Does open carrying long guns really help persuade public opinions in a good way?

[45223]

I support open carrying or conceal carrying any gun. Although I've seen some youtubers do this with long guns and it doesn't seem like they're mostly getting positive reactions, from anyone. If I were there I would tell them right on. But most people seem to now realize there is something else they might want to ban.

Open carrying I think was created back in the day so that people could just walk and take their guns wherever they needed to go in a legal way. Is it such a good idea to try going into restaurants and such making people freak out?

I understand the motive. Normalize guns to make people fear them less and thus less likely to vote against them. But is this working or making things worst?

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I've never seen open carry of a long gun to have a positive effect.

I can't speak for every person and situation but all of the times I have seen it in the news it was just a bunch of blowhard morons wanting attention. And they get it. And business establishments that were once neutral on the subject (because they're a for profit business, not a activist organization) are forced to take a stand against the idiots which in turn effects the rest of us.

 

[Blackbeard]

No, it does not have a good effect in any way. It does not "desensitize" people to the presence of firearms. It does not reflect positively on the gun community. There is no rational reason to carry a long gun through one's daily business, so it just makes us look irrational, which is not good.

 

[Mauserguy]

Here in California the overweight open carry people got open carry banned. Thanks a lot guys.

On the flip side, the innability to carry at all became important in the Peruta decision which brought concealed carry to some urban California counties. In short, no, be smart, pick your battles. Don't just antagonize people.
Mauserguy

 

[TomJ]

One of the perceptions the anti's try to foster is that gun owners are extremists. Doing things like open carrying AR15's into restaurants and coffee shops plays into that perception. I wouldn't give them that opportunity.

 

[Swing]

I suppose the hunting rifle in the pickup truck isn't doing much harm, but I don't see how most of the open carry long gun thing is really doing us any good. It can also do us harm, like when those cartoon characters open carried in a fast food joint:

 

[GBExpat]

Does open carrying long guns really help persuade public opinions in a good way?

IMO, no, the result is just the opposite.

 

[45223]

Yeah that's probably the image lots of people get when they think of people open carrying.

I can see handguns. But taking your rifle to a fast food restuarante? That's like dating it. Hell, if I were going to take mine on a date I'd at least go somewhere more classy, like a fancy Italian restaurant. lol

 

[tomrkba]

The question doesn't matter because, like it or not, it is the actual exercise of the right to keep and bear arms in most states. The good news is you have no recourse to stop it. If you work against it, you work against the right to keep and bear arms and are assisting the ANTIS in creating gun control. If you continually rant against it, you're aiding the ANTIS since they'll see a schism among gun owners that they can exploit politically. Make your choice on how you want to carry and leave those who want to OC alone.

 

[jaytex1969]

I was in a coffee house Monday when the OCT rally finished at the Texas capital.

Three fellows walked in with rifles across their backs. I think I was the only person already there who did not look uncomfortable.

Regardless of one's position on the matter, it's not winning us support in the way it's currently being used.

It's also legal to strike one's self on the head with a hammer, but there are no takers due to the non-beneficial outcome...

tomrkba, your posted opinion is in conflict with your signature line.

On a happier note, I was in the capital after the OCT rally for biker legislative day. It sure is nice walking in the side door with no line or metal detector because you have a CHL.

 

[MAKster]

The existing law that allows for the open carry of long guns in Texas also allows you to carry pre-1899 black powder replicas. I think if these activists had carried cap and ball revolvers they wouldn't have been viewed as tactical wannabes. The Old West revolvers are also a part of Texas history.

 

[Oldschool shooter]

Two weekends ago some well intentioned individuals gathered together for an organized open carry get together. 2 handguns, 1 shotgun, numerous AK's and AR's, with a smattering of FAL's and an M1. While I absolutely would defend their right to do so, many of the locals, most of which hunt and own firearms, myself included, watched these guys march around like ass clowns. This is not the way to win friends and influence people to your way of thinking.

 

[tacxted]

The right to bear arms includes OC, and as such, must be embraced by every pro 2nd advocate.

I don't think it hurts us. It let's people start talking about the topic. Maybe some discover what the 2nd means.

What hurts us is our own turning on our brothers.

