Wall Street Journal: Calls Open Carriers "Bozos"

[Werewolf]

^^^^^

Very well stated...
Exceptionally well!

Doubtful you'll get a reply but if you do be sure to post it here.

 

[Bubba613]

So you shouldn't exercise your First and Second Amendment rights at the same time?

A person can exercise his First Amendment rights by setting up on a soapbox in Harlem and screaming "go back to Africa."
But I wouldn't consider that to be very smart or safe or a wise use of one's rights.

 

[NavyLCDR]

A person can exercise his First Amendment rights by setting up on a soapbox in Harlem and screaming "go back to Africa."
But I wouldn't consider that to be very smart or safe or a wise use of one's rights.

It would probably be cause of a lot of people to immediately begin exercising their Second Amendment rights, though!

 

[MisterMike]

While some have drawn comparisons to the conduct of individuals who have advanced other rights movements, like black people who dared to sit in the front of the bus or gays who decided to walk down the street holding hands, I think there is an important distinction to be drawn: sitting in the "wrong place" or holding another's hand doesn't pose a perceived threat to the personal safety of the person whom you are trying to convince. On the other hand, when some dude wearing cammies shows up in a park carrying an AR-15, apparently outfitted for armed conflict, that scares a lot of people. Provoking thought is desirable. Instilling fear? Not so much.

So, the question seems to me to be, if you are going to try to advance general acceptance of the RKBA, how would you do so in the manner best calculated to be successful?

Truly, I don't think that the folks who show up in parks looking like they're prepared for urban combat with the Taliban are helping any of us out. Whether or not the crowd here accepts it, those things do scare people. It screams out that the person is maybe just a little off-kilter AND HAS A FREAKIN' GUN!!!

It seems to me that the better approach is to keep it low-key. Wear your jeans or khakis . . . or whatever you feel comfortable in, short of ACUs. Wear your pistol visibly, in a manner that exudes control and saneness. But, do NOT try to come across in a manner calculated to show what a bad dude you are.

The editorial, in part, read "such demonstrators may yet turn out to be a godsend for the antigun crowd." That's precisely what we want to avoid. Every time one of these demonstrations occurs, the news media focus on the guy who's sporting an AK-47, bandoliers, and a bowie knife the size of an Oldsmobile. Is that really the image we want to convey?

 

[TexasBill]

They're in Harlem; they don't have any Second Amendment rights. Of course, there might be a hail of gunfire from those misguided souls who disagree with Mayor Bloomberg.

 

[TexasBill]

While some have drawn comparisons to the conduct of individuals who have advanced other rights movements, like black people who dared to sit in the front of the bus or gays who decided to walk down the street holding hands, I think there is an important distinction to be drawn: sitting in the "wrong place" or holding another's hand doesn't pose a perceived threat to the personal safety of the person whom you are trying to convince. On the other hand, when some dude wearing cammies shows up in a park carrying an AR-15, apparently outfitted for armed conflict, that scares a lot of people. Provoking thought is desirable. Instilling fear? Not so much.

So, the question seems to me to be, if you are going to try to advance general acceptance of the RKBA, how would you do so in the manner best calculated to be successful?

Truly, I don't think that the folks who show up in parks looking like they're prepared for urban combat with the Taliban are helping any of us out. Whether or not the crowd here accepts it, those things do scare people. It screams out that the person is maybe just a little off-kilter AND HAS A FREAKIN' GUN!!!

It seems to me that the better approach is to keep it low-key. Wear your jeans or khakis . . . or whatever you feel comfortable in, short of ACUs. Wear your pistol visibly, in a manner that exudes control and saneness. But, do NOT try to come across in a manner calculated to show what a bad dude you are.

The editorial, in part, read "such demonstrators may yet turn out to be a godsend for the antigun crowd." That's precisely what we want to avoid. Every time one of these demonstrations occurs, the news media focus on the guy who's sporting an AK-47, bandoliers, and a bowie knife the size of an Oldsmobile. Is that really the image we want to convey?

Well said! Make it look like you're wearing the gun, not advertising it. I do have to admit I wear khaki BDU shorts all summer long.

 

[akadave]

If its legal to carry openly then it might be alarming to some people and perhaps not the wisest thing. I would be worried about another armed person mistaking me for a bad guy and drawing on me, and perhaps causing a bad situation.

