[marktwain]

"I'm not sure people can be simultaneously reassured and alarmed."

This is not really a contradiction, as different people are reassured and alarmed. The majority of people are quickly reassured, as it is no different than police or security guards carrying guns. The hoplophobes are alarmed, because they have a mental problem.

[Red in Blue PA]

"If you are politically connected, if you're rich, if you're a politician, if you're a celebrity, you get a permit. Otherwise, you don't."

Isn't there something called the Equal Protection Clause?

[Evil Slayer]

Paladin's Colt 45 would be a nice open carry to have. Loved that show staring Richard Boone "Have Gun Will Travel"

[rarestia]

Would LOVE to see Florida get on the open carry bandwagon. We’re one of the few states that doesn’t allow open carry which is a shame.

[Dan Nunn]

In addition to avoiding that effect, hidden guns have the advantage of deterring criminals who can't be sure who is armed and who isn't.

Eh, that "tactical advantage" has shown to be no different than the "tactical advantage" of being able to diffuse a situation without brandishing or firing a shot.

[Travis McGee]

Good article!

[familyop]

"The hoplophobes are alarmed, because they have a mental problem."

And maybe some 50-round-per-month liberals involved in the short term fad of city folks have phobias about single action western rigs. That's too bad. And contrary to the lib author's wish, I'm not going to "put That Thing Away," except when I want to do so. ...'sides, those funny, little city boy pistols have often been known to malfunction in never-summer kinda places. ;-)

[Niteranger68]

But California law (PDF) allows you to openly carry an unloaded gun without a permit, provided you are outside of designated "gun-free" zones.

Ummm...don't think I want to OC with an empty weapon.

[familyop]

BTW, at least several of the states where people are bragging about their “shall issue” CCW laws do have loopholes for cronyism on the matter. Anyone can be turned down in many counties except for those in the local, yocal, business/government/sewing circles. They’re driven by fears of others they feel to be beneath them.

I’ve known some exceptionally responsible and level-headed people who often carried firearms while dressing and acting like the homeless folks so feared by most (kids in the Ozarks, for example).

If many people don’t get over their fears of openly visible firearms, there’s no tellin’ where the winds of CCW laws and their requirements will blow—maybe to exclude all with less than high pay grade government incomes, IQs less than above average, old folks (assumed senility), or those perceived to be clumsy in their physical disabilities.

[familyop]

"In addition to avoiding that effect, hidden [openly carried, empty] guns have the advantage of deterring criminals who can't be sure who is armed and who isn't [whether they're loaded or not]."

[I'm not sincere about that, but it's nearly the same kind of logic.]