Posted on 10/03/2009 6:26:07 AM PDT by marktwain
It’s going to happen.
Gun rights activist and former Afton resident David E. Olson of Glenwood City has announced that an “Open Carry Tea Party” will be held the afternoon of Oct. 17, a Saturday, at Lakefront Park in Hudson, Wis.
The purpose of the event is for people to exercise their First Amendment rights to free speech and assembly and their Second Amendment rights to own and carry firearms, Olson said.
After holding an open carry event in Glenwood City on Aug. 23, Olson told other media outlets that he was planning a similar event for Hudson in mid-October.
A Web site with information about the Hudson event, www.donotinfringe.org, urges people to: “Come exercise your liberties affirmed by the 1st and 2nd Amendments. Stand against the path to socialism!”
The logo from President Barack Obama’s election campaign is used as the O in socialism.
The Web site says “attendees are encouraged, but not required, to wear a holstered sidearm to exercise their God-given right to self defense.”
The site also contains a list of confirmed speakers for the event, including Hudson Mayor Dean Knudson, Twin Cities talk radio host Sue Jeffers and seven others.
Olson said in the phone call that he had attempted to get former rock star Ted Nugent to speak in Hudson, but Nugent plans to be hunting at that time.
Olson also has invited all State Legislature representatives for western Wisconsin, gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker and Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann to speak at the Oct. 17 event. It will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Lakefront Park band shell.
Education about Wisconsin’s gun laws is also a purpose of the event, Olson said. He said he’ll display large copies of Wisconsin’s gun laws like he did at Glenwood City and a TEA (Taxed Enough Already) party in New Richmond.
Olson is a labor manager for a construction company. He grew up in Maplewood, Minn., and lived in Afton for 14 years before moving to Glenwood City, where he has resided for 14 years.
“When the people fear the government you have tyranny, when the government fears the people you have liberty.” Thomas Jefferson
My advice: when you demonstrate, carry your firearms unloaded. That should prevent random “disturbing the peace” arrests.
That is wishful thinking - nothing else.
If you would like to LEARN about the subject you are speaking on, please check out the forums at www.opencarry.org
An unloaded gun is useless. People should carry voice recorders to record any police who overstep their bounds.
IMHO, it also can depend on which state the OCer is in and local laws. I’m not among those who throw up their hands and think OC at a political rally makes us look like hatefilled racist antigovernment militia blah blah blah.
I live in Columbia, SC, the capital of a generally gun friendly state. If there were a Second Amendment rally on the State House grounds, I would carry my Colt 1917 wheelgun in a belt holster, but I just might keep the six round fullmoon clip of .45 ACP in my pocket.
Too cautious?
In states where OC is legal, even if it takes a license to do so, any detention absent RAS of a crime being committed (the act of OC can't constitute that crime for RAS) is a violation of the person's rights. Carrying is a legal activity and engaging in a legal activity does not give law enforcement RAS to stop them just to see if they have a license to do so according to the supreme court.
In states where OC is illegal (TX, FL, etc.) then the very act of OC does constitute RAS for a terry stop.
If you wish to carry an unloaded revolver then that is your choice and I would support your right to do so as you see fit. I always carry mine loaded, regardless of where I am going. While a long shot, carrying an unloaded firearm could potentially get a person in a worse spot then a loaded one if they needed the gun and didn't have it at the ready.
While I prefer OC because it helps the public to understand that firearms are normal and nothing to be worried about, there are occasions when I will CC. Unfortunately it's nearly impossible to OC in a heavy winter coat during the long Iowa winters without a drop-leg holster or something.
It was an awesome event. Dave and his family did a great organizing job. 500 - 600 people attended.
http://kstp.com/news/stories/S1197061.shtml?cat=1
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.