know my audience pretty well. I obviously knew my voice was one that would not be completely welcome here, but I believe the conversation about open carry is one that we need to have. Where do we really expect to go with this practice? I have to admit that it is heartening to hear anecdotes suggesting that most people witnessing open carry don’t really care. I am not saying that it must stop; I am saying that we need to look at the consequences down the road. Do we really want the shit to hit the fan at some point? Is that the goal here?

The old west practice of carrying a sidearm or a carbine into saloon or general store (I have to admit that would be a hoot) came to an end shortly after the turn of the century (in most places) because of the polices of shop and bar keepers, and eventually towns, municipalities, and states. In municipalities where open carry is still generally accepted, I honestly cannot think of an argument against it. If folks are used to seeing it and it is a generally accepted practice, then open carry to your heart’s content. But at starbucks, or in areas where you know the general public looks down on it, shouldn’t we think twice about what we are doing? Shouldn’t we think about the statement we are inadvertently communicating in support of the anti-gun left and in conflict with our true gun ownership causes? It would be nice if that statement were always interpreted as, “what you see here is me exercising my constitutionally granted right and I am proud to live a land where I can carry my firearm openly and I hope you are proud of it too”, but that, unfortunately is rarely the way the gun-fearing public sees it.

With that I will say this: You guys and gals who open carry are on the front lines. A part of me is proud of you and part of me thinks that I should be more supportive. Please don’t see me as an enemy. Keep up the good work. I know most of you are responsible in all respects and I applaud you for your efforts.
Cheers!

[sabot_round]

I prefer to call it "choice", not crazy.

[sniper7]

You have the right to exercise your rights...if you don't exercise them you will lose them eventually.
There is another thread on here about open carry and the people aren't bothered...most of the sheeple out there just think they are off duty cops and aren't bothered by it.

I feel it does bring more attention as people can clearly see the gun vs. concealed when nobody knows you have it.
In all reality nobody should ever be questioned for carrying a gun or gun ownership. Our rights have been diminished enough and it is time to take back our lost rights.

[opie011]

You have the right to exercise your rights...if you don't exercise them you will lose them eventually.
There is another thread on here about open carry and the people aren't bothered...most of the sheeple out there just think they are off duty cops and aren't bothered by it.

I feel it does bring more attention as people can clearly see the gun vs. concealed when nobody knows you have it.
In all reality nobody should ever be questioned for carrying a gun or gun ownership. Our rights have been diminished enough and it is time to take back our lost rights.

[ronaldrwl]

I am going to go way out on a limb here...

Open carry makes you look crazy. There, I said it. If it becomes a movement, and maybe it already has, it is going to hurt our cause (i.e., the right to keep and bare arms) more than it will help.

Before you jump down my throat (since I am new here and mostly an unknown), I AM NOT an anti-gun guy. I possess a concealed weapons permit and often carry a concealed handgun (Kahr PM)

So please sound off. Who is crazy - me or the guy with the firearm hanging from his belt in the Safeway parking lot.

-1

[BadShot]

Yup That sure was one hell of a limb you climbed out on. What I'm going to take issue with is your choice of presentation and verbiage. You are absolutely entitled to your opinion, right or wrong.

I think using simplistic and childish labels such "crazy" do more to harm the supposed "cause" than anything else in your assessment. That would primarily be because you are purporting to be a part and supporter of said "cause".

Titling a post "Don't Open Carry" is a sure fire way to elicit members to jump down your throat, because you insisted on a patently inflammatory title and tone.

Perhaps a inquiry regarding the general community perception and stance on open carry would have been a more intelligent approach to the discussion I am going to guess you were seeking to initiate.

IM(not so)HO, your post is a failure in many of the facets you attempted to open discussion on.

Better luck next time.

And by the way, I have no issue with open carry. That too is why I don't care if I print from time to time or when I'm reaching for something on a high shelf at the store, I don't give to rats asses if someone sees my weapon. I typically do not go out of my way to open carry, but I have zero concern about someone recognizing that I am armed. I also feel zero need to pass judgment on those who chose to open carry when they do. If they act the fool, they'll receive a fools due.

[Troublco]

You have the right to exercise your rights...if you don't exercise them you will lose them eventually.
There is another thread on here about open carry and the people aren't bothered...most of the sheeple out there just think they are off duty cops and aren't bothered by it.

I feel it does bring more attention as people can clearly see the gun vs. concealed when nobody knows you have it.
In all reality nobody should ever be questioned for carrying a gun or gun ownership. Our rights have been diminished enough and it is time to take back our lost rights.

+1.

If more folks carried, I think the criminal element would have a much harder time operating with impunity because they'd be more concerned that more people can shut them down right now. I'd be happier knowing that people taking their children to school are carrying, because then any slimeballs thinking about going into what is now a gun-free zone would be up against folks who could stop them. I don't worry about the guy carrying openly and minding his own business. I get tired of all the sheeple who whine and cry and complain because they don't like what they're seeing. A right is a right, they have the right to whine like schoolgirls and the guy carrying has the right to carry.

I have ZERO respect for people who whine and cry about people carrying/owning guns and being able to protect themselves and their own, and then expect the police to be there the second they call them, and to put their lives on the line for them in the process while these folks cower.

So I could care less if they like it or not. If someone chooses to lawfully open carry, then I say go for it.

[TEAMRICO]

Has Obama started planting Anti gun Libs in the forums???
Just kidding.

People have the right to venture out of there house in there PAJAMA's and nobody is crying foul! "LOOK! she is wearing pajama's in Walmart".
Open carry is MY RIGHT and if I chose to do it then I would not expect anyone to complain. Although there will be those who are afraid that the Gov. has not come to regulate all aspects of our life and prevent me from exerciseing my rights I will do it. But out of respect for those around me I CHOOSE to conceal.
If I concealed in my PJ's nobody would say anything.

I am going to open carry sometime this week and go about my normal business to gauge the reaction on the local townsfolk and community.
I will just go about my business and see what type of reactions I get, good or bad.
NO, Im not going out to START trouble, just exercise a right.

Original Poster:
"So please sound off. Who is crazy - me or the guy with the firearm hanging from his belt in the Safeway parking lot."
Answer: YOU ARE.
Why, because he has the balls to express that fact that he IS A FREE MAN!
My 2 cents.

Like I ask my son (5YO) Son, WHO are you? He says, Im an American. Then I ask and WHAT are you? His response if "FREE".

[4gunfun]

I think we listen to all the liberal news media way more than we think. Crazy gun owner does this. Religious right wingers hate that. Yada yada yada...... My kids probally think I'm a little crazy for carrying open or concealed, My wife thinks I'm asking for trouble if I OC. I think if everyone OC it would be no big deal and there would be less punks holding up banks, liquer stores and 7-11's. Don't drink the koolaid!!!!!!!

[Holy Diver]

Has Obama started planting Anti gun Libs in the forums???
Just kidding.

Until the other day I thought it was illegal to open carry.. Now all I need is a hand gun so I can start flexing rights