BOOMcat12B
Regular Member
So I was checking out my local Sheriff Department's FB and came across this post-
"Couldn't sleep so got up and turned on my computer and the first thing I saw was a Video that has gone Viral, of a man standing in line at a JCPenney's store with a weapon over his shoulder and a Glock in his belt. And a woman also in line took the pictures. How quick do you think you're going to be getting calls about this going on right here at home? Who are going to be the first ones in this area, to try this, too? And nothing we can do about it. How do we tell if he's a good guy or a bad guy. Will they be wearing white or black hats. Who's going to be the first to challenge them to see which they are? I have Panic Attacks, and I know the way I will probably respond, before I can make my way out of that business and never go back. I sit here scared to death to have to go outside tomorrow, into what will look like our own little war zone. Just thought you all should be advised of what's about to happen."
So I decided to reply and hopefully help this person feel a little better/educated for the next time they see someone OC...And I am not going to lie I am one of the only folks that does OC in my town so this is also to hopefully hedge off a negative encounter should this person see me out and about one day (it is a small town)
Here is my reply-
I am just going through some of these posts and I noticed yours. I would like to try to help you understand open carrying so that you might better handle this situation should you encounter it. Please understand that this is not a message meant to insult, degrade or belittle you in any way, but rather to explain to you some things about OCing, as knowledge is power as the saying goes. When someone openly carries their firearm into public they are doing so in full compliance with their local, state, and federal laws. They are carrying to protect themselves and their loved ones. They are not carrying a weapon with the intention of causing anyone harm with said weapon, unless someone threatens them with violence first. They are simply trying to be what is called a "hard target". Someone who either will be left alone by a criminal due to the weapon, and move on to someone else who is not carrying (to their knowledge anyways, remember a lot of citizens are legally carrying concealed as well) or can respond with the appropriate response to a criminals threat. I say that a person who is open carrying is in compliance with the law because a criminal will conceal their weapon so that they have a bit of the element of surprise when they attack you. Someone who is open carrying has nothing to hide. Now with all that being said I will say that I am an advocate of openly carrying, and I do so on a daily basis. I live in Rolla and have never had a problem with carrying nor have I ever had a reason to pull my firearm. I am very thankful for this as I hope i am never put in that situation, as do many of us who openly carry. However should that situation ever happen we are prepared to defend ourselves and those around us. I will agree that carrying a rifle with you is too much. There is no reason to carry a rifle with you in your day to day life. I did that for a year, in a country where your very survival depended on that weapon being with in arms reach of you. But that is not the situation here in the states thankfully (well not in Rolla anyways, Chicago and Detroit might be a different story.) so there is no reason to do so. Please understand that those of us who openly carry have spent many many hours on the range, most of us come from a firearms/military/Law Enforcement background, and we are mentally and physically prepared to carry and do so in the safest manner possible. We are constantly aware of our surroundings and are always on our toes. We are simply carrying to protect ourselves and our loved ones. We are law abiding, tax paying citizens same as just about everyone else you see when you leave your house. The only difference is that we are prepared to defend ourselves should, God forbid, the need ever arise. If you ever have any questions or concerns about carrying or openly carrying please feel free to contact me and ask. I am always willing to help people understand this delicate issue. I hope that this information helps you feel safer and will alleviate some of your concerns. With respect...
What do you guys think? Good bad or just right? I am sure they is room for improvement and I am always looking for better ways to further ocing and educating folks. So any and all comments are appreciated. Thanks for your time.
"Couldn't sleep so got up and turned on my computer and the first thing I saw was a Video that has gone Viral, of a man standing in line at a JCPenney's store with a weapon over his shoulder and a Glock in his belt. And a woman also in line took the pictures. How quick do you think you're going to be getting calls about this going on right here at home? Who are going to be the first ones in this area, to try this, too? And nothing we can do about it. How do we tell if he's a good guy or a bad guy. Will they be wearing white or black hats. Who's going to be the first to challenge them to see which they are? I have Panic Attacks, and I know the way I will probably respond, before I can make my way out of that business and never go back. I sit here scared to death to have to go outside tomorrow, into what will look like our own little war zone. Just thought you all should be advised of what's about to happen."
So I decided to reply and hopefully help this person feel a little better/educated for the next time they see someone OC...And I am not going to lie I am one of the only folks that does OC in my town so this is also to hopefully hedge off a negative encounter should this person see me out and about one day (it is a small town)
Here is my reply-
I am just going through some of these posts and I noticed yours. I would like to try to help you understand open carrying so that you might better handle this situation should you encounter it. Please understand that this is not a message meant to insult, degrade or belittle you in any way, but rather to explain to you some things about OCing, as knowledge is power as the saying goes. When someone openly carries their firearm into public they are doing so in full compliance with their local, state, and federal laws. They are carrying to protect themselves and their loved ones. They are not carrying a weapon with the intention of causing anyone harm with said weapon, unless someone threatens them with violence first. They are simply trying to be what is called a "hard target". Someone who either will be left alone by a criminal due to the weapon, and move on to someone else who is not carrying (to their knowledge anyways, remember a lot of citizens are legally carrying concealed as well) or can respond with the appropriate response to a criminals threat. I say that a person who is open carrying is in compliance with the law because a criminal will conceal their weapon so that they have a bit of the element of surprise when they attack you. Someone who is open carrying has nothing to hide. Now with all that being said I will say that I am an advocate of openly carrying, and I do so on a daily basis. I live in Rolla and have never had a problem with carrying nor have I ever had a reason to pull my firearm. I am very thankful for this as I hope i am never put in that situation, as do many of us who openly carry. However should that situation ever happen we are prepared to defend ourselves and those around us. I will agree that carrying a rifle with you is too much. There is no reason to carry a rifle with you in your day to day life. I did that for a year, in a country where your very survival depended on that weapon being with in arms reach of you. But that is not the situation here in the states thankfully (well not in Rolla anyways, Chicago and Detroit might be a different story.) so there is no reason to do so. Please understand that those of us who openly carry have spent many many hours on the range, most of us come from a firearms/military/Law Enforcement background, and we are mentally and physically prepared to carry and do so in the safest manner possible. We are constantly aware of our surroundings and are always on our toes. We are simply carrying to protect ourselves and our loved ones. We are law abiding, tax paying citizens same as just about everyone else you see when you leave your house. The only difference is that we are prepared to defend ourselves should, God forbid, the need ever arise. If you ever have any questions or concerns about carrying or openly carrying please feel free to contact me and ask. I am always willing to help people understand this delicate issue. I hope that this information helps you feel safer and will alleviate some of your concerns. With respect...
What do you guys think? Good bad or just right? I am sure they is room for improvement and I am always looking for better ways to further ocing and educating folks. So any and all comments are appreciated. Thanks for your time.
