Some open carry folks are taking it way too far?

[pubtart]

Just want to get everyone thoughts about the open carry movement. Like many I believe in the 2nd amendment and if more law abiding citizens are armed there would be less crime. I myself carry everyday if not on me it's in my car. Just to make it clear I'm not talking about the protest march. I support it.

But recently I've seen a lot of videos on youtube and the news of people taking their ARs and other rifles to wal-mart, chipotle, and etc then get asked to leave and make a scene out of it. I don't blame the store.I open carry my handgun into wal-mart before and guess what, no one cares I even had an employee walked up and asked me about it and if its any good.

I understand it's their right to do so if they wish. I just think it's a bit much. As a fellow citizen I can understand open carrying a handgun as everyday defense but taking a rifle to wal mart or other public stores or parks? Why? "Because it's my rights"? Whatever happened to common sense? For me that generate for anti-gun reactions then positive. Pistol as carry defense and AK, AR or whatever it may be in the car make more sense to me.

[Bill K]

I believe many think whether you/I/we agree or not that if their rights are not exercised regularly they can more easily be lost, a right so precious or meaningful to them should not be abandoned.

Here in Connecticut you may open carry but most don't. Other than a few shop keepers (gun shops in particular) I've personally known only one person to regularly open carry here in CT.

[JohnR]

I think the Marxism movement is taking it way too far. Same with the Islamic movement.

[jeepster09]

My opinion is that most that do this for the "press" are anti-gunners trying to tweak the public into opposing gun ownership. Normal gun owners would not do it.

[muggsy]

We have a constitutional right to keep and bear arms in this country. How a man chooses to exercise that right is his business as long as he does so in a lawful manner. Divide and conquer is the goal of the liberal socialists.

[deadeye]

I think it is up to each individual. Some folks like attention, some don't. It is a right to do it, but I choose not to. I'm a "low profile" person. The less attention I get the better I like it. My CM9 is my constant companion but I don't want anyone to be aware of it. If I ever do need it I would like it to be a complete surprise to the bad dude.

[Ikeo74]

Speaking for myself only, even as a concealed carry person myself, I would be "alarmed" to see another person entering Walmart or any other business with a rifle on his shoulder carried openly. I would watch that person very close to see if he will need to be taken out as he begins to fire into the crowd of shoppers. It makes no sense to alarm the general population by open carry of a rifle in any public place.

Now, think about this, If I feel alarmed as a CC person, how do you think an "Anti-Gun" person will react?

[KingWulfgar]

I think many of the long gun open carry demonstrations you hear about are from places where open carry of handguns is not legal and they are trying to make a point (Open Carry Texas, for instance). I tend to think they are doing more harm than good, but that's just me.

I tend to prefer the element of surprise, but I don't mind seeing people open carry (handguns) if that's the way they prefer to do it.

[Longitude Zero]

OC of a handgun is perfectly okay in my book. OC of a long gun is location dependent. In a small rural area okay. In the middle of a big city it is ignorant and counter-productive.

[Bawanna]

I don't practice open carry myself, never have and never will.

But while I'm ok with it and support the legality of it, I still find myself alarmed when I see it.

A few months back driving down the road I saw a guy with a belt gun exiting his car. I was immediately in what's this guy up too mode.

Again people just aren't accustomed to it anymore, so fence sitters and people who walk with their left ear dragging the ground are alarmed and don't even realize it's OK.

One argument is we should all open carry so they "get it". The downfall is the won't like it! And they'll work even harder to make it illegal.

Again to me I like it just for wardrobe malfunctions. Flash a gun, not a big deal we're open carry.

Course marijuana is legal here now too, so probably only a matter of time till we can drive around in tanks and people will just sit on the side walk and go far out man! Can I have a bite of your banana.
Hey we can make your 1911 into a double bubble water bong. *******.

[marcinstl]

we(STL,Mo.) just had an open carry march thru downtown(peaceful event, no rioting or looting). I guess these folks think they're making a point or just trying to get on the news. most of the ones interviewed looked like that new breed of zombie hunting NRA members. I carry concealed because it's only my business (I also make sure to zip up after using the men's room). carrying a 6" revolver in the field or woods out in the country or taking a shot gun into a country restaurant for breakfast during dove season is way different than lugging an AK-47 down Main Street. common sense used to apply to these situations. don't let the zombie hunting, "sovereign citizen", nutjobs screw up a good thing.

[muggsy]

Speaking for myself only, even as a concealed carry person myself, I would be "alarmed" to see another person entering Walmart or any other business with a rifle on his shoulder carried openly. I would watch that person very close to see if he will need to be taken out as he begins to fire into the crowd of shoppers. It makes no sense to alarm the general population by open carry of a rifle in any public place.

Now, think about this, If I feel alarmed as a CC person, how do you think an "Anti-Gun" person will react?

You only feel this way because open carry isn't a common practice. If it was an every day occurance it wouldn't bother you in the least. An armed society is a polite society. Don't be hoplophobic. What you don't know can also hurt you.

