I live in a rural community. Hunting, farming, tractors, overalls and firearms are the norm. You go in someone’s house, and more than likely there is an old shotgun by the front and back door. I’ve never seen anyone open carry in town. I would bet that there are concealed firearms on more then a few people, but you’d never know it.
I was visiting a large city, in the wealthiest neighborhood in that city, killing some time at a Barnes and Noble and in walks this guy. It was obvious that everyone in the entire store immediately felt uneasy. Many left.
I immediately understood where the rallies against guns/for gun control come from. Assuming he had the proper license, it is well within his rights to be carrying the way he is. It’s quite possible that many of the ladies and possibly men had never seen a gun in person before that moment, and this guy represents all their fears of firearms. I guess my point is that the old adage of just because you can doesn’t mean you should seems appropriate here. I don’t believe anyone in the room felt safer with him there, quite the opposite. How were they to know he was a “good guy?” I’ve never been a proponent of open carry, and I think this guy is doing more to harm gun rights than if he had simply concealed his firearm. Just my thoughts for the day.