Carrying guns on the beach may be legal, but it's not civil: Guest opinion

oregonlive.com ^ | 4/19/2014 | Matt Love

[rktman]

Let us consider the stories of two Oregon Coast men who enjoy walking on the beach but go about it in dramatically different ways.

One man, Matt Love from Astoria, walks on the beach at least five times a week with his 15-year-old husky and has been known to build driftwood forts and plunge naked into the ocean. He just turned 50 and works as a writer, publisher and educator.

The other man, Dustin Harris from Lincoln City, walks down Highway 101 and across the beach open carrying a rifle, pistol and a permitted concealed weapon and causes multiple people to call 911 and report a potentially dangerous situation. He is 26, has two young children and works as an assistant manager of a restaurant.

[rktman]

"....known to build driftwood forts and plunge naked into the ocean. He just turned 50 and works as a writer, publisher and educator."

Pretty much tells me all I need to know. And he obviously isn't aware that there's killer sharks nearby.

:>}

[Resolute Conservative]

In the Oregon Pacific shrinkage is a bigger concern than sharks. He won’t impress anyone.

[MeganC]

And he obviously isn't aware that there's killer sharks nearby.

Let's not tell him, okay? Nature likes to correct problems and I say we should let nature take its course here.

[rktman]

And nobody called 911 when he “struts” bare nekkid towards the waves in plain view of anyone there? Typical “I do whatever I want but you, you can only do what I allow you to.” attitude. Peace out bro. :>}

[Cyber Liberty]

...causes multiple people to call 911...

How exactly does that work? Does he reach into their pockets and dial their phones? Does he hold them up at gunpoint and order them to commit the crime of making false 911 reports? Is there some kind of magic involved? A jinn, maybe?

[Vigilanteman]

The older man asked, “Does it concern you that some people, including children, might be frightened by the appearance of a young man open carrying a weapon on a public beach?” The younger man replied, “Not really. I am in charge of my feelings, as others should be in charge of theirs. It’s not my job or responsibility to cater to others’ feelings. I don’t buy into people when they say my gun will scare kids. Most kids think it's awesome. It seems to me the frightened parents use their kids as an excuse for their own feelings.”

Pretty much sums it up: Libtards are all about feelings; conservatives are all about facts.

Our rights are supposed to end where their feeeeeeeeeeeelings begin.

[SeaHawkFan]

It’s Oregon; no other explanation is needed.

[Boonie]

What is your “driftwood fort” fortifying against??????

[Boonie]

I ask “Mr. Matt Love”...What does this man’s occupation have to do with this story????
Are you trying to say that his work as an “assistant” manager somehow denigrates him from you, the “writer” and “educator”???

How smug and self-serving can you be????

[umgud]

Does he conceal in a speedo?

[Tenacious 1]

The older man asked, “Does it concern you that some people, including children, might be frightened by the appearance of a young man open carrying a weapon on a public beach?”

Doesn't it concern the old man that some of these same children will be frightened, and offended by the appearance of a 50 year old man folicking with his dog on the beach naked? Or are they just crazy for thinking an old naked man might be dangerous for their children?

[pabianice]

Being a Liberal May Be Legal, But It's Not Civil

[Red Badger]

I guess nobody’s ever been robbed or raped on a beach.................

[meatloaf]

You have to admit he did educate us ... on his stupidity.

[shoff]

“Does it scare women and children to have a creepy old man hiding naked in his driftwood fort?”

[Blood of Tyrants]

That liberals fear guns in the hands of civilians yet trust an omnipotent government is a sign that they are truly disturbed.

[Billthedrill]

Personally I’m for banning driftwood forts. They aren’t up to code, they weren’t built by bonded union labor, they send a message to children that the world is a hostile place where you need a fort for protection. Also they hurt my feelings.

[DManA]

I’m willing to bet building driftwood forts is illegal in Oregon. At least frowned upon by super greenies.

[Psalm 144]

“One man goes to the beach to work through pieces of writing and ask the ocean for answers to life’s limitless questions.”

Way to snub the earth and sky. Not very civil at all.

[Tupelo]

I am more afraid of the Matt Loves of this world and the unnamed writer, publisher and sometimes (?) educator than I am the also unnamed, thrice armed restaurant manager.