Autolycus
Member
Anyone ever open carry their rifle around town? Maybe in addition to your sidearm or in addition to your sidearm?
Open Carrying a Rifle...
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TexasRifleman
Moderator Emeritus
I have done it on rare occasion but I don't really think it's a hot idea. Rode to the range on a motorcycle with a FAL slung over my shoulder a few times. Got some strange looks, but no cops called anyway.
I have on occasion taken a shotgun into a restaurant for breakfast, usually the opening morning of Dove season. Don't want someone stealing guns so it was pretty common for folks to bring them into the coffee shop that day.
The circumstances would have to be pretty strange for me to be tempted to do it just walking around town.
There's legal and then there's prudent
I have on occasion taken a shotgun into a restaurant for breakfast, usually the opening morning of Dove season. Don't want someone stealing guns so it was pretty common for folks to bring them into the coffee shop that day.
The circumstances would have to be pretty strange for me to be tempted to do it just walking around town.
There's legal and then there's prudent
No, I haven't.
But, as a general observation, I think that the discussion will be entertaining:
Of the people in the "Carry" crowd, there are Concealed Carry folks who will wet their panties at the mention of long-gun carry.
Another part of the "Carry" crowd who are "Open Carry" minded will also wet their pants at the suggestion of carrying a long gun, as opposed to something they deem "reasonable."
It's all a matter of degrees... "Where do you draw the line when it comes to the 2nd Amendment?"
It's sad to see the truth of some of the responses...
But, as a general observation, I think that the discussion will be entertaining:
Of the people in the "Carry" crowd, there are Concealed Carry folks who will wet their panties at the mention of long-gun carry.
Another part of the "Carry" crowd who are "Open Carry" minded will also wet their pants at the suggestion of carrying a long gun, as opposed to something they deem "reasonable."
It's all a matter of degrees... "Where do you draw the line when it comes to the 2nd Amendment?"
It's sad to see the truth of some of the responses...
USAF_Vet
Member
Only going to or coming from a hunting area. Not just for S&G.
JohnM
Member
What line needs drawn?
There's enough as it is.
Agreed.
Gunnerboy
Member
my cousin and me carried mosin nagants down town once, mainly because our ride left us at the gun shop.
deadin
Member
Why would you want to?? (Other than to just "make a statement".)
TexasRifleman
Moderator Emeritus
Opening mornings of dove and deer season are a great time to get your gun stolen from your vehicle so we used to take the guns in with us to eat breakfast and lunch.
Dueling1911s
Member
probably back 10-12 years ago there was an african american about to be executed in huntsville, tx. the black panthers and jesse jackson came out to protest. the black panthers were demonstrating with ar-15's in hand and had no legal repercussions. then again also no one wants to be labeled racist either
What legal repercussions do you think there should be/expect after someone does something legal?
JohnM
Member
I think many people who carry a sidearm, either openly or concealed are doing just that.
So what?
If they're doing it legally where they live why can't they?
Here where I live a sidearm can be carried in the open or concealed without any permits, but you seldom see anyone armed walking around town.
I don't, have no reason or need and don't feel like packing around the weight on my belt.
But, if I want to I can.
So really, why not a long gun.
Dueling1911s
Member
i was only 14 at the time so i dont know if it was legal or not.
i myself have walked through downtown houston with a remington 11-87 over my shoulder going to a gun show. the look on the hobos' faces were priceless
i myself have walked through downtown houston with a remington 11-87 over my shoulder going to a gun show. the look on the hobos' faces were priceless
Cosmoline
Member
Many times. Full size M91 Mosins to compact leverguns. On foot, on bike, and in the grocery cart. I debolt the long guns and usually have them in some form of soft carrying case unless I'm on the trail and using them for bear protection, but they are obviously rifles. I will also carry in a backpack scabbard if the rifle is small enough.
Oddly (very oddly) I've had more people confront me over the walking stick with a "Y" top which I sometimes stow in the backpack scabbard. Try to figure that one out, because it's a mystery to me.
Oddly (very oddly) I've had more people confront me over the walking stick with a "Y" top which I sometimes stow in the backpack scabbard. Try to figure that one out, because it's a mystery to me.
For clarification:
Are you including open carry of long guns in a vehicle, or only on your person?
91 whiskey
Member
I'm not against doing it but it probably isn't a wise thing to do where I live. There are too many weenies around and the police response would be swift and strong. Kissing asphalt isn't my favorite thing to do.
stillkickin
Member
I have carried long guns from the car to the office and into various places of buisness under circumstances that I felt were reasonable. Once while carrying a rifle with ammunition box etc. into a crating company to weigh the entire outfit in order to calculate weight for a bush plane ride, a Police Officer pulled up as casual as you please and asked me what I was doing. I replied honestly and his only reply was "nice rifle, have a nice day". I try never to leave a firearm visible in any vehicle, so have carried from the car into private dwellings and comercial establishments. some strange looks, but that's about it
AMMO&GUNS
Member
Carrying a Long Gun
I dont know that this belongs here... however I wanted to share my idiocy with you all so that it doesnt happen to you..
I shoot HBAR's and HK-91's at an outdoor range here on Long Island. I shoot at least once a week and go through a ton of ammo; I own an Online Ammo Company and we test everything we sell... so i go through 5.56 and 7.62 like water.
