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 ...
“So you don’t practice what you preach, huh? Enough said.”
Well, that is not exactly getting along - ya think?
I don’t think that you were overboard or anything like it, it is just that both of you agree on 90% of the problem/solution, so...why the fight? He is simply more expressive (like me actually - I like to put the problem in their face), rather than sit by and let things happen - hopefully for the best. I can understand your position - just don’t agree with it anymore (Use to, but have become a bit of a radical lately).
Tactically, I prefer and recommend concealment. However, I frequently "do my thing" with my empty P7 holster openly displayed on my belt (and with a well-concealed backup). If anyone comments, I say,
"I didn't feel like covering up, but, out of courtesy, I secured my piece elsewhere. Don't let a little hunk of leather bother you..."
That gets across the point that I know and exercise my rights -- responsibly -- and helps get others used to the idea...
I accept no infringement on my Second Amendment rights. I consider the holster display to be "Civil Defiance", rather than outright "Civil Disobedience" as a protest of the current unreasonable infringement.
Your thread; courtesy ping to #82... Apologies for the oversight.
Your thread; courtesy ping to #82... Apologies for the oversight.
“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.”
Screw ‘em. I’m tired of walking on eggs shells just keep from “offending” someone else. I bought a few bandannas for fishing do-rags the other night. There was a nice stars/bars one for .99. My first thought was, I can’t wear that....then, SCREW’EM! tossed it in the cart and am looking forward to wearing it.
Yes! It seems so out of place that Texas has some of the most antiquated gun laws and yet seems to be so far ahead of most states in other gun laws...
You live in Ky where there is a measure of sanity. The rest of the country (excluding Texas of course) has lost their sanity concerning guns. Ky wont change either, The libs love to portray us as redneck idiots because we dont fall for their BS.
It has already changed - you’re just not taking advantage of it! The Supreme Court has ruled. Whether you take advantage of it is up to you! You can sit back and let government decide what you can do or you can revolt and abide by the Constitution!
Probably because I’m a female.
Oh, and as an ex-Kentuckian (born there) I would be raising holy hell to be able to protect myself - yes, a gun! You sound like a girly fellow that wants the police to protect you - only a few minutes away from a crime in progress...heh.
Yea, you know the saying...
WTF are you talking about. Reread my post you dumb ass.
When I was in the police academy some years ago, we watched several videos. One was prisoners training to disarm police officers. Another video was crims studying different makes of retention holsters and how to defeat them.
One video that made a serious impact on me was a former prisoner demonstrating ripping a level two retention holster off a 2 1/4 inch reinforced duty belt. He made it look easy. Now granted he probably practiced a bit, but the point is, I don’t know anyone who carries outside of law enforcement, that wears that type of belt. If that can happen to a duty belt, imagine what your belt would be like.
Here is a video that might pluck some thoughts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDeKtgkZKmQ
I have discussed the open carry issue with some folks and they tell me it is for deterrant factor. I tell them I carry openly everyday, as well as three other types of weapons and my BUG, and that does not stop people from being rude, and even aggressive with me. Police officers are arguably the heaviest armed people walking around yet how many people have you seen fighting with them? Shoot, people watch cops just to see the resistings.
Now ask yourself, I know I am a good shot, but did I have any handgun retention training? You can’t just get into a pulling match if someone is trying to disarm you. Your reaction has to be instant and proper. If you watch police officers, whenever they are around groups of people, they have one hand jammed down on top of the weapon. This is to deter gun grabs and takes the first step out of the reaction drill to a gun grab. If you are carrying openly, and practice this, and remember most holsters citizens wear may only have a thumbbreak as the only retention device, you will probably cause some alarm from those who do not know what you are doing.
Now here’s another situation that you must take into account. All of us have been line somewhere, store, restaurant, whereever. People are always in close proximity to us. If you are openly carrying, are you always going to be watching behind you, constantly turning to make sure someone is not sizing you up for a grab or just assassinating you on the spot? Some folks say that the criminal would just go somewhere else. Knowing crims like I do, they aren’t going to just leave, they are going to assess you to see if you are paying attention, look like you can handle yourself, making eye contact with people, etc. If they think they can take you, it will be from behind and by ambush. If you are concealed, the crim has to guess who to make a victim. If he chooses someone other than you, you have a great opportunity to be the gun he didn’t see or expect.
“An armed society is a polite society”. Well, the fact is we don’t have the right to shoot someone if they are rude. If anti gun liberal nutjob got in your face about your open carry, what would do? What could you do? It’s game of brinkmanship that some of them willing to play. You couldn’t even legally draw your weapon if they shoved you. You might get some judge to sympathize if you are female or old but if you are just joe everyday, you stand a good chance of going to jail and losing your gun rights altogether. If they knock you down, they know exactly where to go for your gun. It’s in the open and here’s a tragic and sobering fact. 90 percent of all police officers who are disarmed are shot with their weapon.
My weapon, my thoughts and my plans upon an encounter are all hidden. That’s makes me a dangerous X factor crims are going to have to account for. They fail to do so at their own peril.
Your mileage might vary on this subject. I am very glad I live here in the US where the 2A is greatly respected. Now not everyone is going to exercise the RTKBA but everyone should support it. If I endanger that support by alarming those around me by having a weapon openly displayed, I am not doing it.
Heh...all the more reason for you to take a “manly” stance on guns... You need protection and assuming that those that want to do you harm are going to care about what you think or do is just nonsense. Get a gun a protect yourself!
I don’t buy this argument. I am even less impressed with the author’s passive acceptance of the idea that concealed carry should require a gooberment permit.
Whoa...sorry, I did mis-read your post. No need to get angry about it though...sorry...and your dumb ass comment was totally unnecessary - a bit overboard!
Politically the state sucks. Otherwise it is a great state. We have beaches and mountains, we have cities, we have the Chesapeake , and the Potomac, We have four seasons and my family has been here for over 400 years. I love it, I just dont like it’s politics.
Yes, it is a very pretty state and has access to lots of wonderful beaches - but don’t forget the high taxes. Most people that have to work there live in Virginia and drive long distances to work. Do miss the beaches though...
Crooks look for easy targets. A person with a gun on their hip is not one of those targets. How many people who OC are jumped every year? Would love to see actual numbers on that. Personally, I don’t think it’s alot at all.
Agree 100%- I OC and do so because the transplants in PA from NJ/NY think only BG’s have guns. They need to be taught differently, and the only way to do so is through repeated exposure.
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