Posted on 10/25/2009 1:33:08 PM PDT by AJKauf
I recently wrote an article for Shotgun News making the argument that while open carry of firearms is legal in many American cities, it may not be particularly wise. Open carry in a number of states is not just legal, but protected by the state constitution. But just because something is legal, even constitutionally protected, doesn’t mean that it is wise.
Carrying a gun openly in a city can — and does — offend people who might not have a strong opinion one way or the other about gun control. Boise, Idaho, is about as pro-gun as any big city in the United States. But open carry advocates decided last year to go to the Boise Zoo with openly carried handguns. It was completely legal — but the reaction of other patrons was distinctly negative.
We have a very reasonable concealed weapon permit law in Idaho (as with most states), and there are lots of Idahoans who are armed but carry their weapons concealed. I’m sure that the other patrons of the Boise Zoo know that. Yes, it is somewhat illogical to be disconcerted by seeing something in public that you know may still be all around you, but concealed. But there are a lot of areas where human beings are illogical — and pretending that you are Mr. Spock doesn’t change that human beings often respond with emotions, not logic.
Handguns and our excretory organs have something in common: we know that they are very, very common, they are necessary, and many people have them under their clothes./....
(Excerpt) Read more at pajamasmedia.com ...
I see the problem. You assumed me saying not to open carry means not to carry PERIOD. No. I’ve concealed carry before states “allowed” citizens to carry via permit. Again, never open carry!
You have some good thinking and good advice there...
I’m all about the second amendment. I agree that there is a time and place for open carry and a time and a place for concealed carry. A public zoo is not the place for open carry as it has the potential to hurt the overall movement. A public rest area on a lonely stretch of highway is another story. If I had my way, open carry would be the norm but that probably won’t be happening anytime soon. just my opinion though.
“A person with a gun on their hip is not one of those targets.” Would love to see actual numbers on that. Personally, I don’t think it’s alot at all.”
66,000 police officers are assaulted every year. 10,000 require hospitalization. ALL of them are carrying on their hip.
Ah... you’re right, I did take it wrong (a bit). Seems like I’m taking way too many comments wrong - better retire while I can before I anger too many others...heh.
At any rate, you’re right...for your circumstances, probably concealed carry is ideal. I was just pushing for the overt option to push the envelopment to encourage lawful carry for all. In your case and probably many others concealed is the ideal method for self-protection.
wow...that was envelope...
I was referrring to non-LEO only.
I'm offended (although it is perfectly legal) by any democrat or RINO who "openly" exists in a city or state and "openly" breathes a precious resource like air...
lots of shmekele measuring going on here on this thread...
Heh...I’m sure you have a point, but not sure what it is?
yiddish for penis...it’s my new curse language...my kids have caught on to my portugese
all this lashing out macho talk here from plenty of decent freepers who actually agree with each other
Heh...Did not get that impression myself... I actually thought that this was about the Constitution and what was leagally allowed... My mistake....ha... If I had know that it was about who was the biggest, I would have dropped out early...
good lord son, it’s a joke..pardon me...you guys feel free to go back to name calling...geez
lol...should not call u son...it appears you have about 10 or so on me...my bad..
Heh...well, I did take it as a joke - or I would have hung in there, so to speak...hehe... Yes, I am an old codger...so give me some respect!! haha...
Oh..., and Mr. WarDaddy (giving you respect for your name), this was not about anything other than the protections of the Constitution. Whether you carry openly or concealed was secondary... The argument against one or the other is reasonable and should be carried out in public.
So... This was an important argument, yes, it was about whose was the biggest..in a sense. Not exactly what you said but close...heh. Maybe you’re not old enough to get involved...
Re your post #96, cannot argue with the physical assets of Maryland, but why not just move across the Potomac into Virginia and get all that plus lower taxes, fewer repulsive politicians and freedom to open carry or conceal carry.
Sure, Virginia has three problems (two senators and one governor) but one of those problems will be corrected November 3.
When I was in high school 3 decades ago, I used to keep a 20 gauge shot gun in my locker. After school, I would carry it down the hallway on my way to go squirrel hunting. When the principal saw me, he’d always ask me to bring him some.
Kept the same shot gun in my college dorm room too. Any weekend with no home football game would require a “re-stocking” of squirrels and rabbits for dinner. Ha! I saved a lot of money “hunting” for dinner in those days.
I suppose there are some cities in the US that historically never had large numbers of folks carrying visible guns - and now there may even be times & places where some discretion is advisable - but there’s a bottom line here and and it can be expressed by simply saying “so what”.
A lot of us (and I count myself among them) look at our state and US constitutions together and have interpreted their plain meaning as prohibiting a requirement for any kind of state permit to carry a weapon, concealed or otherwise. In trying to apply our principles and beliefs as best we can, we have chosen to not ask for state permission, and pay a tax, and be placed in a public or police database, to exercise our right to carry weapons.
Our options, then, in conducting our everyday affairs vary from place to place in how we may go about our business while avoiding legal jeopardy (unconstitutional tho it may be), but in most places there is but one, and that is to carry openly when we choose to carry.
The fact that some people might be fearful or just not like that practice is undeniable, but if anyone is to blame for them having to face that fear or offense, it is the state.
To appear less “offensive” according to the norms of a particular social setting I would gladly carry concealed when practical, if and when I am not threatened with arrest for exercising my right to do so.
It’s clear to me what the good folks who don’t like to see guns on the street ought to be demanding of their representatives. Certainly there's no shortage of legislation that seeks to cure a perceived problem by making it invisible. It’s unfortunate that people's attitudes have been influenced by some wrong turns having been taken in modern society, and they no longer understand the right and reason laid out in our founding principles, but again, the blame for that lies at the feet of the state.
As for me, I’m just doing what I have to do.
I think it’s like that in most places that issue, a simple trespass violation.
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