Most of the time I bring whatever rifles I am going to use in hard cases, this week I elected to bring soft cases... very nice day, in fact truly beautiful... and the groups were the same.
When it came time to leave I safely put all away and put the rifles in thier cases on the shooting bench... all of the cases have shoulder straps. I had three cases on one arm and was carrying my range bag over the other. Just as i turned to leave and exit the line the zipper on my favorite AR decided to open... and out crashed the rifle, bounced on the Magpul butt and then the mag well housing. No real damage, it all cleaned up just fine and didnt even alter the point of aim...
When I got home I checked all of the soft cases and noticed that only a few had truly heavy duty zippers... the kind with the big teeth. The heavy duty ones dont come open, the standard ones will... and do. Instead of throwing the 20+ cases i have out i just removed all of the shoulder straps. Now I can only carry them by the handle. This way there is no stress on the zipper.
Can you imagine what would have happened to my pre-70 Winchester's wood furniture... I shudder to think about it.
Take my bad luck as your warning... be careful of those light duty zippers. I wont even go into how this all looked since it was at the end of a Cease Fire and it seemed that no one missed the sight..
forewarned is forearmed.
Eric
I dont know that this belongs here... however I wanted to share my idiocy with you all so that it doesnt happen to you..
I shoot HBAR's and HK-91's at an outdoor range here on Long Island. I shoot at least once a week and go through a ton of ammo; I own an Online Ammo Company and we test everything we sell... so i go through 5.56 and 7.62 like water.
Most of the time I bring whatever rifles I am going to use in hard cases, this week I elected to bring soft cases... very nice day, in fact truly beautiful... and the groups were the same.
When it came time to leave I safely put all away and put the rifles in thier cases on the shooting bench... all of the cases have shoulder straps. I had three cases on one arm and was carrying my range bag over the other. Just as i turned to leave and exit the line the zipper on my favorite AR decided to open... and out crashed the rifle, bounced on the Magpul butt and then the mag well housing. No real damage, it all cleaned up just fine and didnt even alter the point of aim...
When I got home I checked all of the soft cases and noticed that only a few had truly heavy duty zippers... the kind with the big teeth. The heavy duty ones dont come open, the standard ones will... and do. Instead of throwing the 20+ cases i have out i just removed all of the shoulder straps. Now I can only carry them by the handle. This way there is no stress on the zipper.
Can you imagine what would have happened to my pre-70 Winchester's wood furniture... I shudder to think about it.
Take my bad luck as your warning... be careful of those light duty zippers. I wont even go into how this all looked since it was at the end of a Cease Fire and it seemed that no one missed the sight..
forewarned is forearmed.
Eric
mortablunt
Member
I used to OC my rifles all the time, mostly for defensive purposes, but also partially to make a statement and to conduct some PR. The worst reaction I ever got from it was from an Austrailian chick who ran off the woodland path, screamed that I had a gun, begged me not to kill her, and hid behind a thick tree. The occasional moron did call the police on me, but I never got put face down on anything. The times where I had to explain what I was doing, I normally got off by saying that I was doing it as primarily an exercise of rights; only seldom did I say that it was because the country won't let me have a pistol and concealed carry permit, so I have to go to the next best thing. As a general note: Carrying a black polymer AK with a full 30 round mag, 1 in the chamber, and a bayonet on is NOT a good idea.
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You don't have to draw a line at all.
The 2nd amendment involves the government's permission to use force against the populace to stop them.
That is completely different from an individual voluntarily choosing to restrain his behavior for social friendliness.
The first amendment before it gives me the right to free speech, but social friendliness means that I voluntarily restrain my behavior even though I am not required to by law.
I am sensitive to the concerns of those around me, and as a voluntary compromise am reasonable about accommodating their needs as long as its not a great imposition to me. If I need to take my pimped AR to the range, I put it in my nylon bag (you can even use a compact guitar shaped one works well), and sling it over the shoulder rather than walk around w/ a scary weapon.
jerkface11
Member
Social friendliness? Didn't we invent handguns because long arms are awkward to lug around everywhere?
I carry longguns any way I want. Normally in a vehicle they are carried in a hard case to avoid damage. If I'm hunting they are usually proped against the front seat as I go to a hunting area or if I'm in a truck they are in the gun rack that is in the back window for everyone to see.If I'm going into a business I usually conceal them and lock the doors of my vehicle. In other words I carry them without making an issue out of it. Never had any problems over it don't expect to. Frank
X-JaVeN-X
Member
I wouldn't do it...but I applaud those that do, even if it is just to "make a statement". When controversial rights aren't exercised, they tend to be taken away.
Thank you for making that statement.
Thank you for making that statement.
mgmorden
Member
The second amendment deals with what's LEGAL. As TexasRifleman said, there's legal, and there's prudent.
I personally don't think there should be any law against a man wearing a grass hula skirt in the middle of town singing Phil Collin's greatest hits. If he wants to do so, go ahead - doesn't mean I won't also think he's off his rocker though. The same applies to toting a long gun around town.
Ducman69 got it perfectly right with his comparison to the first amendment. I'll support anyone's legal right to say whatever they want to. The government shouldn't be able to restrict that. Just because it's your supported constitutional right to say it doesn't mean you can expect no social repercussions though.
Autolycus
Member
Lunie: I meant on the person primarily. But around town in your vehicle would be fine as well.
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