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 ...
I don’t want crooks to know I am armed. I want it to be a complete surprise when I come up shooting.
This is just silly! Once the practice becomes common there will be no more attention paid to this than whether the girls are wearing short skirts (okay, maybe that is a stretch)! Practice makes perfect and the more common the practice, the more normal it becomes. We need more normal here...
You’re right there...but I am all for insuring the right first and open carry does that. For protection and not really knowing who is carrying, I would agree with you...
I will agree completely.
Your rights - use them or lose them.
Sorry...but the argument of being “wise” just didn’t get made with me. I grew up in rural KY...several people carried their “hammer” openly. Was no big deal and no one wet their panties. It would have been “unwise” to rob any of the stores downtown with so many packing.
This is a matter of a right not exercised becomes a lost right. When people are intimidated by the custom of appearing unarmed, to a point where they become unarmed, the issue is mute. I would work diligently to make concealed carry a universal norm. After all, its not the appearance of your gun (unless your an anti-gun law writer) but, how you use it.
I am not excited about open carry as like most people who have ever been uniformed police know. It’s cumbersome and it hurts your back after a time. However, if that is truly important to you, it’s not much different from wearing green spiked hair. As you have said, covering certain orifices is usually preferable.
Bovine excrement.
To handle firearms a person needs to be sane, mature and wise. I expect a person to be sane, mature and wise in all of their dealing with others. I am amazed that this is no longer a general expectation of adults in our society.
Personally, I am more comfortable concealed. The gun is easily taken from a holster by someone sneaking up behind you if they can see it. Pickpockets can steal a wallet out of a jacket pocket without you knowing it. Just my personal preference. Especially in a mall or crowded space. Live in Tx, have a license.
I have my permit, however open carry would be great. First I would be able to ignore snide remarks by left turds like I do now when I wear my conservative t-shirts. The best part of open carry is avoiding being robbed by a thug who see’s my weapon and looks for greener pastures. Those who ignore the warning can continue at their own peril!
No CCW holder I know wants to have a situation happen but it never hurts to be ready.
Still, it should be up to the individual. Period. End of discussion. What works for one person may not work for another.
Additionally, law enforcement should be trained to know the law inside and out and not to overreact when they receive a report of a citizen open carrying.
Finally: if stores and businesses wish to restrict firearms, they should, by law, be required to post their terms prominently at the entrances to their property. That way, everyone who enters, carrying or not, knows the terms and can't complain about anything.
Well, that type of criminal is looking for a quick out anyway...not exactly likely though. Anyone of minimal intelligence would place himself out of distance of anyone he knew was carrying when attempting to commit a crime. Understand your thought process, but almost sure that it is NOT what a criminal would think...(unless desperate needing a quick crack fix)...and even then unlikely.
In Texas, even if they post a sign prohibiting concealed weapons, they can only ask you to leave if you’re caught. If you refuse, you are trespassing. Our DPS teacher discussed this in our Tx CCW class
A lot of cops have been killed by their own weapons in just this situation. I have carried (even before CCW) for years. Think about it. I can get to my gun plenty quickly if I need it. And I have the element of surprise. I have shown my gun several times over my 56 years. Kept me from being assaulted every time.
Clayton Cramer knows more about CCW laws and this subject than you do. He’s personally done more than you have to advance gun rights in this country than a dozen freepers preaching to the choir. You may recall an academic named Michael A. Bellesiles who wrote a book called “Arming America: The Origins of a National Gun Culture.” Cramer proved it was bullshit and Bellesiles ultimately lost his professorship at Emory University. You are an idiot.
Also, I agree it should be up to the individual to decide how to carry. This is just my personal preference. It has always worked for me.
Agree with that - individual responsibility. I also think that the Police do have additional restrictions placed upon them that makes it a problem when they do decide to draw their weapons...sometimes to their detriment at times...
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