 

[2ifbyC]

I am a staunch believer in the 2nd Amendment but I do not believe open carry of long arms wins the hearts and minds of those sitting on the fence. Many will view this as an “in your face” tactic that further stereotypes gun owners as irrational. States have the right to infringe on our guns rights so we need to be prudent with the messages we send.

The incident below happened in AZ, a state that is one of the friendliest to gun owners. The man won his case but IMO, left a bad image in the court of public opinion.

http://www.azcentral.com/story/news...ped-man-brought-gun-sky-harbor-abrk/18515491/

 

[orionengnr]

The right to bear arms includes OC, and as such, must be embraced by every pro 2nd advocate.

There is a world of difference between "support" and "embrace"....

 

[tacxted]

Not as much of a difference as pro and anti 2nd. Pick your side.

It just bugs me how much we say we want gun freedom, and in the next breath ridicule some one who uses that freedom.

 

[rcmodel]

'Must be' is pretty strong language there son.

I have been pro-2A for 70 years.

But two fools in baggy pants carrying an AR and a Bubba'd SKS in a Micky-D's is not helping anyone of us in any way shape, or form.

They look like poster children for an anti-gun group.
Or athletic supporters.
Not like 2nd. Amendment supporters.

If they walked in a restaurant I was setting in, I'd be glad I aways set near the back with my back to a wall.

rc

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

If I had been the owner of the restaurant when these two social retards walked in like this, I would have tossed them out and told them not to come back until they can carry their rifles properly. "Gentlemen, sling your rifles properly or leave."

Exactly the same way I would toss anybody out who thinks the proper way to wear pants is halfway to their knees with their underwear and crack showing. Leave until you can dress properly.

I don't have a problem with open carry of long guns...but how one carries the long gun is important. Any kind of "at the ready" position just ain't gonna cut it with me. It'd be the equivalent of entering my establishment with a handgun drawn from its holster, in my opinion.

If nothing else, I consider this to fall under "good manners" and "bad manners". Exhibit good manners and be treated well by me. Exhibit bad manners and expect to be treated accordingly.

 

[chris in va]

Despite my attendance of an OC rally at a local church 5 years ago (and subsequent interview by a news reporter) I do NOT feel OC of a MSR is a good idea.

We have our pistols in holsters and dress respectfully. Hanging an AR or AK from a sling and walking into a local eatery is just begging the practice to be banned.

 

[Officers'Wife]

To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.

It would be perfectly legal for me to wear my flannel pajamas into Walmart, but would it be appropriate?

It would be perfectly legal to ride my bicycle in the middle of the lane of 114 when Talbert Trailers is getting out, but would it be wise?

It would be perfectly legal for my hubby to sit outside the women's bathroom in the park and make eye contact with those going in and coming out, his life expectancy doing so would be severely compromised.

The office of the law is to secure the peace and dignity of the state, morality and common sense is another matter. My wearing my PJ's into Walmart would reflect on Walmart in a negative fashion and I would have room none to gripe if they threw me out and made a policy to do the same for other PJ wearing shoppers. I have a moral imperative to show a modicum of respect for their store. Riding my bike in the center lane of a state highway would be stupid and dangerous. Should it become a habit I could expect either the county or state to step in with an ordinance.

Implying that not supporting the disrespectful attitudes of a lunatic fringe is not supporting the RKBA is farcical. With freedom comes obligations, those not willing to meet the obligations are not deserving of the freedom and will often cause that freedom to be suppressed for those that do deserve it as well.

 

[jerkface11]

It would be perfectly legal for me to wear my flannel pajamas into Walmart, but would it be appropriate?

Never been to walmart have you?

 

[Officers'Wife]

Never been to walmart have you?

Unique argument, the question was not if it is done but if it were appropriate.

 

[oneounceload]

Does open carrying long guns really help persuade public opinions in a good way?

Simply put - no. Those pics, especially if I had an anti-bent, would encourage me even more to get rid of guns.

 

[short barrel]

It's just dumb. Times change and will continue to change. Open carrying a muzzleloader in the 18th century is simply a dumb thing to do now. Maybe we'll come to another time when it is expected and condoned, but not now. The world is a mess and more of a mess than ever. Carrying a shotgun or rifle into public view as a day to day thing will not be accepted in our lifetime. Those who try it now have issues that need fixed.

 

[Oldschool shooter]

Officer's Wife, you hit the nail on the head!