and lots of people say the same thing about the holstered open carry of unloaded pistols in California..... and those that open carry rifles in Texas.... sounds like what is being stated is that people should submit to the suppression of their right to bear arms based upon the perceived tolerance of the government in power.
What limit would you impose?
When the finger enters the trigger guard? When the finger is rested on the trigger? Only when they have an ND? Or only if the ND hits a person rather than just putting a hole in the building?
What about one of these good folks covering you with his/her barrel as they swing that long gun around? You ok with that so long as they don't have their finger on the trigger when they do?
Are you and they certain that the floors/ceilings of the building will reliably stop a rifle round (often way more powerful than a handgun round) rather than being penetrated and someone on the next (or lower) level being at risk? On the flip side, does the floor or ceiling present a credible risk of ricochet and thus danger to everyone in the room if there is an ND? None of us would select a flat concrete slab as backstop for shooting. On the flip side, none of us would use a couple of sheets of plywood and sheetrock as a bullet catcher. Did this fine examples of responsible gun owners give any real thought at all to safety?
What exactly is the safe direction to point a rifle when inside a building such as this? Or do basic safety rules not apply if someone is trying to make a statement about RKBA?
Beyond some objective safety questions, we have the public relations / image questions.
Of course, our rights shouldn't be subject to others' opinions about them. But they are. Call it tyranny if you like. That is reality and it is exactly why we show up at legislative meetings, why we work to elect pro-RKBA candidates to office. It is insanity to engage in political work and then ignore the political ramifications of our conduct.
In this case, the conduct won't just affect those who think handling long guns in public is a fine idea. The rule change will likely affect all OC'd firearms.
Charles
