Who the hell goes to the mall? Gangbangers? I haven't been in a mall in years.
Our own worst enemy.
- Thread starter Keith G
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Who the hell goes to the mall? Gangbangers? I haven't been in a mall in years.
In Wisconsin open carry is legal , while concealed carry requires a permit ... never made sense to me.
To the topic: While open carry is legally available to me I choose to conceal. I feel that open carry will evoke a negative response from many in the public - flaunting it , that sort of thing. That reaction may not be justified , but it's there IMO. Open carry is rare in these parts , but I see nothing to gain by displaying my s.d. weapon.
"Legal" and "Good Judgement" are not always synonymous. That's how I see it.
To the topic: While open carry is legally available to me I choose to conceal. I feel that open carry will evoke a negative response from many in the public - flaunting it , that sort of thing. That reaction may not be justified , but it's there IMO. Open carry is rare in these parts , but I see nothing to gain by displaying my s.d. weapon.
"Legal" and "Good Judgement" are not always synonymous. That's how I see it.
illinoisburt
Member
I can understand some folks feeling uneasy, but likely from the outfit + gun, not the gun alone. Had the same person with same belt, hoster and pistol been wearing slacks, shirt and tie with wingtips I would imagine no one would would have felt the need to skedaddle.
I can tell you for certain that here in the Birmingham area I see people carrying literally every day. Mostly its semi-discreet but not well hidden. Nobody seems to care, except when the person appears to have something else off - whether that's their clothes or demeanor. I'd say it's the difference between the impression of "normal day happen to have gun" versus "I got a gun and here it is" kind of look.
I can tell you for certain that here in the Birmingham area I see people carrying literally every day. Mostly its semi-discreet but not well hidden. Nobody seems to care, except when the person appears to have something else off - whether that's their clothes or demeanor. I'd say it's the difference between the impression of "normal day happen to have gun" versus "I got a gun and here it is" kind of look.
EIB0879
Member
I use to go to Dick's over there but now that they have acted stupid I have no reason to go to the mall. That, and they opened an Academy a mile from my house.
Doc7
Member
Please. Don’t see anything tacticool about his outfit, it’s a pair of shorts for lords sake.
Nobody who was on the fence about gun control changed their minds from seeing this guy.
Never open carried in my life and it would make me uncomfortable to do so, but there’s no problem with this guy.
Nobody who was on the fence about gun control changed their minds from seeing this guy.
Never open carried in my life and it would make me uncomfortable to do so, but there’s no problem with this guy.
I think you’re right. I have friends in big cities who are very anti gun. For me, on our land/farm, a gun is simply a tool, no different than a shovel. To them, a gun is simply a means of killing someone, and in their setting there is some validity to that thought process. So this guy taken as a whole epitomizes everything they fear. I don’t think that helps gun rights cause.
Doc7
Member
What could he do to not “epitomize everything they fear” about using a gun to kill people?
They fear camo shorts and boots? I don’t understand why the city slicker is afraid of anything beyond the gun itself, how is this guy special to epitomize this?
Those are unfortunately the sort im thinking of....same guys ill talk to, might even go shooting with, but wont drink with.
Ive got a few friends, and know plenty of other folks who fit that bill.
My kids love going to the mall, so im there at least once every couple weeks.
College kids, teenagers, tourists, anyone who likes watching people...yeah i people watch while my kids play in the bouncy castle lol. Plenty of punks at the mall too.
I think he looks like a dork, but beyond that nothing real threatening.
If he had tacpants, and full blown combat boots, or some such he would bother me.
Did you read the post I quoted from Illinoisburt? He sums it up well.
Speedo66
Member
Well, yeah, she was properly accessorized. No camo shorts and black socks for her. If she took the time to get that coordinated and nobody looked at her she might have become a little miffed.
JTHunter
Member
Yeah, look at all the "snowflakes" and how they react to what people from our "side of the aisle" try and speak their mind. They have no problem shouting us down yet expect their voices to be heard no matter how we feel.
Labguy47
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Florida, the only white stuff we have here is sand.
WestTexShooter
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We’re here,
We open carry
We aren’t scary
Get use to it.
Assuming the person was conducting themselves in a legal fashion, then this is not a “him” problem.
If anything bothers anyone here, that is a “them” problem.
If this person is proving to be an “enemy” of anyone, it is due to those people not knowing the law, not appreciating the Bill of Rights, and being a snowflake that watches cnn too often.
We open carry
We aren’t scary
Get use to it.
Assuming the person was conducting themselves in a legal fashion, then this is not a “him” problem.
If anything bothers anyone here, that is a “them” problem.
If this person is proving to be an “enemy” of anyone, it is due to those people not knowing the law, not appreciating the Bill of Rights, and being a snowflake that watches cnn too often.
Sypher....
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I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that most of the people who think this gentleman is "our own worst enemy" live in states where it isn't legal or very common, which isn't bad, and doesn't mean it's right or wrong. We are all entitled to our own opinions.
In Utah, where I used to live, it was more common on a day to day basis to NOT see someone open carry. It was/is the norm there. Where I now reside, and almost have for 5yrs, I don't believe I've seen one person open carry, even though it is legal to do so. That seems weird to me!
