The Smallest Minority

hah! the big problem with a lot of open carry activists is that they're just assholes.

I'll grant you that, SayUncle, but then so are a lot of editorial cartoonists.

Bagley is the hero of the left-wing here in Utah; this is typical of his stuff.

I lived in Utah for several years. Pat Bagley is extraordinarily bigoted towards gun owners.

Yea. That's pretty twisted.

It strikes me, though, that he seems to subconsciously realize that most gunowners aren't trigger happy nuts. If he had completely bought into the meme, he would have had this guy firing wildly in all directions.

Open carry is a tightrope to walk...actually, more like a slack rope.

On the one hand, you don't want to go around scaring people.

On the other hand, you don't want to let the irrational fears of others become your fence wall.

"shall not be infringed".

For 150 (+/-) years concealed carry was the act of a coward, thief, crooked gambler, assassin, or an otherwise feloniously minded person.

Now political correctness dictates open carry is the act of nut jobs and those who would cause panic in the streets.

Those who would would keep and bear arms in a legal responsible manner are being constantly told by the sheeple how and when their right may be exercised.

Sad thing is that the sheeple have the weight of the state and the liberal press behind them regardless of what the U.S. and many state constitutions say about the right to keep and bear arms.

Personally, I am beginning to develop an attitude of, "to hell with them, I will do, within reason, what I damn well want. Of course I will probably be shot dead by a government "trained", "responsible" gun toter at some time in the future.

Of course I will probably be shot dead by a government "trained", "responsible" gun toter at some time in the future.

Yeah, that last part does tend to put a damper on things.

We got to where we are by slow, death-by-a-thousand-cuts steps.

We are getting back out the same way we came.

Question is, how long will we be allowed to keep climbing?

I find it odd that many of the same folks who champion the right to carry by citing the "traditions of our forefathers" are actively derisive of open carry, often in tones that seem more "anti" in flavor than pro 2A.

These people never seem to consider that their predecessors carried arms openly like "honest men" (and were likely suspicious of those who would choose to conceal them), and they genuinely seem as offended as the anti-gun crowd that someone would dare to carry openly rather than keep it a hidden secret like they do. I hear a lot of accusations of attention whoring (which is likely fitting for certain OC folks), but I sense an undercurrent of something like envy in the bitterness of their criticisms.

I neither CCW or open carry, so I have no dog in this fight (and I realize the importance of public perception), but I've seen some pretty catty reactions (and exquisitely tortured logic) from quite a few "pro-2A" folks when the OC people aren't acting like morons, but respectable citizens.

I'm not "derisive of open carry."

I'm derisive of those who do so to try to score some "political points" by deliberately drawing attention to themselves in public venues, and "scaring the white people."

Doing so is counterproductive, as most John and Jane Sixpacks out there think much like Bagley does - they don't mind if you carry concealed because then they don't know about it. But wear a firearm openly?!?! ZOMG!

I live in Arizona - an open carry state. Seeing someone with a .45 on his hip is not a particularly rare occurrence here. But 24 of them in a restaurant at the same table? And then having one stand up and address the other patrons?

"Dude, I'm eating dinner. Sit down and STFU" is the best reaction you can expect.

This reminds me of Murphy's Combat Laws. Especially these:

Don't look conspicuous; it draws fire. For this reason, it is not at all uncommon for aircraft carriers to be known as bomb magnets.

Never draw fire; it irritates everyone around you.

Just so.

I carry open and concealed, and I have had about the same level of hassle ether way. Yesterday gun in an IWB holster and the wind blew my shirt up someone saw it and 'Oh my god a man with a gun I have to call the cops" I got to deal with the cop (he didn't show me a badge) and prove that yes I do have a permit and I am not breaking the law. A few weeks ago I was in the local subway getting dinner and the cop who was next in line didn't say a word about the gun clearly visible in an OWB holster. It seems like concealed gun exposed is alot scarier than one that I made no attempted to conceal. Also the OWB holster is much more comfortable with a 32 oz. handgun and I don't have to be paranoid about keeping it covered I just have to pay attention to the people around me.

"I'm not "derisive of open carry."

I'm derisive of those who do so to try to score some "political points" by deliberately drawing attention to themselves in public venues, and "scaring the white people."

Doing so is counterproductive"

I agree with you Kevin. I think OC is perfectly fine so long as you're going about your business as you regularly would. If someone approaches you and starts conversation, engage them in a polite and respectful manner if you feel like it. Loudly proclaiming your right to OC to the whole world IS counterproductive and it makes you look nuts. I think if you're going to OC you need to go about it with an attitude aimed at avoiding provocation.

"I live in Arizona - an open carry state. Seeing someone with a .45 on his hip is not a particularly rare occurrence here. But 24 of them in a restaurant at the same table? And then having one stand up and address the other patrons?"

Yeah, if unsolicited, that's the "attention whoring" kind of person, not the "aren't acting like morons, but respectable citizens" folk I meant.

For the record, you weren't the "derisive" kind I was talking about.

Unless you want to be. :)

Outside of me around the house, or the folks at the range, Louisville was the first place V was exposed to open carry.

After getting over her initial surprise at folks not having to conceal their sidearm, she decided that OC made sense.

I married a pretty smart woman.

Letter From a Birmingham Jail.

Here in WI, Open Carry is the only option we have, and we are working to get it more widely accepted as a means of exercising our rights. I agree that a guy acting like a jerk in a resteraunt is not helping us, but the simple manner in which a person decides to provide for their security should concern no one else (if they are going peacably about their business).

Ironic that the NRA generally does not support open carry, yet he's wearing an NRA hat...

Mike,

Not ironic at all. To anti's, anything that's associated w/ firearms, especially ideas they consider "nutty", are directly related to the NRA. I've been told the NRA advocates AP ammo for hunting, no regulation at all, started the Zumbo affair, etc.