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Would Open Carry of Handguns Make You Feel Safer?
The Federalist Papers ^
| JUNE 4, 2013
| BY STEVE STRAUB
Posted on 06/05/2013 11:46:33 AM PDT by Sopater
A few days ago we asked if you would feel safe going into a business that had a sign that read Guns are welcome on premises, please keep all weapons holstered unless need arises. In such a case judicious marksmanship is appreciated.
1,524 of you replied and the comments below are representative of what most of you had to say about this issue:
- BEST COMMENT – Here’s the thing with the people who believe it would be unsafe. In most states to carry a holstered gun in public, they must pass an extensive class of shooting accuracy, defensive shooting, and proper safety. Yes I’m sure there are people that haven’t gone through this, but these are the people who have a reason for not being legal. Your belief on gun control is your belief but I will say that in the properly trained hand a situation that involves an intruder can be controlled quicker than the police are able to get there.
- BEST COMMENT – How about a sign at school’s “Faculty/staff/administrators are carrying firearms and are trained to use if the need arises”? I’m for it.
- BEST COMMENT – I’m a teacher (33 years) and I would LOVE to have a gun in my room. I have a right to protect my students without endangering myself. I have a family, too!
If I’m on one side of the room with a gun & my students are on the other side, the gunman would pay attention to me, not them. - The bigger question here is would a gun toting ,psychopathic, trigger happy freak feel safe if he decides he is having a bad day and wants to take out a few people at a local business? Uh, I think he would think twice after seeing this!
- Israelis are safe in an unsafe world because many are heavily armed. Don’t feel safe around guns? Don’t go to Israel or to this shopping center. Israelis won’t miss you; neither will we.
- My belief is simple. Arm every GOOD citizen. Teach them to be proficient shots. Educate them on the second amendment and check for understanding the fact, that we, the greatest country on earth, have guns to thank for our life styles and our freedom…. now think about this… how many of those 22 children in conn would have come home to their parents, had all the good people, (who are here today because their fore fathers carried guns) been “packin”….
- Gun free zones are the most UNsafe place to be. The bad guys certainly know this. The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.
- Yes, safer than at school where I know there is no protection and anyone can and has just walked right in and hurt whomever they please without threat of return fire
- Absolutely safe! Criminals will know there are citizens present who are armed and not afraid to us it, and families can enter knowing they are allowed to exercise their right to bear and use to protect. The store owner can be more at ease about thefts, and in providing a safer environment for all.
- I wonder why the women who say they would not feel safe at this establishment feel that way? Should they feel unsafe at a police station where everyone is armed? Would they feel safer at a location that bans firearms? Those locations are targets for evil men with bad intent.
- 100% in favor of open carry and conceal carry. It is a verifiable fact that there are less gun crimes and less home invasions where people are able to protect themselves and their property. The 2nd amendment was designed by the framers of this country to protect ourselves from tyranny. Enemies, both foreign and domestic beware. This is our right. Deal with it!
- I would have my own CCL and feel even safer!!! When you outlaw guns only outlaws will have guns!!! The mayor of New York City even has his armed body guards but wants to make it to where the average citizen can not carry a personal sidearm!!! What country was he born in?
- ALTERNATE VIEW – Except of course that plenty of people have been shot by “Good guys” too. I’ve lost count of how many news stories I’ve read that end in “I didn’t know it was loaded”. Or, “My husband bought it for me and I forgot it was in my purse. I’m not afraid of competent gun owners. Its the stupid ones who shouldn’t even be driving a car, much less owning a deadly weapon that scare me.
About 5% of you said they would not feel safe going into a business like that, the comments below are representative of what that group had to say. There are only a few samples because most were about the same.
- I’m sorry, but I would not be eating there. That’s too scary.
- I certainly would not feel comfortable walking into place where it’s possible that everyone there is packing a gun. I think that is just stupid. Anything could happen in that environment.
- I grew up with guns too. I was educated on the proper use of guns. A lot of people haven’t been. Can you imagine some couple gets in an argument there, they both pull out guns and start shooting, and everyone else pulls there guns not knowing who the bad guy is. Lots of people would be shot. I will steer clear, thank you very much.
All in all I was amazed that 95% of you would feel safe given all of the anti-gun media focus. It tells me that the anti-gun crowd is losing as far as the American people are concerned.
What do you think? Please comment below
TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: 2a; banglist; guncontrol; opencarry; secondamendment; selfdefense
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To: Sopater
Lived in Israel 10 years. Quickly got used to seeing people with machine guns on city busses and in movie theators and malls...
Quickly got so I felt a lot better seeing them there than not.
21
posted on
06/05/2013 11:59:17 AM PDT
by
American in Israel
(A wise man's heart directs him to the right, but the foolish mans heart directs him toward the left.)
To: SnakeDoctor
when he reaches you reach too. Criminals always try to hide. I like open because open the criminal reaches am on ‘em.
22
posted on
06/05/2013 11:59:57 AM PDT
by
no-to-illegals
(Scrutinize our government and Secure the Blessing of Freedom and Justice)
To: Sopater
I guess every resident from 1492 to about 1900 quaked in their boots then because we were armed....
To: Sopater
I mostly open carry when I’m visiting Arizona. For me, it’s more comfortable getting in and out of a car wearing an OWB holster. If I need to cover it up for some reason, I pull my XL-size t-shirt over it. It prints badly, but works well enough for temporary concealment. For real concealment, I’ll pocket carry a smaller gun or go AIWB (appendix, inside-the-waistband holster carry).
