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 ...
Absolutely! What’s worse is that the police have no idea what is legal and continue to attempt harass or arrest those that are law-abiding citizens... It seems that the government is more in need of education about the law rather than the citizens...
Huffing and puffing about your First Amendment rights? Well you should. No citizen should ever fear exercising his rights because of someone else's pathological fear of an inanimate object or any other reason.
Carrying a gun openly like the police do? How horribly offensive. I believe, however, that everybody has an equal right to be offended by my words and actions. Morons are no exception.
The author is saying conservatives should stay in the closet. You see, only liberal can offend. The author sounds like a blue-blood.
It’s going to be a matter of de-sensitization. How about Gun Pride Parades?
Actually, I think that might have changed from open carry was the norm to maybe the 20’s, concealed carry - or at least kept in autos - ready to rob banks. Open carry was the norm in the Western days... It became a problem when the gangsters took over...my guess...heh...
When I was growing up it was called a concealed carry permit.
Texas law sounds to be similar to the law in Colorado, except that iirc, there can be penalties up to and including the loss of the permit if you violate the "no carry" signs.
I have a short list (either mall, a store chain called Tuesday Morning, and a few others) which do not allow concealed carry, and which I will not shop in/go to for any reason.
If they don't respect my rights, I won't give them my money. It is that simple.
nice humility...a rare find on this forum.
I salute you Marine!
Oh We fight all right, but there arent enough of us——yet.
Agreed. And I take back my less than generous comment.
Whether or not you agree with Cramer’s position - and I personally wish open carry wasn’t such a panty wetting big deal to some, concealed carry does have the advantage of not giving the bad guy early warning. And bad dudes are going to conceal, permit or not, so why make it easy for the criminals? Would that my state would adopt a Vermont/Alaska solution.
I don't carry illegally. I don't worry much about myself. I maintain a fairly decent level of situational awareness most of the time.
It's when I have my family with me that sometimes gives me pause to think about it. I have a personal responsibility to keep my kids and wife safe. It never hurts to have an edge when it comes to defending your family.
For now, if we are going to be traveling, I usually just check the laws of the state we are gong to. I carry a piece unload in my luggage in the trunk of the car. Get to our destination (hotel room, cabin, whatever) I then load it.
Yea, understand - lived there for 8 long years and hated it. Seems like you need a case to be brought to the courts by supportive lawyers - NRA maybe... I had to get the heck out of Maryland due to liberal thinking and of course taxes and headed back to Texas where freedom is still reasonable...
Trunk of the car for me. M1 Carbine and several mags. And yeah, situational awareness is crucial. Might consider a can of mace or equivalent to add to your bag of tricks. I showed one to an aggressive pan-handler in SOMA in SF and he knew what it was right away. And left post haste.
Showed the slide show to my wife, she said AWESOME!
Denny Crane? LOL!
If exercising my Constitutionally guaranteed rights 'offends' some pantywaiste that's just TFB.
In fact I hope it does make some lib wet their pants. I've put up with them 'offending' me and worse for my entire adult life.
F them and F anybody else who doesn't like it.
L
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