|
Forum Rules | Firearms Safety | Firearms Photos | Links | Library | Lost Password | Email Changes |
Register | FAQ | Calendar | Today's Posts | Search |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
February 8, 2013, 08:22 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 28, 2010
Location: Washington state
Posts: 401
|
Public displays of open carry
With all the talk about guns and gun laws recently, there have been numerous pro-gun individuals and groups that have made a point of demonstrating their legal right to open carry in some states. In my area, people who are legally engaged in open carry have appeared outside the state capitol, at city council meetings, etc. I don't question the legal right to do so under existing law, but I question the wisdom of it. I am concerned that such displays motivate anti-gun people to act, even more than before; and that some uninformed people in the apathetic middle may be frightened into joining the other side. What do you think?
|
February 8, 2013, 08:40 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 13, 2010
Location: Virginia Beach
Posts: 2,016
|
I am not a fan of open carry, especially poltically motivated open carry. I feel that it is unnessassarily provacative...
__________________
NRA Life Member USN Retired |
February 8, 2013, 08:53 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 2, 2013
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 108
|
I agree, Pennsylvania is a open carry state but it is best to keep it concealed. With all the negative attention the news media has devoted on firearms issues, now is not the time to show your firearms. Out of sight out of mind, just carry it concealed.
|
February 8, 2013, 09:19 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 26, 2012
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 779
|
Don't let their hate make you timid or feel ashamed of your way of life. Concealed carry is meant for some people, open of others. Don't judge them and their right to do something because you want to play it safe.
__________________
I told the new me, "Meet me at the bus station and hold a sign that reads: 'Today is the first day of the rest of your life.'" But the old me met me with a sign that read: "Welcome back." Who you are is not a function of where you are. -Off Minor |
February 8, 2013, 09:34 PM | #5 |
Staff
Join Date: September 25, 2008
Location: CONUS
Posts: 18,458
|
It was just such displays that forced the state of Ohio to enact a concealed carry law. Ten years ago, the ONLY legal mode of carry in Ohio was open carry -- and that was only because the Ohio Supreme Court read the Ohio Constitution and slapped down some prosecutors who tried to convict people for carrying handguns.
The Ohio citizens action group (I've forgotten the exact name -- sorry) organized a series of "carry-ins" and the result was that legislators finally recognized if they didn't want to see people carrying guns, they had to pass a law allowing people to conceal them. Personally, I think if more fence-sitters (or those who don't even know there's a fence to be sat upon) saw more respectable citizens open carrying, it would rapidly lose its stigma. People in Arizona, for example, don't get their knickers in a twist when they see someone wearing a gun. |
February 9, 2013, 04:38 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: August 4, 2010
Posts: 820
|
I think the open carry political rallies are a great way to make sure open carry gets banned. You have a right to open carry, not an obligation to make sure everyone knows you do.
|
February 9, 2013, 04:42 PM | #7 |
Staff
Join Date: September 25, 2008
Location: CONUS
Posts: 18,458
|
A right you are afraid to exercise isn't much of a right ...
|
February 10, 2013, 11:46 AM | #8 |
Member
Join Date: August 11, 2012
Location: Western Kentucky
Posts: 62
|
^^^What they said^^^
__________________
Vietnam Veteran - 1966-1970 USASA Carry Pistol - Glock Gen 3 23, .40 Caliber. Carry Pistol - Glock Gen 3 19, 9mm. Self Defense Stories |
February 10, 2013, 11:51 AM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 11, 2007
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 409
|
The only ones I have seen were at the LGS, Range or by LEO's.
__________________
What on god's green earth do you think your doing? |
February 10, 2013, 11:54 AM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 7, 2011
Location: Colorado
Posts: 596
|
I had encounters with two open-carry folks recently. One was a clean-cut, friendly guy. We had a nice conversation about his Baby Eagle. - a good OC ambassador, IMO
The 2nd guy was Tommy-tactical, with a wild-eyed glare, too-loud voice, and goofy-looking clothes. - not so good, IMO. |
February 10, 2013, 12:02 PM | #11 |
Junior member
Join Date: October 13, 2008
Location: Hermit's Peak
Posts: 623
|
On Friday and last month at the rallies taking place at the NM state capital, there were many people OC'ing both handguns and long guns, or both at once.
These were normal, every-day people, conducting themselves respectfully, and engaging in their right to peaceful assembly. Nothing happened, no one freaked out. I see nothing wrong with it. |
February 11, 2013, 04:52 PM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 21, 2009
Posts: 325
|
If you believe using a right will get it taken from you, it wasnt a right to begin with.
|
February 11, 2013, 05:30 PM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: August 4, 2010
Posts: 820
|
There's a difference between using a right and abusing a right. Walking down the street daring anyone to say something is flirting with the line in my opinion, and makes us look like we're looking for a fight.
|
February 11, 2013, 05:39 PM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 15, 2011
Posts: 1,405
|
Well, there is a point to be taken from a rally made up of over 500 armed people and not one law is broken.....anywhere.....even remotely close.....
