Open Carry: I appreciate the effort but...

[Lutherf]

...Please, for the love of God and Country, THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE DOING!!!

Director at Barrow Neurological Institute arrested with rifle at Sky Harbor

The counts stem from when Steinmetz removed the AR-15 from his shoulder and the muzzle faced toward a woman and her daughter in a waiting area in Terminal 4, according to police. Both the woman and her daughter reported fearing for their safety, police said.

Look, I understand that you want to support the open carry movement and I appreciate that. I'd like nothing better than to have Constitutional carry in every state of the nation but stuff like this isn't helping that cause.

If I go to the airport to pick you up odds are that I'll be armed. I'll be armed with a pistol and it will be under my shirt but it will be there and, frankly, I'm the only one who needs to know that. If you want someone to know you're carrying then feel free to carry a pistol openly. If you are wandering around with a long gun people are going to look at you funny. I mean, seriously, what's the point? It's sure as hell no easier to carry a long gun. In an urban environment the damned thing will be banging off of door frames and furniture not to mention people you're walking by. It gives the cops (or a mugger) something else to grab on to if they feel the desire or need. It's kind of a pain in the ass to sit down to eat or get into your car no matter how you have it slung. So, again, what's the point?

I could throw around a bunch of platitudes like "Discretion is the better part of valor" and such but the fact of the matter is that these antics are more likely to turn people away from the movement than they are to generate a real, positive interest in it. So please, think before you make your statement. Getting yourself slammed in the pokey and another negative headline in the paper isn't what we need if we really want to increase awareness and acceptance.

 

[WCH]

He looks more like a patient

 

[CRUE CAB]

Muzzle control. Cant do it? Don't carry.
Then again, her story could be total BS. She saw a gun and freaked. Betcha.

 

[azgreg]

Common sense is fast becoming a lost art.

 

[Lutherf]

Muzzle control. Cant do it? Don't carry.
Then again, her story could be total BS. She saw a gun and freaked. Betcha.

It isn't even that. If you're lugging around a long gun in a public, urban area you should KNOW someone is going to call the cops. It's just so far out of the realm of normal behavior that it's going to get attention and most of that attention isn't going to be the kind you want.

If you want to educate people about firearms and open carry then do so in a way that doesn't freak people out. Set up a table in a park, put a rifle or two on the table and invite people to observe as you explain things. Be friendly and informative. Try to attract PEOPLE instead of just attracting attention.

 

[CRUE CAB]

It isn't even that. If you're lugging around a long gun in a public, urban area you should KNOW someone is going to call the cops. It's just so far out of the realm of normal behavior that it's going to get attention and most of that attention isn't going to be the kind you want.

If you want to educate people about firearms and open carry then do so in a way that doesn't freak people out. Set up a table in a park, put a rifle or two on the table and invite people to observe as you explain things. Be friendly and informative. Try to attract PEOPLE instead of just attracting attention.

Let them call, the 2A is pretty specific. We have backed away from it for decades, its time to start reminding people of its existence and if they don't like it, tough.

 

[Linc]

Let them call, the 2A is pretty specific. We have backed away from it for decades,
its time to start reminding people of its existence and if they don't like it, tough.

Just the opposite--the 2A support going forward has ramped up like a parabolic curve since the days of Presidents' Ford/Nixon gun control--ask TD.

You're close to having guns become part of the curriculum across the Nation,
which is already occurring in many areas, such as the West and South .

 

[Lutherf]

Let them call, the 2A is pretty specific. We have backed away from it for decades, its time to start reminding people of its existence and if they don't like it, tough.

I understand your position but I disagree with it.

The 2nd Amendment is clear but there are plenty of people out there who would willingly take that right from us. If they try to do that there will be some rather nasty consequences and I'd like to avoid them. I would much more desire willing acceptance that the 2A is sacrosanct than to have to force the issue at some point. If it comes to the latter at some point then so be it but I sure don't see any good reason to press the matter.

 

[Thom Paine]

Every group has its' fruit loops; this fine gentleman needs to put back in a box.

So this guy slings a rifle over his shoulder as he enters the airport for a cup of coffee.

He was actually looking for McDonald's and confused passenger drop off for the drive thru line. Determined to succeed he parked and began the hike in from outlying facilities;
Lost in the Airport jungle. Undaunted, he persevered to locate the missing restaurant knowing full well he would not be stopped from attaining the objective......

