1.I wanted the motivation behind why open carry.
2. You "would" see it that way...but you're wrong. My question was as it was.
3. I could see that as being a driving motivation behind a meet and greet.
4. My own thought to the question was a change of pace with self defense as a motivation, period. I couldn't see me purposely open carry for an educational or political reason. I almost exclusively CC for reasons mentioned so even to open carry for a change of pace would be awkward because it would feel unnecessary to me. I would probably find myself asking why? and then CC.
5.But I do open carry when I shoot because it is convenient on my range. I also open carry when I hunt. My motivation there is convenience and comfort.
6. It has really only happened a few times in many years and it is about to happen for about a week soon...
I feel that it would be that dreaded moment when I need my weapon...I would instinctively reach for it only to have my heart sink in the realization that I am unarmed.
Edited for response.
1. It seemed that way at first, but then when you reference protection, it shifts the direction for me to why be armed at all, the obvious answer is protection.
2. Your response indicated otherwise to me, I was not trying to read it in any particular manner.
3. Driving motivation for the meet n greets for me is to meet like minded people with the same interest, no different that the 4wd clubs I participate with, folks who enjoy modifying 4wd and driving off road. We take lots of photos of that as well. The amateur radio club is the same, like minded people. I do not find many folks outside amateur clubs interested in Dit Dah learning sessions or rice racers who care about retubing axles, or gun guys interested in preserving rights or expanding what has been taken, the OC crowd has interest in that.
4. The educational purpose is a simple one, a large percentage of the population are not aware it is legal, some are interested in spreading the word so persons who might be interested learn there are others who do it and support it being legal. Not unlike when you first visited here, you came here seeking like minded folks to assist as they saw fit with a potential ban, if you had wanted the ban, you would have visited the brady camp. Since you saw it as wrong, you came for support to a place you figured many others would agree, simple stuff really.
5. It is pretty much impossible to hunt without open carry. When you have a rifle or shot gun in your hand, that is open carry as is that rifle or shot gun in a rack in the window of your truck should you have one. That is what is so stupid about it being banned. Illegal handling or discharge should certainly be a crime, but holstered or racked weapons offer no risk, they are tools that require operation and as long as one is not operating it improperly, there should be no restriction on the tool, again, it is simple.
6. You are not alone, I am researching air travel and the laws in several states I must pass through on a short notice trip I must take. nothing I like the idea of worse is stopping at unknown rest areas with 2 lovely ladies without a means of care should it be needed. I sometimes wonder how many folks make the mistake of stopping at the rest stops here in the metro area, so much crap has happened at the one on riverview and I do not know that I might not stop at one in a similar place in another state, I want to be able to defend myself and family.
