Our own worst enemy.

[Hokie_PhD]

His demeanor was fine. My feeling is that he screams GI Joe/ego complex. There were women with their infants in strollers that headed straight to the door. Elderly men and women that did the same.

So my question is what positives did he accomplish with his attire and open carry? Many people went home and told their friends and family, who likely then told their friends and family about a “wacko” they encountered in the bookstore today that had a pistol out in the open and dressed like he wanted to be in the military. Is that good for the 2A cause? I think not. Had he simply moved his firearm inside his waistband he would have been able to protect himself and anyone else he chose to just as well (arguably better) without causing a scene.

I agree that it may not have been the best way to go about things, but he exercised his rights.

One his first Amendment rights of freedom of expression. It’s not just words but his right to dress as he likes. So I may agree he may have looked “bad” or “tactical”, so what? It’s his right.

Two he exercised his second Amendment right. Again it’s noy all about hunting or self defense. In Va we have a governor who won’t resign. Few understand that the 2nd is in place for us to remove the government or officials who are tyrants. Now we can debate that in another thread, but I mention it as it’s more than guns. Our right to have guns allow us to do so many things, hunt, defend ourselves and others, protect our libertyand even enjoy our pursuit of happiness via sport or in this guys case via wearing his firearm as he chose.

And that’s another thing. Seldom do we discuss our right to the pursuit of happiness. Many of us enjoy so many aspects of firearms because it brings us happiness. So the discussion here is good. I’m sure he didn’t go out thinking, that I want to annoy people, or I want a discussion on THR about me. But IMHO all things have good and bad, so the good is we can discuss it.

So again, I don’t agree with the look, but I will fight for his right to do what he did. In fact, I’ve been very outspoken against stars like NY, IL, CA denying me my rights as a US Citizen if I go to their states. So kudos to him for exercising his, as many in those states and even our nations capital can’t. In fact, I often have to decide if I want to submit to DCs tyranny and repeatedly found unConstitutional laws, or Not and risk arrest and a long legal battle to do what he did while not to that level.

 

[Mike J]

I tend to agree with Odd Job. He was going about his business while armed. It could even be possible that if enough people do such it would normalize people to seeing other folks carrying weapons to a point that it doesn't freak them out. I see folks around here from time to time doing the same in many different modes of dress. It is a bit awkward because like another poster I find myself curious about what they are carrying but I don't want to gawk & make someone uncomfortable.
Personally I tend more towards keeping it covered when around others. Depending on where I am there are times I am more concerned about it than others though. I don't think running around screaming the sky is falling really helps anything.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

His demeanor was fine. My feeling is that he screams GI Joe/ego complex. There were women with their infants in strollers that headed straight to the door. Elderly men and women that did the same.

So my question is what positives did he accomplish with his attire and open carry? Many people went home and told their friends and family, who likely then told their friends and family about a “wacko” they encountered in the bookstore today that had a pistol out in the open and dressed like he wanted to be in the military. Is that good for the 2A cause? I think not. Had he simply moved his firearm inside his waistband he would have been able to protect himself and anyone else he chose to just as well (arguably better) without causing a scene.

So a guy is at a book store minding his own business. Due to his camo shorts and open carry, women, children and the elderly all run for the door in a horrified panic?
I'm skeptical.

 

[Labguy47]

I believe the problem here is perception. We have relegated guns to out of sight out of mind. So when one is finally spotted it becomes a scene from the running of the bulls.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

His demeanor was fine. My feeling is that he screams GI Joe/ego complex. There were women with their infants in strollers that headed straight to the door. Elderly men and women that did the same.

Yeah, with all due respect, I'm going to call BS on that one. I see open carry frequently in Colorado Springs and the most common reaction I see is that most folks don't even seem to notice

 

[Drail]

So you saw this guy in a bookstore, took a photo of him and posted it on a gun forum because his "appearance" offended you and the other snowflakes? I'm not really sure which side you're on. I'm going to guess that you have never been in a Walmart........

 

[crestoncowboy]

I see open carry pretty regular here. I go to town every 3-4 weeks but can always find 1 person at least. They are usually operatorish and the few times I've heard them talking at the walmart gun counter or interacting, arrogant and condescending. I'm surprised how little anyone pays attention to the guns actually. Ive often wondered if people just assume they are LE or forestry service.
Last summer, after working on a 1966 Ford all day and covered in grease I went to walmart to buy something for it. After hearing one such individual going on about the superiority of certain brands I joked to the cashier, (whom I know and he knows I can carry most anything I want on most any day) that maybe I only conceal because I'm ashamed I can't afford better than a glock. The guy wasn't amused. I did see a Surgeon I know in his scrub shirt and badge still hanging around his neck the other day in the electronics open carrying. I remember because I asked my wife (BSN) if he shot me would he be required by his oath to try to fix me. Lol.