If more people were seen open carrying, those not accustomed to it (gun enthusiasts or not) might feel a little uncomfortable at first, but as time goes by and they see that those open carrying aren't a threat (and aren't shooting up the place) will begin to relax, and a new norm can be established.
I don't think this guy did anything wrong, and I think more people should open carry to make it a norm. That being said, I am grateful to live in a country where we are able to have and share our own opinions, and maybe even change some of those opinions that others have, or our own.
In Utah, where I used to live, it was more common on a day to day basis to NOT see someone open carry. It was/is the norm there. Where I now reside, and almost have for 5yrs, I don't believe I've seen one person open carry, even though it is legal to do so. That seems weird to me!
If more people were seen open carrying, those not accustomed to it (gun enthusiasts or not) might feel a little uncomfortable at first, but as time goes by and they see that those open carrying aren't a threat (and aren't shooting up the place) will begin to relax, and a new norm can be established.
I don't think this guy did anything wrong, and I think more people should open carry to make it a norm. That being said, I am grateful to live in a country where we are able to have and share our own opinions, and maybe even change some of those opinions that others have, or our own.
Calling “them” snowflakes and ridiculing their choice of media really isn’t going to further the cause. They’ll just call the other side gun nuts and tell them they watch too much Fox News. Both sides are right since we all live in our self made bubbles, but it’s not constructive in the grand scheme of things any more than name calling in grade school was. I consider myself a bit of an anomaly. I definitely slant left of center on most topics, yet live a rural life in Texas and own several firearms. That puts me at odds with both sides, but it also allows me to see the flaws in both sides tactics. I have had friends come up for extended visits from the city and leave with a completely new outlook on firearms. That came from showing them how they can be used in a manner that the media doesn’t show. Namely as a way to protect livestock and fun target shooting. That will do much more for the 2A than telling them they are dumb snowflakes that just need to get over it. Again, just my opinion.
harrygunner
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Funny how enemy thoughts are in this thread.
The Constitution was written to fight "feelings". The weaker the citizenry feels, the more they feel uncomfortable around those showing strength. That's a spiraling trend that lends more power to the "leaders" that encourage those feelings of helplessness. Leads to government tyranny.
Next thing you know, we'll be getting upset about kids pointing fingers like a gun or kids cutting bread to look like a gun.
The Constitution was written to fight "feelings". The weaker the citizenry feels, the more they feel uncomfortable around those showing strength. That's a spiraling trend that lends more power to the "leaders" that encourage those feelings of helplessness. Leads to government tyranny.
Next thing you know, we'll be getting upset about kids pointing fingers like a gun or kids cutting bread to look like a gun.
JTHunter
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silicosys4
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And how has that been working for you?
Trunk Monkey
member
No. Why would they be?
I was working a security guard and on 2 separate occasions some random street rat went for my gun
chicharrones
needs more ammo
Interesting. The man in the OP's photo looks like a regular guy.
I might change my opinion of him depending on what his shirt and hat had on the front of them, and more importantly, how he treated other people.
At least he was looking away from the GQ magazines. Gained some bonus points in my book.
I might change my opinion of him depending on what his shirt and hat had on the front of them, and more importantly, how he treated other people.
At least he was looking away from the GQ magazines. Gained some bonus points in my book.
I disagree. I have plenty friends that sit farther left than you are comfortable with, and not 1 wants to disarm law abiding citizens. And most know that that’s not even logistically possible. Fox News would like you to believe that, just as CNN would like you to believe that all conservatives want to walk around with an AR15 over each shoulder. That’s how they control viewers, with fear. Sit down and have an adult, level headed conversation with some people (not politicians) on the left, and you might be surprised at the common ground. Now there are extremists on both sides, and frankly, they scare the hell out of me.
Jeb Stuart
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And only a damn fool goes to one at night.
crestoncowboy
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The whole outfit came from midway usa except for perhaps the shirt. I'm betting its something pro 2a or a gadsden flag.... and that's the way it is. Lol. And Those aren't timberlands he is wearing. Then the camo shorts.... No way he isn't going for tactical/operator. I could care less if he wears the chicken outfit from stir crazy but look at the facts.
Growing up I rode horses, I hated it but my family had them so..., usually wearing a duster. After Columbine I stopped wearing it because I noticed that it made people nervous. I wasn't doing anything wrong, but I had other coats so as a courtesy I did. The same town that never batted an eye all of a sudden took notice.
But as far as this gentleman hurting anything. I don't see it. I have a notch hat. I have duty boots. I have camo shorts. I won't wear it all together. Once many moons ago in the 90s, I, in my half asleep state, Threw on my surplus pants and grabbed my surplus field jacket on the way to the bus. After the first 15 GI Jane comments I decided to pay a little more attention to such things. If 12 year olds noticed that before Columbine/ 9-11/etc in a town where every truck in the school parking lot had a rifle in a rack (including mine later) , then do you not think adults do, and may think ur a nut? I want to stay pretty much anonymous, which at 6 foot 3 and 200 lbs with 3 loud kids is difficult enough in public already. Plus after the first couple trailer hitches to the shin bones in a dark parking lot pretty much every one around here swore off shorts anyway.
And NC also has permitless open carry but requires a permit to conceal as well.
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