Guy in Fort Collins Open Carries rifle at Walmart.

[ben4372]

Ass-less chaps... AGREED. And thanks for the nasty visual. lol.

aren't all chaps "ass-less"?

[budda]

Okay, two lines of thought here:

First, this guy is 19yo and the other thread about the first guy doing this (and calling cops to inform them first) was 22yo. I think if they were older, in their 40s, it might make a bigger difference in getting their message across. Especially since a majority of the massacres (in fact, nearly all that I can remember) are done at the hands of teens to 25yo's. So naturally, the demographic is young kids carrying rifles into places and shooting. Did these guys NOT think that they'd alarm people?

On the other hand, imagine how the public and government would react if we got just 50%, heck even just 25%, of gun owners to start carrying RIFLES openly. Sure, National Gun Appreciation day seems to have made a public point and was a nice gathering with speakers, but I'm sure not everyone could be there for work or other reasons. But if, say, for the month of February, we got thousands of gun owners to carry their rifles everywhere with them, it would cause widespread panic. People would turn every corner and see a rifle, then call the cops to report it. The cops would be inundated with calls and surely would be required to issue a public statement that what these gun owners are doing is perfectly legal. This also might make politicians realize that we, as gun owners, are NOT willing to back down on our God given rights to defend ourselves, and what our natural born rights as United States of America citizens are given by the Bill of Rights.

The first thread on this subject, I had mixed feelings, saying that I wouldn't do it myself. But if I knew there were hundreds of thousands of other gun owners carrying their rifles openly, I'd be very willing to do it.

Let's do it like the LGBT's did, openly shove it in your face until you're willing to accept it as normal, and don't back down until EVERY tv show has a gun in it! Cause, you know, all tv shows now have at least one gay person in them...

I agreel with this. Why hide what we believe in? It does not help the cause of protecting our rights if we don't show that there is more than just a few. I agree with the LGBT statement, guns are now looked apon the same as gay were once looked apon. Not right and taboo!

[asmo]

I see the points everyone is making about this being dumb or not well thought out, however, I'll present a counter-point... How is this hurting "the cause"? It's already been hurt beyond repair

You're right.. The cause is hurt beyond repair and we can never 'win'. We should give up now. Where should I turn my stuff in at?

Little victories add up over time. When you're older you will realize this.

[Ronin13]

I would honestly be uncomfortable if somebody was walking around with a loaded rifle in the grocery store, and I'm as vehemently pro-gun as you'll ever find. Would I call the cops on the guy? No. But I would be taken into a hyper-vigilant state that I don't care for, and would probably try to get my family out of the immediate area. "Guy carrying gun" does not automatically equate with "common-sense gun-owner". Aside from the confrontational attitude already implied by doing it in the first place, how do I know what this guy's safety ethics are? I see long time "gun people" doing stupid shit all the time, like sweeping buddies with loaded guns while talking, standing around with fingers on the trigger etc. At least by having it concealed, there's a slightly higher implied level of awareness, and the bonus is that it doesn't raise anybody's blood pressure.

Ultimately it comes down to this:

Do I think that kid had a right to carry the rifle in Walmart that should "not be infringed" upon? Yes.
Do I think he's an asshole for exercising that right inappropriately in a confrontational manner, for attention-seeking reasons? Yes.

I really hate to be "that guy" but if I don't say it, who will? You are part of the problem. Just my honest assessment of this comment, not being hostile or anything. You may be pro-2A, you may be a good, responsible gun owner, hell, you may even make a good candidate for the NRA board... but by saying you're uncomfortable with a person carrying a gun in public, wanting to "move your family out of the immediate area" and calling this action "attention whore" type of action makes you, in my eyes, no different than the average sheep who do not understand the sheep dogs among them, thus they fear us. Granted, my experience is slightly skewed, because I spent an entire year of my life among people walking around with loaded rifles... We had 1 ND in a 12-month period... I'd say that's pretty good.

Ultimately it comes down to this:
Educate the masses that guns are not to be feared, and gun owners are not crazy- if we continually did this through the responsible exercise of our rights eventually we could shift the mentality that we currently have in our society.
Exercise your rights. Stand up and defend your rights. Now is not the time to criticize and call fellow gun owners assholes. It's the guy who carries a gun and has a incident of negligence that we call assholes, or the guy who carries irresponsibly. Not the one doing absolutely nothing wrong.

You're right.. The cause is hurt beyond repair and we can never 'win'. We should give up now. Where should I turn my stuff in at?

Little victories add up over time. When you're older you will realize this.

I should have worded that differently- our cause has been tarnished and it's an uphill battle to turn that around.

[Uberjager]

I liked the points brought up about the demographics. I can almost guarantee you that an older gentlemen in a French-cuff dress shirt, nice slacks, and upper end loafers (et cetera) wouldn't cause a fuss at all, if he was open carrying a holstered double action revolver. Open carry really isn't my thing, but I applaud those who do it in taste.

[Rucker61]

Educate the masses that guns are not to be feared, and gun owners are not crazy

Some gun owners are crazy and negligent.

[sellersm]

I think that an event like this points out the great discrepancy between the anti-2A's efforts and the pro-2A's efforts! Where are the PRO gun messages? Where's the NRA, GOA, RMGO, etc.'s "propaganda" campaigns to make the public less afraid of guns? If we were all born 100 years ago or more, we'd NOT be having this conversation! Guns aren't to be feared. If they're really that bad, how'd we survive as people for this long?

I'm not happy, obviously, with the pro-2A's efforts to counter the tide of brainwashing that the anti's have been doing so effectively? Outside of influencing one or two people at a time, what can we do to help turn the tide of 'public opinion' that "guns are evil and should never be seen in public"?

[Dingo]

Ronin:

No offense taken, you're entitled to your view. I think my view on this is more the context, than the actual act. I live in Castle Rock, and frequently see guys in suits walking around with something strapped to their hip. Honestly never gave a second glance. Perfect example: My wife and I were in Chile's a few weeks ago, and saw a large group of salespeople of some sort come in for lunch. Three of the guys were carrying. I never thought twice about it, gave a "good for you" nod when eye contact was made, and felt safer for having more guns in the building. It's all about context. For example - I wouldn't feel out of place at all getting gas with a pistol on my hip, or having dinner at Village Inn, etc etc. I'm just saying it makes sense to be aware of the situation around you, and be respectful accordingly. This is a teenager walking into a large crowded area with a rifle.

Imagine walking into a theatre with a rifle... if the theatre hasn't specifically banned it, then sure - it's your right. But would anybody in their right mind do that today?

[Byte Stryke]

I Agree completely, we should concede the right to OC entirely and skulk around in the shadows.
Making something Commonplace has NEVER Work for desensitization.

[Ronin13]

Some gun owners are crazy and negligent.

So? Some cops let their badge go to their head. Some firefighters have an over inflated ego. Some democrats are staunch supporters of communism. These are minorities that people allow to tarnish the image of an entirety. This is what's wrong with our country. This needs to change.