As far as the pictures, I don't see the problem other than the boots and shorts either. He certainly went for "tactical casual" but that's his prerogative. My brother in law always wears boots and shorts on the job, excavating/ pouring concrete. Etc.......I hate it and cant bring myself to do the same, but he sure doesn't seem to be as miserable hot as I get. I've been stuck running in a store in everything from workout gear (looking like THAT guy from Jersey shore) to jeans covered in cow crap and a tanktop on after tending cattle or taking a load to market. I'm not the fashion police and if I knew any I'd be locked up myself I suppose. That said I've never been in Barnes and Noble that I recall. Maybe their one of them thar fancy dress places....like Target. Idk. Either way I almost always carry concealed although I could legally open carry and no one would care.
I don't think he is 2As worst enemy. Those are usually wearing skinny jeans, not "tac casual"

 

[SharpDog]

... I’m sure he didn’t go out thinking, that I want to annoy people, or I want a discussion on THR about me.....

 

[Trunk Monkey]

I don't open carry except at work because I've actually had people try to take my gun off of me.

Having said that I fully support your right to make your own decision in the matter and I don't believe open carry causes people to panic because most of them don't even notice.

I see open carry frequently in Colorado Springs and when I do see it I do the open carrier the courtesy of minding my own business

 

[Keith G]

...run for the door in a horrified panic?
I'm skeptical.

I believe this are your words, not mine. I said they made a beeline for the door. Perhaps that is even an exaggeration. Maybe I should have said that several people saw him and made a point of leaving the store immediately.

 

[Drail]

Trunk Monkey sir, Question - were these people who tried to take your gun off of you at work wearing any kind of a badge or uniform?

 

[Keith G]

Yeah, with all due respect, I'm going to call BS on that one. I see open carry frequently in Colorado Springs and the most common reaction I see is that most folks don't even seem to notice

Fair enough. I’m not going to try to convince you that I’m not lying.

 

[JohnB-40]

I live in an open carry state and have a concealed handgun license. In bygone days I would have thought nothing about seeing someone open carry,but these are different times with the MSM keeping hate and fear mongering news going 24/7. One incident I have witnessed is as follows.....
My wife and I were having a burger after doing the shopping. Small popular joint,usually busy. We were sat buy the window near the door and I watched as this yahoo pulled up and parked near the door. He got out leaving his two big dogs. I noticed he was wearing a empty cowboy rig,he reached back inside the cab, grabbed and holstered a Ruger Black Hawk. He walked in like he was John Wesley Harding and you could instantly feel the vibe of the whole place change. I could see a lot of patrons (many were seniors and moms with kids) were very uneasy and quite afraid of the pistol and attitude. To add to the tension,the two dogs would go ape every time a customer passed the truck,barking and lunging out the half opened window. This idiot's sole aim was to scare and intimidate the patrons with the whole package. It was great to see an attitude change in this idiot when a cop came in for his lunch. He picked up on the vibe and quickly noting the source,gave him a look that was a pleasure to watch. I was like watching a balloon deflate and few moments later a less cocky J.W.H. left,after changing his order to go.......I turned to my wife and said "fools like that are ammo for the anti-firearms crowd"

 

[Blkhrt13]

I don’t open carry unless I’m at or around the hunting camp. But the worst thing homeboy is doing is showing off pasty legs. Sunshine my dude sunshine!

 

[Keith G]

Clearly my views put me in the minority here, and that doesn’t surprise me. I’m a bit old school, and prefer not to flaunt what I have. Heck, I don’t own a Glock or any polymer gun for that matter, so I’m not sure any of my firearms are worthy of self defense anyway.

No, he didn’t offend me as many have claimed. I believe, and still believe he did more harm to our cause than good. Feel free to feel otherwise.

Yes, it’s completely within his right to be doing exactly what he is doing. Saying that we can be our own worst enemy is my attempt at simply saying common sense is a good thing. Freedom of speech allows me to walk in and tell my boss his haircut makes him look like an idiot, and that his wife is ugly. It’s my right to do so. Is it a good idea, probably not.

 

[crestoncowboy]

Sunshine? Where the hell is one supposed to find sunshine in January- February. 95 percent of the country doesn't lend itself well to sun bathing at the moment. Lol. Not like he could open carry in a tanning bed.
I said I didn't open carry but I will add that I have open carry a revolver a few times (x frame, redhawk, blackhawk or 329) during hunting season into the local gas station/ pizza place. Simply because I hip carry and was too lazy to take it off. Other than a couple people inquiring what the x-frame was no one has noticed or seemed to care.