 

[MisterMike]

Well said! Make it look like you're wearing the gun, not advertising it. I do have to admit I wear khaki BDU shorts all summer long.

Sounds to me like you're due for a fashion makeover.

 

[Warhawk83]

If its legal to carry openly then it might be alarming to some people and perhaps not the wisest thing. I would be worried about another armed person mistaking me for a bad guy and drawing on me, and perhaps causing a bad situation.

What?

Someone is gonna mistake you for a bad guy and draw on you because you have a holstered pistol?

 

[akadave]

"What?

Someone is gonna mistake you for a bad guy and draw on you because you have a holstered pistol?"

After seeing some of the idiots that frequent one of the shooting ranges I go too...yes, I think someone would draw on someone showing a holstered pistol or a slung AR or ....

 

[DELTAJOHN]

I just don't CARE! In summer I open Carry, it's just more comfortable! In Winter, conceal carry because a coat is necessary. I love Virginia because open is the law of the state, and conceal is shall issue with a clean record, it's great, I just throw a gun on and not worry if I'm "CORRECT"!!!!! People just don't seem concerned, but then again too, I'm "natural" when I carry, I just "forget" I'm armed, so perhaps I look like POLICE.


IT IS SO NICE TO HAVE THE OPTION TO DO EITHER!!!!!! The places that bitch about it, don't have it so they are uncomfortable around guns plain and simple!

John

 

[rickomatic]

Now most of society could care less. We have become acclimated.

Who you callin "kemosabe"? paleface?

 

[NavyLCDR]

If its legal to carry openly then it might be alarming to some people and perhaps not the wisest thing. I would be worried about another armed person mistaking me for a bad guy and drawing on me, and perhaps causing a bad situation.

Very original, never heard that one before!

That's right up there with the bad guy will shoot me first, the bad guy will take my gun, and I have to carry because my pecker is too small.

 

[Werewolf]

The sheep could care less about our rights and even less about our feelings. I, for one am sick and tired of having to act like I give a damn about their rights or feelings.

To hell with them. If we don't stand up and let 'em know how many of us there are and that we're not going to take their crap anymore we lose because government schools and the liberal media are making more sheep every day.

 

[Ky Larry]

The Wall Street Journal is a very big soap box. Just because somebody has access to this soapbox doesn't mean they know what they're talking about.

 

[General Geoff]

After seeing some of the idiots that frequent one of the shooting ranges I go too...yes, I think someone would draw on someone showing a holstered pistol or a slung AR or ....

Yeah, and usually that someone drawing down on an innocent open carrier is an uninformed police officer who doesn't know the law he's tasked with upholding. I've not once been drawn on by anyone OTHER than a police officer, in my years of open carrying in an urban setting.

 

[Bobarino]

I've always felt open carry is more hassle than it is worth unless I'm on my property or some other wide open space. I've always felt that in town you are begging to get hit in the back of the head and robbed or shot first.

Unlike the PD, nobody is there to back you up, nobody is going to jump in to assist you and some needy person may mistake you for the PD and put you in a jam where you have ZERO authority to act.

So while you might have the right to carry openly and you enjoy doing it, it might not be the best idea in many situtations. CCW is fun because the suprise of a gun suddenly getting added to the fight where there was no gun before is to good to pass up.

This is just my opinion, not intended to upset people who are extreme in their desire to open carry and make a scene.

gee, with friends like these.....

i love that little disclaimer at the beginning or end of posts like these. "i don't mean to insult......" > proceed with insult.

 

[Bubba613]

If someone feels insulted by that post then they have problems. It was his opinion. He made valid points. You can accept them or reject them as you wish.
But he sure wasn't insulting anyone.

 

[Enachos]

Cosmoline, +1
Well said sir!

NavyLT,
I'm always amazed by the knowledge on your posts! Thanks for posting that! ++1

Well! I'm off to Walmart! ... Yes I'll be OC! If there is a robbery I hope I don't get shot first!

BTW is there any ACTUAL proof that Open Carriers get shot first?????

 

[merlinfire]

If police can open carry, citizens should be able to open carry. Seems simple to me.

 

[green country shooter]

it wasn't the wall street journal, just someone whose thoughts they published