[muggsy]

we(STL,Mo.) just had an open carry march thru downtown(peaceful event, no rioting or looting). I guess these folks think they're making a point or just trying to get on the news. most of the ones interviewed looked like that new breed of zombie hunting NRA members. I carry concealed because it's only my business (I also make sure to zip up after using the men's room). carrying a 6" revolver in the field or woods out in the country or taking a shot gun into a country restaurant for breakfast during dove season is way different than lugging an AK-47 down Main Street. common sense used to apply to these situations. don't let the zombie hunting, "sovereign citizen", nutjobs screw up a good thing.

Occasionally I'll forget to zip up when exiting the men's room. It comes with age. I've yet to be arrested, but I have been warned. :)

[muggsy]

When my dad was a kid it was not uncommon for him to board a streetcar with a shotgun and get off at the end of the line to go rabbit hunting. No one ever gave him a second look. My how times have changed and not for the better.

[muggsy]

One final note. I keep an eye on everyone. It's called situation awareness. I consider everyone to be armed. In that way I'm not surprised when I find out that they are. I'm armed 24/7. The mere presence of a gun can be a deterrent to crime.

[berettabone]

Occasionally I'll forget to zip up when exiting the men's room. It comes with age. I've yet to be arrested, but I have been warned. :)

Snubnose?????????????????????????

[muggsy]

Snubnose?????????????????????????

Yes, but rubbed the right way it becomes a long gun. :)

[berettabone]

This isn't where that maiden oil comes into the picture, is it???????????????????????:D

[CPTKILLER]

Open carry is a right that must be exercised or lost.

[pubtart]

Speaking for myself only, even as a concealed carry person myself, I would be "alarmed" to see another person entering Walmart or any other business with a rifle on his shoulder carried openly. I would watch that person very close to see if he will need to be taken out as he begins to fire into the crowd of shoppers. It makes no sense to alarm the general population by open carry of a rifle in any public place.

Now, think about this, If I feel alarmed as a CC person, how do you think an "Anti-Gun" person will react?

Exactly, it's normal here to see someone walking around with a open carry handgun but someone who walked in with a rifle to pick up some milk is not. I would find myself planning for the worst. Where is the nearest cover and what's my plan of attack.

[ltxi]

X3....the folks who do this kinda stuff are counterproductive, impolite, self centered jerks.

[Bawanna]

You rang?

[RRP]

I carry concealed, religiously. I don't open carry. I think it's tactically foolish to do so.

There are a few guys in my community that carry openly, all the time. When I see them at Walmart, my insides smile. I would never do it, but I am happy to see others carry. It desensitizes the public to guns. No one calls 911. It's just ol' Ned, shopping for ammo.

[CJB]

OC, sure... folks will eventually get used to it. Just like they're gettin' used to LBGT/NAMBLA and legal weed, and little central american disease carryin' kids runnin' about the place, and mohammadan zealots takin' off heads. Society gets used to most anything it seems.

[jeepster09]

Open carry is a right that must be exercised or lost.


Handgun is one thing an AR OR AK is another....just asking for trouble and wanting attention.

[yqtszhj]

Just like they're gettin' used to LBGT/NAMBLA ....

Now even irs true what did you have to say that for? BARF!!!!!

[yqtszhj]

OC doesn't bother but personally i like being able to present a "suprize"

[ltxi]

You rang?

Just in case you ain't just pulling a Muggsy....I was referring to the march into Starbucks, WalMart, Target, whatever waving long guns/AR15s nuts.

[Bawanna]

Just in case you ain't just playin' Muggsy....I was referring to the march into Starbucks, WalMart, Target, whatever waving long guns/AR15s nuts.

I never ever ever play Muggsy, not on my most intoxicated depressed down with intestinal cramps day.

I seldom frequent WalMart or Target for that matter but I will be visiting the new one about to open in town in the next month or so.

My life long dream is to be a door greeter and this could be my dream shot. Course I'll probably have a damn violet for a boss telling me how to tell people to get their sh!t and get out.
Probably got Muggsy going around training door greeters too I reckon.

[CJB]

I almost play'd Muggsy on TV once.... but we got pre-empted by a Hillary speech.

[muggsy]

This isn't where that maiden oil comes into the picture, is it???????????????????????:D

Proper lubrication is essential to good shooting. :)

[muggsy]

OC, sure... folks will eventually get used to it. Just like they're gettin' used to LBGT/NAMBLA and legal weed, and little central american disease carryin' kids runnin' about the place, and mohammadan zealots takin' off heads. Society gets used to most anything it seems.

That's true. Some are more tolerant than other.

[muggsy]

Thanks guys. It's nice to know that you're loved and respected. :)

[alleycat]

you open carry in Louisville..you got police attention...and possible harassment......I don't approve of it ,we not in dodge city,i carried a gun many years in law enforcement,nothing wrong with concealed carry if you have lic,open carry asking for trouble,some people don't understand it yet.....any way that's my two cents

[muggsy]

A constitutional right is a constitutional right. No one is forcing anyone to exercise that right. Do you stop talking for fear of harassment? What happened to the men in this country? Grow a pair.

[marcinstl]

wearing art? 1875 No.3 Top Break in a not to flashy holster? I'd hold up the 10 card for that.
( the snot nosed kid with the "tactical" .22 just gets laughs, possibly a guffaw).