 

[Kevin5098]

Here in rural Southwestern Maine I try to carry discreetly. Pocket carry or OWB under a jacket. If necessary I will remove my jacket and do not feel uncomfortable doing so. I am not opposed to those who choose to open carry and feel that it is beneficial to normalize the practice. The left is bombarding us with all manner of bizarre behavior in order to desensitize us to the deviancy - Transgenders, transsexuals, late term abortion, etc.

 

[crestoncowboy]

Ive pointed out the desensitization to many things for many years. It only works when the opposition is demonized for their opposing views, and therefore gagged. In the case of open carry, the opposition to it isn't chastised for opposing. People have argued against and for open carry since before the OK corral. No one has been desensitized because the attacks from the other side, although unconstitutional aren't demonized.

 

[LoonWulf]

I agree. Shorts and black socks should be a prosecutable offense in any state.

Thats my work attire, thank you very much.....course I usually wear all black, lol.



So my thoughts, coming from a state where firearms arnt allowed in public, but are also fairly common, and not generally frowned upon.

If its legal, than he is within his rights, and if it bothers me than I have the right to leave, just as it sounds like some folks did.
I also dont feel that hes causing gun owners any harm, as long as he comports himself well.
If he, and his gun, become a regular sight at the store, perhaps people will get more comfortable seeing a firearm, and associate it with someone who ISNT a bad guy.
Now thats probably wishful thinking, id bet someone complained to management before the day was out, but one can hope.

I honestly dont like the idea of open carry either, just because you KNOW theres gonna be the jackasses who WILL make the rest of us look bad, but if it gets affirmed here ill likely start carrying, and you bet ill be considering how people view me and my gun any time were out.

 

[jmr40]

I see someone doing that on an almost daily basis at local stores and restaurants. No one seems to care. I prefer to carry concealed. But the more people see honest decent people carrying responsibly the less uncomfortable it makes them

 

[k4swb]

I hope if I am ever in some place that someone starts shooting in, there is at least 1 person in there that is open carrying, except my friend.

I have a friend that insists on carrying open everywhere he goes even if he needn't. He has a CCW permit but thinks open carry is so much cooler. I've asked him multiple times to conceal his firearm when we're out together because I feel, rightly or not that open carry just screams, "shoot me first" and I don't want the shooter even thinking about me until I've spotted him.
My friend thinks open carry means "leave me alone, I'm a bad man."

I think he's full of it and I'd rather not be that close to the first person shot.

 

[EIB0879]

Sunshine? Where the hell is one supposed to find sunshine in January- February. 95 percent of the country doesn't lend itself well to sun bathing at the moment. Lol. Not like he could open carry in a tanning bed..

Here in Texas it was 80 a few days ago and it is 38 right now in the middle of the day. A typical Texas winter. I live in Frisco, Texas, on the north side of DFW, and I could see people at the mall getting skiddish because we have been overrun by an infestation of people from liberal states. Maybe some more displays like this would cause some of them to go back.

 

[Sistema1927]

I was visiting my son in Arizona, and waiting in line at a store. In front of me was a gal open carrying a purple pistol in a purple holster on a purple belt. She was also carrying a purple purse, and wearing purple shoes. All were in the same shade.

Nobody batted an eye.

Seems like more exposure to OC would cure hoplophobia.

 

[EIB0879]

I was against open carry a few years back when a vocal minority was ramming it through. Now that it is the law here I will support anyone legally doing it. If a retailer has an issue they can put up the 30.07 signs.

 

[Texas10mm]

I live in N. Texas and open carry is legal in Texas. Whenever I go out to town and make more than one stop I see open carry. The places I don't see it? The VA hospital, Costco, and HEB. I see it at Walmart almost every trip. I see it at Winco almost every trip. I see it at Academy almost every trip. I see it pretty much everywhere. About 25% of the people I see open carrying are Constables, I don't count uniformed police officers.

Most people never notice it. I've had my wife standing right behind someone open carrying and she never notices. I notice because I eyef*** everyone, just like I was trained to do. I keep my head on a swivel and size up everyone nearby. If you live in the DFW area and aren't seeing open carry then you're not looking.

Shorts? I wear them all the time, I even have a pair of camo shorts I wear to the range and fishing. Boots? Yeah, I'll wear boots to the range.

I don't normally open carry but there are times I do.

If open carry bothers you then don't do it. Otherwise quit being a FUDD.