__________________
Colt M1911, AR-15 | S&W Model 19, Model 27| SIG P238 | Berreta 85B Cheetah | Ruger Blackhawk .357MAG, Bearcat "Shopkeeper" .22LR| Remington Marine Magnum SP 12GA., Model 700 SPS .223 |
February 11, 2013, 06:09 PM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 1, 2000
Location: Boise, ID
Posts: 8,518
|
I could see the value of an organized, open-carry demonstration, but random open-carry as a statement, doesn't do anyone any good.
For the armed individual, open carry is a shoot-me-first indicator, and someone who isn't a threat might feel threatened, so what's the point? |
February 11, 2013, 07:12 PM | #16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 20, 2009
Location: Champlain Valley, Vermont
Posts: 161
|
Why do police open carry?
Ease of accessibility. Visible show of force. It's much more comfortable. It's the same reason I open carry. I've had some awesome conversations with anti-gun people because of it. They couldn't believe the gun wouldn't jump off my belt and start shooting people randomly. I live in a very liberal state with lax gun laws. If I don't do my part to educate, I am letting everyone down. |
February 11, 2013, 08:09 PM | #17 |
Member
Join Date: January 27, 2013
Location: Dayton.Ohio
Posts: 76
|
Thats the best part of being an American because you can.I personaly don't open carry but I don't see nothing wrong with those who choose so.As the saying goes Freedom of Choice.
__________________
LIFE MEMBER OF THE NRA.GREENHORN RELOADER |
February 12, 2013, 03:15 AM | #18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 4, 2005
Location: Ct.
Posts: 546
|
Connecticut is open carry. All that means to me, is that I wont get arrested for printing a little or if someone sees my gun. I rarely, if ever truely open carry.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2 |
February 12, 2013, 04:39 AM | #19 |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 4, 2012
Posts: 1,273
|
I swing both ways...
Seriously, while I CC more often than not, I have no objection to OC'ing my EDC, especially when I am just putzing around my apartment complex or going to the local meijers or krogers. When I OC, it's typically for comfort- I'm not trying to be "in your face," just going about my day. I too have had some nice discussions, including one lady at the grocery store line saying she felt safer with someone nearby with a sidearm. I usually carry in a basic pancake holster, close to my side, so it doesn't stick out 4 inches from my body. It's just there... |
February 12, 2013, 07:11 AM | #20 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 1, 2010
Posts: 393
|
Nothing wrong with open carry if it is legal in your area.
If others feel "uncomfortable" with it, they have the right to campaign against it. Societal change is part of life, so if things change for better or worse for gun owners, just enjoy it while you can. But be flexible. |
February 12, 2013, 12:47 PM | #21 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 21, 2009
Posts: 325
|
Quote:
I believe you will be hard pressed to find a single incident in which that happened. I can show you several where lawful open carry has deterred crime, however. I personally do not open carry, but I fully support those that do. |
|
February 12, 2013, 01:48 PM | #22 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 26, 2005
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 6,141
|
The police have not and do not always open carry, even those in uniform, though there is no doubt they are armed. Armed police in England carry submachine guns.
__________________
Shoot low, sheriff. They're riding Shetlands! Underneath the starry flag, civilize 'em with a Krag, and return us to our own beloved homes! Buy War Bonds. |
February 12, 2013, 02:00 PM | #23 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 3, 2012
Location: Northeast, Fl
Posts: 254
|
I would like concealed carry with no penalty for printing or flashing.
|
February 12, 2013, 02:19 PM | #24 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 15, 2011
Posts: 1,405
|
Quote:
A guy in Wisconsin was robbed and his gun stolen specifically because he was open-carrying. Exercising his right to open carry made him a target. When I was younger and worked part-time as a security guard to supplement my meager Army income, I was moved to different posts and then they settled me into working at a liquor store. One day a dude walks in, he is holding his hand up in the air, wait, something is in his hand, what is it? Wow, it's a gun in a holster. Yup, this dude got at least 6 steps inside before I could cognitively recognize that he had a gun held up in plain sight. I knew all the guys at the registers had guns in easy reach. Now I knew what my real job was, I was a paid for pop-up-target so they wouldn't get shot. I quit really fast.
__________________
Colt M1911, AR-15 | S&W Model 19, Model 27| SIG P238 | Berreta 85B Cheetah | Ruger Blackhawk .357MAG, Bearcat "Shopkeeper" .22LR| Remington Marine Magnum SP 12GA., Model 700 SPS .223 |
|
February 12, 2013, 02:33 PM | #25 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: July 1, 2011
Location: Texas, land of Tex-Mex
Posts: 2,259
|
Quote:
Utilizing OC in the country or when sporting works for me. The random "dude" wandering around daring a confrontation to me is the same thing as left coast treehuggers daring someone to arrest them. EDIT: I guess I view OC like PDAs. Both are rights. Both are best kept private. Last edited by zincwarrior; February 12, 2013 at 02:47 PM. |
|
|
|