Neurological Researcher Loses mind at Sky Harbor... With aid from Sheriff Joe locates it at TENT CITY.

Here's a conspiratorial thought.... maybe they're mostly anti-gun folks creating bad PR ... by martyring themselves in the courts.... YEP! think I'll go with that... :mrgreen:

What's with people who do this crap... they damned sure not friends .. What?? 15 minutes of fame?

That's as much nonsensical blathering I can do....

These types of actions are bewildering..

Keep your powder dry

Thom Paine

 

[haymarket]

It isn't even that. If you're lugging around a long gun in a public, urban area you should KNOW someone is going to call the cops. It's just so far out of the realm of normal behavior that it's going to get attention and most of that attention isn't going to be the kind you want.

Why do you assume that a long gun will freak people out while a holstered pistol in plain view will not have the same effect?

 

[KevinKohler]

Attentions whores gotta attention whore, you know?

 

[KevinKohler]

Why do you assume that a long gun will freak people out while a holstered pistol in plain view will not have the same effect?

Because a long gun is a longer ranged weapon.

 

[KevinKohler]

You know...one of the images I naturally conjure when I think of 3rd world **** hole despot countries is that of people walking the streets with AK-47s.

Is it coming to that in this country now, as well, only it's the AR-15, instead of the AK?

 

[Lutherf]

Why do you assume that a long gun will freak people out while a holstered pistol in plain view will not have the same effect?

It's a matter of conditioning. People who are unfamiliar with real life firearms tend to glean their information from the movies and the news. In both of those arenas long guns tend to be portrayed as being far more lethal than a handgun. Add to that stories like Columbine and Sandy Hook and you've got a serious negative public image for long arms. That image can be changed but it's unlikely to change through "in your face" antics by activists.

 

[Lutherf]

You know...one of the images I naturally conjure when I think of 3rd world **** hole despot countries is that of people walking the streets with AK-47s.

Is it coming to that in this country now, as well, only it's the AR-15, instead of the AK?

Not likely.

The reasons you see that in some parts of the world don't exist here.

 

[KevinKohler]

Not likely.

The reasons you see that in some parts of the world don't exist here.

Oh, I agree. But it's the image.


Ever hear the expression "Perception is reality"? Now, on one hand...I could give two ****s what some prick from another part of the world thinks when they think USA...

But on the other hand, globalism somewhat forces us all to care at least a little about our image, doesn't it?

 

[KevinKohler]

It's a matter of conditioning. People who are unfamiliar with real life firearms tend to glean their information from the movies and the news. In both of those arenas long guns tend to be portrayed as being far more lethal than a handgun. Add to that stories like Columbine and Sandy Hook and you've got a serious negative public image for long arms. That image can be changed but it's unlikely to change through "in your face" antics by activists.

Well, that and long guns are designed specifically to be longer range weapons.

Hard to claim "self defense" after shooting a guy 50 feet from you, or even 25 feet, you know?

I mean, you could claim that it's appearance is a deterrent from crime...but where do you live...South Central L.A.?

 

[Deuce]

I want a group of brown-skinned men with turbans to get in on this trendy open carry thing.

 

[Thom Paine]

Why do you assume that a long gun will freak people out while a holstered pistol in plain view will not have the same effect?

Custom... open carry is not uncommon in some areas and will become the same as adopted elsewhere.

I guess you enjoyed your vacation. Visit more often, it's good for 'soul'.

Have a great day Nim

Thom Paine

 

[haymarket]

It's a matter of conditioning. People who are unfamiliar with real life firearms tend to glean their information from the movies and the news. In both of those arenas long guns tend to be portrayed as being far more lethal than a handgun. Add to that stories like Columbine and Sandy Hook and you've got a serious negative public image for long arms. That image can be changed but it's unlikely to change through "in your face" antics by activists.

Luther - I give you credit for realizing that a long gun in public would cause people concern. But cannot you also see that a person with a pistol in plain view would also have that same reaction amongst many people? Both can kill and people know that. So their cause to be afraid would be the same as long as they can see a gun capable of firing killing shots.

 

[haymarket]

Custom... open carry is not uncommon in some areas and will become the same as adopted elsewhere.

