MI: Detroit Open Carry, Hip and Cool

Gun Watch ^ | 4 December, 2014 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

An open carry group in Michigan has done a remarkable thing.  True, they built on the accomplishments of a great many before them.   They have made the open carry of long guns in Detroit cool and hip on an MSNBC video.

Here is a link to the video:

The video is done by Ronan Farrow, featuring 22 year-old activist James Baker.  He is well spoken, photogenic, and persuasive.  He and a couple of other people formed the group, Hell's Saints, in July of 2014.  He comes across as cool and hip.  He narrates much of the video.   He reminds me of Cody Wilson, of 3D printed firearms fame.  From mlive.com:

They're know as the Hell's Saints, a Detroit-area-based group who travel the state and make planned walks displaying handguns on their hips and rifles slung over their shoulders.

The stated goal: to educate citizens about their Second Amendment right to openly carry firearms.

The "optics" are good.  The open carriers come across as safe, dedicated, and outside the "establishment".   Some police come to investigate the open carriers as they walk along.  A police officer states that they know of the open carriers, and understand their rights.   The group is unmolested, and continues their walk.  The police never draw any weapons, and never required anyone to disarm.  The message is clear: You have the right, and the police cannot take it from you.  A female member of the group remarks that the police time could be spent in better ways.

The group is multi-racial.  It practically screams; urban, cool, and hip.

The Statements that are printed on the screen are positive and informative.  The last message is that open carry of handguns is legal in 44 states, 13 of which require a permit.

Combined with Police Chief Craig's endorsements of using firearms for self defense, this is a potent message to the people of Detroit.   While MSNBC's viewership is small, the video is on the net and may go viral.

This video will be a powerful tool for open carry groups across the nation.  I would not be surprised if it were shown to all the legislators in Texas, Florida, and South Carolina, which are on the front line of the open carry movement.  Texas is expected to pass an open carry bill in 2015.  This video could make a difference in what kind they pass.   When Texas becomes an open carry state, there will be more states with "constitutional carry" than there will be that ban open carry.

©2014 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included.
Link to Gun Watch

[marktwain]

Young shooters who are politically active, fighting for Constitutional rights.

[fieldmarshaldj]

*Detroit ping*

[thackney]

Texas is expected to pass an open carry bill in 2015.

TX GOVERNOR-ELECT ABBOTT: I’LL SIGN OPEN CARRY HANDGUN BILL AS SOON AS IT REACHES MY DESK
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/11/05/Governor-Elect-Abbott-TX-I-ll-Sign-Open-Carry-Bill-As-Soon-As-It-Reaches-My-Desk
5 Nov 2014

[Buckeye McFrog]

Not one of those people scares me. They seem like sane, rational human beings who would only use a firearm for defense.

[madison10]

Reminds me of the Israeli youngsters carrying long guns wherever. Detroit may come back after all. :)

[CodeToad]

Desensitizing is a good thing.

Ever notice people seem to not be concerned for open carry regarding what people think but how the government might react? Tells me we have a serious government problem.

[MrB]

If this catches on, it will reduce crime DRAMATICALLY.

[cripplecreek]

Open carry D-troit.



Michigan legislative action thread

[cripplecreek]

It already has. (not quite up to date obviously)

[cripplecreek]

It also helps to have a solid pro gun police chief encouraging people to carry.

[FrdmLvr]

When Officer Weekley’s misdemeanor gets dismissed on Dec. 21, all hell will break loose in Detroit. My son, who works downtown but lives in the burbs, took time off around Christmas. I’m hoping it’s before the 21st.

Did you see the mob with their “D 15” hats stopping traffic by standing in the middle of the road and at McDonald’s drive thru on the West side yesterday? It turned from a $15/hr. pity party into a “I can’t breathe, this is what Democracy looks like” pity party. They’re interchangeable, those rent-a-mobs. Very versatile, worth every penny.

[FrdmLvr]

Detroit’s police chief went on tv and told residents to arm themselves.

[cripplecreek]

Nice to know that American Coney Island supports open carry.

[PGalt]

BUMP!

[Bigg Red]

God bless Chief Craig!

[exnavy]

Next step for Michigan is constitutional carry. Which is just what the 2nd ammendment states.”shall not be infringed”.

[MarMema]

Well good on them! I am returning to Michigan in the morning but this time landing in Grand Rapids, then heading north from there on Sunday morning.

I wish all Detroiters well and will go watch the video now.

[MarMema]

WOW, this video is awesome!!!!

[marktwain]

“WOW, this video is awesome!!!!”

Yes it is good. James Baker informed me that the producers had to bring in shills to play the parts where people were not happy with the open carriers.

He said that everybody in the neighborhoods that they walk through are happy to see them. It was just about impossible to find someone to say something bad about them.