However, I have never had a problem while open carrying in AZ (Phoenix, Sedona, Prescott) and most people don’t even bat an eye.
I really appreciate having the choice to open or conceal carry at my discretion (in AZ that is).
To: Sopater
I have no problem with open carry by citizens.
It is a visible deterrent to crime, the same as a badge and gun carried by LEO’s.
Unfortunately, Law Enforcement cannot be everywhere to prevent crime and clearly their focus these day is on revenue and after action reports.
Open and armed citizenry would curtail crime as each armed citizen becomes a 1st responder, on scene long before LEO, Fire Dept or Ambulance.
An openly armed citizen could and would prevent violent crime. Either total prevention or mitigation against further violence.
They would also be able to render 1st aid or provide a more secure environment for others to give aid.
Further, they could hold offenders for LEO’s, who could then investigate and build a case for prosecution.
No, I got no problem with open carry and really do believe we would be a safer society.
25
posted on
06/05/2013 12:03:58 PM PDT
by
Vendome
(Don't take life so seriously, you won't live through it anyway)
To: no-to-illegals
You lost me. You prefer open carry because you can see the criminal pull, and pull at the same time? Why would a criminal who “always tries to hide” open carry in the first place? Because its the law?
And, if I’m open carrying, they can watch for me to pull. If I’m not, they won’t even know to look.
SnakeDoc
26
posted on
06/05/2013 12:05:04 PM PDT
by
SnakeDoctor
("I've shot people I like more for less." -- Raylan Givens)
To: Vendome
Also makes the criminals guess as who is who ... LE or not.
27
posted on
06/05/2013 12:05:18 PM PDT
by
no-to-illegals
(Scrutinize our government and Secure the Blessing of Freedom and Justice)
To: Sopater
I own a business and have this sign in my window. If youre scared knowing there might be weapons in my store, I dont want your business.
28
posted on
06/05/2013 12:06:45 PM PDT
by
okie_10
To: Sopater
I eat at home in the presence of firearms all the time.
It isn’t like they are going to get a mind of their own.
29
posted on
06/05/2013 12:08:06 PM PDT
by
donmeaker
(Blunderbuss: A short weapon, ... now superceded in civilized countries by more advanced weaponry.)
To: Sopater
30
posted on
06/05/2013 12:13:01 PM PDT
by
knarf
(I say things that are true ... I can't prove it, but they're true)
To: Sopater
Works for me. We CC everywhere now. The only place besides home that I feel totally safe is Pro Bass becuase at least half of the folks in there are CC. If it was open carry even better.
31
posted on
06/05/2013 12:14:22 PM PDT
by
Georgia Girl 2
(The only purpose of a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped.)
To: Sopater
There are more people in my area carrying openly recently(VA Beach). At first it made me stop and look because it was so unusual to see strangers walking around with holstered guns. I was a little uncomfortable until I was out walking one day near dark and saw a neighbor walk past with his gun and then I realized it actually made me feel safer knowing their were armed citizens around when I was probably at my most vulnerable. That the kids are safer etc. It just took some getting used to.
32
posted on
06/05/2013 12:14:50 PM PDT
by
formosa
To: Sybeck1
July 1 same date they make brewing Beer at home legal!
33
posted on
06/05/2013 12:15:03 PM PDT
by
Red_Devil 232
(VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
To: Sopater
34
posted on
06/05/2013 12:15:06 PM PDT
by
knarf
(I say things that are true ... I can't prove it, but they're true)
To: Sopater
The only thing about open carry that troubles me is the fact that a potential perp could spy the weapon and grab it from the carrier.
I’d prefer concealed carry....for that and other obvious reasons.
To: Sopater
Not only would I feel safe, it would create a whole new fashion industry: “Does this holster go with my dress?” “Which goes better? The .38 Smith, or the Ruger LCP?”
Of course, it create entire new hazards for men: “Does this gun make my butt look fat?”
36
posted on
06/05/2013 12:18:18 PM PDT
by
Little Ray
(How did I end up in this hand-basket, and why is it gettingthe so hot?)
To: Sopater
Being armed is just another form of insurance. I carry vehicle insurance, health insurance, dental, audio, visual insurance, homeowners insurance, RV, boat and ATV insurance and an umbrella liability, all in case of the unforeseen. I carry a firearm for the same practical reason.
To: Sopater
Local Mall
School kids in town.
Walking downtown.
Catching the bus downtown.
Hanging at the beach
38
posted on
06/05/2013 12:21:33 PM PDT
by
American in Israel
(A wise man's heart directs him to the right, but the foolish mans heart directs him toward the left.)
To: American in Israel
39
posted on
06/05/2013 12:26:28 PM PDT
by
no-to-illegals
(Scrutinize our government and Secure the Blessing of Freedom and Justice)
To: Sopater
Come to the wonderful Commonwealth of Virginia where open carry is legal everywhere except: schools, federal buildings (including USPS), courthouses and liberal businesses...........
don’t know of one open carry incident in the state ever - except maybe one guy who carried his AR-15 into a Walmart and scared everyone to death.......
40
posted on
06/05/2013 12:26:48 PM PDT
by
Arlis
(.)
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