Posted on 06/11/2014 4:34:03 PM PDT by Kaslin
Are people who assert their Second Amendment rights by bringing rifles and shotguns into stores and restaurants "weird" and "scary?" At least one staff member at the National Rifle Association (NRA) thought so, and he expressed that view in an online commentary that the organization felt compelled to retract last week after it caused an uproar among gun-rights advocates.
To some extent, the episode reflects divisions among Second Amendment activists, many of whom view the NRA, despite its reputation for adamantly resisting gun control, as insufficiently zealous. But the brouhaha also highlights a shift in American attitudes regarding the public display of guns.
The controversial essay, which the NRA posted on May 30, argued that protesters associated with Open Carry Texas had "crossed the line from enthusiasm to downright foolishness" by openly carrying rifles into coffee shops and restaurants. Although such displays are legal in Texas, the unnamed author said, they "can be downright scary" to people who do not understand what's going on, and they risk alienating potential supporters, making "folks who might normally be perfectly open-minded about firearms feel uncomfortable and question the motives of pro-gun advocates."
That article, which was originally attributed to the NRA itself, has since disappeared from the organization's website, replaced by a video in which Chris Cox, the NRA's chief lobbyist, insists that "the National Rifle Association supports open carry ... unequivocally." Apologizing for "a poor word choice," Cox says the NRA agrees with Open Carry Texas that people should be allowed to carry handguns as well as long guns without having to hide them.
"In Texas some people have decided to protest the absurdity of the ban on open carry of handguns by carrying their long guns openly and legally," Cox says. "Ultimately what this comes down to is a tactics discussion."
In other words, while there is nothing wrong with wearing a pistol on your hip, slinging a rifle across your chest is a bit too ostentatious for the NRA's taste. Many people, however, may be alarmed by the sidearm, as well, which presumably is why Texas and several other states ban open display of handguns even by people with carry permits.
Then again, at least 18 states allow open carrying of handguns without a permit. That approach jibes with an older sensibility that viewed concealed weapons with suspicion.
As the Supreme Court noted in District of Columbia v. Heller, the 2008 decision recognizing a constitutional right to armed self-defense, "the majority of the 19th-century courts to consider the question held that prohibitions on carrying concealed weapons were lawful under the Second Amendment or state analogues." In 1850, for example, the Louisiana Supreme Court upheld a ban on concealed weapons, ruling that the right to bear arms protected by the Second Amendment applies only to openly displayed weapons: "This is the right guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States, and which is calculated to incite men to a manly and noble defence of themselves, if necessary, and of their country, without any tendency to secret advantages and unmanly assassinations."
Openly carrying a weapon was considered manly and honorable, while secretly carrying a weapon was considered sneaky and disreputable; someone who hid his weapon was probably up to no good. Today, by contrast, the prevailing view, at least among urbanites, seems to be that secretly carrying a weapon is less worrisome than carrying it openly. Out of sight, out of mind.
Although their constitutional position has a long pedigree, organizations such as Open Carry Texas, which seeks "to condition Texans to feel safe around law-abiding citizens that choose to (openly) carry (guns)," may be fighting a losing battle. In any case, concealed weapons are probably a more effective deterrent to crime: When guns are hidden, bad guys do not know which potential victim might be armed. Hence there is a practical advantage to keeping your gun out of sight, aside from avoiding a panic at Starbucks.
My IN lifetime permit says right at the top..."LICENSE TO CARRY HANDGUN"
and "carry on your person" .
We'n Hoosiers support "Choice"
30 years ago I could carry a gun to school for hunting after.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Open carry...concealed carry. The important thing is that we have a God-given right to carry. All pants-wetters...grow up.
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.
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.
You prefer to wait until he starts shooting?
Why do you assume a citizen with a gun is a criminal?
The second amendment isn’t crazy, even if you think it is.
You got a problem?
You are assuming I do not like the 2nd amendment, and you are wrong.
Thanks.
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.
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.
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.
Concealed carry requires a permission slip from the gubmint.
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