I guess you enjoyed your vacation. Visit more often, it's good for 'soul'.

Have a great day Nim

Thom Paine

Could you explain what you mean by "will become the same as adopted elsewhere" please?

 

[Lutherf]

Luther - I give you credit for realizing that a long gun in public would cause people concern. But cannot you also see that a person with a pistol in plain view would also have that same reaction amongst many people? Both can kill and people know that. So their cause to be afraid would be the same as long as they can see a gun capable of firing killing shots.

Some people are scared of heights too but we don't ban tall buildings. Handguns are FAR more common in the public arena than long guns are. Cops have them and people see them all the time so while it may concern a few people it's generally no big deal.

 

[tech30528]

...Please, for the love of God and Country, THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE DOING!!!

Director at Barrow Neurological Institute arrested with rifle at Sky Harbor



Look, I understand that you want to support the open carry movement and I appreciate that. I'd like nothing better than to have Constitutional carry in every state of the nation but stuff like this isn't helping that cause.

If I go to the airport to pick you up odds are that I'll be armed. I'll be armed with a pistol and it will be under my shirt but it will be there and, frankly, I'm the only one who needs to know that. If you want someone to know you're carrying then feel free to carry a pistol openly. If you are wandering around with a long gun people are going to look at you funny. I mean, seriously, what's the point? It's sure as hell no easier to carry a long gun. In an urban environment the damned thing will be banging off of door frames and furniture not to mention people you're walking by. It gives the cops (or a mugger) something else to grab on to if they feel the desire or need. It's kind of a pain in the ass to sit down to eat or get into your car no matter how you have it slung. So, again, what's the point?

I could throw around a bunch of platitudes like "Discretion is the better part of valor" and such but the fact of the matter is that these antics are more likely to turn people away from the movement than they are to generate a real, positive interest in it. So please, think before you make your statement. Getting yourself slammed in the pokey and another negative headline in the paper isn't what we need if we really want to increase awareness and acceptance.

I completely agree. There is simply no reason to make others uncomfortable to prove your point. To me there is very little difference between being that guy walking thru the mall with cross mounted pistols or being that flamboyantly gay guy amping up the image just to make a point. In neither case are you making your point more palatable to others. Yes, you have the right in either case, but it's a dick move. I have mine on right now, and while I'm working out in the shop it might be open (a bit more comfortable) but even walking in to my office or talking with customers, unless it is someone I know who doesn't care, I'll cover it. I'd prefer to have something easier to carry and less conspicuous, but I'm waiting on a trial date of some local nutjob who got picked up when he walked in to the wrong shop looking for me, loading a revolver, and saying he was going to kill me because he thought I was sleeping with his wife. I don't know either one of them. Got photos of him from the arrest report so I'd know what he looks like and had to find his wife on Facebook. Really not my type. Anyway, he spent 3 days in jail of Terroristic Threat charges and then they released him. I thought we had a war on terror? That's more like getting grounded for terror. But anyway these days I'm carrying a little bigger and quicker to put in to action. Given all of that, I'm on my way to pick up dinner. I will be discreet as possible and not freak people out.

 

[BretJ]

Luther - I give you credit for realizing that a long gun in public would cause people concern. But cannot you also see that a person with a pistol in plain view would also have that same reaction amongst many people? Both can kill and people know that. So their cause to be afraid would be the same as long as they can see a gun capable of firing killing shots.

Guess it is no different than a woman crossing the road in order to avoid one of "those" guys. Irrational fear is a bugger to overcome. While some folks see this as similar to immersion therapy in order to help people get over an irrational fear, I think it is as goofy as the fear.

 

[CRUE CAB]

I understand your position but I disagree with it.

The 2nd Amendment is clear but there are plenty of people out there who would willingly take that right from us. If they try to do that there will be some rather nasty consequences and I'd like to avoid them. I would much more desire willing acceptance that the 2A is sacrosanct than to have to force the issue at some point. If it comes to the latter at some point then so be it but I sure don't see any good reason to press the matter.

Unless there is proof he aimed at her or even swept her with the muzzle. I say punish him. Its negligence.
Short of that, people are going to have to get over their feelings. My 2A right is no different then any other right I can exercise at pretty much any other time.