Guy in Fort Collins Open Carries rifle at Walmart.

[JM Ver. 2.0]

The Constitution doesn't say squat about having to give up your rights because someone might have bad feelings about it. Nut up.

The same thing could be said for the people on this forum that keep crying to the mods about the "Big Meany Heads" that call them names they don't like....

[tmckay2]

The Constitution doesn't say squat about having to give up your rights because someone might have bad feelings about it. Nut up.

then have at it, and watch your constitutional rights go right down the crapper. at least you can pat yourself on the back and tell your grand kids you nutted up, and as such they have no gun rights. like it or not this debate isn't going to be determined by the extremists on either side, but the everyday american citizen that doesn't love or hate guns. these types of acts put one in the win column for the anti's. i don't give a crap about offending or scaring the anti's, i do care about the average joe that unfortunately doesn't know any better and can only go off of what they see in real life and the media. i want that guy to think I'm the most down to earth, reasonable, common sensical person out there. the anti's can think whatever they want.

imagine if everyone took their filters off in regards to free speech. at some point you have to use common sense and use your rights wisely.

[BuffCyclist]

The Constitution doesn't say squat about having to give up your rights because someone might have bad feelings about it. Nut up.

Actually, it does (if I recall correctly). Doesn't the first amendment give you the right to free speech so long as your right to free speech does not inflict on someone else's right? Can't think of a scenario, but thats what I recall.

[james_bond_007]

I will play devil's advocate here and ask why challenging the norm is so frowned upon now? Technically speaking supporting Obama seems to be the "norm," if you define the norm as what the majority of everyone else is doing. What about those of us who challenge the norm? Do you find it just that we are harassed or even arrested for going against the grain, but not violating any law? The norm is to not swear in the presence of children, yet I see it constantly. The norm is to not be loud and obnoxious in movie theaters, yet I see it all the time. Do these people break the law? No. So should I call the cops on them? No. See what I mean? Some norms are wrong and need to be changed.

It is not clear if you are directing your comments to me (your use of the word "you") or if you really intended to generalize (perhaps instead by the substitution of the word 'one' instead of 'you').

If the former, I, personally, have no issues with challenging the norm, nor did my post attempt to condone nor condemn such actions (at least my intentions were as such). My post was an attempt to hypothesize a rationale for the reported reactions of observers. I apologize if the post came across as anything else.

People react differently, for many reasons, to atypical events or observances. Calling the police to report things that look "odd", "out of place", or "atypical" does not, at least to me, seem unusual. To me, it seems a mere exercise of caution by the concerned observer(s).

I'm happy to hear that the police recognized the guy's right to bear arms and, after checking out the complaint, all parted peacefully (at least per the versions of this event that I have read).

My opinion is, that if someone wants to legally or illegally challenge the "norm", that is their choice...and they can accept the consequences, however things may turn out.

[Rucker61]

then have at it, and watch your constitutional rights go right down the crapper. at least you can pat yourself on the back and tell your grand kids you nutted up, and as such they have no gun rights. like it or not this debate isn't going to be determined by the extremists on either side, but the everyday american citizen that doesn't love or hate guns. these types of acts put one in the win column for the anti's. i don't give a crap about offending or scaring the anti's, i do care about the average joe that unfortunately doesn't know any better and can only go off of what they see in real life and the media. i want that guy to think I'm the most down to earth, reasonable, common sensical person out there. the anti's can think whatever they want.

Hear, hear.

[Gman]

then have at it, and watch your constitutional rights go right down the crapper.

Hey, bub, they're already going down the crapper...and I did nothing to bring that on. Go and hide and see if it changes their minds.

[Great-Kazoo]

If the anti's are anti's because they're afraid of guns, what's the best way to make them unafraid of guns?

Line them up against the wall. Give them a cigarette, blindfold them then yell. READY, then walk away. The will start smoking and be consumed with the habit so bad, guns will never cross their minds. If it does they simply light another one up.

NOTHING will make an idiot UnAfraid of an inanimate object. You're talking about the same people who "feel" ILLEGAL ALIENS" DESERVE A CHANCE, Child molesters are misunderstood, ANYONE who disagrees with the president is A RACIST on n on n on. Drizzle, drazzle, drizzle, drone.

[Bailey Guns]

This thread is like deja vu all over again.

[Dave_L]

Why not wear a shirt that says "Please ask me why guns are safe" or something along those lines when doing a stunt like this? Same thing as picketers waving signs. I think it might take some of the "scary" away and let people approach you a little easier. You're not there to scare people. You're there to inform. Even take it one step further, let's print up gun facts on cards/flyers to hand out as people walk by.

[Ghosty]

Ya know, I really like that idea. Most reasonable people will be put at ease. Either then ignore you, or ask you questions, if they wanted an intelligent debate and answers to the usual "do you really think we should arm teachers?", and the like.

Only the really uninformed and scared people would still have a negative reaction.