Going to the Rosa Parks story, my Mom told me about the first time her mother met a black woman. After the black woman left, my grandma goes "well, she was just a regular person." That's why I think exposure is what will convince people that gun owners aren't nuts.
Today I open carried for the first time
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coolluke01
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That's wasn't exposure that changed her mind. It was experience! Just seeing something won't change our bias, we need a reality check to correct improper thinking.
OC does bring about more opportunity to educate, but seeing more guns will not change a persons ignorance. Some may do more research on their own when they see someone walking around with a gun, but that would be an exception and not the rule. Even then, it was learning that changed the mind not shear exposure.
OC does bring about more opportunity to educate, but seeing more guns will not change a persons ignorance. Some may do more research on their own when they see someone walking around with a gun, but that would be an exception and not the rule. Even then, it was learning that changed the mind not shear exposure.
krupparms
Member
People seeing me carry makes them question the propaganda put out by the anti -gun groups. They see a responsible citizen going about their business. And THEY ASK QUESTIONS &FIND OUT THE TRUTH! I see this as a positive thing, as the people do not know the truth about what the law's say! Even the one time I got a negative reaction, I was able to discuss it &the person changed their mind. That is education right there. Most do not take time to check these things out. No time, they get most of their information from TV. & other propaganda put out by the other side. We should try to counter their propaganda :as often as we can. JMO. 
NavyLCDR
member
Remember the movie "The Truman Show" from 1998? The character, Truman Burbank had no idea that a real world existed outside the TV studio until he was exposed to it. The public is not going to have any idea about the reality of firearms if the only exposure they get to firearms is from the anti-gun groups and anti-gun media. The anti-gun groups are not afraid of shoving their propaganda at every passerby. It's time we started allowing those same passersby to see guns carried by responsible people in every day life.
It may not CAUSE them to change their opinions. But at least it might ENABLE them to do so.
Theholybull
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I carried a bond arms derringer holstered in the small of my back with only the rosewood grip sticking out while delivering pizzas for years. If I wore an over shirt it was concealed, if not whatever. I wasnt carrying it on my hip like some Pinkerton agent but it was there. You got a good shot if you were checking out my ass. I will say, when I open carried tips seemed to be larger than when the gun was concealed. People are honestly kinder as well. The most common response was an inquiry as to what kind of gun it was.
coolluke01
Member
Oooh! great reference! This would only be true though if people didn't know of the existence of guns. He also didn't know if he liked the outside world until he experienced it. Hollywood makes us believe that anything new or untested is better than the same old life you have now. But I digress. I understand your main point however. You are hoping to "expose" people to an non waco, gun carrying, upstanding, human! For the most part then we agree. I just believe education is a more appropriate term than expose.
In general people do not respond well to being exposed to something. It's raw and they are not in control. People lear best when they initiate it and have a safe and secure feeling. Being exposed to something has a bad ring to it. There are far better more subtle and effective ways to educate people. It would take the right person to OC and be the face of the gun culture. Good luck with that, I hope you feel the true weight of responsibility that is on you. I know, we all have the same responsibility to be upstanding gun owners, but when you OC you make yourself more public.
NavyLCDR
member
You would be surprised how many times someone has come up to me asked, "Is that legal?" followed by an educational discussion. Funny, isn't it? If it wasn't legal, then they just approached and talked to a guy illegally carrying a gun! Contrary to some people's unfounded opinion, I don't shove my gun in anyone's face. I wear it on my belt, dress "traditionally" (my daughter hates the word normal), and go about my business showing the common respect and courtesy to others that I grew up with. Seems to work fairly well in my area.
Wanderling
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Precisely.
If you OC and nobody seems to object / notice, it simply means that they don't want to draw your attention, as you are obviously a "different" person (since you are doing what is not typically done in public) and you are armed. Not because they don't care or don't notice. This definitely won't make them feel better about guns.
I assume it is also very dependent on the locality. People in a rural area would probably be more conservative and accustomed to guns than someone in a metropolitan center.
Having a right is great, but it doesn't mean that you are always making a right choice when you decide to exercise it. According to Michigan Supreme Court, I have a right to swear in public, even in front of other people's children. Should I do it ? Not really.
So these people are morons. That's a reflection on them, not you or what you are doing.
How many people quietly freaked out ?
How many decided to just stay out of this (i.e. they won't call the police since they are not sure you're a threat, and don't want to get in the middle of this). This is probably the majority.
How many had called the police and were informed of the law ?
Finally, it may depend on your locality. When a guy tried to open carry a rifle through downtown Birmingham (a posh Detroit suburb) he was very quickly apprehended. He was definitely in the right and may end up winning the case. He was also definitely trying to draw attention to himself, and he is not making any new pro-2A converts. Quite the opposite.
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NavyLCDR
member
How do you know the majority of people who don't seem to notice or care actually just don't care or thinks it great to see someone exercising their right to carry a firearm?
And historically most of the anti-open carry comments come from people who either have never seen it in normal, everyday life or choose to believe the concealed carry only element of surprise theories. Most of the members on this forum who support permits and background checks and government regulation of firearms come from already restrictive states and have not experienced living in a free state where the lack of gun restrictions cause no problems at all.
And how many people quietly support the guy open carrying? How many of them know deep down inside that they are helpless should a criminal decide to pick them as a target and are relying upon the "won't happen to me" theory? How many of them are just too afraid to take steps to protect themselves and quietly admire the person who is? How do you know that the anti-gun crowd is the majority?
Then they received a little bit of education, didn't they?
Most of the big cases that have went to the supreme court, such as Terry v. Ohio, which have resulted in big decisions that protect our rights have been brought by criminals trying to get out of a conviction. Was the civil rights movement success won by blacks who quietly stayed in the "separate but equal" bathrooms, drinking fountains, back of the bus, churches and schools? Or was it a success won by those that were "definitely trying to draw attention" to themselves? If we don't actively fight for our Second Amendment rights they will slowly be legislated away with "reasonable regulations".
I would rather the exercise of the 2nd Amendment be demonstrated by 100 people quietly open carrying their handguns in everyday life, regardless of how many people it causes to be uncomfortable, than by 10,000 people carrying their guns hidden or by 1 guy who does, literally, shove his gun in peoples' faces. Progress is seldom made when everyone is comfortable and feels warm and fuzzy inside. Progress is normally made when a need arises and someone else is willing to do the work to provide the solution.
The American public is going to be forced to acknowledge that the government cannot provide for and protect them. But we can quietly demonstrate to the public that it is possible for us to protect ourselves.
smalls
Member
QFT! Great post, Navy.
Certaindeaf
member
I don't even let neighbors see me stow a cased rifle in the trunk of the car let alone do a full parade around town. If I'm out of town I don't care who see's what.
Rezin
Member
Open carry is legal in PA, but I live in eastern PA, where is is highly discouraged. I have never OC'd.... Not sure if I'd like it, but id like the opportunity.
NavyLCDR
member
Highly discouraged by whom?
Well at least in Philly, the cops are known for not being OC friendly. The attitude may be similar in surrounding areas.
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