The 'Weird' And 'Scary' Open-Carry Movement

Townhall.com ^ | June 11, 2014 | Jacob Sullum

[digger48]

Keep criminals guessing with concealed carry and remind them with open carry.

My IN lifetime permit says right at the top..."LICENSE TO CARRY HANDGUN"

and "carry on your person" .

We'n Hoosiers support "Choice"

[cripplecreek]

30 years ago I could carry a gun to school for hunting after.

[Ron H.]

If a stranger comes waltzing by with an AR-15 in your neighborhood, would you not be concerned? This is crazy.

Why would one be concerned if the carrier isn't trying shoot every one in sight. I'd actually feel safer seeing that sight. I've also have grown up and no longer wet the bed.

[Ron H.]

30 years ago I could carry a gun to school for hunting after.

I did too 40 years ago and I did carry my .22 rifle (for the occasional rabbits I came across) and a 12g shotgun in my truck window gun rack everywhere I went in my truck. Many other folks I knew did as well. It was as common as having your poddle skirt girlfriend on the bench seat right next to you helping one to shift gears. But those were some more simpler times.

[William Tell]

Pearls Before Swine said: "Concealed is better—keeps ‘em guessing."

While that may be true, as the article points out, there is some history to indicate that concealed carry may not be a protected activity, although I believe the Founders could have said so if that was what was intended.

What the Supreme Court could NEVER do is outlaw the open carry of long arms. There can be little doubt whatsoever that such carry is exactly what enables a "well-regulated Militia".

Here in Kalifornia, the recent Peruta decision does get this mixed up. The court deferred to the legislature in deciding that they had expressed a preference for concealed carry and thus must make concealed carry licenses available for simple self-defense and not require additional "good cause".

We are fortunate that the anti-gunners are so unbalanced as to prefer concealed carry, as that means we will probably win both ways eventually.

[300winmag]

Michigan has always had legal open carry for both handguns or long guns. It just wasn't considered "real" until "shall issue" was passed, and people noticed that open carry had been unrestricted since Michigan became a state in 1837. My problem is that every example of open carry I've seen, the weapon was unloaded, and carried as just a symbol. If I wanted to be that stupid, I could do it for less money with a good airsoft handgun.

In every case, I saw an empty magazine well, and no indication of ammo carried anywhere on their person. It's an invisible sign that says, "the gun is real, but useless because I won't load it. Respect my rights anyway." If I carry openly (usually only during hunting season), I make sure I have at least 5-6 loaded mags, with the weapon itself locked and loaded.

That weighs a lot, and is somewhat inconvenient, so I compromise and carry something concealed that is smaller and lighter.

Open carry can be useful, but only if the person has a loaded weapon. It won't take long for the bad guys to figure out what an unloaded weapon looks like, and avail themselves of free upgrades.

[hal ogen]

Open carry...concealed carry. The important thing is that we have a God-given right to carry. All pants-wetters...grow up.

[Georgia Girl 2]

Yes its just a personal decision. We feel comfortable around people who open carry we just feel like we have an edge with CC and also it does not invite unwanted attention.

[cripplecreek]

Episode 9 of ABC’s “Turn” (Against thy neighbor)

Loyalist British occupied Setauket begins to struggle under the weight of occupation so someone tries to poison Major Hewlett and shoots Judge Woodhall.

The british respond by ordering all firearms to be turned in. Next British soldiers begin dragging Setauket citizens from their homes in the middle of the night.

The episode ends with a scene of the gallows being erected.

http://www.amctv.com/full-episodes/turn/3603504145001/against-thy-neighbor

If you haven’t seen this show you don’t know what you’re missing. Its a drama but the history is very solid. The season finale was this last Sunday.

[The_Media_never_lie]

You prefer to wait until he starts shooting?

[dinodino]

Why do you assume a citizen with a gun is a criminal?

[Durus]

The second amendment isn’t crazy, even if you think it is.

[central_va]

You got a problem?

[The_Media_never_lie]

You are assuming I do not like the 2nd amendment, and you are wrong.

[hal ogen]

Thanks.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

If a stranger comes waltzing by with an AR-15 in your neighborhood, would you not be concerned? This is crazy.

No, I would not and no, it is not.

I would be more consigned about someone waltzing by while trying to conceal the fact they were armed.

And yeah, you can tell if you know what to look for.

People who are openly carrying are very rarely any danger to others.

[Durus]

You called carrying weapons crazy, but that is exactly what the 2nd amendment protects, therefore you called the 2nd amendment crazy. I don’t care if you say you like it or not.

[familyop]

Allow open carry to be outlawed, and you’ll eventually lose your permission to carry concealed. Many will fall to previously unrealized realities during the years to come. The current expenses of government are unaffordable by far.

[familyop]

"If a stranger comes waltzing by with an AR-15 in your neighborhood, would you not be concerned?"

Not at all. People seldom come by here, but some have done so while carrying openly. Someone carrying openly isn't trying to hide anything. That's one point in their favor. A socially connected public school teacher shooting out the back glass of a passing vehicle from hiding on May Day is a downright hostile gesture, though.

[HMS Surprise]

Concealed carry requires a permission slip from the gubmint.