I choose not to OC at church, and will CC once my permit comes in, I don't think my church would have any problem with it, however, I would never want anyone to stop coming to church because of something I did, especially if it was just openly carrying a firearm. Also, If or when we open carry, we should be transparent with the reasons why we open carry. You can say "MYOB", however if we want people on our side or at least tolerate our lifestyle, we should inform them of why we do what we do, and if we aren't willing to do that maybe consider CC. Just my thoughts, and maybe I am way off base, but I would rather educate people on the legality of open carry and why I do it, rather than shove them away and have them think that everyone who carries a firearm is a jerk.
Howdy Amigo!
We haven't met, but from this post, I am in awe. You hit so many hot-button issues in this one post that I can see opportunity to discuss quite awhile on some of them. I specify 'discuss' because I think some of these are really basic and elemental issues that many would prefer to ignore or pretend do not exist. You are to be commended for raising issues that will pick at sore spots that may bring resentment or angry responses. And I am about to take incoming right along side you, but from a different perspective.
For example; you may choose to not OC at church. May CC when the government gives you
permission to exercise your Constitutional right.
That's one big issue right there. Why should a law abiding citizen need permission to embrace an inalienable right?
From whence, or whom, do such inalienable rights flow?
I understand how you wouldn't want somebody to stop coming to church because you OC'd, but how would you feel about stopping another OC'er from coming to church because they prefer to OC? Who gave them such authority to open carry anyhow?
If an OC'er does not have, nor can afford, to secure a CCW permit, would you feel they shouldn't go to church until they finally break down and obtain one?
If OC is merely a lifestyle, then it certainly should not be on the list of basic human rights. It is similar to saying freedom of speech is a lifestyle, or freedom of religion is merely a lifestyle, or freedom of peacable assembly... all just lifestyle choices. And the beauty of 'lifestyle', they can be easily controlled and regulated or even criminalized.
Why carry a firearm to church at all?
I absolutely agree regarding being open and informative about the legality and transparency in relation to OC. If we want our 'lifestyle' to be accepted and normalized within our society, we need to educate folks around us and win them over rather than glibly alienate them. We should be ambassadors for open carry. But does the OC'er who makes a different decision, one whereby he does not well tolerate fools, have a right to openly carry a firearm while also sporting a sizable chip on his shoulder?
I ask this because I've seen a few OC'ers who seem to have such a chip on their shoulder and prefer animosity to understanding. In some cases, it almost seems like they're itching for a fight; or at minimum, an unreasoning argument. Ergo, the question arises, who makes the decision on how people behave while exercising their 2a right? And under the 1st Amendment, does the jerk not also have the right to speak as he will?
There is an interesting irony here. Many who practice OC are pretty evangelical about it. They live it, preach it, and promote it.
Similarly, folks of a particular religious perspective tend to be pretty evangelical about it. They live it, preach it, and promote it.
How is it different for an OC'er to bring his openly carried firearm to church, than for a religious person to come to my door to proselytize?
Many who shun religion feel that religious folks 'beat them over the head' with their beliefs.
Similarly, there are many who accuse gay folks of flaunting their 'lifestyle' in people's face.
Do we, likewise, proselytize open carry, flaunt our right or 'get in people's face'?
Are these not legitimate questions that we should consider?
With a remarkable economy of language, you've opened a Pandora's box filled with questions that ought reasonably be examined.
These are perilous issues that draw visceral reaction. I do not have answers, but plenty of questions of my own.
Blessings,
M-Taliesin
