Guns, militias, and polling places

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...To me they look like they're spoiling for a fight. And I just don't want that in my world.
Maybe you're right. OTOH, maybe they're discouraging a fight. How can one know? Just leave them be to do what they want to do, so long as they're not messing with anyone else. Isn't that the essence of liberty? You're at liberty to go elsewhere if you don't want to be around them. But don't infringe on their liberty to be in a public place so long as they're not breaking any laws by being there.
 
Polling place, this man's 'cane' seems a little short to me ...
?u=http%3A%2F%2Fs136693675.onlinehome.us%2Fpics%2Fnbpp_intimidation.jpg

That is a famous photo from the Obama years, the case came before Holder and he dismissed it as I recall.

TBH I didn't see a sign and I wasn't carrying when I voted.

If there was a sign and I hadn't seen it I would be surprised.

IMHO, If it is posted in a place it has to be very obvious. AFAIK standard signage is required (it was in Texas, IDK about TN).
 
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Let's clarify the issue here: this is not about concealed carry. It's about open carry, specifically with the intent to intimidate voters. It seems to me that it's reasonable to carve out a narrow exception, to the general right to carry, in these particular circumstances. To the extent the judicial decision failed to recognize this distinction, I believe it was incorrect. People have the right to vote without fear. Voter intimidation is the hallmark of dictatorships and banana republics.
 
Not a troll post. I honestly cannot see where having open carry groups hanging around a polling place is not threatening to some. Surely would not make me all that comfortable and I'm an old white guy. And you can see from my signature, I'm certainly no stranger to carrying weapons. That doesn't mean I think they should be allowed everywhere. Courthouse and schools come to mind. I just think polling places should be accorded the same.

This sounds like one of those "I support the 2nd amendment except for...." threads.

I've been voting in Michigan in the heart of "militia country" for more than 30 years and I have never seen anyone decked out in militia gear or open carry at a polling place. You are letting yourself be manipulated by the main stream media and your imagination is getting the best of you.
 
Let's clarify the issue here: this is not about concealed carry. It's about open carry, specifically with the intent to intimidate voters.
I thought the thread was about open carry at polling places? Are you suggesting that open carry is automatically intimidating?
 
I was carrying in the kitchen when the wife and I voted. We then signed our envelopes. Sealed them and I jumped on the Harley and rode the 1.3 miles to our towns ballot box in front of city hall and dropped them off. No intimidation. No drama. I was back home in about 10 minutes.
 
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Someone tell me if I’m wrong but, threatening someone at a polling place (or anywhere else) is already illegal, simply carrying a gun isn’t a threat.
If you believe someone is threatening or intimidating at a polling place that would be illegal and police would respond if called.

As of right now “feeling” intimated or threatened doesn’t mean someone is breaking the law, and is therefore irrelevant.


Personally I’d be fine with a law that prevented loitering at polling places regardless of any carry issue.
 
was carrying in the kitchen when the wife and I voted. We then signed our envelopes. Sealed them and I jumped on the Harley and rode the 1.3 miles to our towns ballot box in front of city hall and dropped them off. No intimidation. No drama. I was back home in about 10 minutes.
Yep, my wife and I voted at our kitchen table too. It was about 30 miles (and no Harley, darn it!) to the ballot box in front of the County Courthouse for us though.
But "no guns at the polling place" is a moot point for my wife and me anyway - our "polling place" is in the middle school, right next door to the high school. Even with Idaho "Enhanced" Concealed Carry Licenses, we're not allowed to carry there.
 
I thought the thread was about open carry at polling places? Are you suggesting that open carry is automatically intimidating?
It could be, if the carriers are readily identifiable as partisans. Being decked out as "militia" members would satisfy that condition. Heck, just wearing a Hawaiian shirt while open carrying might be enough (since Hawaiian shirts have become identified with "boogaloo boys"). Internet memes have become increasingly important these days.
 
It could be, if the carriers are readily identifiable as partisans. Being decked out as "militia" members would satisfy that condition. Heck, just wearing a Hawaiian shirt while open carrying might be enough (since Hawaiian shirts have become identified with "boogaloo boys"). Internet memes have become increasingly important these days.
Thanks for the clarification.

I'm curious who the OP, as
an old white guy
,thinks is being intimidated, and towards what or whom? Here is a picture of some people open carrying at a recent protest, just as an example. Open carry.jpg
 
^^ I don't think you're curious at all about who I think may be intimidated.
 
So, because some people are doofuses, I need to curtail my own rights?

Nope, just don't be like Cleetus and Snuffy shown above.

What polling place are you going OC at anyway in CO with our mail in ballots? I guess I could on the way to the county clerk's drop box, just as long as I don't enter the building, because that's legally posted for no OC.

Sometimes, CC is just the best policy.
 
Who's afraid enough of going to vote they think they need an AR anyway? Nobody, that's who. Gimme a break, wearing your body armor and bringing your AR is not about personal safety (or 2A either) in that setting.

CC is a different matter, if it's your thing, it's your thing so go with it if it's legal.
 
Nope, just don't be like Cleetus and Snuffy shown above.

What polling place are you going OC at anyway in CO with our mail in ballots? I guess I could on the way to the county clerk's drop box, just as long as I don't enter the building, because that's legally posted for no OC.

Sometimes, CC is just the best policy.
The OP made no distinction between CC and OC. Only that guns and polling places don’t mix.
And I disagree.

but then to you;
At what point is OC not okay? When it suits your style? Or only when done discreetly?
It’s fine, but not while wearing socks and sandals?
 
The OP made no distinction between CC and OC. Only that guns and polling places don’t mix.
And I disagree.

but then to you;
At what point is OC not okay? When it suits your style? Or only when done discreetly?
It’s fine, but not while wearing socks and sandals?
I'm the OP. Look up one. Intent and setting both matter. Also see thread title.
 
I'm the OP. Look up one. Intent and setting both matter. Also see thread title.
there are matters of style and class, and there are matters of what should allowed.
The OP isn’t okay (implied) with being armed at a polling place.
I don’t OC at all, for I feel it is a tactical error.
So... it all looks foolish to me.
 
there are matters of style and class, and there are matters of what should allowed.
The OP isn’t okay (implied) with being armed at a polling place.
I don’t OC at all, for I feel it is a tactical error.
So... it all looks foolish to me.
Have at.
 
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